The Alpha's Guardian novel Chapter 6

I hesitate for a moment, panicking. Should I chase her down and try to make her stay or should I tell Francis to get out? He has about 6 minutes if she continues to limp her way to the pack house, about three minutes if she runs. She stumbles in the distance and a wave of guilt washes over me. She took my pain as a penance for an injury she didn’t prevent. I lied to her and allowed her to take it, knowing exactly what she would feel. I jog over to her, watching as she steadies herself. Her skin is pale and sprinkled with sweat. She looks at me with determination.

“I don’t need your help,” she says, her words clipped.

“I thought I would walk with you since I’m heading the same way.” I offer. She just nods as she looks forward and trudges on. She is about as tough as she is stubborn, and after only a few days, I can say with complete confidence, she is one of the most stubborn people I have met.

“Can I ask you some questions?” I ask.

“Depends on the question.”

“Guardian-related questions.”

“That’s fine.” She says through clenched teeth.

“How did you become a Guardian?” I ask.

“I was selected.” She clips out.

“Well, that much is obvious, but I mean how?”

“Samuel, The Lead committee member, found me in the woods when I was a kid. The next day I was in guardian training.” She shrugs.

“Ok, but what is a Guardian exactly?”

“Have you not heard the stories?” she stops to looking at me bewildered.

“I don’t pay attention to Lore.” I respond. She laughs at me. Even when she laughs, she is intimidating. I want so badly to allow myself to be impressed by her, but I hold it back. She has to have some ulterior motive.

“You are a werewolf. You ARE lore.” she taps me in the forehead with her finger and then sighs. “Guardians are an elite group of people who are trained to be the best in every respect. We are the ultimate weapon and gift.”

“So a glorified bodyguard, then?” I snort. She stares at me, lost for words, and scoffs.

“No. We provide more than safety. We provide guidance, healing, both mental and physical, safety and companionship.” She says it with so much conviction I can feel how much she believes in what she does. She loves her occupation even if she seems stoic and bitter about it.

“Companionship?” I wiggle my brow at her. She rolls her eyes.

“Friendship, we are great for giving advice and confiding in. You will see Alpha. We will be great friends, even if I find you obnoxious.” She looks forward and continues to walk again. I glance down at my watch and take a moment to tap into the mind link.

“Francis. Be done. We are coming back,” I say, quickly ending the link and starting back up behind her.

“So when will you give me my pain back?” I ask her

“It will slowly leak back to you through the night. I only have partial use of my trained abilities until you agree to do the ceremony.”

“Who says I will agree?” I ask, scoffing. I’m being stubborn, I know that, but I can’t help but feel like I don’t have enough information about what I am getting myself into if I accept her as my guardian.

“Oh, you will agree. Everyone always does. It would be stupid to refuse help in your situation.”

“what’s that supposed to mean?”

“I don’t mean any offense. I’m only stating the facts.”

“And what facts are they?” I ask angrily.

“You are clearly injured still. Your warriors are barely average and you repeatedly keep getting attacked by the rogue king himself.”

“There is no rogue king, he is just a myth,” I snort in annoyance.

“Oh, there is definitely a rogue king, and with your denial, I would say he is the least of your problems. You seem to lack a functioning view of reality.”

“So that’s why you are here, then? To protect me from the big bad rogue king?” I say in a mocking tone. She stops and winces, her hand flying to her leg, where my phantom pain throbs.