I lounged in the tub filled to the brim with hot, soapy water. My wet, onyx curls stuck to my neck and back as I raised my head out of the water. Enyo lay on her side in contentment as my achy muscles relaxed in the inviting temperature. The slow dripping sound of the leaky pipe and the distant beeping of Nox's monitor added texture to the otherwise silent night air. Diona and Orion left after an hour of sibling banter and mock fighting, reminding me of my bond with Nox. Once they left, I worked out until my muscles screamed for a reprieve, desperately trying to keep myself busy to keep from fulfilling my dark desires. The water splashed against the tub's edge, threatening to run over as I moved around. Enyo's ears perked up suddenly as a slow burn crept down my body. I looked down at the water in confusion as a growing burning pain stabbed at the left side of my neck. My heart started to race as my insides twisted. Enyo's long, somber howl filled my mind as a sudden rush of blinding, searing agony numbed my senses, knocking me breathless. Enyo whimpered as my arms and neck felt licked by fire, more unbearable than the first time. I grabbed the side of the tub, attempting to steady myself, my knuckles white.
"Mate," Enyo whimpered as she tossed and turned in misery.
Another overwhelming surge of pain knocked me back into the water, my head slipping under as I fought for consciousness. The mate bond twisted around my heart like a vengeful python, squeezing the strong, pulsing organ as if it was made of nothing. I gasped for air as I broke the water's surface, my lungs begging for help. Coughs shook my body as fiery handprints traveled up and down my torso, leaving a wake of agony behind each move. I shakily climbed out of the tub, water pouring on the floor like a waterfall. My wet skin slapped against the soaked ground as I fell out of the tub. My body felt like it was consumed in unforgivable flames, licking at my skin like it was fuel. A painful memory danced along the edges of my mind. Enyo's whimpers and grunts threatened to shatter my resolve as she struggled to handle it. Unfiltered rage took over my mind as my body cried out for a break. I set my jaw as I tried to sit up, my arms trembling from the effort. A ferocious roar shook the ground underneath me as my anger soared, loud enough for anyone miles away to hear. A clear warning to everyone. As quick as it came, it went in an instant. I gasped for air as my body tried to recover. I struggled to my feet and staggered into my room, stumbling to my bed. Before I could make it, my legs gave out as the pain returned tenfold. The fiery, invisible hands cut through the nerves in my back far worse than the whip ever could. My fingers trembled as I crawled toward the bed, leaving a water trail behind. I heard footsteps approaching as I clambered into the bed, covering myself with the heavy duvet. The Beta thrust the door open with a mischievous smirk, expecting to see me crumbled on the floor. Instead, I lazily looked at him over my shoulder, masking any pain I felt. His face dropped.
"What?" I asked him in annoyance.
He looked around the room, everything was in place outside of the wet floor.
"Why the fuck is there water everywhere?" he asked, confused.
"I took a bath and didn't bother to dry off," I said as I snuggled into the duvet as my mate bond liquified my insides.
"And all the noise?" he asked as he leaned against the door frame in agitation.
"Bad dream," I dismissed, rolling my eyes.
"So, it has nothing to do with the Alpha fucking his potential mate? She's quite the beauty," he asked in a provoking tone.
"As long as it's not me, I couldn't care less," I quipped as Enyo howled, full of raging emotions.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I would much rather be trapped in an inescapable nightmare than to continue talking to you.... or maybe that's one and the same," I added thoughtfully.
"I cannot wait until he gets rid of that embarrassment of a mate bond. You should already be dead," he spat.
"As soon as the bond is absolved, you will be dead. Every day that you open your eyes, always remember that you are on borrowed time," I retorted simply.
He growled.
"Shut the fuck up, Rogue, before I pour silver down your throat. No one wants to hear your pitiful growls," he venomously said before slamming the door.
I roughly gripped the duvet as another wave of excoriating pain rattled my bones.
"I will show no mercy once I am free," I mumbled.
The pain ebbed and flowed for hours before I passed out from the pain, Enyo whimpering in the recess of my mind.
I lay across my bed on my stomach, dressed in a simple slate gray loungewear set complete with fuzzy grey socks. Neither Enyo nor I have brought up the events of last night, rage threatening to overcome us at the slight thought. I sniffed the rectangular, thin piece of meat as the sun's morning rays warmed the small sliver of skin that peeked from under my loose top. The meat's solidified grease left a thin film on my fingertips as the ridged piece's tantalizing smell filled my lungs.
"What do you think it is?" I asked Enyo as she sniffed the air.
"Meat?" she asked as she cocked her head to the side in confusion, a bit fatigue from yesterday.
"Well, of course, it is. I'm asking, what animal do you think it comes from?" I asked as I rolled my eyes.
"It's definitely not beef or deer," she said after a moment.
The door softly opened as I sniffed the piece of meat once more. Rhea walked in carrying her medical bag, her soft blue scrubs giving her a fresh pop of color. Orion sauntered in behind her, dressed in worn leather training gear. Rhea looked at me with amusement while I observed the piece of meat, the rest of the snacks carelessly strewn around the bed.
"What is it?" I asked her as I looked at her in confusion.
She smiled softly as Orion looked at me like I had grown three heads.
"Bacon," she answered as she plopped her medical bag on the small table where Orion took a seat.
"You've never had bacon before?" Orion asked incredulously.
I shook my head no before taking a bite. Enyo purred as the salty, smoky, greasy flavor danced along my palate.
"I knew I would love it," Enyo said in bliss.
I shoved the rest of the strip into my mouth, wanting nothing more than to make her happy.
"Slow down, or you'll choke," Rhea warned as she began to examine Nox.
"You should try it hot over a burger. It's my favorite meal," Orion said dreamily.
"Threaten him to give it to us! I'll kill him myself if he withholds," Enyo threatened.
"We vowed not to kill him. Remember the whole protection vow?" I reminded her as I bit into another strip.
"But that was before we tasted bacon," she whined.
"I'm sure the Goddess wouldn't agree."
Enyo huffed in frustration as she sat back on her hunches, giving her best pout.
"My wolf wants to try that meal next," I whispered to Rhea.
"If it gets you to eat, I'll make it the next time we get in fresh beef," she said with a warm smile.
I nodded as I crunched on the bacon, calculating my distant revenge. Enyo sighed before lying down, her tail wagging gently beside her.
"What's on the agenda today, Delta?" I asked him as I closed the bag and tossed it on the bed.
"Nothing in particular. The Alpha and Beta are stuck in meetings all day, so you're with me," he answered as he reclined in the chair.
"Aren't you supposed to have a packed schedule being the Delta and all?" I questioned with a raised brow as Rhea adjusted Nox's bedding.
"Normally, I am swamped with meetings, training sessions, and patrols, but I rearranged my day to guard the packhouse from the 'crazed' Rogue," he explained.
"They haven't seen crazed yet," I muttered.
"What—" he started.
"Border patrol should always take precedence over most things. You know security and all," I interrupted.
"If there wasn't a certain wolf going around killing people, it would," he said pointedly.
I rolled my eyes.
"You could always patrol the borders at night, out of sight, while the warriors handle the daytime hours. You'll be able to do both of your duties at the same time," Rhea suggested as she cleaned the snacks from my bed, despite my best gentle attempt at shooing her away.
"Mom," the Delta said with a sigh.
I smirked deviously.
"She may be onto something, Delta. Two Rogues slipped passed your borders a few days ago, and you still need to figure out how. What better way to solve a problem than to have two sets of eyes," I tempted.
"No," he said sternly.
"She may be able to help you, Ory. She was able to find your sister before even Alpha knew where to look. She found those two Rogues, with no help, faster than I have ever seen before," Rhea explained as she closed the bag of snacks and put it on the nightstand.
"You know every Rogue is dangerous, right? So the fact that you're so comfortable around her is a bit alarming," he pointed out.
She shrugged her shoulders.
"You should've seen me in my youth," she said under her breath with a chuckle.
He sighed heavily.
"I know she won't hurt me, so of course, I'm comfortable," she explained as she walked over to her medical bag.
"The council wants you to fail. I won't allow that to happen," the doctor added sternly.
Enyo's ears perked up at the mere mention of the council.
"How exactly have they set you up to fail?" I inquired.
"Mom!" he reprimanded.
"I won't discuss that with you," he said curtly.
I shrugged my shoulders as Rhea pulled out an overfilled sandwich.
"You don't have to, and I will not ask more than once," I said as Rhea handed me the sandwich, and I took a big sniff of it.
"However, it is important to note that I offered my help to you, and all of my offers are only available for a limited time, Delta. For your sake, I hope you change your mind before time runs out," I warned as I took a bite of the sandwich.
The flavors were mouthwatering.