Wheeling Gull Isle stranded

She noted the scars along his neck and a flicker of doubt gave her pause. If he had survived such a wound, surely he would beat her to a pulp if she dared fight him. And besides, she reminded herself once again, she was literally starving and dehydrated. Fighting this… annoyance was not worth it right now. He scoffed at her attempts to get him to pledge his loyalty to her. He said he was already claimed.

Her eyebrows furrowed at this, and she sniffed him. “I don’t smell a pack on you,” she said, eyeing him as if he were lying. Then he said something that chilled her bones. 

’Don’t worry, lass… she’ll claim you too.’

“Who?” she demanded, though the strength had left her voice and she now sounded more like a scared little girl. She looked him over, noted his disheveled form, and thought of ghosts. She was scaring herself, something she couldn’t afford to do now. She could not show weakness. This was still her island. “Who?” she demanded again, her voice stronger now, even and unwavering. Whoever it was, she’d be sure to keep them away from her. No one would claim her. No one.