The Gift chronicles novel Chapter 1

Book 1 Chapter 31

Ares' POV

I woke up to Alpha Cain anxiously staring at me. How long have you been staring at me like that, creepazoid? I asked him through our mindlink.

He laughed breathlessly, his eyes aglow with relief. "I'm so grateful to hear your voice again, even if it comes in the form of insults." The Blood Alpha sat on the edge of my bed, a serious expression taking over his face. "Do you remember what happened?"

I looked around at my surroundings, not recognizing them but realizing I was in some kind of Pack hospital. You whipped the hell out of me, I responded dryly.

His eyes flashed in guilt. "Look Ares I—" Cain began, taking my cold hand in his much warmer one.

I interrupted him. Don't. I was the one who volunteered to take his punishment, Even now, I don't regret it. In some way.. I hesitated, unsure of how to articulate my thoughts. I needed you to prove your ability to be Alpha. I wasn't taking you seriously before. I thought you were weak because of our bond.

He nodded slowly, even though I could tell that I didn't alleviate his guilt. "My wolf needed to assert his dominance. I wouldn't control him unless he received your submission. He doesn't take too kindly to insolence, even if it is from his mate."

I shrugged. No harm, no foul.

"No harm?" He harshly asked, and I was surprised by his abrupt change in tone.

"I put you into a coma for two weeks. Your back was utterly destroyed because of my wolf and I. Justify my actions in whatever way you want, but do not pretend you were not harmed by what happened."

Alpha Cain abruptly flipped me over on to my stomach, as I laid there in confusion. A few moments later, he turned me back over and held out his phone. He had taken a picture of my back.

I will admit, it was one of the more brutal beatings I had received. The mutilation on my back was unmatched to any of my other past injuries. I could still see deep indentations from where the whip struck me, and my entire back was raw and pink, as new flesh replaced the old that was beaten off my body.

I whistled lowly. Impressive, Alpha. You whip with a heavy hand. I like that about you. And I did. I respect his use of brute force. It's exactly how I handle my problems.

Alpha Cain looked at me as if I grew another head. "You know, most girls would have been impressed with the romantic picnic. Only you would respect me for whipping you into submission."

I shrugged. It takes a lot to get me to submit. Congratulations, Alpha.

He narrowed his eyes at me. "I thought we talked about this already. Please call me Cain, not Alpha."

Considering his request, I hesitated before responding. I accepted you as my Alpha by submitting, not as my mate.

His face slightly fell at my words. "Ares, I will do whatever it takes to get you to accept me as you mate, but I need you to meet me halfway here."

I glared at him. Easy for you to say, Alpha. You get your freedom and your mate. I only get one of those, and its not the one I would have chosen for myself.

Cain searched my eyes, and I kept my poker face, even though I could feel the mate bond punishing me for my words by giving me pain in my chest. "I actually have quite the compromise, little mate. I think you'll find the terms quite agreeable."

I leaned forward, rapt with attention. I didn't think the Blood Alpha had any leeway on the Laws, and I certainly didn't think he would be willing to make any compromises with me on my freedom. He seemed to enjoy having me under his thumb at all times.

"I am willing to let you walk on my pack territory without being carried. This does not apply to when we visit other territories, but while you are on Blood Lake land, as long as you have an escort, you will be allowed to go where you please on our land." His face remained impassive, not giving anything away.

I narrowed my eyes. What's the catch? I asked, not trusting his words at face value.

"No catch, I promise. Our borders are impenetrable. I trust that you will remain safe on our land, especially when factoring in your ability to protect yourself, coupled with guards I will assign to you." He promised, but I remained unsure.

What made you change your mind?

"I almost killed my mate due to my own stubbornness and inflexibility. If this agreement is what it takes for you to stop trying to escape, then I am willing to make the tradeoff, despite the many years of tradition we would be breaking." His eyes were overtaken with guilt. If I knew taking the whippings was all it took to get me my freedom, I would have taken them weeks ago.

Even though I remained suspicious and wasn't sure if he would keep his word, I told him amenably, Fine. I won't escape.