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  Oh right. The hunt.

  I stand up, supressing my groan. Dane has survived a millions hunts, what does my father want me to do, give him a good luck charm and stand there weeping while he exits? Not likely. If anything, I would beg him to take me along.

  “I’ve decided to stay back today,” he adds casually, but I glance at him in time to see the tightness around his mouth.

  “Is everything okay?” I ask. I can’t remember a time that he’s ever missed one. He’s a firm believer in not asking others to do something that you yourself wouldn’t do.

  “Everything is fine, I just have other matters that need attending today.”

  I walk up to him and wrap my arms around my waist. “Alright, I’ll go and fine Dane.”

  “Good girl,” my father praises, making me feel like a little girl all over again.

  “Love you,” I call out as I walk out the door.

  “Love you too,” I hear him reply.

  I head towards the hall, where everyone going on the hunt usually gathers. I see Sam and Jase cleaning weapons at one of the tables.

  “Hey,” I say, sitting down and watching them work. I pick up a sharp blade and test its weight in my hand.

  “Little bit big for you to handle,” Jase says, smiling crookedly. I ignore him being the asshole he usually is, and turn to Sam instead.

  “Have you seen Dane?” I ask him.

  He looks surprised. “He’s around here somewhere. Don’t bother asking if you can come along though.”

  “Why not? Sexist bastards!” I snap.

  Sam grins, used to my outbursts. “There are three women coming with us today. It’s not that you’re a girl. I’d take you if I could, but I have to follow orders.”

  Doesn’t my father understand that in over protecting me, he’s actually making me weak? I need to know all of these things! What if something happens and I need to protect myself? I lift my head in time to see Dane walking in. Standing next to him is a pretty older woman, Tegan, I believe her name is.

  “Is she going?” I ask, unknown emotions coursing through my veins.

  Sam looks over, “Yeah she’s coming. She’s good with herbs and berries and what not, so she can

  help find more food.”

  I look away before Dane sees me practically shooting daggers at his little friend.

  “Come back safe,” I say softly to Sam, ignoring Jase like I always do.

  Sam’s blue eyes soften. “I always do.”

  “What, no farewell for me?” Jase goads. His head is shaved, and his dark eyes are filled with anger and lust. I don’t know what I ever did to him.

  “Bye Jase,” I mutter, turning to head for the exit. I see Dane staring at me out of the corner of my eye, so I head in his direction. Tegan sneers at me, which I plainly ignore, and only address Dane.

  “Have a safe hunt,” I say, looking directly into his eyes. I don’t wait for his reply, I just walk out. I did what I came here to do, now I can carry on with my day.

  “Olivia,” he calls behind me.

  I stop and turn. “What?”

  He takes me by my upper arm and pulls me into the empty hallway. “You fucking him?”

  My eyebrows furrow. “Who?”

  “Sam? Jase? Anyone?” he growls, eyes narrowed.

  I was so confused. “We spoke about this Dane. I’m a virgin. Stop acting like a fucking Neanderthal.”

  “I guess we will find out won’t we,” he murmurs. “Don’t make a fool of me Olivia. You won’t flirt with other men. Those days are over. You wanted me, and you got me. Now handle the consequences.”

  I blink. Over fifty men in our community and I chose this idiot. “How did I never know you were such an asshole?”

  He smirks. “Guess you should have done better research when choosing me. I never wanted to marry. You can’t exactly expect me to turn into husband of the year, can you?”

  My spine straightens. “Marrying me secures you a spot as leader when my father steps down. You should be thanking me.”

  He tilts his head to the side, apparently thinking that over. “Who said I want to lead?”

  “It doesn’t matter if you want to or not. People look to you. I’ve seen it. You think I’d choose a weak man for a husband? Yes, I was attracted to you. You’re powerful. My instincts told me to choose the alpha male. But don’t consider me weak Dane. I might just be a woman but I’m a force to reckon with. We should just have a marriage in name only. Then we both win. My father gets off my back and you get to carry on like you’ve been doing.”

  He licks his bottom lip and glances away. “I have to go. Don’t leave the walls.”

  I roll my eyes at his dismissal. “Like I’m ever allowed to leave the damn walls.”

  “You just stay here and look pretty,” he calls as he walks backwards, then turns and disappears from my sight.

  My finger nails dig into my palm. Stay here and look pretty? That condescending bastard.

  “He’s probably prettier than me,” I mutter under my breath, storming towards my room. When inside it, I grab my sword and my bow and arrow and head outside where there are several targets set up for the archers to practice. Sam taught me how to shoot. He also taught me how to use a sword and fight hand to hand. I’ll always be grateful to him. I know no one wanted me to be a warrior. My father wanted me safe indoors, cooking or sewing or some other task that bored me to death and only I knew the truth of why. My father was told of a prophecy. Somehow he believes that my son, who apparently will be born by next year, two thousand and twenty, will be our salvation. Don’t ask me how my first born is going to save our world, because it’s beyond saving. My father is hoping, but it’s redundant. There are flesh-eating monsters roaming our planet, and there is nothing we can do except hide out and try to survive. Putting his hope in me and a baby I haven’t even had yet is completely ridiculous, I know it, but he does not. Either way, my child will be a prince of sort amongst the community, then will eventually take over. Talk about having a heavy burden on my shoulders, and now I’ve dragged Dane into it, a man who doesn’t even want me.

  How did everything get so complicated?

  They return four days later.

  “Olivia!”

  I run as I hear my name being called, grabbing my first aid kit. My eyes scanning everyone that walks through the door, searching for injuries.

  “Who is hurt?” I ask Sam as I see him walk over to me.

  “Lars was stabbed in the arm,” he replies, looking towards the door. “We ran into another group who weren’t too happy to see us.”

  With a lack of supplies and food in some areas, I could only guess why. Luckily we’d been growing our own food plus the men went on hunts like this one to find whatever else we may need. Running into others was a tricky situation because you couldn’t trust some people. Okay, make that most people. Desperation makes nothing off-limits. We were very blessed with what we had here.

  “Which one is Lars?” I ask, my eyes on Dane as he enters. Our eyes connect until his gaze drops, taking me in from head to toe. Next to him is the soldier I saw him talking to about me, cradling his arm. Guess that was him. I touch Sam’s shoulder, happy he’s home safe, then walk over to Dane and Lars.

  “Sit down,” I tell the man, pointing to the closest chair.

  Lars flashes Dane a look before complying. He was a good looking man, with short dirty blond hair and sharp green eyes. Opening my kit, I pull out what I need then examine the cut.

  “Not too deep,” I murmur, cleaning and dressing it. The man doesn’t even flinch, and I knew it had to sting like crazy.

  “Are you hurt anywhere else?” I ask, examining the dressing.

  “No,” he replies in a deep voice. “Thank you.”

  Tegan walks over to Dane. From the corner of my eye, I see her rest her hand on his shoulder. “Thank you for taking care of me Dane,” she says.

  No one besides a select few know of mine and Dane’s engagement, and Tegan mustn’t have
a clue.

  Dane’s eyes dart to me before returning to her. “It’s my responsibility to make sure everyone returns safe from the hunt.”

  “Yes I know,” she replies, her voice turning flirtatious. “But it was more than that. You know what I’m talking about--”

  I couldn’t listen to anymore.

  “You’re done Lars,” I tell him. “Was anyone else injured?”

  Lars looks to Dane but shakes his head no. Apparently he wasn’t very talkative, or maybe that was just with me. He did give off the whole strong and silent type vibe. He stands and walks off, joining the rest of the group who were helping sort through the finds. Dane still stands there with Tegan next to him, but I’d tuned out their voices. Packing away the first aid kit, and feeling happy no one was seriously injured this time, I turn back to Sam, wanting to talk with him some more. When I feel Dane grab onto the back of my t-shirt, pulling me to a stop, I turn in frustration.

  “What?”

  “Anything happen while I was gone?” he asks, rubbing his thumb along my nape.

  “Like what?” I ask suspiciously.

  He pulls me back against his chest. “I don’t know, you tell me.”

  “Are you just looking for an argument now? Nothing happened. No one spoke to me. Is that what you want to hear?”

  His thumb stops moving. “Okay, I know why I’m angry about this situation, but why are you? You got what you wanted, why are you sounding so put out?”

  I turn my head to look at his face. “I overheard you talking. I know what you think of me and that you don’t want this.”

  He cringes. “Fuck. That isn’t how I wanted to start our marriage,” he mutters, then sighs. “I was pissed. Ignore everything I said.”

  If only it were that easy.

  I pull away from him.

  “Where are you going?” he asks, raising an eyebrow and looking hotter than hell.

  I purse my lips, wondering what he wanted. “What’s it to you?”

  His mouth twitches. “I own you.”

  He did not just say that.

  I force my lip to lift up in a smirk. “I’m the princess here Dane. I believe it’s me that owns you. I chose you, remember?”

  With that, I tug out of his hold and walk to Sam, who looks between Dane and me with a raised brow. “What did you say to him to look like that?”

  “What does he look like?” I ask, not wanting to turn around.

  “He’s staring at you, jaw tight and steam coming out of his ears.”

  I roll my eyes.

  Let him be angry.

  “Tell me everything about the hunt.”

  Chapter Four

  “Ran into a group of about twenty,” he says, leading me outside the building. “They challenged three of their best fighters against ours.”

  I sit down on the grass, staring ahead at the great wall of the castle. “So let me guess, Dane, Lars and you kicked their asses?”

  Sam’s lips quirk up at the corners. “Of course. We raided an old shopping centre but there was hardly anything there of course. We managed to find a few things. Tegan found some herbs, berries and edible flowers. Got some of those pink honey flowers you like too.”

  I smile at him gratefully. “I love those.”

  “I know you do,” he replies, his eyes gentle on me. “I grabbed a bunch and told Dane to keep them for you.”

  “He probably sucked the honey out of them just to spite me,” I mutter under my breath.

  Sam chuckles, shaking his head in amusement. “I don’t know about that Olivia. In fact he asked me about you.”

  “What did he want to know?” I ask reluctantly, shifting on the grass.

  “How I know you so well, when you usually keep to yourself for one.”

  “What did you tell him?” I ask, pulling some of the grass out to keep my hands busy.

  Sam shrugs. “I couldn’t exactly say that I found you outside trying to learn how to use weapons by yourself and I felt sorry for you so I taught you.”

  I slap his arm. “More like I begged you until you gave in.”

  His mouth kicks up at the corners. “That too. I told him we were good friends and left it at that. He seemed curious.”

  “I messed up in choosing him,” I admit quietly.

  Sam studies me. “I don’t think you did. He’s the leader of your father’s men, I guess it was only natural you’d go for someone like that. No one will protect you better.”

  “I know,” I say. “But he doesn’t want to be married. I guess he likes his life how it is. Which is fair. I mean who wants an arranged marriage?”

  “Who wants to have to choose a husband because her father made her?” he counters.

  I shrug. “I know it isn’t ideal for me either, but I could have chosen someone who would have liked the position.”

  Or me, I think to myself. Someone that liked and wanted me would be a plus.

  “I guess in the big picture I’m just a small part. I shouldn’t complain. I have it good here, I know I do. Other women have to work and slave away.”

  “You work too Olivia,” Sam says, chastising me. “You help anyone you come across. You’ve a kind a heart and will make a strong leader.”

  I shrug. “I try and do what I can. I’d rather be out there fighting and protecting our people but I’ll settle for doing what I can from inside the walls.”

  Sam’s expression turns serious. “You could have chosen me, you know that right?”

  I arch a brow at him. “We’re friends Sam. I wouldn’t do that you. You’re going to find someone you can’t live without and I’m not taking that away from you.”

  He nudges my shoulder. “You’re not a death sentence. We would have been fine.”

  I laugh. “Death sentence. Good one.”

  “I’m serious. You’re beautiful and have a good heart. What more can a man ask for?”

  I lean back, my palms on the grass. “Love. Passion. I don’t know.”

  Sam rolls his eyes. “I think you’ve been reading too many of those romance novels we found on the last raid. Times have changed Olivia. It’s like we’ve gone back in time, back to arranged marriages, traditional roles and new laws. Democracy is a thing of the past.”

  “Traditional roles,” I repeat, scrunching up my nose. “You’re right about that. Did you see any of them while you were gone?”

  By them, I meant the monsters. Zombies, I guess you could call them. Flesh-eating creatures that have taken over and demolished most of our population.

  Sam shakes his head. “No we didn’t.”

  I exhale slowly. “It seems like we are seeing them about less and less nowadays. At least from what you’ve been telling me after each hunt.”

  Sam stays quiet.

  “Do you think that maybe one day it will be safe to--”

  “Olivia,” Dane says, cutting me off. He looks at Sam and gives him a scowl. “Don’t you have something to do?”

  Sam flashes me an amused look before leaving. Dane sits down in his seat and turns to me. “Pretty sure I told you I didn’t want you flirting.”

  I was pretty sure Dane had control issues.

  “I was talking, there’s a difference.”

  “You can talk to me,” he says, raising a sardonic brow.

  I didn’t know what Dane wanted, what his aim was. The man was confusing.

  My eyes narrow. “Sam’s my only friend in this place. If you think you’re going to stop me from talking to him, then you don’t know me very well.”

  Sure, I spoke to others and they spoke to me. But everyone kept their distance from me. It was a lonely existence, one that Sam had saved me from. He was a good friend.

  “I don’t know you,” Dane replies, staring straight ahead. “We’re going to have to remedy that.”

  “Why?” I ask. What difference did it make at this point?

  “What do you mean why? We’re getting married Olivia--”

  “And it doesn’t mean anything to you Dane. I
told you this. It’s just a piece of paper. For fuck’s sake, we don’t even have a priest in the castle. We can pretend all we want but it doesn’t change anything. Yes we will be tied together through everyone’s eyes. Yes, we will share a bed. That’s it.”

  “That’s it?” he replies, sounding incredulous. “You think I want to have a kid with a woman I hardly know?”

  I rub my forehead. “Now you don’t even want to share my bed? Christ, I thought that was the reason for all of this. To produce an heir.”

  “Oh, I will share your bed,” he says, voice laced with steel. “That’s the one pro in this whole mess.”

  I grit my teeth. “You’re going to make me regret choosing you, aren’t you?”

  “Every day of your life. And you don’t need a priest to make a marriage legal.”

  I sigh and look up at the blue sky. “I want to go out with the next group that leaves the walls.”

  “No.”

  “Women leave all the time.”

  “Not you,” he replies flippantly. “Your father wants you safe.”

  “And I want to be free.”

  “You are free,” he replies. “You’re a princess. How many women in this castle do you think envy your position? And I think it’s time that you and I started over.”

  He made me sound ungrateful.

  Spoiled.

  Maybe I was.

  Late that night I couldn’t sleep. Sliding out of my bed, I open my door and wander the halls. The castle we were living in was old, and surrounded by huge walls that were made from a time of war. Back when castles were sieged and taken by sheer force. This castle withstood that, and now it keeps us safe from the monsters. I touch the wall and feel the stone beneath my palm. What did it look like out there? I always wonder. How was the rest of the world surviving? How many were still alive?

  Dressed in my white nightdress and bare feet, I follow the noise of laughter and cheering. Curious, I stop when I come to the door that leads to a separate block of single women’s housing. My dad told me that the women here are ‘free with their pleasures’ and invited men to visit them. It sounded like a brothel to me, but he insisted it wasn’t like that. I hide by the wall as a group of three men walk to the door and knock. A woman opens it, my eyes widening as I take in her attire. She’s wearing a see through red dress that shows her nipples along with everything else. The men enter, and she shuts the door behind them. Continuing down the hall, I head to the kitchens in search of something to snack on. Not finding anything interesting, I sigh and take a seat on one of the benches.