I quickly hid the little girl behind me and stood in front of her. This person doesn't seem dangerous but there's a powerful aura coming from her.
"What happened sweetheart?", a familiar voice came from the direction she came from and I turned to the man.
I looked between the two as it clicked.
"Is she… is she your…", I stuttered and looked at him with a questioning gaze.
The girl somewhat lowered her arrow as she looked at him too probably wondering how I know him.
"Yes", he breathed, I could only mouth an 'oh'.
"Well could you kindly tell her to lower her arrow and possibly explain who I am and what I'm doing here?"
"Why are you ordering my mate like that and you should be the one explaining yourself because he doesn't know you so how will he tell me", she looked at him while he stood there trying to explain.
"Speak rogue, do you not have a tongue? Before I make sure my arrow tastes the blood in your heart", she smiled evilly as her face darkened while she aimed at me again.
I flinched at her tone and wanted to speak but Franco was faster, "You will do no such thing".
She looked at him with anger and confusion, "Why are you defending her?"
"You remember i told you about a girl we found at the border?"
"Yeah?", her anger turned into curiosity.
"Well that's her", he said pointing towards me.
Her bow and arrow fell then she was standing in front of me in a mere second. Startled, I stumbled back a few steps. Gosh,she was fast.
What she did next took me by surprise as she hugged me so tight like she was afraid I'd disappear.
"Can't breathe", my voice small due to lack of oxygen.
"Sorry", she immediately let go of me but had a strong grip on my shoulders, "I'm sorry about earlier, I shouldn't have done that. I thought you were a rogue and wanted to kidnap that girl".
"I didn't know who you were and if Franco hadn't come in time, who knows what would have happened…"
She kept on rambling, laughing nervously here and there. Franco immediately held her and pecked her cheeks.
"Deep breathes sweetheart, slowly", she did as he said.
"It's alright, it was a misunderstanding", I said looking everywhere but them shifting uncomfortably from one foot to another.
"So what were you doing here, this area isn't safe. It's closer to the border on the side which rogues live and they wander occasionally".
I looked up to see them watching me expectantly for an answer. I bit my lips nervously.
"I was watching T.V when I heard crying so I followed it here", I brought forward the little girl and continued, "she was stuck trying to get her cat so I helped both of them".
"You climbed up there by yourself?"
"Yeah", they looked shocked. It's very normal for a wolf right?
"No, it's not normal for wolves to climb a tree that big. Only wolves who can become a warrior can climb that".
I guess I spoke out loud but yeah, they're right. That tree is huge, at least three to four floors tall, I didn't notice till now.
"So this little kid might become a warrior?", I looked at the girl playing around with her cat, not a care in the world. I wish I could live like that too.
"No stupid we're talking about you", Franco said flicking my nose. I looked at them like they had lost their minds.
Me… a warrior? Those two words don't even go together and I don't think they should be used together in a line.
I know what moon goddess said but it could be a dream at the end of the day.
"Hey Adira, are you alright?"
"I think we should take her to the hospital", Franco's mate said which brought me out of my thoughts.
"No I'm fine, just spaced out. Don't worry, there's no need to get the doctor", they both looked relieved and nodded.
"But why can't this girl become a warrior? She climbed the tree too", I furrowed my brows in confusion.
"She is and can be, she has alpha blood running through her veins", she's Alpha Carl's daughter?
Yeah she does look like them now that I look closely. I went towards her and kneeled to her level and bowed.
"I apologize for not recognizing you before", she just giggled and continued playing with her cat.
I heard a loud growl and turned to look at Franco who was fuming.
"What did we say about bowing?", he snapped and I flinched at his voice.
Seeing this, his mate started rubbing his arms and pecked him on the lips.
"Calm down Franco, it'll take time for her to adjust".
I again diverted my gaze from them feeling hurt from how much they love each other, if my mate would have accepted…
'No Adira, you are not going to talk or even think about him, he doesn't deserve us and is not worth our attention and time', Ellie spat and barked at me growling loudly.
Great, now my wolf is upset with me too. Can life get any better.
"Let me introduce myself, I'm Mariya, Franco's mate and Beta female of Shadow pack", Franco's mate stretched out her hand for a handshake which I gladly took.
"Beta Female madam", I bowed again but froze as soon as I realized what I just did… sh*t, I'm in trouble.
I quickly stood up straight and glanced at Franco who was trying to control his annoyance with folded fists.
"You can call me Mariya and I will call you Dira… yeah", she said proudly that she came up with a nickname for me.
"It's getting dark so we should head back", Franco grumbled and my head lowered with embarrassment.
"Don't worry, he'll be fine tomorrow", Mariya said patting me on the shoulder reassuringly then carried the Alpha's daughter that had fallen asleep on a bench nearby.
"Come on kiddo, you have a lot to explain to your parents later".
We started walking in silence, nobody said anything, only the sound of dry leaves crunching beneath our feet.
"Get yourself some first-aid, we'll come over tomorrow", Franco said while he merely glanced at me which made me sad.
"Meet you tomorrow Dira, sleep well, bye, good night", Mariya shouted over her shoulder while carrying the sleeping little girl.
I watched them leave and smiled sadly at what I'd become, I'm too ruined for friendships.