Guardian: Volume 5 Read Free

how to feed on my own
without someone stopping me,” I said quietly.
    “Do
you know why vampires seek out werewolf packs?” he asked as he watched me.
    I
shook my head. “I know it has something to do with power, but not much more
then that.”
    “It’s
not really about the power. It is about control. Vampires get control when they
link to a werewolf pack. In turn they gain power because other vampires, like
Cornelius, can no longer control them,” he watched me as he spoke almost like
he was making a suggestion.
    “You
are saying if I link to your pack Cornelius won’t be able to control me?” I
asked hoping it was true. I cared about Cornelius, at least I thought I did,
but I didn’t want him controlling me.
    He
nodded. “But it comes with responsibility. You will be responsible for
protecting my pack. If you break the link you can hurt us.”
    I
could tell by the way he was looking at me he was trusting me with something
big. Obviously werewolves strived to avoid vampires, yet he was handing his
pack to me. He obviously thought I was something special. He thought I was
strong enough to care for his pack. “I don’t know if it is a good idea,” I said
quietly. “While I appreciate the offer I just don’t think I am strong enough to
take that much responsibility.”
    “You
are; I know you are. I get that you killed someone, but at least you feel bad
about it. If you were a monster you wouldn’t care. You wouldn’t stop at one. I
know we can help each other. My pack needs a guardian. I have a house you can
live in. You do not have to be a prisoner here until Cornelius and Aubrey sees
it fit to let you out,” he said firmly.
    He
was determined I knew that much. Part of me wanted to be free of Cornelius and
Aubrey for that matter, but another part of me was afraid of what I would do if
I was free. I was afraid I wouldn’t have any control without them. “How would I
feed without killing? How would I control myself?” I asked quietly.
    “You
will feed from us. You cannot kill us. Feeding from us will teach you control,
then when you are ready you can feed on humans. The link with my pack can give
you just as much control as Cornelius gives you. The difference is you will be
free to make your own choices.” He said it like it would be so simple. I
wondered if it would be as simple as he made it sound. I kind of hoped it would
be, but it just didn’t seem like it could be.
    “Why
me? Why not an older stronger vampire?” I asked confused. I wasn’t even sure
how I would stop a vampire like Aubrey or Cornelius. I could start training
again and kill them, but that was about it. I wasn’t diplomatic like they were,
and I didn’t see myself being able to kill either of them.
    “I
told you why. You are not a normal vampire. You fight the monster. Colin used
to be a hunter just like you, yet he cannot fight the monster like you do. I
trust my pack with you, and only you,” he said firmly.
    I
thought about it for a minute as I watched the Koi fish swim around the pond.
“What do I have to do?” I asked as I looked at him.
    “You
have to bite me, then I will bite you. Sharing blood will link us. If you are
linked to me you will be linked to my pack,” he said simply.
    “Then
what?” I asked softly hoping he had an answer.
    “Then
we leave. You will live in a house in my territory. You will have everything
you need, and in return you will keep my pack safe,” he said watching me. I
could tell he was hoping I would take his offer. I wasn’t sure if things were
that bad for him or he honestly thought I could keep his people safe.
    I
didn’t want to be under Cornelius’s and Aubrey’s control. Linking to Drake’s
pack would give me purpose. It would give me a reason to keep going. Like Drake
said if I broke the link I would hurt them. I was the type of person that
wouldn’t take that risk. “Ok, I’ll do it,” I said quietly as I looked back at
him.
    I
saw his body sag in relief. I didn’t