Chapter 10: Marry Me

Chapter 10

I finally felt liberated and free again as I exited the little alleyway and saw the forest not too far ahead.

The moment was over faster than I thought possible. In a blink of an eye my freedom was taken away just as fast as I had attained it.

I felt a large, masculine and warm hand clutch onto my wrist, hauling me back into him. I could feel my heart beat rapidly pulsing against my chest, both from running and for what wrath I was about to face. I struggled against his hold but it was of no use, his grasp was like iron chains.

He spun me around to face him and I regret looking into his eyes. There in those brown eyes I grew accustomed to for the past few days were now filled with a fiery and burning anger. Long gone were the soft eyes that held security, care and passion.

I quickly averted my gaze as I felt guilt bubbling inside me, threatening to spill out of my mouth with words of apology...words I dare not say.

"So you're not going to say anything?" His voice was dangerously low and I could feel the anger aimed at me, hitting me like a ton of bricks.

Never being in such a situation with Thane, I didn't know what to do, so I zipped my mouth and threw the key in the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.

"Look at me Emery!" He raised his voice as his grip on my wrists tightened.

"You're hurting me." I meekly mumbled. As soon as I said that his grasp loosened incredibly but he still held on to me, probably afraid that I would run again. His eyes flashed sorrow but anger quickly consumed him again.

"Look at me." He repeated as he lowered his voice.

I disobediently looked anywhere but at him.

"What? Cat caught your tongue? First you had the decency to run for the hills and now you wouldn't even look at me?" He growled.

"Stop it!" I yelled finally looking, more like glaring at him, "Stop acting like you're the victim here! Stop pretending like you were worried! And for the love of god stop acting like you actually give a shit about me, as if you actually care if I leave or not."

He growled at me, "You see this is what I don't get! From day one I kept showing you that I do care, yet you keep shoving me away and acting like I'm hurting you! I'm protecting you, can't you see that!"

"Protecting me? The only one you're protecting is yourself. You're afraid that if I got away from here that I would rat you out to the police and you wouldn't have the satisfaction of killing your latest prey."

"When would you get it through that beautiful head of yours that I do care about you?! I would never dare hurt you and I'm not your fucking kidnapper! You're so god damn stubborn."

He removed his hands off me as he brushed his hair back in frustration. If it wasn't for the current predicament I probably would've been a pile of mush as he called me 'beautiful' and his now ruffled hair looked irresistible.

Instead I looked around to find that the surrounding area was eerily deserted. There was suddenly no one walking around in the street outside of the alleyway.

I turned my gaze back at him seeing him waiting for a response. "I'm the stubborn one? You're the one refusing to tell me why I'm here! If you aren't my kidnapper then what the hell are you because you sure aren't my friend at the rate we're going at. You've kept me in the dark for too long. You've kept me away from everyone I love. My family, my friends. Not to mention that you haven't told me why you brought me here!"

"I told I would explain everything when it's time-"

"And when is that? The next time those vile creatures come back for me? Those monsters in the woods? Or are you waiting to sacrifice me to this town's own little pagan ritual to the frickin beast?" I said disgusted.

As I mentioned the beast his face contorted into something between anger, sorrow and guilt. Then it all made sense to me. Realization struck me like a bolt of lightning and I felt sick to stomach. Bile rose to my throat as I looked at the man I thought held a speckle of care for me in horror.

"That's it isn't it?" I uttered in a quiet voice. "That was your plan this entire time."

He looked at me in confusion. "Emery what are-?"

"You captured me from the beast so you can just hand me over to him yourself. You're not willing to risk your own people that's why you stole me, so now your town can jump in joy as you have a total stranger to sacrifice..." I trailed off as hurt filled my voice. "That's why you're 'protecting' me. That's why no one talks to me and why you act so sweet and innocent when you're realistically not. Let me guess, Luna means sacrifice to your town?"

Thane walked closer to me and cupped my checks making me look up to him. "Listen to me."

"No. Save it. I don't want to listen to you anymore." I said drained of all emotions as I felt my heart drop to my stomach.

I moved out of his hold and the sparking electricity passing between us. I turned away from him and moved towards his jeep that was parked right outside the alleyway.

I felt him hot on my trail as soon as I moved one leg. "Don't worry, I'm not running away."

"Would you give me a chance to explain?" He asked.

I turned to him with a poker face, "I've heard enough from you Thane, and I don't want to hear anything you have to say. There could be no explanation or any excuse for what you're doing."

I climbed into the jeep before he had the chance of opening the door for me and pretend to be chivalrous. I knew he was too good to be true.

I don't know why I cared so much about what he did, after all he was the one who kidnapped me from day one. Yet I felt my walls crumbling around me as my heart squeezed in pain. This shouldn't hurt as much as it did right now but if I was being honest with myself, I trusted him. I trusted every word he said but after this, I mentally slapped myself for being so gullible.

I thought there might have been a better explanation for why I was here, I was hoping for one. But now my hope faded into oblivion.

I tried to will my tears away and keep up my strong façade, but it was of no use. I was going to die anyways.

The brick wall I had built around me since I got here, finally started to crack.

As Thane entered the vehicle and shut the door, I felt the first drop of tears stream down my check, betraying me. I quickly wiped the droplet away but it was to no avail as more started pouring in a silent cry.

I turned my face away from his view as he keyed the ignition and I looked out the window but my sniffles gave me away.

I didn't want him to see me breakdown, but I couldn't help it.

Before he drove off he turned my face to his view with a shattered look on his own face. He wiped the tears away as he looked at me helplessly.

"Em, it's not what you think." He whispered.

"Isn't it?" I grumbled. "You act all kind and protective but you're nothing but a callous, selfish asshole."

"Language." He chastised.

"I'm going to curse if I want to, okay." I said moving my face away from his hold.

He pulled out of the parking lot and began to drive back to his house, otherwise known as my hostile.

"We forgot Bailey!" I said remembering the bubbly blonde hair girl.

"Lucas will get her." He assured me.

He remained silent for a moment until he got all serious, "Emery, I don't want to be the one to bring tears to your eyes, I want to be the one to put a smile on your face."

I looked over at him to see him shifting his gaze from the road to me, waiting for my reaction.

I put back on a poker face to not let him have the satisfaction of knowing that I cared. How could I let him have that victory after what he is going to do to me?

"That's the cheesiest line I've ever heard." I said in a monotone.

"Why'd you run?" He suddenly asked.

"Isn't it obvious enough?" I asked and he gave me a confused look. "You brought me here against my will Thane, and I now find out that you plan of sacrificing me." I said as my voice broke.

He ignored what I said and carried on, "Was I that bad to you that you felt like running away without being able to talk to me?"

"You would've stopped me." I simply stated.

"Damn right I would've!" He growled. "So was all what happened today you just playing me, just a joke, just you trying to get away from me?"

"You weren't actually that gullible were you?" I lied. I didn't play him, I was jealous of Abigail, I was hurt by what he said to me and I actually felt my heart flutter when he said I was the one who stole his heart.

"I was because what I told you was the truth. You're the one for me Emery." His voice was filled with hurt.

I sneaked a look at him and he was tense and his knuckles where white from holding the steering wheel so tightly.

"If I really stole your heart then why are you doing this me? Is this your way of punishing me because I unknowingly captured your attention?" I questioned and he remained dead silent. "I guess I'm right once again, you're doing this because you like Abigail aren't you? And you think I may jeopardize your little bed buddy."

"Abigail doesn't have anything to do with this."

"Oh spare me, I saw the way she looked at you."

"Fine. If that's what you want to believe then I wouldn't stop you. Wouldn't you ever just listen to what I have to say?" He asked frustrated.

"Why? So you can just lie through your teeth and mess with my head." I stated.

He went dead silent after that and for the rest of the journey the air was thick with tension and I felt emptiness inside me. An emptiness that was brought upon by my inevitable fast approaching death.

When we arrived back to his house there was a new car parked right outside.

Thane spotted the car and sighed loudly, "Just the perfect timing." He said sarcastically.

I jumped out of the jeep as soon as he stopped and before he could cut the engine off. To express my growing hate for my hijacker, I slammed the door on his 'precious jeep' for added effect. Maybe if he cared an inch for me what he does for his vehicle, I might have a chance to live, but unfortunately for me he doesn't and he isn't anything but a cold hearted imbecile.

I bounded inside quickly to avoid Thane for as long as possible.

"Emery wait!" He called out to me.

Blinded by cascading tears from my eyes I hurtled into someone. "Sorry." I managed to get out as I wiped my eyes clear.

The woman looked strikingly familiar especially her brown eyes but I can't say that I've ever seen her before. Together with her there was a girl around sixteen years and two twin boys who looked around eight.

"Hi, you must be Emery." The girl chirped at me and pulled me into a hug, "I'm Tate, Thane's sister."

I was a bit taken aback from meeting her but before I could say anything, the little boys greeted me.

"And we're Thane's brother." One smiled up at me and I could see all their resemblance to Thane, "My name is Thomas."

"And I'm Teddy." The other one smiled up at me.

They all looked at me with worried expressions at my tear stained cheeks as I tried to wipe any tears away.

The older woman looked at me curiously before she said, "Why don't you all give Emery here a minute."

"But-" Tate was about to fight her but the woman held up her hand.

"Take the boys to the kitchen, would you Tate."

Tate gave me small smile before she and Thane's two brothers all walked off.

The woman walked over to me, "Are you alright dear?" She asked in a motherly tone as she placed both her hands on my arms in a comforting hold.

I shook my head 'no' unable to speak before my voice broke and my tears start again. I heard the door behind me shut close as it rattled my bones signaling I was once again locked away.

"What did you do?" The woman asked in an accusing voice which held me confused, but when I looked at her she was looking behind me as she aimed her question.

"Mom now is not the time." He softly answered. So this is who she was and why she looked so familiar, it was because she is Thane's mother.

I stepped away from her hold and looked at her in horror and disgust. I shifted my gaze from mother to son in disdain. How could they even look me in the eye after what they're planning to do?

"Do you know what your son is doing?" I spitted out at her. "Of course you do." I accused before she could answer. "With all due respect Mrs. Blackwood, I despise you people. How could you condone such a thing? You and your entire little town are just holding me here to sacrifice me. How could you allow your son to kidnap me and hold me here against my will while you all plan my sacrifice?" I raised my voice at her.

She gave me a confused look before turning her gaze to Thane and glaring daggers at him while he looked at her guiltily.

"Sweetie whatever Thane told you, you must have gotten it confused." She gently said looking at me with pity.

"Your precious son didn't tell me anything. He forced me here and wouldn't even give me answers!"

"This is why you have the story wrong." She continued hastily.

"There isn't anything you can tell me that would be a reasonable excuse for why I'm here. As for your son, please tell him to leave me alone!" I ended my rage with hurtful words as I stormed upstairs.

Thane's mother's eyes held such hurt that I knew I hit home and instantly regretted what I said to her. But that's the thing about words, once said they can never be taken away.

I went straight into his bedroom and locked myself inside as I had nowhere else to go. Somehow over the past few days I had become acquainted with this room as it brought me a strong sense of security.

I opened the balcony doors in much need of a breath of fresh air and some quiet solidarity. I sat down on one of the cushioned seats as I breathe in the air as it cleared my stuffy nose from crying so much.

My tears were long gone but the heartache was still there. I couldn't get it wrapped around my mind that Thane betrayed me.

Wanting to rid myself of all things Thane and sacrifice related I looked over the balcony down to the most magnificent garden I have ever seen.

There were various flower beds holding vibrant buds of tulips, roses, sunflowers and dozens more. Wild flowers grew around the perimeter of the huge backyard which led to the forest. There was also a lovely pond and a few benches scattered around the beautiful surrounding.

A few children were playing among the flowers and I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face at the sight. I always had a soft spot for kids and loved the company of the little bundles of energy.

I use to babysit a lot back in my old town to make a little extra cash but honestly I loved the kids.

I don't know for how long I just sat there looking at the kids play but before I knew it, the sun was setting as I gazed at the beautiful scenery as it lowered behind a distant mountain.

Sooner than I wanted there was a persistent knocking on the door and there was only one person I could think of, Thane.

"Emery, open the door." He said from the other side.

I ignored him and went inside the bedroom as the kids left the garden and went inside. Thane kept knocking and calling.

"Please Emery open the door." He begged. "I wouldn't stop until you do." He insisted.

"Emery? Emery! Open the damn door!"

I rolled my eyes at his fake interest in what I'm doing as I closed the doors to the patio.

"At least say something so I know you're alright." He said. "If you don't, I swear I will break down the door."

Not wanting to see his face just yet I decided to answer his stubbornness, "I'm fine, you can drop your act now."

I heard him sigh in relief, "Thank god." He said.

Deciding a good relaxing bath should remove my pent up anger and stress I stepped into the bathroom. No matter how long I stood under the shower it wasn't long enough. I quickly changed and exited the bathroom.

I paced the length of the bedroom not knowing if I should exit or not but I was starving. Deciding food was better than an empty stomach, I took a deep breath and exited the bedroom once I knew all my emotions were gone and I wouldn't break down again.

I just had to get the tears out earlier for all my pent up sadness I have kept since the ritual.

What shocked me was Thane sitting on the floor right across from the door. As soon as he heard the door open he looked up at me.

He stood up and looked at me as different emotions flashed through his eyes, relief, anger and guilt.

I walked past him into the kitchen as I looked around for something to eat, but everything he had was to be cooked and I definitely had no clue on how to do that.

"What would you like to eat?" Thane asked walking behind me.

I shrugged and I went to sit at the counter as he moved around the kitchen whipping up something.

"How could you say something like that to my mother?" He calmly asked but I knew he was angry.

"After what you're doing to me I didn't think I was in the wrong." I replied with a shrug as guilt was eating at me.

After putting some pasta to boil he turned to me with an irritated look on his face, "I don't want to fight with you Emery, I'm sick and tired of it. Ever since you've gotten here we have done nothing but fight."

I avoided his gaze as I knew he was right, but was I in the wrong for acting like I did?

He went on after my silence, "With that being said I just want you to know that I'm like this because of myself and not my mother. She is the best parent anyone could have and I'm solely to blame for my behavior."

"Is she still here?" I asked.

"No my parents left a while ago."

I shook my head not knowing what else to say.

"Emery?" Thane asked and when I looked up at him he was right in front of me on the other side of the kitchen counter.

"Hmm?"

"Can I explain myself to you? Would you give me ten minutes of your time to just clear the air and explain that you were too fast on concluding why you're here?" He gently asked.

"No-" I began but he cut me off.

"Please Emery. You don't ever listen to me, never." He said agitated, "Just give me a few minutes. I promise you that I would leave you to believe what you want after, but you have to at least hear me out first."

I hesitated before I nodded at him to go on. If I was going to die, I guess I needed some sort of explanation and closing so I could rest in peace... or pieces after the beast is done with me.

He looked appeased at my answer and went on to finish our dinner. By the time he was done I had a scrumptious plate of pasta and chicken set before me.

"We'll talk after I'm sure you eat." He said taking a seat next to me.

I discreetly shifted to the end of my seat farthest away from him but Thane being Thane, noticed. He placed his hand around my waist and shifted me and my stool impossibly close to him.

"Now eat." He commanded as he whispered into my ear. I glowered at him before grabbing a fork full of pasta as Thane laughed in amusement.

I was in heaven. It was the best pasta I had ever tasted and I quickly devoured it. Thane must be enjoying it as well because he ate a lot. Like enough to feed a family of five.

I gaped at him after his last round of food and he send me a sheepish smile. After cleaning up, Thane led me to the living room where he pulled me down on the long couch right next to him.

"So what do you want to tell me? That I'm right?" I asked.

He scowled at me, "If you would give me a chance to get a word in, you would know."

I rolled my eyes, "Go on." I tucked my feet beneath me as I got comfy.

"You're wrong." He simply stated.

"About which part exactly?" I asked when he didn't say anything else.

"Everything." He sighed as I egged him to continue, "I didn't bring you here for a sacrifice. And I definitely didn't bring you here to kill you."

"You're kidding." I stated.

"I never kid." He answered seriously.

I was baffled, "Okay so let's say I actually was to believe a word you say, I still don't know why I'm here so, why did you bring me here?"

"To marry me." He stated.

I laughed in his face at his terrible joke, "Yeah right Thane, I don't believe you for a second. And you say you never kid..."

"I'm not joking Emery." He said in a serious tone which wiped the smile straight off my face.

"Yes you are."

"No I'm not." He said looking me straight in my eyes and daring me to defy him.

"Then where's the ring?" I asked nonchalantly.

He visibly froze and I smirked because I knew that's one thing he couldn't just have lying around. But when he got up from next to me, it was my turn to be frozen.

Walking straight into his bedroom, he disappeared for less than a few minutes with a box in hand... a very tiny, scary looking jewel box and I felt anxious in the worst way possible.

He plopped back down right next to me as he pulled out a beautiful ring.

It was a sort of rusty silver colored band that was etched with a tree bark pattern that was unlike anything I have ever seen and placed in the center was a gem. The gem was a dark silver colored diamond that looked pricey.

"Whose ring is it?" I asked timidly.

"It belonged to my grandmother who specifically gave it to me to give you, so technically it's yours." He smiled.

"I can't accept this Thane."

I tried pushing his hands away but he quickly grabbed my hand.

"Thane what are you doing?"

He smiled at me as he placed the ring on my right hand ring finger instead of my left.

"Don't worry, I'm not proposing, yet. It's a promise ring. Your wedding ring will be saved for your left hand, but I want you to know that I plan on marrying you." He said kissing my hand.

"I'm not marrying you." I said in shock.

"You will."

"You can't force me into matrimony!"

"I wouldn't force you Emery, but when the time is right, I will ask, and you will say yes."

"What if I don't?"

"I wouldn't give up until you do." He shrugged. "However I'm ninety-nine point nine percent sure you're going to say yes."

"Really? Why is there a point one percent chance of me saying no?" I asked with raised eyebrows at his cockiness.

"Well there's a point one percent chance of you not liking me. Which isn't going to happen."

"Keep dreaming buddy." I rolled my eyes.

"I can protect you Emery, if you let me. I can protect you from almost everything that can happen to you in the outside world." He said as he took both my hands in his and placed them on his lap.

I didn't know how to feel about this guy. Yes I practically set my mind to hate him earlier but we had this invisible yet powerful connection that I just couldn't shake. I was slowing believing that he didn't want to kill me but then I felt bipolar for changing my mind so fast.

First I hate his guts now my mind is screaming at me to believe him and give him a shot for no feasible reason.

Was it really realistic to actually even think about liking him?

"Well if it isn't my very own superhero." I faked swoon.

"The superman to your Lois Lane."

"I like spiderman better." I shrugged.

"I'm sticking with superman sweetheart."

"Sweetheart?"

"Sounds cute." He smirked at my disgust.

"So why did you bring me here to marry you anyways?" I decided to change the subject.

He paled at my question, "Before I can explain that to you, I need to show you something so you can fully understand."

I was confused by his cryptic explanation, "What do you have to show me?"

"Who I am." He said avoiding my questioning gaze.

"And who are you?" I asked, "Don't tell me, your name isn't Thane Blackwood." I guessed.

"No I'm Thane alright." He said letting out a little laugh. "I'm just worried about what you don't know."

"Unless you're a psycho serial killer that likes to marry his victims before he kills them, then I don't think I have anything to worry about." I gave him a pointed look. "So come on tell me 'who you really are'."

"You will hate me."

"Now how are you so sure?"

"Because I know you enough to know that you will." He looked at me sorrowfully.

"You clearly don't know me enough. Plus I would never hate you, I may strongly dislike you right now, but I don't think I can hate you... yet." I said cautiously.

He chuckled at what I said, "Glad to know. I didn't think you can hate me anyways." He said bumping his shoulder with mine.

"So you gonna answer my question or...?" I trailed off.

"Not yet." But before I could complain he continued, "Tomorrow I promise I will, I want to be outside when I show you, but you have to promise you wouldn't hate me." He said making me swear I wouldn't.

I didn't get what the big deal was, I wouldn't hate him for who he is without knowing his story. That would just make me judgmental.

So I promised him, "I promise." I said sincerely, finally hoping that tomorrow all my questions will finally be met with some answers.

"One question though?" I asked and he reluctantly nodded, "What's a luna?"

He grinned at my question, "A Luna, is the motherly figure of the pack, my wife and my equal who helps me run my hectic pack. Also known as you."

I felt nervousness growing inside me. "Run your pack? Aren't they your family?"

"Yes some biologically and most non-biologically, but we have all been together for centuries. Ever so often a new family will join us and they live with us and secure a place for the next generation to come. They are protected in our lands and we all need a leader. My family has and will always be the leader. As the first born heir of my family I automatically received the leader position. And you being my future wife, you're my Luna."

"What makes your family the leaders?" I asked trying to juice as much information as possible.

"Well for starters my family is the strongest in the pack and has said to be the wisest. The second in command and third in command are of different families, usually the second strongest family, in this case it's Lucas, my best friend, and the third in command is the best fighter and trainer, who is Beau. Of course if anyone wants a chance to become the leading family they will have to defeat the leader, me. But that isn't going to happen."

"Very cocky." I noted. "How would one have to defeat you?"

He chuckled, "No, I am the strongest person here. Not trying to defeat me are you?" He asked which made me blush, "To defeat me they will have to fight me, till death." He said shrugging like it was no big deal.

"Death?" I asked shocked. "What kind of barbaric traditions do you all have?"

"It's what we grew up learning and following. But don't worry sweet pea, no one will dare challenge me."

Someone should, just to wipe that proud smirk off his face.

"So what does a Luna do exactly?" I asked curiously.

"Why don't I show you tomorrow?" He offered.

"After or before you show me who you are?" I asked skeptically. I wasn't sure if he was tricking me by saying tomorrow he will explain when he could just be putting it off.

"After I explain and show you what- who I am, once you don't kill me that is, I will explain."

I smiled at him, "You know you're dead set on me hating you, what if I actually do?"

"Then I'll kiss you until you forget your name." He winked.

"Real smooth lover boy." I said playfully shoving him.

"You should probably get some sleep." Thane said looking at the clock on the wall.

I looked at the time and it was barely past eight o'clock. "What? No way let's talk, we have never had such a civil conversation. It's almost refreshing."

Thane eyes sparked with interest as he asked, "Okay, then why don't you tell me about the beautiful Emery Aiken."

A/N

Did the chapter title trick you?

Also who's ready for the next chapter?

Massive appreciation for everyone that's been reading and voting! You guys rock!

Song above: SYML - Where's My Love

Picture of Emery's promise ring above 💍

I hope I did at least an alright job on this chapter. We welcomed Thane's mom, and his siblings. Emery finally released her pent up emotions and Thane is starting to give her some information.

I hoped you enjoyed this chapter!

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-Shania. 🐾