Chapter 47-

Oriel:
I avoid conversation with Rowen this morning when we have breakfast and I know it’s petty but when we load onto the ship, and he looks agitated it brings me pleasure. There are about two hundred of his men on the ship with us making Ayla, Irvin and I the outsiders. I have noticed the men’s curious and sometimes hostile glances. I had some idea that it would be hard fitting into an established coven, but it seems I won’t be popular in my new home. I have been spoiled and loved by my entire pack for my whole life. Our village was small having less than two hundred people, but I knew each person and was welcomed in every house. I’ll just have to prove my worth to the vampires and apparently to my mate. I decide that I will start simple and smile warmly at anyone who looks my way, I don’t want to be their enemy. I walk hand in hand with Ayla, I can tell she is uncomfortable around the new strange men, and I want her to know I have her back. We walk the upper deck, and I am amazed by the size of the ship. I have never set foot outside of my little village in the forest and the idea of going somewhere new makes me excited. I see the man who must be one of Rowen’s council members standing near the edge of the ship and watching as the last of the men and supplies are loaded on board. I think he must have some sort of position because I have seen him and Rowen huddled together often making plans, and when we traveled from my village he always rode beside his king. I suppose it’s possible that he is a guard, either way I decide to formally introduce myself I’m sure he knows who I am, but I want to get to know the people who will be in my life from now on. “Hello, I don’t think we have officially met yet, but I am Oriel daughter of the Alpha of the Black Moon pack. I have seen you with Rowen often and thought it would be nice for us to get to know each other.” When he turns and looks at me, I notice how handsome he is, this is the first time I’ve seen him up close. He is tall, about the same height as Rowen but his hair is white as snow. It’s cut short and brushed back, most men in the village and even Rowen wears his hair long, but I think it suits this new stranger well. It looks soft and is a sharp contrast to his coal black eyes. His eyebrows are white as well giving him a unique look, but the feature I am drawn to are his full pillowy lips, I mentally scold myself when he clears his throat. He probably could tell I was checking him out, that’s probably not the best way to start things off. I notice his eyes aren’t on me at all but on Ayla and it looks like he is glaring at her. “Yes, I know who you are Oriel. You are the female shifter that killed Marcus, for that you have my thanks.” He pointedly looks at Ayla, who moves herself behind my back. “Yes, well he was attacking my mother, so I did what was necessary.” I don’t at all like where this conversation is going. “Yes, well you saved Lord Rowen from having to do it, so I thank you. I serve on Lord Rowen’s council and serve as his advisor. As I am close to his majesty, I am sure we will spend time in close proximity, my name is Darius son of Lord Hofer.” I smile and hold my hand out for him to shake. “Well, I’ll be glad of a friend to help me navigate life in the castle.” My smile falls when Darius closes my outstretched hand and pushes it back towards me. “I’m happy to be of assistance to you, but you shouldn’t touch me or spread your smiles around. Lord Marcus is a fiercely jealous man and has many enemies, it’s best you keep your distance from others.” I frown, I guess I won’t be making many new friends. I can’t help the pink that overtakes my cheeks, I wasn’t trying to hit on him although he is handsome, I just wanted to fit in a bit. Feeling slighted and embarrassed I blurt out. “I’m Rowen’s mate not his belonging, I was only trying to be friendly and introduce myself.” “I wouldn’t say that too loud Oriel, you never know who is listening.” I feel a heavy hand on my shoulder and turn to see Rowen behind me looking irritated. “Hello princess, I see you have met Darius. He is my closest friend and a very smart strategist; I would heed his advice. Anyway, if you are done spreading your sweet smiles around, I’ll show you and Ayla to your cabin.” I go to tell him that he is wrong I wasn’t flirting around his ship, but he is already walking away. He is such an ass.
Rowen:
The last of the men are boarding the ship and everything is well under control. I look for my young mate knowing this must all be new to her and wanting to give her some small comfort because I know the decision I made with Darius after receiving his father’s letter early this morning will displease her, creating even more space between us. For now, that space might be a good thing, I need to have her safe above all else, still I know she will be pissed. When I see her above on the top deck, she is all warm smiles and charm. She never looks at me that way, and it makes me want to kill every fucker on this ship. They can’t know she belongs to me, but that also doesn’t excuse the hungry glances the men are all giving her when she isn’t looking. All of this will get much easier and I won’t feel so on edge when we are home, safe inside my castle. Fucking Lord Hofer, with his ridiculous veiled threats that he sends me through his son. All for what, so he can get rid of me and kill indiscriminately. He must not have any idea about how truly dangerous the humans can be to our kind. Or that our power will only grow when we align ourselves with the wolf shifters. While we are an older and stronger species, the humans continue to grow and evolve and the simple fact that there is way more of them than us. The ridiculous blood bags can pop out kids one after the other, breeding like rats.
I decided to give Oriel my private cabin, hopefully that will butter her up a bit before we get home and I have to break the news to her. I know I hurt her yesterday and I fear this will only add to injury. I start her way and stop in my tracks as I watch her openly ogle my best friend and closest companion Darius. The last thing I want is to have to kill my best friend. He meets my eye and I’m happy that he has sense enough to keep his hands off her. We may not be mated yet, but she is mine. I break up their little pow wow and lead her and Ayla to the cabin and without fail her little shadow is following as well. I guess I’ll just have to get used to his lingering presence and if he steps out of line, I’ll kill him. I hate that she stirs this much anger inside of me, normally I pride myself on my coolness and control but something about the little red head following me unnerves me to my core.
Oriel:
“Thank you, Rowen this is more than comfortable.” I am a little in awe at the opulence of the cabin. The bed is enormous and full of soft pillows and velvet blankets. There is a sitting room with a couch and a table with chairs. There is also another smaller room and a bathroom that Ayla will stay in, the bed fitted with the same pillows and soft blankets. I can tell Rowen is pleased by my gratefulness. I am happy but I still hate him. I’ll just hate him in comfort. “Good I’m glad you’ll be comfortable. I’ll have lunch brought in after we set off and you are free to move about on the ship. I just ask that you don’t go down below to the bottom deck. That is the men’s courters and of course would not be appropriate for you to be down there without me. Don’t worry your chaperone is in the cabin to your right and I am bunking in the one to your left with Darius. If you should need anything, please let me know. Make yourself at home princess.”
My face heats as he leaves. When will I get control over my body and stop letting his presence fluster me? “Ayla do you want to go to the top deck and watch the ship set off?” She nods with enthusiasm and I’m happy to see her smile. She has a lovely smile and I truly do want her to be happy. I suppose a part of me feels bad that her family is dead, and I was the one who ended her father’s life, as wretched as it was.
As we set off and the land gets farther away it sinks in and my excitement grows. I see the same childish wonder on my closest friends face next to me. “We’re doing it Irvin! We always talked about exploring new paces when we were younger and look at us now.” He smiles and puts his arm around my shoulder. “I miss mom, our dads, and Apollo but I’m kind of excited. Don’t worry firecracker, I’ll have your back when we enter the den of bloodsuckers.” We both laugh and I realize that’s the first time I’ve laughed since we left home. Maybe this won’t be as bad as I assumed.
After a surprisingly delicious lunch and dinner Ayla and I retire to our beds, and I am more than happy to snuggle up in the soft fabric. The velvet feels like heaven against my skin. I’m only wearing a thin nightdress, so I feel the softness all over me. I feel like I shouldn’t be so tired all I did was eat and walk around the boat all day, but I am exhausted. As I roll around the bed, I notice that it has the same scent as Rowen. It’s a mix of cool, crisp morning air and a hint of pine. I know I hate him, but I let myself take comfort with his smell surrounding me and it lures me into dreams that make my body hot and flush with desire that I have never experienced.