Free

"Ranald do you want to live as my mate or die here?" I watched as he stared at me in shock. His mouth opened and then he closed it searching my eyes to see if it was a trick. "This is up to you. If you choose death I will walk away and not look back. If you choose to be my mate I will need time to make it official but I will cut you free to remove your mark from Stef." Stef tried to fight her bindings again in protest.

Ranald kept quiet for a few more seconds before answering. "I don't want to be controlled again."

I shook my head "I have no intention of controlling you. Free will is something I believe highly of." I knelt before him. "So what's your answer?"

"I choose to live as long as your offer is true." Ronald held out his bound hands.

I looked at Ayame who handed me a knife. I cut Ranald's bindings and handed him the knife and whispered "I know you want to cut her throat but she is not worth your life. Just cut your mark so we can get out of here." I smiled and walked over to Orpheus who was glaring very hard at Ranald. If looks could kill Ranald would have keeled over by now.

Ranald went over to the struggling Stef who was wiggling away from him. "Ambers right I want to kill you but you're just not worth it." Stef tried to scream something at him but the gag blocked it all out. Ranald ripped her dress above her left breast and cut the X dagger mark there. He smiled and walked over to me. "I am finally free of that bitch."

Ayame nodded to us and turned to Stef and her five remaining mates. "Now all of you must leave the Tribe of Lights land immediately. If any of you are found here again you are to be killed on site." The crowd started to throw small stones at them as they picked up Stef and hurried away. I would feel sorry for the men but they chose to stay with her when they had the chance to be free.

I turn to death glare Orpheus "Can we go home now?" His expression changed to a smile as he reached out to help me off the platform. I held his hand as we walked home with a tailing Ranald behind us.

**************

We got home just before dinner and I felt like I had been drained of all my energy. Who knew glowing did that? I had a feeling that the voice I heard on the platform was something I needed to worry about. I needed to go to Ayame's and talk to her very soon. I could feel the creature within even now and she was itching to come out.

I set those worries aside as I assessed the more pressing issue in front of me now. These two men looked about ready to rip each other apart as we sat by the firepit. Now I know this is my fault but I wasn't looking forward to facing off with two territorial shifters. "Okay, it is time we talk about how this is going to work. Ranald I said 'I take you as a mate in time' but Orpheus I how do I put this?" The head wolf is called what again. "Orpheus is my Alpha and you would be my beta." Orpheus beamed a smile of satisfaction and gloating at Ranald. While Ranald let out a huff of what could only be called discontent.

"Now that that's settled there is a room to the left you can use for the time being. I don't know about you two but today was exhausting and I could use.." I tried to stand but I almost fell over. Lucky for me Orpheus got to me in time. My body felt like jello. I could barely make out what the boys were yelling at each other as they took out the door as Orpheus cradled me in his arms. I tried to speak but everything went dark.