Beyond(4)

“Is everything okay?” I ask. I can’t remember a time that he’s ever missed one. He’s a firm believer in not asking others to do something that you yourself wouldn’t do.

“Everything is fine, I just have other matters that need attending today.”

I walk up to him and wrap my arms around my waist. “Alright, I’ll go and fine Dane.”

“Good girl,” my father praises, making me feel like a little girl all over again.

“Love you,” I call out as I walk out the door.

“Love you too,” I hear him reply.

I head towards the hall, where everyone going on the hunt usually gathers. I see Sam and Jase cleaning weapons at one of the tables.

“Hey,” I say, sitting down and watching them work. I pick up a sharp blade and test its weight in my hand.

“Little bit big for you to handle,” Jase says, smiling crookedly. I ignore him being the * he usually is, and turn to Sam instead.

“Have you seen Dane?” I ask him.

He looks surprised. “He’s around here somewhere. Don’t bother asking if you can come along though.”

“Why not? Sexist bastards!” I snap.

Sam grins, used to my outbursts. “There are three women coming with us today. It’s not that you’re a girl. I’d take you if I could, but I have to follow orders.”

Doesn’t my father understand that in over protecting me, he’s actually making me weak? I need to know all of these things! What if something happens and I need to protect myself? I lift my head in time to see Dane walking in. Standing next to him is a pretty older woman, Tegan, I believe her name is.

“Is she going?” I ask, unknown emotions coursing through my veins.

Sam looks over, “Yeah she’s coming. She’s good with herbs and berries and what not, so she can

help find more food.”

I look away before Dane sees me practically shooting daggers at his little friend.

“Come back safe,” I say softly to Sam, ignoring Jase like I always do.

Sam’s blue eyes soften. “I always do.”

“What, no farewell for me?” Jase goads. His head is shaved, and his dark eyes are filled with anger and lust. I don’t know what I ever did to him.

“Bye Jase,” I mutter, turning to head for the exit. I see Dane staring at me out of the corner of my eye, so I head in his direction. Tegan sneers at me, which I plainly ignore, and only address Dane.

“Have a safe hunt,” I say, looking directly into his eyes. I don’t wait for his reply, I just walk out. I did what I came here to do, now I can carry on with my day.

“Olivia,” he calls behind me.

I stop and turn. “What?”

He takes me by my upper arm and pulls me into the empty hallway. “You f*cking him?”

My eyebrows furrow. “Who?”

“Sam? Jase? Anyone?” he growls, eyes narrowed.

I was so confused. “We spoke about this Dane. I’m a virgin. Stop acting like a f*cking Neanderthal.”

“I guess we will find out won’t we,” he murmurs. “Don’t make a fool of me Olivia. You won’t flirt with other men. Those days are over. You wanted me, and you got me. Now handle the consequences.”

I blink. Over fifty men in our community and I chose this idiot. “How did I never know you were such an *?”

He smirks. “Guess you should have done better research when choosing me. I never wanted to marry. You can’t exactly expect me to turn into husband of the year, can you?”

My spine straightens. “Marrying me secures you a spot as leader when my father steps down. You should be thanking me.”

He tilts his head to the side, apparently thinking that over. “Who said I want to lead?”

“It doesn’t matter if you want to or not. People look to you. I’ve seen it. You think I’d choose a weak man for a husband? Yes, I was attracted to you. You’re powerful. My instincts told me to choose the alpha male. But don’t consider me weak Dane. I might just be a woman but I’m a force to reckon with. We should just have a marriage in name only. Then we both win. My father gets off my back and you get to carry on like you’ve been doing.”

He licks his bottom lip and glances away. “I have to go. Don’t leave the walls.”

I roll my eyes at his dismissal. “Like I’m ever allowed to leave the damn walls.”

“You just stay here and look pretty,” he calls as he walks backwards, then turns and disappears from my sight.

My finger nails dig into my palm. Stay here and look pretty? That condescending bastard.

“He’s probably prettier than me,” I mutter under my breath, storming towards my room. When inside it, I grab my sword and my bow and arrow and head outside where there are several targets set up for the archers to practice. Sam taught me how to shoot. He also taught me how to use a sword and fight hand to hand. I’ll always be grateful to him. I know no one wanted me to be a warrior. My father wanted me safe indoors, cooking or sewing or some other task that bored me to death and only I knew the truth of why. My father was told of a prophecy. Somehow he believes that my son, who apparently will be born by next year, two thousand and twenty, will be our salvation. Don’t ask me how my first born is going to save our world, because it’s beyond saving. My father is hoping, but it’s redundant. There are flesh-eating monsters roaming our planet, and there is nothing we can do except hide out and try to survive. Putting his hope in me and a baby I haven’t even had yet is completely ridiculous, I know it, but he does not. Either way, my child will be a prince of sort amongst the community, then will eventually take over. Talk about having a heavy burden on my shoulders, and now I’ve dragged Dane into it, a man who doesn’t even want me.