Blood.....blood everywhere.....I was drowning in a sea of blood. The waves threw me pulling me down til I hit something hard the blood splashed around me and I was no longer in the sea of blood. Hard wood beneath me blood was still in my eyes I wiped it away while reaching for something anything. My hand finally feeling something cold. Suddenly I could see again as I blinked a couple times the room coming into focus.
Looking at my hand I dropped the object, a dagger covered in blood. I was afraid to look up but I couldn't stop my eyes from seeing what I knew would be there. It was a dead body, my eyes took in the blonde hair and blue eyes.
I woke up still screaming the body still fresh in my mind. The door burst open making me Yelp In fear as I scrambled further up the bed.
"Are you alright!"
I couldn't see who it was through the tears in my eyes. The shadow stepped closer I moved further away afraid I was still in my dream.
"It's alright I won't hurt you."
I recognised that voice. It was Ty the wolf ordered to watch me. I shook my head burying my head in my lap. My body still shook from my nightmare. I heard him approach but when his hand touched my shoulder I flinched quickly moving further away from him.
"TY!"
My head snapped up my eyes going to the door following the voice. Red iris's met mine, I tried to look away but I couldn't.
"Leave her be."
Ty hesitated but did as he was ordered. I expected the king to follow him out the door but instead he stepped further into the room closing the door behind him. I should have been afraid but for some reason he didn't scare me. I watched not moving as he pulled up a chair beside my bed and sat down. He didn't touch me nor did he come closer.
"Lay back down I'll stay until you fall back asleep."
Slowly I did as he said my eyes glued to his and I lay back down. However I couldn't close my eyes the fear still etched into my mind. I knew if I closed them I'd see it again, I'd see myself dead by my own hand. He seemed to sense this as he slowly reached out his fingers tucked a stray hair behind my ear. For the first time his voice was kind.
"If you start to have another nightmare I'll wake you."
He started to pull his hand away but before he got to far I grabbed his hand.
"Promise."
He nodded his face in the shadows the only thing visible is red eyes that shone in the moonlight.
"I promise."
I let go of his hand closing my eyes as once again sleep overtook me.
When I woke the next day I was alone. I stared at the empty chair beside my bed. So I wasn't dreaming he really did stay with me til I went back to sleep. I groaned. What the hell is wrong with me? This was the same male who'd just yesterday treated me like an enemy, basically making me a prisoner. His words came back to me. He'd threatened to lock me up if I disobeyed his rules. My growl softened as last night came back to me. His voice so unlike the one he usually used with me, it was caring.
I sighed who was I kidding I was half asleep, there was no way that part was real. Ripping the blanket off me I grabbed some clean clothes and headed for the shower. I'd had one last night finally getting the dried blood and grime off me but after sweating from my nightmares I definitely needed another.
Thank god Ereni had thought to add all my toiletries when she picked up my bags. Not that I needed most of it considering my bathroom was already stocked full of shampoo, conditioner and shower gel almost like it was just waiting for someone to live in this room. Guess that's not far from the truth in a pack house.
Once finished I got dressed in some tights and a v neck. I wasn't one of your girly types preferring for more practical clothes over style. Being a lone wolf it was habit better to always be prepared for a fight which meant clothes that allowed for better movement. Which considering where I was there was a definite need for it.
The second I was dressed there was a knock on the door almost like they had been waiting for me to be finished getting dressed.
"Come in."
The door opened and to my surprise it wasn't Ty but Slo who come through the door. He rushed in wrapping his arms around me. I welcomed his arms happy to see a friendly face. He started to pull back but I held on.
"Not yet!"
He laughed leaving his arms around me til finally I moved away. I smiled at him genuinely happy to see him.
"Thank you Slo I needed that."
His smiled turned into a frown I knew he felt guilty about what happened and it broke my heart.
"Stop it Slo it's not your fault you did more then enough for me I was an idiot to think I could come into red eye pack territory without permission."
I sighed looking at the floor my arms wrapping around myself.
"This is all on me."
His hands rested on my shoulders making me look up at him.
"Hey it's going to be alright. Whatever happens I'll always be here for you. I don't care what my brother says you are not the enemy."
I sighed.
"You don't know that Slo."
He stared at me confused so I continued.
"I don't know my past I may very well be the enemy that your brother thinks."
Slo begins to shake his head denying my words. His hands move to cup my face forcing me to look at him fully.
"Kan you just said it you don't know your past. Whoever you were is not who you are now and right now you are a kind caring soul. I trust who you are now and I know you would never do anything to hurt me or my pack."
I thought back to the attack with the alpha. His words coming back to me. "You are mine." I shivered remembering them.
"Kan?"
My eyes came back into focus as I took in his blue eyes that were darker than mine. His eyebrows creased.
"Kan what is it?"
I sighed I had to tell him. I could never hold something like this from him.
"When the alpha attacked me before King Vericus got there. He....he said things. The way he spoke to me was like he knew me."
I could see Slos thoughts whirling around in his head. Suddenly his face turned serious.
"Tell me exactly what he said."
I nodded closing my eyes as I pictured what had happened just yesterday.
"He surprised me, somehow I didn't even know he was there. It was like he just appeared out of no where. He slammed my head into the kitchen counter."
My hand went to my head that had now healed remembering. Opening my eyes I saw worry in Slos face. He hated hearing that he'd hurt me. But he said nothing letting me continue.
"He said he'd found me. He kept calling me cherry blossom like it was a nic name. He said it was my fault that he had hurt me because I wasn't with him, like it was my punishment. I tried to fight him but my head made everything spin. I asked him why he was there..."
Tears came to my eyes as I looked away somehow ashamed that I was so weak. Slos voice was a whisper of sound but I still heard it.
"What did he say Kan?"
I hugged myself feeling dirty as those gold flecked eyes flashed before me. Slowly I returned my gaze to Slos.
"He said it was because I was his."
Slos eyes glowed in anger his fists clenched. Panicked I grabbed Slos hand.
"Slo stop please it's alright I'm alright. Your brother saved me there's no need to get upset."
He shook his head stumbling back putting as much space between us as he could. His wolf was starting to emerge. The shift tearing at his clothes. A growl escaped his throat.
"SLO!"
Suddenly the door burst open Ty coming into the room.
"What's going on?"
He took in the scene in the room, me pinned against the wall just as Slo shifted in anger. Ty growled at me.
"WHAT DID YOU DO?!"
I shook my head now afraid for a whole new reason. Ty moved towards me but Slo jumped between us growling at Ty. Just as Slo was about to attack Ty a larger black wolf burst into the room pinning him to the ground. I rushed forward.
"Don't hurt him!"
The King growled my way stopping me in my tracks. Slo still struggled underneath him but King Vericus held him down like it was easy. Ty grabbed my arm twisting it around my back making me cry out in pain. Slo snarled at the sound but one look as King Vericus's wolf and he froze. Ty still held my wrist behind my back started pushing me out the door. I struggled against him, I couldn't leave Slo alone with that monster, brother or not.
Ty was too strong however as I got one last look at Slo before I was forced out the door.
"Let me go! It's not his fault!"
Ty growled at me.
"Shut up!"
I ignored him pleading for him to go back. I shouldn't have told him. I should have kept my mouth shut. This was all my fault. I struggled against Ty's grip. If I broke my arm so be it. Gritting my teeth I was about to do just that when Owens voice cut through my struggles.
"ENOUGH!"
We were halfway down the stairs Owen stood at the bottom looking up at us. His eyes glaring at Ty.
"Let her go before she breaks her own arm."
Looking back I saw the surprise on Ty's face as he let me go. I stumbled back as Owen climbed the stairs catching me before I fell.
"You would seriously break your own arm to help Sloane?"
I glared at him my face answer enough. He whistled.
"Well I'll be."
Owen still held my shoulders as footsteps came from my room. Looking up Slo and King Vericus came out in human form. I averted my eyes since they were both completely naked.
"Take her to my office we'll be there soon."
King Vericus's voice was full of authority not a trace of the gentle tone from last night. I could feel his eyes on me despite not wanting to I turned our eyes locking before Owen gently pulled me down the stairs.
The silence as we walked downstairs and into the Kings office was nerve racking to say the least. Judging by Ty's reaction to what happened I was sure Kings Vericus would be worse. Was this where he locked me up?
"Go get some breakfast Ty I can take it from here."
Ty looked at me sideways like I would pounce any minute.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes now go."
Ty headed out the door leaving me with Owen which if I'm honest didn't make me feel better. As much as Owen seemed the calmest of them all, i was weary of him. There was a certain look in his eyes that told me he was not one to be messed with when provoked.
Sensing my weariness he smiled and indicated for me to sit in one of the chairs before a big mahogany desk. When I hesitated to move he gently guided me to the chair while saying.
"Don't be scared your not in trouble."
I sat down as he took the other chair his eyes never leaving mine. He seemed to be searching my face for something but before I could ask what the door to the office opened, King Vericus and Slo walking in. Vericus took the chair behind the desk and Slo leant against the wall his eyes avoiding mine.
"Slo's filled me in on what happened."
My eyes left Slo to focus on Vericus as he continued.
"Considering everything that's happened and the fact that there's still a lot that we don't know there's only one option left to us."
Even Slo lifted his head upon hearing Vericus's next words.
"We need to take a DNA sample."
I blinked in surprise.
"I...I don't understand. How is that going to help?"
Owen was the one to answer my eyes meeting his.
"Kandra a DNA sample maybe able to tell us who you are."
"If we're to believe she's telling the truth that she has no memory."
I scowled at Vericus's comment a low growl coming from within me. Owen ignored Vericus grabbing my hand to bring my attention back to him.
"Slo has told me that you've been searching for answers for fours years. A DNA sample may provide those answers."
I glanced at Slo who continued to avoid my eyes. Why did he seem on edge about this? It was going to help wasn't it? Though how I didn't know. Returning back to face Owen doubt in my voice.
"I don't understand how that will help unless you have something to match it too."
Owen shared a look with Vericus who shook his head slightly. Sighing his blues eyes gazed back at me.
"I don't want to get your hopes up this may turn out to be yet another dead end but what do you have to loose?"
He was right I guess giving a DNA sample wouldn't hurt me and if it did help them find out who I was then that's good isn't it? So even though there was obviously something they were hiding if it gave me the answers I've been looking for then I had to do it.
"I'll do it."
Owen smiled patting my hand as he pulled out a swap from his jacket pocket. I opened my mouth as he touched the swap to my cheek then sealed it up.
"How long til you get the results?"
"It will take a few days but as soon as they do I'll come get you."
I nod as he turns back to Vericus who stands up.
"Well now that that's done we should go see what's left of breakfast."
From the corner of my eye I saw Slo push off from the wall before he could follow Owen and Vericus I grabbed his shirt.
"Slo can we talk."
I glanced at the others then back at Slo who was still avoiding my eyes.
"Alone."
Vericus hesitated but Owen nudged his arm.
"Come on Ver I sent Ty out earlier we better stop him from eating everything."
Vericus growled but followed after Owen as they closed the door behind them. Slo didn't turn to face me.
"What did you want to talk about?"
His behaviour was strange not like the Slo I know at all. My voice was quiet if he wasn't wolf he prob wouldn't have heard it.
"Have I done something wrong? If it's about what happened I'm sorry I wouldn't have told you if I'd known how upset you'd get I just-"
His hands quickly wrapped around me cutting off my words. Stunned I froze not sure what was happening, after a few seconds I hugged him back. His voice was in my ear.
"I'm so sorry Kan. I couldn't live with myself if I'd hurt you."
He pulled back his hands still on my shoulders surprised I chuckled.
"Is that why you wouldn't look at me?"
He ran a hand through his hair shrugging impishly.
"How could I look you in the eye after what happened? If you hadn't have stepped back in time I could have hurt you."
I shook my head my lips curving in a smile I punched him in the arm feeling much better.
"You goof its not like I haven't wolfed out in front of you before. I'm fine even if you hadn't have pushed me out of the way I have good reflexes."
Being serious again I put my hand in his.
"Next time if you have a problem talk to me ok or I'll just think the worst."
Smiling he squeezes my hand.
"Deal. Now come on Owen was serious about Ty if we don't hurry he will eat everything."
I laughed as I let him drag me out the door to my first meal with the pack.