Bound by Moon & Blood (Book 1)
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She walked back into the living room as she ran a hand over her face. Her heart was beating rapidly in her chest. The memory of her home and the reminder of what Gerard, Andrew and Brandon had done to her were not the ones she needed right now.

“Liv?”

Of. Fucking. Course.

She removed her hand and looked at the male who was standing in front of her. Seriously, did everyone plan this out or something!?

“What the fuck do you want?” Her voice was hard enough to make Andrew flinch and take a step back from her. She did not need or want this right now. “I just wanted to say sorry and to see if you were okay.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Didn’t I tell you to stay the fuck away from me?” Andrew flinched again, before he looked back at her. “Yes, but...”

“Then shove your apology where the sun doesn’t shine and fuck off.”

“By the gods, we didn’t rat you out because we wanted to, Liv!” He desperately yelled in her face. If she had cared, she would have been moved by it, but she didn’t care. Besides, she already knew they were forced, but that didn’t make the betrayal any less painful. “And yet you did rat me out. Thanks to you I’m back here and I will never forgive you for that.” A tear rolled down Andrew’s cheek as he looked at her, hopelessly. “Livana, please...”

“That really is your favorite word lately, isn’t it? Gerard’s as well.” She interjected, before he was done talking. “Kinda makes it lose its meaning.” She added.

“I don’t know what else to say.” He whispered.

“Then don’t say anything and stay away from me.” Liv said as she walked past him to the couches where Dawn and Brandon were the only two who were paying attention to her. Thankfully.

Liv stopped walking as she saw the Alphas and decided differently. She turned and walked out of the Packhouse. Leaving everyone behind her she walked into the village and kept on walking to the one place where she has some good memories. Ignoring the wolves around her she made good time and reached the lake that was located on the edge of the territory. Remembering the collar, she made an effort to stay inside the borders and sat down as close to the lake as she could get. It was nothing like the lake at her home, but it was the one place where her mother and she had shared peaceful moments while they were here. Maybe it was because of the fact that it reminded them of their home. Liv sighed as she pulled up her legs and wrapped her arms around them.

Liv has been here for a couple of days now and basically nothing important has happened, besides the moment with her and Dawn. For as far as she knew she hasn’t been infected with the curse like Dawn and King has made zero effort to use her like he wants to. She didn’t get it. What was the point in bringing her here if he didn’t plan on using her immediately? What was so important that kept him from starting his revenge?

She hated this. The waiting, the not knowing what was going to happen from here on out. She used to be the one who had complete control over every situation she was in, but here it felt like she was dangling on a string, waiting for someone to cut the rope and let her fall into whatever shithole they had made for her. She wasn’t weak, she never has been, but she did feel like it now. She was waiting for what is going to happen. That makes her weak. She needed to take action, but she has no idea where to start.

Should she start with the curse? Figuring out what’s happening to Dawn, before it affects her as well.

Should she start with planning her revenge against King? Since she is on a time clock and she wants to take him out before the bell rings.

No, none of them. Those have to wait, because she already knew what she was going to have to do first.

Figuring out what the hell is keeping King busy.

Not knowing what’s going on is driving her crazy and she needed to know before she could do anything else. It could be related to whatever is happening to the Moonbloods, or it could be a pack that is planning on taking on King and attack, which she could use to her advantage, or it could be about King Lycaon himself. She needed to know what’s going on. King wouldn’t keep himself from his revenge, now that he has the means to start it. Her. So, whatever is keeping him busy is important enough for her to know. Every piece of information she could gather is important for her own revenge and so this is the first thing she needs to do.

Footsteps drew her from her thoughts and a familiar scent filled her nose. Liv sighed through her nose.

“Took you long enough.” She commented as she kept her eyes on the lake. Rev stopped next to her and looked out over the lake as well. “I was kind off curious to see if you would actually cross. So, I kept my distance.”

Liv snorted. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t have a death wish.”

“Could have fooled me.”

She looked up at him and saw him looking down on her as well. The bruise on his jaw was already fading a little. Too bad they heal that fast. “How’s the badge of assholery feeling?” Rev snorted as a small smile appeared on his face. He quickly looked away and shook his head. “Like a girl punched me.” Liv chuckled a little. “That doesn’t make it sound better, beta.” He shrugged before he looked back down at her. “Do I look like I care?” He didn’t. What he did look like was more relaxed and easy going than he usually did. Hell, he even smiled a little and didn’t grin like he usually did. She didn’t know why though and that made her curious.

“If you don’t have a death wish, why are you so close to the border then?” Liv sighed as she looked back out over the lake. “It’s the only place where most assholes leave me alone. They always have.”

“You used to come here when you were living here?” Did he actually sound interested?

Liv nodded. “It was the only place that made me feel like I was back at home.” She didn’t know why she was so honest, but she actually didn’t mind, as long as she didn’t tell him too much that is.

“Where are you from?” It was the second time today that the same question was asked.

“Oh, she won’t tell you, Rev. I already tried.” She looked over her shoulder as Devon walked towards them with a brown bag in his hand. He reached them and sat down on the other side of her. “You didn’t finish eating.” He said as he reached out the bag to her. The look of disbelieve on her face made two dimples appear on his face as he smiled.

Devon looked a lot like his brother. He had black hair like Caden, but his was short and his eyes were blue instead of silver. He also didn’t have the muscle like Caden, but didn’t look weak, more like he took care of himself. If they would stand next to each other, you would know that they were brothers. You would also know who was the nicest and most civil of them as Devon came across a lot more humane than Caden ever did.

“You seriously brought her food?” Rev asked with disbelieve. Devon rolled his eyes as his gaze met his. “She needs to eat, you know. This is her sandwich anyway. She just didn’t finish it.”

“And so, you bring it to me so I do?” Devon met her gaze again. “Is that weird? You survived a harsh fight and you look like you haven’t had a proper meal in days so yeah, I bring you food.”

“You really do not belong here.” She said again, which earned a snort from Devon before he pushed the bag in her hands. “Eat.”

“Woof.” Devon snorted again as he shook his head. “Good girl.” Liv punched his shoulder with a smile she couldn’t wipe away. He winked at her, before he looked at the lake. She sighed as she placed the bag next to her. Rev raised one of his eyebrows at her and she shrugged. “Not exactly hungry.” He rolled his eyes as he looked out over the lake as well. A brief silence fell over them, before she couldn’t hold in the question anymore.

“So, you’re a beta?” Rev chuckled as he turned around and crossed his arms over his chest. “I am.” Holy shit... She already knew that he was, but she just couldn’t believe it.

Betas were almost as rare as mates were. Hell, they were almost as rare as a Moonblood. A beta could be chosen at random, but they aren't as powerful as a bloodline beta. The bloodline beta's have to come from a wolf of the line of the second generation Lycanthropes, Artemis had created after the first generation, where the bloodlines of the Alphas had started. The first generation had stretched far enough to have a lot of Alpha’s, who became wary of the betas who possessed almost as much power as the Alpha’s did. Years ago, before she was even in her mother’s womb, there was a massacre of betas, organized by several Alphas who feared the betas would try to overthrow them, even though the betas had taken an oath to protect their Alphas. There was never more than one beta in a pack, but there could be more wolves from the second generation in a pack and they were all killed as well. Only a few of the second generation are alive now and so it was rare to see an actual beta in power, as no other wolf is percieved as worthy of the title besides the second generation.

“You and Dawn aren’t the only rare wolves here.” No shit... She gave him a small smile. “It would appear so.” Rev gave her a crooked smile, but she didn’t see it as her eyes shifted to the lake and a face appeared in her mind. The face of the beta of her pack. He had been the only other beta she had ever known and he is dead along with her father. A painful stab went through her chest as she thought about him and her home.

“Hey, you okay?” Devon asked as he placed a hand on her shoulder. She took a deep breath as she looked up to the lake. The soft voice made something shatter inside of her. Like her mouth moved on her own she said, “I’m from Greenland.” While she didn’t look at either of them. Liv didn’t know why she decided to tell them, but if she didn’t tell them, King eventually would. “That’s my home.” She added softly.

Rev and Devon looked at each other briefly, before Liv met Devon’s shocked gaze. “You’re from the Greenland Pack?” She knew why he had the shock on his face, but she was kind of surprised that he actually knew. Liv nodded as Devon’s hand slowly slid from her shoulder. “Holy shit...” Devon said.

“You’re an arctic wolf.” Rev said softly. Her gaze met his and she nodded again. “Yep. My pack was the only pack that has ever inhabited Greenland, hence the fact why my last name is also Greenland.”

“But only the Alpha and his Moonblood mate were named Greenland...” Devon said it and his eyes immediately went wide. “Holy shit, Alpha Leif was you father.” A lump immediately filled her throat and she looked away from Devon and focused on her hands to not break down at hearing her father’s name.

Devon’s eyes immediately shifted to Rev who gave him a small nod, before his eyes turned green.

“I’m sorry.” Liv looked back up at Devon and gave him a small smile. “It’s fine. I just don’t like to talk about it.” He nodded in understanding. “Have you ever gone back?” Liv gulped as she looked at her hands and shook her head. “No.” Her chest ached at the pain she felt from admitting that. She had wanted to go back so many times, but she never had and she never had forgiven herself for that. King would have looked for her there, sure, but she could have stayed out of his grasp. She had no reason to stay away and abandon her home and her pack who was fertilizing the soil with their ashes. Yet, she had always been too afraid to go back. Too afraid to face everything she buried deep inside herself. She was too weak to face her emotions, because she knew that she wouldn’t be able to handle them and would succumb to them. Resulting in her shifting, becoming feral and lost.

Liv took a deep breath and released it just before her tears would start to fall. She looked out over the lake again. “Everyone but me and my mom were killed there. That’s why my good memories are coated in blood. Seeing your father’s mauled body on the ground; seeing your entire pack getting massacred, leaves a mark, a scar that will never go away.” Devon nodded as he had his eyes on the ground. “I know.” He said with a small voice, before he met her eyes again. She gave him a confused gaze. He sighed before he looked at the ground again. “My mother was killed in front of me three years ago.” Feeling like an idiot, she closed her eyes and dropped her head. “I’m sorry.” She said as met his eyes again. He gave her a brief shrug. “You didn’t know. Besides I am human so my pain isn’t as brutal as yours still is.”

“That doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt or that it’s better somehow.” She countered. He gave her a brief smile and nodded. “True.” That was all he said before his gaze went to the lake again.

Silence fell over them again, this time it was a loaded one as the conversation still hung between all of them. Her mind didn’t wander to her own memories though. She thought about the mother of Devon. She wondered what could have happened to her and why she was killed. Yet, it wasn’t her place to ask. Not yet anyway. Not when she has been pushing everyone away the whole time and suddenly expect them to tell her their most painful memories, even though she did tell her own just now. She still didn’t know why she told them about Greenland. All she knew was that Devon’s voice, his concern for her, shattered a wall that had already turned to glass under the pressure of her emotions. Which meant she was going to have to get a grip on herself again, before something like this, or something worse, happens again.

“Can I ask you a question?” She was pulled out of her thoughts by Rev who was looking down on her. “Sure.”

“Why didn’t you shift?” Fuck. Liv sighed as she averted her gaze from him. “When?”

“When your power took a hold of you in the forest, when you ran from the convoy, when you tried to escape the room or during the supposed Survival fight.” Okay, that were all very good points. How the fuck was she going to answer them?!

“You never shifted when the urge to survive was at its peak. That’s basically unnatural, so why didn’t you? Why, and how, did you hold your wolf back?” Rev added. She immediately knew how she was going to answer his questions. Not. A muscle clenched in her jaw as she looked at him again. “Just because I told you where I’m from, doesn’t mean that I will tell you everything about myself.” Rev gave her a crooked grin before he shook his head. “You jump from defensive to vulnerable and back to defensive in a split second.” A grin appeared on her face. “One of my many talents.”

“Why are you so defensive about talking about talking about your wolf?” Devon asked before Rev could comment on her.

“I’m always defensive when it comes to talking about myself.” Devon snorted and shook his head. “You truly are something else.”

“You don’t even know how right you are.” She said.

“Do you?” Rev countered, before he turned and walked away.

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