We made it back to the house just as the moonlight started to fade behind the trees. Liam carried the deer with surprising ease, his focus entirely on not looking at me, which I appreciated. The air between us was still charged with awkward tension, but at least the walk had given us time to recover from the earlier… mishap.
When we stepped through the back door into the quiet living room, we froze. There, on the couch, was Mal-still tied up and fast asleep. Her arms were bound neatly with a rope we’d used earlier, and her head rested on the cushion, her chest rising and falling softly with each breath.
Liam glanced at me, raising an eyebrow. “Uh, she’s still out?”
I shrugged, setting down the few supplies we’d brought in. “The spell I cast was strong enough to knock her out for hours. I didn’t want her waking up and causing trouble while we were gone.”
Liam chuckled quietly, shaking his head. “Remind me never to get on your bad side.”
I rolled my eyes, but there was a faint smile tugging at my lips. “Noted. Now, help me untie her before she wakes up and freaks out.”
We set the deer aside for the moment and walked over to Mal. I knelt beside her, checking to make sure the spell’s effects were fading. She stirred slightly, mumbling something incoherent under her breath.
“She looks peaceful,” Liam said, crouching down next to me. “Hard to believe she was ready to tear our heads off a few hours ago.”
I smirked, brushing a stray strand of hair from Mal’s face. “At least we got food for when she wakes up. Maybe that’ll stop her from yelling at us for five minutes.”
Liam chuckled softly. “Doubtful. But hey, points for optimism.”
Mal stirred again, her lips parting as she mumbled something unintelligible. Her fingers twitched, but she didn’t fully wake up.
“Should we untie her now or wait until she’s fully awake?” Liam asked, his tone light but cautious.
Before I could respond, Logan’s voice cut through the quiet, sharp and dripping with sarcasm. “Why would we untie her?” he said, leaning casually against the doorframe with his arms crossed. His dark eyes flicked between us and the deer before settling on Mal. “Last I checked, she tried to claw our eyes out earlier. Let her wake up tied and wondering.”
Logan pushed off the doorframe and sauntered closer, his smirk as sharp as ever. “Liam, tell me something,” he began, his voice thick with mockery. “Have you ever actually seen someone turn into a wolf?”
Liam frowned, clearly confused. “Uh, no… why?”
“Because,” Logan said, stopping just short of him, “if you had, you wouldn’t be asking that stupid question. Untying her before she’s fully awake? Really? That’s the exact kind of thing people who’ve never been around a wolf would suggest.”
I shot Logan a warning glare, but he ignored me, clearly enjoying himself.
“She’s not dangerous right now,” Liam countered, his tone defensive. “The spell’s worn off, hasn’t it?”
“Sure,” Logan drawled, dragging out the word. “And what happens if she wakes up mid-untie, still a little… out of it? You think she’s just gonna sit there, stretch, and thank you for setting her free?” He snorted. “She’s a wolf, Liam. Instinct doesn’t just shut off because she’s not enchanted anymore.”
Liam opened his mouth to argue but stopped, glancing down at Mal. She stirred slightly, a soft growl rumbling in her chest before fading back into silence.
Logan raised an eyebrow and spread his hands as if to say, See?
“Enough,” I said firmly, stepping between them.”
Liam sighed, sitting back on his heels. “Fine. But we’re not leaving her tied up forever. We’ll untie her once she’s awake enough to know what’s going on.”
“Now you’re using your head,” Logan said, smirking.
I turned to Logan, narrowing my eyes. “And you-stop treating this like it’s a joke.”
His smirk faded slightly, and he raised his hands in mock surrender. “Fine, fine. I’ll play nice. But don’t come crying to me if she wakes up swinging.”
I ignored him and turned my attention back to Mal. Her breathing was steady, her face no longer twisted in tension like it had been earlier.
“Liam,” I said quietly, “grab some water and a blanket. She’ll probably be disoriented when she wakes up.”
He nodded and stood, shooting one last annoyed glance at Logan before disappearing into the kitchen.
Logan lingered behind me, watching Mal with a calculating expression. “You’re too soft on her,” he muttered.
I didn’t look at him. “She’s been through enough. I’m not going to make it worse by treating her like a prisoner.”
He let out a low hum of acknowledgment, then turned to leave. “Your call. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Some minutes later, Mal began to stir. Her breathing deepened, and her hands flexed against the ropes binding her wrists. At first, it seemed like she was still half-asleep, but then her eyes snapped open.
They were glowing-a fierce, otherworldly gold that sent a shiver down my spine. Her gaze darted around the room, sharp and hungry, locking onto the deer Liam had brought in.
“Mal?” I said cautiously, stepping closer. “Are you okay?”
Her lips parted, revealing slightly elongated canines. She didn’t answer. Instead, a low growl rumbled in her throat, and her glowing eyes flicked to me.
“Uh, I think she’s awake,” Liam said nervously, reappearing from the kitchen with a blanket and a glass of water. He froze when he saw her eyes. “And… not okay.”
Logan, who had been leaning against the wall, straightened instantly. “Told you,” he muttered, his tone low but smug. “What’d I say about waking her up tied?”
“Not helping, Logan,” I snapped, keeping my focus on Mal.
She didn’t seem to hear us. Her gaze had locked back onto the deer, her breathing quickening as the growl deepened.
“Mal,” I said again, softer this time. “It’s okay. You’re safe.”
She blinked slowly, her golden eyes flicking to mine, but there was no recognition in them. Her voice came out hoarse and guttural. “I… need…” She trailed off, her nostrils flaring as she scented the air. “Blood.”
Liam flinched. “Blood?”
“Meat,” she added, her voice trembling. “Now.”
Logan let out a low whistle. “And here I thought I was dramatic when I got hungry.” He crossed his arms, but his expression was serious. “You better get her something before she decides we’re the next course.”
“Logan, shut up,” I hissed, trying to stay calm.
Mal’s fingers flexed against the ropes again, and she strained slightly against them. “Please,” she said, her voice almost desperate now. “I can’t… control it much longer.”
Liam shot me a worried look. “What do we do?”
I thought quickly, glancing at the deer. “Cut off some of the meat. Raw. She needs it now.”
“What?” Liam looked horrified.
“Just do it!” I snapped.
Liam hesitated for only a second before grabbing a knife from the supplies we’d brought in. He moved to the deer and started cutting off a small piece, his hands shaking.
Mal’s eyes followed his every movement, her breathing ragged. When he finally held up the piece of raw meat, she let out a low snarl, her body tensing like she was ready to lunge for it.
“Give it to her slowly,” I instructed, stepping back.