Were Slave (2010) by Lia Slater Page B

I'll tell you a hundred times, Nayla, if that's what it
takes. You're my mate. Nothing will stand in the way of that." He turned her
and held her by the shoulders. "Your councilman Fenton is dangerous. With his
threats to take your life, I had no choice but to take you with me."
    "So you wouldn't have otherwise," she whispered. Her heart
pinched tight as his words sunk in deep.
    "I don't know." He cupped her face and pierced her with his
brilliant blue eyes. "As much as I want you with me, I can't deny that drifting
isn't a life for a human woman."
    "I can handle it." Had she just said that? She bit her lip
to keep from saying more. Did she really want to continue to travel endlessly
through cold weather and rain? Did she want to give up her position of Queen?
She shook her head. All she knew was she didn't want to lose Mace. She loved
him and had no intention of saying goodbye anytime soon.
    His Adam's apple bobbed unsteadily as he continued to study
her face. "Saul has promised he'll dispose of Fenton and whoever else dares to
threaten you. As soon as I find a home for us, I'll come for you."
    Tears burned her eyes but she stayed strong. "Come back with
me."
    "I won't leave my pack without a leader."
    "Bring them with you." Determination pushed all doubts from
her mind. "Paqualette is my country and I welcome your pack." She smiled as
every piece began to fit together. "Saul?"
    "Yes, my, uh, Nayla."
    "The country respects you. If they realize a Were has been
living amongst them for all these years and that I've trusted you as my guard,
then they're bound to accept Mace's pack. Don't you think?"
    "I don't know. I suppose it could help."
    She turned back to Mace. "There's a thousand acres of
undeveloped land in the eastern section of Paqualette. A generous river runs
through it and I've heard the soil is rich. I want to give that land to you and
your pack. You can finally have a home of your own. All I ask is that the Weres
obey Paqualette law just as the humans do. There can't be any separation or it
won't work."
    Mace looked at Kaige, his second-in-command. The Were had
seemed very important to Mace, possibly a good friend, Nayla had observed
during their time at the castle. But did the Were have a say in this pack? She
didn't quite understand the dynamics yet.
    Kaige transformed and, just like every other time Nayla had
seen him in his human form, he left her a little breathless. He was almost as
handsome as Mace, but in a carefree way with his long brown hair unkempt,
sitting in clumps that hung down his broad shoulders. His smoky gaze met Mace's
and he murmured something in their secret Were language.
    Mace shook his head, apparently dismissing whatever his
friend had said, then turned back to Nayla. He squeezed her shoulders gently
but gave no sign of acceptance. Doubt shadowed his eyes. "Your offer is very
generous but I can't accept your charity."
    "Charity? Mace, isn't this what you've been searching for? A
home for your pack? Equality and peace with the humans?"
    "Equality?" He scoffed. "That'll be the day." He dropped his
hands to his sides and cursed under his breath as he walked away from her.
    Rage built up inside and she followed him, determined to win
this argument. "Does my offer offend you so? Do you have any idea what I've
overcome to even consider it?"
    He stopped at the riverbed and whipped around, cutting her
with his dark gaze. "Tell me, Nayla. What did we scary Weres do to the precious
Queen of Paqualette?"
    She stifled the memories rushing to her mind. This wasn't
the time to show weakness, but Mace needed to know her story. "Paqualette has
always been a peaceful country. We tried to remain neutral during the Great
War. Our soldiers stayed home to protect our boundaries and didn't allow any
Were to step over. But it wasn't enough. One night, a bloodied, battered Were
broke into my home and murdered my mother and father. He tore them apart while
I watched, helpless and terrified. There was nothing I