My Wolf’s Bane(59)

“Yeah, you’re in enough danger without hanging out with a werewolf.”

“How would I be in danger, just because I’m a shape-shifter hanging out with you?”

Pacing a few feet from me, he ran a hand through his hair, then spun and faced me again, his expression solemn. “I don’t know for sure what you are.”

“But you have a pretty good hunch I’m a shifter or you wouldn’t have suggested it.”

“Yes.” He surveyed the forest. “We should finish the conversation at your house. Daniel could be lurking.”

Back at my house, we settled in my living room, me on the sofa with my legs curled underneath me and Zack in the recliner.

“Why is it dangerous to be a shape-shifter? Explain,” I demanded, locking my fingers together so I wouldn’t chew my nails.

“Werewolves don’t get along with shifters. We either hunt them for sport or use them as slaves. Which is why you can never let Daniel get close to you again. He didn’t figure it out today, because your scent is still so light. He probably doesn’t even know about shape-shifters yet. But if he pulls something and you fight back, he’ll see how strong you are and know something’s up.”

I’d been feeling like a wuss for getting pinned by Daniel, but now relief washed over me that I hadn’t struggled more. He would’ve figured it out and I’d be toast right now.

“The man in the cowboy hat and the guy in black — the ones we saw at the dealerships? If we see either of those guys again, you have to remember to stay away from them. If they smell you…” Zack pressed his lips into a straight line.

“I could become a slave?” I cut him off before he could finish. “If you have no experience with shifters, how do you know they’re slaves? It’s ridiculous to think slavery would still be going on in this day and age.”

“There’s always been slavery of one kind or another throughout history. Besides, werewolves are old-school. They still have a king and they follow werewolf law above human law.”

A chill ran up my spine, imagining one of those guys taking me prisoner. “They’re creepy. I’d avoid them anyway, even if you didn’t say a thing.”

“Good. Your scent will probably get more noticeable as you get older and stronger. So long as you keep your distance, you’ll be fine. I think. If Daniel figures it out and tells the scouts about you—”

“Scouts?” So much to learn.

“Both those men were scouts.” He rose to sit on the arm of the recliner, probably so he didn’t have to crane his neck to see me. “They search for new blood, more men for King Mortimer’s army. Young werewolves like me aren’t allowed to be on their own. We’re either part of a pack where we can be observed or we become scouts and do the king’s bidding. He runs a tight ship. Do you have anything to drink?”

“Yeah, sorry.” I jumped up and made a dash into the kitchen. “Why such control over everyone?” I asked as I disappeared behind the fridge door.

“I guess any stray wolf is seen as a potential threat who could start his own pack and rise up against him one day.”

“Root beer?” I asked.

“Sure.”

I didn’t like where this conversation was going. “So they’re going to take you away to be part of a pack?” After snagging a can from the fridge door, I headed back to Zack.

“That’s the plan. I’m eighteen, which means I’m under the king’s rule now.”

I handed him the soda and began to pace. “Sounds like werewolves aren’t free either. We’re all subject to the werewolf king, right? Except some are treated better than others.”

He popped the can and took a sip. “True, but at least I have some rights and privileges. You’ll have none. For instance, as far as I know, there’s no werewolf law preventing Daniel from hurting a shape-shifter. It’s totally legal for him to kill you.”

I swallowed. “Thank God for human law and that he thinks I’m human, huh?”

“Yep.” He pushed himself off the recliner arm and relocated at the fireplace. “Let’s keep it that way.”

I’d been so pissed at my parents for carting me from city to city, but that seemed so trivial now. Potential slavery was a much bigger problem. My eyes stung and I averted my gaze. “So if they knew about me, I’d be taken from my family and forced to work all hours and live in squalor?”

He nodded, his expression gave. “Best-case scenario, yeah.”

I wanted to weep at what the worst-case scenario might be. I couldn’t think about that though. I had to learn everything I could in order to survive. For that, I needed to know everything about werewolves. “So what now? You’re eighteen. Why haven’t they taken you already?”