Wild at Heart

“We can’t stay here long.” Stefan told Grayson. “I can already smell the rogues sniffing around my scent.” After watching what he just did to his own Beta, I don’t think he would have a problem against a few rogues, but I could tell he was the type who didn’t want to bother with them if he didn’t have to.

“Where will we go?” I asked in almost a whisper.

“Home, darling.” Stefan answered with a chilling smile.

“You said we had a lot to talk about,” I began. “We haven’t done that yet.”

“We can discuss matters in the car on the way back to my territory.”

“No.” The shock on his face at my answer told me I was in trouble. Even Grayson couldn’t keep his own face blank. It was apparent that ‘no’ wasn’t something thrown around at Stefan much.

“Excuse me, ma’am?” He questioned.

“I want to talk now.” I stood my ground and he actually chuckled at me.

“You’re spicy.” He said. He turned to Grayson and elbowed him lightly. “Ain’t she spicy?”

“Yes, sir.” Grayson said with a nod. I could see more power already radiating off of him from his new ranking position. But he still held the same demeanor.

“Alright, sweetheart, let’s have at it.” Stefan said as he threw his hands up.

“I’m not going back to the South with you.” I stated bluntly.

“Oh?” He raised a brow at me, the crooked smile still on his face.

“I’m sorry.” No, I’m not. Something about his charming character made me want to be nice to him, even if he was a monster.

“I can take you back to the North pack if you need time to gather your things, but I assure you, I am not welcome there.” He wasn’t comprehending what I was saying to him.

“I don’t need time to do anything, Stefan, I don’t want to be your Luna.” We stared at each other in silence and Grayson fidgeted awkwardly in the background.

“You know what this means for your pack, Emma?”

“I do.”

“And you still decline my offer?”

“Yes.”

“That’s rather unfortunate to hear, Emma.” I prepared myself for a fight. I was going to have to give it my everything to get out of this. If I could just run and give myself some distance, I could shift and run even faster while I could mind-link the Omega’s on patrol for help. “I guess I’ll take you home then.”

“What?” I didn’t understand. He was going to take me home? He wasn’t going to kill me and then go after my pack?”

“If you get in the car, I will take you home to the North.”

“I don’t—I don’t understand.”

“Emma, I don’t want to kill you, sweetheart.” He chuckled at me again. “My momma raised a gentleman and that’s what I am. I don’t kill women or children. While it is an unfortunate turn of events, I will not punish you with your life. We had an agreement, and I will honor it. I’m going to take you home to your mate and then I will leave. But, Emma, when I return I will be returning to start a war and I intend on finishing it by burning your entire pack to the ground so that I may take over the territory and expand my land.” I couldn’t help but shiver at his words. I couldn’t understand how someone could be so charming and terrifying at the same time.

“O-Okay.” All I could do was mutter the single word out and nod my head. I didn’t even flinch when Stefan put his hand on my lower back and led me out to the car with Grayson trailing us. Stefan and I sat in the backseat while Grayson drove.

I didn’t know where we were, but I knew we had to be close to the North because I could smell my territory less than ten minutes into the drive. The only sounds in our ears were light music playing from the stereo; no one spoke a word. I didn’t have to tell Grayson where to go, which frightened me slightly. How did they know their way around my pack so easily? How long have we been spied on?

Grayson pulled to the side of the house, next to the driveway, but not in the driveway. I looked to Stefan for permission to exit the car, not wanting to make any sudden movements.

“Go on,” he said. “Fly away birdie.” I quickly exited the car and Nick was already running out of the sliding glass doors and onto the deck. Stefan got out of the car and stood behind me. Nick swiftly jumped over the siderails of the deck and I closed the distance between us. He instantly pushed my body behind his and growled at Stefan, who stood still by the car. “Relax, Alpha,” Stefan’s voice was laced with that southern charm. “I didn’t come here to fight.”

“If it wasn’t a fight you were looking for, you shouldn’t have put your paws on my mate or my territory.” Nick held his ground, but neither Alpha made a move.

“Don’t worry, there will be plenty of time for fighting.” Stefan let out that little chuckle of his. “I do apologize sincerely for the disrespect of my former Beta.” He said. “He thought kidnapping your mate would be a gift to me.” He shook his head. “But I am only here to return her safely.”

“It’s true, Nick.” I whispered behind him. I knew Nick was in no position to fight Stefan right now. I had no idea when he was released from the hospital, but I knew his wounds from his fight with Chase would not be completely healed. “Please, just let them leave.”

“Next time a single member of your pack is in my territory, consider it a declaration of war.”

“Oh, I plan on it.” Stefan shot me a wink, which resulted in another growl from Nick, but he got back in the car and Grayson peeled out of our yard faster than a racehorse.

Nick turned to me and instantly began examining me for injuries.

“I’m fine.” I said before he could ask.

“You’re sure?” He asked. I nodded and he pulled his phone out, undoubtedly, to alert the pack that Stefan was once again in our territory.

“You can go, if you need to.” I offered.

“I’m right where I need to be.” He pulled me into his arms, and I sank into his body. I breathed in his scent, simply happy to be back in his arms. Our little squabble at the hospital didn’t matter anymore, nothing mattered but being in his arms.