Beyond(5)

How did everything get so complicated?





They return four days later.

“Olivia!”

I run as I hear my name being called, grabbing my first aid kit. My eyes scanning everyone that walks through the door, searching for injuries.

“Who is hurt?” I ask Sam as I see him walk over to me.

“Lars was stabbed in the arm,” he replies, looking towards the door. “We ran into another group who weren’t too happy to see us.”

With a lack of supplies and food in some areas, I could only guess why. Luckily we’d been growing our own food plus the men went on hunts like this one to find whatever else we may need. Running into others was a tricky situation because you couldn’t trust some people. Okay, make that most people. Desperation makes nothing off-limits. We were very blessed with what we had here.

“Which one is Lars?” I ask, my eyes on Dane as he enters. Our eyes connect until his gaze drops, taking me in from head to toe. Next to him is the soldier I saw him talking to about me, cradling his arm. Guess that was him. I touch Sam’s shoulder, happy he’s home safe, then walk over to Dane and Lars.

“Sit down,” I tell the man, pointing to the closest chair.

Lars flashes Dane a look before complying. He was a good looking man, with short dirty blond hair and sharp green eyes. Opening my kit, I pull out what I need then examine the cut.

“Not too deep,” I murmur, cleaning and dressing it. The man doesn’t even flinch, and I knew it had to sting like crazy.

“Are you hurt anywhere else?” I ask, examining the dressing.

“No,” he replies in a deep voice. “Thank you.”

Tegan walks over to Dane. From the corner of my eye, I see her rest her hand on his shoulder. “Thank you for taking care of me Dane,” she says.

No one besides a select few know of mine and Dane’s engagement, and Tegan mustn’t have a clue.

Dane’s eyes dart to me before returning to her. “It’s my responsibility to make sure everyone returns safe from the hunt.”

“Yes I know,” she replies, her voice turning flirtatious. “But it was more than that. You know what I’m talking about--”

I couldn’t listen to anymore.

“You’re done Lars,” I tell him. “Was anyone else injured?”

Lars looks to Dane but shakes his head no. Apparently he wasn’t very talkative, or maybe that was just with me. He did give off the whole strong and silent type vibe. He stands and walks off, joining the rest of the group who were helping sort through the finds. Dane still stands there with Tegan next to him, but I’d tuned out their voices. Packing away the first aid kit, and feeling happy no one was seriously injured this time, I turn back to Sam, wanting to talk with him some more. When I feel Dane grab onto the back of my t-shirt, pulling me to a stop, I turn in frustration.

“What?”

“Anything happen while I was gone?” he asks, rubbing his thumb along my nape.

“Like what?” I ask suspiciously.

He pulls me back against his chest. “I don’t know, you tell me.”

“Are you just looking for an argument now? Nothing happened. No one spoke to me. Is that what you want to hear?”

His thumb stops moving. “Okay, I know why I’m angry about this situation, but why are you? You got what you wanted, why are you sounding so put out?”

I turn my head to look at his face. “I overheard you talking. I know what you think of me and that you don’t want this.”

He cringes. “Fuck. That isn’t how I wanted to start our marriage,” he mutters, then sighs. “I was pissed. Ignore everything I said.”

If only it were that easy.

I pull away from him.

“Where are you going?” he asks, raising an eyebrow and looking hotter than hell.

I purse my lips, wondering what he wanted. “What’s it to you?”

His mouth twitches. “I own you.”

He did not just say that.

I force my lip to lift up in a smirk. “I’m the princess here Dane. I believe it’s me that owns you. I chose you, remember?”

With that, I tug out of his hold and walk to Sam, who looks between Dane and me with a raised brow. “What did you say to him to look like that?”

“What does he look like?” I ask, not wanting to turn around.

“He’s staring at you, jaw tight and steam coming out of his ears.”

I roll my eyes.

Let him be angry.

“Tell me everything about the hunt.”





Chapter Four





“Ran into a group of about twenty,” he says, leading me outside the building. “They challenged three of their best fighters against ours.”

I sit down on the grass, staring ahead at the great wall of the castle. “So let me guess, Dane, Lars and you kicked their asses?”

Sam’s lips quirk up at the corners. “Of course. We raided an old shopping centre but there was hardly anything there of course. We managed to find a few things. Tegan found some herbs, berries and edible flowers. Got some of those pink honey flowers you like too.”

I smile at him gratefully. “I love those.”

“I know you do,” he replies, his eyes gentle on me. “I grabbed a bunch and told Dane to keep them for you.”