Chapter Seven
"Follow me," Jack said, his voice girl and unwavering.
"Are you sure about that?" Grey questioned, a skeptical eyebrow raised. "He looks like he's the one that needs protection."
Ignoring the jibe, Jack pressed on, leading the way. "So you just kill people as a wolf guardian?" Grey's tone was a mix of curiosity and disdain.
"I don't just kill people," Jack replied tersely. "They're after the wolves."
"And how exactly does that protect the wolves?" Grey shot back, but Jack refused to engage further, his focus ahead.
They arrived at a secluded spot in the woods where an old, decrepit mansion was. "We'll be safe here," Jack assured.
"What is this dump?" Grey asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"It's not a dump, you just can't see it," Mara interjected, her eyes wide with fascination as she took in the scene.
Jack approached the building, hands outstretched as worked to break the magical barrier protecting it. The air shimmered with ancient energy, and Grey watched skeptically. Mara, However, was entranced .
"Wow," she whispered,stepping closer. "This is incredible."
Jack successfully dispelled the barrier, and the door creaked open, locking behind them once they were all inside. The interior was a stark contrast to the exterior, filled with artifacts and protective wards.
"What the hell is going on here?" Liam's voice echoed from the corridor as he joined them, eyes scanning the group. His gaze fell on Mara, noting the bite mark on her hand. "This is a demon bite."
Mara's knee buckled, and she collapsed to the floor. "Jack, do something!" Grey screamed, panic lacing his voice.
Mara looked up at Jack, her eyes pleading. "This is the part where you bind my wounds," she said faintly. A weak smile tugged at her lips. "If you wanted me to take my clothes off, you should have just said," she added, her voice barely a whisper as she gazed into his eyes.
Jack knelt beside her, his hands hovering over her wound. "Hold still," he instructed, his voice gentle yet commanding. As he placed his hands on her, a soft glow emanated from his palms, spreading warmth through Mara's body. She gasped, the pain momentarily intensifying before dulling into a manageable throb.
Her eyes fluttered shut. and she passed out, exhaustion overtaking her. "Is she going to be okay?" Grey asked, his earlier bravado replaced with genuine concern.
"She'll be fine," Jack said, his voice softer now. "She needs to rest."
Grey watched as Jack carefully lifted Mara and carried her to a nearby room. As he moved tenderly. "You care about her," Grey observed quietly.
Jack didn't reply immediately, he focused on ensuring Mara was comfortable. "She's important to me," he finally admitted, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.
As Jack turned to leave, Grey stopped him. "Jack about what I said earlier… I'm sorry. I didn't understand.
"It's alright," Jack replied, a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth. "We all have our roles to play."
Grey nodded, watching as Jack returned to Mara's side, his presence a silent promise of protection and care.
The next morning, Mara stirred and slowly opened her eyes, blinking against the soft morning light streaming through the window of the room.
"She's awake now," Grey exclaimed, a wide smile spreading across his face. He immediately hugged her, his happiness was palpable, filling the room with a warm energy.
Jack walked down to her side in an instant, his eyes filled with concern and relief. Mara's gaze flickered to him briefly before moving to her hand, where she noticed the once painful injury had transformed into a complex, swirling mark. The marks of the wolf's guardian. She rolled her palm over it and winced.
"Ahh, that hurts! You guys tattooed me? "She asked, her voice a mixture of confusion and pain.
"It's not a tattoo," Jack began, his tone gentle but firm.
"It's a runes," Grey interrupted eagerly. "It is used for everything. It helps make you run faster, it makes invisible, it makes you strong and it's used for healing. It can also be used to make you visible. That's why I can suddenly see see him. Even if you're hungry.."
"No," Jack cut in, his eyes flashing with the mixture of annoyance and urgency. "The fact that the runes has an effect on you, explains why he can see us."
"I don't get it," Mara said shaking her head slightly, her eyes searching Jack for answers.
"A normal wolf can't survive survive the process," Jack explained, his voice softening as he sat closer to her. "The runes is too strong for them. But now we definitely know that you have a wolf guardian blood."
"Wait, it wasn't definite before?" Grey asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.
Jack sighed, looking down for a moment before meeting Mara's eyes again. "We suspected, but this confirms it. You're special , Mara. more than you know, right from years back.
Mara's mind whirled with the revelation, the implication sinking in slowly. She glanced between Jack and Grey, the weight of her new reality pressing down on her. There was something else, something unspoken hanging in the air between them.
Grey, sensing the tension, clears his throat. "So does this mean she's part of you guys now?" Grey asked, a hint of protectiveness creeping into his voice.
"Yes," Jack replied, his eyes never leaving Mara's. "She's one of us."
Mara's heat raced, the intensity of Jack's gaze making her feel both exposed and cherished. Grey shifted closer, his presence a comforting contrast to Jack's intense focus.
"Welcome to the pack," Liam said softly as in walked into the room. He walked up to where Mara was and gave her a hand shake.
Mara felt a rush of emotions, fear, excitement, confusion, and something deeper, something that tugged at her heart when she looked at Jack. The love triangle between them was undeniable, a complicated feelings that she could no longer ignore.
As the morning sun continued to rise, casting a golden glow over the house, Mara could feel that her life had irrevocably changed. She was now fully part of the world she barely understood, bounded by fate and the magic of the runes. And she looked into Jack's eyes, she realized that her journey was just beginning.