The Barter Novel Sierra and Xavier

“Clam down.

I’m sorry.

I didn’t mean to scare you.

”

The owner of the grey eyes said softly.

I let out a relief when I found it was not Xavier.

But they resembled a lot.

Probably brothers.

He was the same man who stopped Xavier from choking me to death, that day.

“It…its alright…”

His eyes were filled with concern, unlike those cold emotionless orbs.

Gulping, I try to moisten my parched throat to look around.

My frame crawls back from him on its own accord.

It was dark.

And freezing.

Why was he here?

I don’t trust anyone in this pack.

“Grrrrr!”

Nala continues to growl at him, daring him to touch me, and I softly whisper to her.

“Calm down girl.

It’s fine.

”

He looks between Nala and me, intrigued.

Not saying anything.

And I felt extremely uncomfortable.

I was barely wearing anything dammit.

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As if realising this, he suddenly gets up on his strong legs and

removes his coat.

He leans down to wrap it around me and that

when I inhale his scent.

Pinewood and rain.

It…it was addicting.

His face was really close to mine and I see his eyes keeping my stare.

Wasn’t he afraid of his brother? He can get in trouble.

“Is my punishment over?”

I question through my stuttering teeth, and he sighs and shakes his head in a no.

Getting up.

“Not yet.

”

“Then…why…why are you here?”

Placing his hands in his pockets, he stood tall, and I felt.

vulnerable laying at his feet, tied, trembling pathetically like a leaf.

“Humanity is not dead, Sierra.

”

My eyes tear.

I couldn’t say anything.

Crouching down he forwards his hands to touch me.

“May I?”

I couldn’t believe he is going to help me.

I needed this.

I couldn’t.

say no.

When I barely nod.

He wraps his strong arms around me and next I know he pulls me to his warm chest.

Warmness rushes

Chapter 12

inside me.

I shiver involuntarily and his grip around me only tightens.

My

cheek rests against his stone hard chest.

He continues to walk, taking me, not knowing where.

Yet, I don’t question it.

At least he is here.

When Xavier left me here to die.

I see Nala following us.

She has stopped growling at him and it was evident that she was trusting him.

Just like me.

I just hope we are not wrong.

ar a cave

No words are exchanged.

After 20 minutes, I see us which was hidden behind the bushes.

He settles me down softly on the hard rocks and proceeds to open the ropes tied around my wrists and feet.

“Stay awake.

Okay?”

I nod.

Clenching onto his coat wrapped around me for my dear life.

And Nala cuddles with me.

I continue to lay there.

Lost in thoughts.

When he returns.

Some wooden sticks in his hands.

Within the next 10 minutes, he lit a bonfire and my body welcomed the heat.

He settles opposite to me.

Leaning his head back, to close his

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eyes.

“Why?”

I ask and those grey eyes lock with mine.

“Xavier is going to hurt you when he finds out-”

“Don’t worry about me, Sierra.

You should be more concerned about keeping yourself warm.

Hypothermia is not to be taken.

lightly.

”

“Despite our wolves trying to keep us warm.

Werewolves do die of hypothermia.

”

I blink.

My eyes fix on the burning flames enveloping the bonfire.

I wonder how he will react when he knows I haven’t ever talked to my wolf.

I don’t know if I am even a werewolf.

How I can heal without having a wolf is a question no one would be able to answer.

I guess I am just weird.

Probably defected.

That’s why mom told me never to tell this to anyone.

“You are what? Cousin brothers?”

I ask, still starting at the bonfire.

Trying to distract my mind from my useless self–degrading thoughts.

When he whispers

“Real brothers.

I am older than him by 2 years.

.

”

My head snaps up to look at him.

I thought Xavier was the only

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child.

I never knew he had a brother and that too,older.

Why does no one know about him? And why did he left his seat? It was bizarre.

“Why?”

He sighs to look into my eyes.

“You ask too many questions Sierra, just sleep.

”

I gulp to avoid his eyes.

Leaning my head back on Nala, I snuggle with her fur and I find his gaze trailing between me and Nala.

.

“Jaguars are never friendly, I must say I am surprised.

”

Smiling down at Nala resting her face on my thigh, I caress her forehead with my fingers.

“They just need a little love and attention, you give them a little and they return ten times back.

“A trait sadly not found in werewolves.

”

The smile fades from my lips as Eremember my own father selling me off to this pack and that old rooted knife twists in my stomach.

No one called.

After I came here

Not my brothers, father.

Not even mother.

It’s like they have forgotten me completely.

Was it that easy?

If yes, why I can’t I do that.

Why can’t I hate father despite everything.

“Everyone is not like that Sierra.

People return love.

Rather, there are a few special ones as well who love with such fidelity, that they can even destroy themselves along with the entire world for that one person they loved.

”

My heart thuds in my chest as I see the pain in his eyes.

Xavier.

He meant him.

I just know it.

“He is a monster.

You can’t possibly defend him-”

“I am not, Sierra.

I know he is wrong.

.

But I only want you to know that behind all the rage and fire of vengeance is a man broken beyond comprehension.

He had a golden heart, which your father tainted red in Rebecca’s blood.

”

“The hatred he has for everyone related to you is proof of hist undying love for Rebecca.

“And you know the worst part?”

Dread settles inside me as he completes.

And I felt a shiver travel down my spine.

“Whenever I look into his eyes, I realise this is just the beginning for him.

He is not going to stop at this barter, Sierra.

”

“He will repay blood with blood.

”