Verna had no plans to die but she had thought of jumping to her own death trying to escape the man. Kernan had the confidence that she was going to stay put. It was then, he knew what really scared her. It was when he bit into her skin. He lived every bit of it and seeing her so helpless, made him feel like the predator he has always been. The slave establishment was a cruel place but he had always gone there so often. Every slave he has taken under his wing, didn't last long enough for him to enjoy them. They were mostly an exhibition for him, no matter how he tried to control himself, something always pulled him back.
The moment he had cut a deal with the owner, Verna seemed like the perfect fit. What made her intriguing was the stories that were attached to her. Words like that excited him. "For years we have tried to tame her but she is so adamant." He knew as a fire soul like hers has something to do with the dark side, she might have probably escaped a million times and selling her now was the best option. Kernan loved them the most, when they didn't break. The fire inside them was always what he chased, what he wanted. Nothing else prepared him for what's to come, Kernan was ready for anything.
He was still staring at her from the other side of the carriage when the carriage slowed. "What's going on Brett?"
"The horses are a bit tired and there is no Lake nearby to give them water to drink."a monotone voice answered from the other side of the carriage.
"Can't we go with just the carriage and leave the horses behind?"
"I'm sorry Alpha, the wheels may fail. The horses were just to support the carriage as we made our journey."
They had been travelling for a long time and it was difficult to tell the tone from the way the clouds gathered. "How long have we been travelling?" His frustration had begun to build up.
"A day and a half, Sire." His hair was dishevelled now, he didn't think they were so behind in their journey. The journey from the Northern region to the South wasn't something he spent so much money and time on. It was dangerous for someone as strong as him not to talk more of a mortal wolf. He was thinking of Verna, he needed to protect her. There was this need to protect her like his life was on the line for it.
If Kernan was known for something, he didn't know how to fight against his instincts. He welcomed every thought, every feeling and emotions, and dwelled on it until his mission was successful. Since they started their journey, Verna was quiet, she was still quiet and hadn't said a word. She just watched the speed of the scenes and allowed the wind to kiss her skin.
"Alright. We would step out for a while, that should give the horses time to gather their strength until we find a lake close by. We are already up ahead at the border of both regions, we will rest there before we head home."
"Okay, Sire." Brett never revealed his face, it made Verna wonder if his servants were allowed to be in communication with him at all.
"You can step down. I'm taking you for a walk." Verna refused to move an inch. "Okay, you can stay here, chained to a carriage and be killed by something worse or you can just come with me and maybe I will let you live a little longer after I have had my fun with you."
She reluctantly stepped down waiting for an opening to disappear from his sight. Her guts told her that she might not make it far; she was curious to know What life he had waiting for her in the Southern Region. It was said, it was a place of beauty, it was almost like God himself had smiled on everyone who lived there. Kernan waited for her to catch up with him before tying the chains around his knuckles.
"You can ask me anything, I won't bite you this time. " he told her, staring at her from his side eye.
"You sounded so free at the beginning, I felt I could say anything. When I did, you bit me till you drew out blood. What's the assurance that you won't kill me and bury my body somewhere in the woods, when I say what's on my mind?" Verna stared at his amber eyes, they were burning for words from her, a reaction but she had nothing to give that would be worth his time.
"I wanted to teach you a lesson, you were out of line. You can confuse me for the friendly type but I am not friendly at all. There are depths to me that you can't reach."
"I do not intend to."
"Good girl." They continued to stroll in silence, only the chirps of birds could be heard. The crickets whose sounds go up gently to shake the leaves of the tree. The air was cold, the clouds were still taking their time to gather enough darkness to bring down lightning and thunderstorms. Kernan enjoyed the weather, this kind, it was when he loved to roam free in his vicious form. He still does not know why people think he doesn't give off the cruel impression, not that he cares. Then, it was something he was curious about. Kernan thought of how he could be painting this moment from the comfort of his home, although this discomfort was worth it. He knew and was waiting to see more.
The loud sound of vultures startled Verna as they perched on the branches of a nearby tree. "You hate Vultures?"
"Yes, creeps me out. How can there be an existing animal that feeds on the dead?"
He chuckled lightly. "It is said that when the vultures are seen lurking, it means trouble is near. "
"What do you mean?" He replied to her with more silence. "Where are we going?"
"Just taking a walk. I just want to test my luck today, maybe I might see a deer worth killing ."
"You hunt?"
"Yes, one of the many things I loved to do aside from art. Just because we are a part of the Charmstone pack doesn't mean that we can't be interested in other things." Kernan sniffed the air, noticing the smell of blood of a living animal. For a moment, he regretted taking Verna along but he knew what she was capable of. He saw a fig tree so he took her three and hung the chain on a branch. Both hands were swinging in the air, he checked the lock of the chain and he was certain that she would not move.
"I'm coming." He smiled at her.
"You can't leave me here!" He shook his head and took longer strides into the woods. "Great, more silence." The noises of vultures were still very loud, it felt like they were close. Verna tried to get out of the chains but she couldn't.
Something felt wrong.
Suddenly, a murder of crows gathered, continually flying in the air. A figure appeared in a black cloak. She moved quickly to stand in the presence of Verna.
"Mmm, a life full of pain. An enticing being. How awful it is for you to be chained here all alone."
"Who are you?"
"I am your end. This is how you die, underling." The strange woman grabbed her by the neck, gently snuffing the life out of her. Verna couldn't speak anymore, there was only pain. Something charged inside of her, her eyes turned gold in an instant, reversing the amount of pain she was feeling. The frail witch screamed, Kernan who watched her fierce transition, took his gun and shot the witch.
Verna stared at her limp body alarmed. "I knew I didn't make a mistake choosing you." Kernan smiled with his heart fluttering with joy.