(Lina's POV)
My head hits the back of the carriage as I, yet again, dosed off. It's a struggle to keep my eyes open even and I groan, rubbing my temples in circular motions. David watches me with pity and even laughs when I nearly sleep again- while hunched forward, until the shock wave made by the carriage jumping up propels me up into a ramrod straight posture. I glare up at him for daring to laugh at my misery but the return of his gleeful expression after long time stops me. He notices the change in my stance and smiles softly,
'I'm sorry I, uh, haven't been myself lately.' His head is turned towards the window as he speaks. 'I've been worried about a few things.'
Uneasiness spreads through my gut. Or maybe that's just the nausea from all the jumping this carriage is doing. Probably both of these things.
'Worried about what exactly?'
He strokes his chin, obviously thinking about how much to tell me. When he speaks again though, he proves to be my ally in revealing at least something:
'I'm gonna be blunt with you, Lin. And it's because I care about you and yeah..despite what Dan thinks, you deserve to know.' My breath catches, as if afraid that any interference would make him stop talking. Finally someone is telling me things.
'The council wants you dead.'
I feel sucker-punched, despite half expecting this answer.
'Because I interfered in that other pack?'
He shakes his head, his mouth set in a grim line.
'No. Because Daniel broke protocol trying to save you. He turned into a wolf to attack them and even though he didn't…he broke the treaty that been between our packs for centuries.'
What the hell? Daniel has always been too clever to be this impulsive. My voice cracks, 'why?'
He looks at me like I asked a stupid question, but maybe I did. Clearly I didn't know Daniel as much as I thought I did.
I slumped back in my seat. 'Why would me dying change anything?'
'Because then they'll pretend that this whole thing never happened.' He shrugs,
'This whole thing..it's complicated, to say the least. The real problem is that the councilmen have always been queasy about humans.'
'Aren't all of you?'
He cocks an eyebrow at that,
'Do you honestly think we would go to such lengths to keep you safe if we hated all humans?'
I flushed, 'you're right. I'm sorry, I just..I don't want you two to be in trouble.' His candor makes me loose-lipped as well,
'I don't want to die. As much as I don't want you two in trouble because of me.' I whisper the words I've been afraid to voice to anyone ever since I've been here.
His eyes soften and he covers my hand with his on my lap,
'That's the last thing you of all people should worry about.' His sincerity gives me relief, 'Dan will keep you safe, no matter what.'
'Thank you, Dave.'
He winks at me before settling back on his seat, except the carriage stops right then and I realize that the terrain has changed. We're here. In the wolven homeland- where my judgement will be made.
It's not what I was expecting, I decide as I get out of the carriage. I had imagined a slightly larger version of the village in the woods, not the metropolitan monstrosity that stands before me. The homeland is huge- vast and lush, with modern-looking buildings looming over the paved roads, surrounded by lush green forests on the sidelines. The roads are a surprise- considering their refusal to use cars, and there are separate tracks labeled for bikes and..trains? David notices my confusion and explains,
'The first train was actually invented by a wolf, so we use them. So was the first bike ever made. For some reason we lost the race for cars.'
I barely paid attention to his explanations of their rich history as I marveled at the gorgeous buildings and fawned over the lights spanning the place. The city seemed to glow under the cover of the dark night and I felt a rush of excitement just looking at it. Until I remembered what was in store for me here.
David slid his arm around my shoulders and led me to the large building in the center, which was likely the tallest one there and we entered inside without any interruptions. The reception was ceremonial; men and women in maid uniforms stood in lines around us and bowed to David. Wolves took their royalty seriously then- another cliche that proved to be true. I turned to David,
'Who's building is this?'
'The family's. Dan, me, Irina and some cousins. Mom and Dad stay here when they're visiting from the higher council.' In all my shock and wonder about this brand new species, I had forgotten such a crucial detail. Daniel's parents. They used to like me back when we were dating, god knows what they think of me now.
'H-how are they?' I ask, trying to sound nonchalant.
'They're good. Getting used to the life, you know, its a big adjustment.'
We reach the door to my room and he hands me my key.
'I'll come by tomorrow to take you to breakfast, until then try to get some rest. There's a phone inside and my number is in the contacts if you need me.'
I don't want to bother him more than I already have- given how spent he looks. I give him a quick hug, 'thanks, Dave.'
'Don't mention it.'
He raises his hand in a wave as I enter the room and pull the door shut behind me, but pause when he says,
'They still ask about you, you know. Our parents. They're still really fond of you.'
He disappears then, leaving me speechless, but with a lightness in my chest that makes me grin.
Until I see the person sitting in my room and the grin disappears at the speed of lightening.
To what do I owe this displeasure?