The Gift chronicles novel Chapter 2

Book 2 Chapter 4

"I can walk on my own, you know," I told Thane, who hadn't released me from his grip since he first picked me up.

He looked down at me in amusement, his mouth quirking to the side. "Yes, Onyx, I do know. Did you know that you're far too slow and we won't cover enough ground if you walk yourself?"

I huffed at him. "Okay, rude! I'm not a completely incompetent wolf. I've survived as a rogue for like a decade and a half."

His striking green eyes softened. "I know, little one. I'm sorry you had to live this life. While we're on the topic though, why did you become a rogue? I'm assuming since you were so young it wasn't your choice?"

I cringed at the memory of destroying Killian's arm. "I don't want to talk about it," I mumbled.

Curiosity deepened in his gaze, but suddenly he jerked his head to the side and stared into the distance.

"What are you looking at?" I asked him, confused by his behavior.

"There's someone coming. Not one of my men. A rogue, likely," Thane didn't sound worried, only vexed, as if a rogue was just a slight irritant rather than a legitimate threat.

He set me on my feet. "Don't move. I'm going to go neutralize the threat."

"You're leaving me alone?" I asked, slightly panicked. Despite my Gift, I always felt anxious being alone in the woods. I knew that I wasn't a very strong wolf, and it would be easy for someone to incapacitate me if they caught me off guard.

Thane gave his signature crooked smile. "Don't worry, little wolf. This won't take long. Plus, my men are stationed all throughout the woods. You'll be safe, I promise."

I nodded, but felt uneasy. Thane sprinted into the distance. As a rogue, I knew what kinds of things went down in the woods. Rogue on rogue violence was common, but I also knew that the Reaper could always come too. His slayings of rogues were always gruesome. I came across some of the bodies while I would travel through the woods with Greyson.

Greyson in particular had a vendetta against the Reaper. He wouldn't tell me why, but any time he was brought up, Greyson would get incredibly angry and distant.

I stood in place, looking around the woods, not wanting a wolf to sneak up on me while Thane was gone. Despite what Greyson said about him, I felt undeniably safe when I was with Thane. Possibly because of the mate bond, but also possibly because I couldn't think of any wolf that would be strong enough to take him on. He exuded power and strength.

Suddenly, I felt a hand grasp my shoulder. I jumped, and was about to scream when a hand was placed over my mouth.

"Relax, Nyx, it's just me," I was relieved to hear Grayson's voice.

"Stop doing that! You're going to give me a heart attack!" I whisper yelled at him. I knew if Thane heard me he would come running back.

"Sorry, sorry. I just had to apologize for what I said earlier. You know that's not what I meant. I don't think that death follows you, Onyx. My issue is with Thane and Cain, not you," He said, and grabbed the side of my face so that I was looking at him. His thumb stroked my cheek. It was a familiar gesture that had been comforting over the years.

I nodded. "I'm not mad about the comment anymore. I just don't understand why you hate them so much. The Blood Alpha, sure I guess he sucks. But you haven't seen the way Thane is with me. He's gentle and sweet. Not at all a deranged, power—hungry Alpha."