by G. Bailey
“Agreed. We are not here for an alliance,” Letric replies, keeping his eyes on River.
“Nor do I want one. I want you all to submit. I am alpha, my child will be alpha of all packs. That is the change that is coming, and you can choose how you want to deal with it. I will protect my child, and I will get him the peace he deserves to be born into,” I stand up as I finish talking and walk out of the room, with River close to my side, and none of the Alpha Brothers say a word. At the end of the day, I want what is best for their child as well. If they go against me, they go against their baby which makes everything more complicated.
Chapter 11
Elodie
“Thank you for the food, it was stunning as usual,” I say, watching the kitchen staff push out a trolley of empty plates out of my room where I’ve been since the Alpha Brothers moved into the castle today. I know I’m hiding, and that makes me a coward, but part of me needs a break from them to deal with my emotions that are out of control. I see the curtain twitch once again in the corner of my eye as I shut the door and turn around. I go to reach for my dagger on the side table just as the person moves into the light.
“Can we talk?” Alaric gently asks, just before stepping out from where he was hiding in my room. “I know you’re angry, confused—”
“I’m not confused, but yes, I am angry,” I reply, crossing my arms and not bothering to ask why he snuck in here and how long he has been hiding. “What did you expect?”
“We never chose Misty; it was a trick. Alpha suspected who you really were, but we had to know for certain,” Alaric tells me, stepping closer with every word. “Though we made a mistake, we should have told you everything. We should have trusted you.”
“So, you all fucked her until she told you what you wanted? Didn’t you even think once about me?” I ask, my voice catching. “Or did you never care? Was it just me that felt something?”
“We never touched her like that. We couldn’t, and we wouldn’t. You don’t realise it yet, Elodie, but you had our loyalty and love from the first time we met you,” he softly says.
“You took me back as a slave to keep in your beds, I wouldn’t say you were loyal to me,” I reply. “And this is all hard to believe. Everything about my life is hard to believe now. Everyone has lied to me. Everyone.”
“The moment Alpha told me I couldn’t watch or stay with you that first night, I knew how he felt. I felt it too, but my brothers? They don’t trust or let anyone stay close. Except for you,” he says, his words almost a caress against my skin as he talks. “It’s just been us, Elodie. Me and my brothers alone all this time, and everyone betrayed us. We didn’t let people close to us because we couldn’t trust them. We know what it is like to be in your shoes, and we recognised your pain just like it was our own. That’s why we are good together, why we fit.”
“How can I trust any of you ever again? You asked to stay here until the baby comes, and we can make an agreement of some kind, but every time I see you, it just makes this harder,” I admit, rubbing my arms. “I know none of you want to submit to me, but I know it is the only way I could trust you all. You’re right, we are both broken, and broken people can’t be trusted.”
“We hurt you, and we made a big mistake, I get that. Though we have a plan to show you that we are yours and devoted to you,” Alaric replies. “And we want to discuss our future when you realise that we never intended to hurt you. That we are here, at your side and in your heart for good.”
“You know what I want, Alaric. I told you today, and I don’t believe I was ever anything more than someone to keep your bed warm. You never opened up to me, none of you did. I found out who your father was as he beat me, and you weren’t there to save me. I can’t forget that,” I say. “I won’t forget it.”
“We would have come sooner if we could,” he replies. “But submitting is not in our nature.”
“Then break your nature for me. Mates submit to each other, and alphas take mates. So don’t pretend it has never been done,” I reply.
“Alpha has never submitted to anyone. I’ve only ever submitted to him, and the same can be said of Letric,” he tells me. “Alpha never submitted to Tanner, and he beat him endlessly because of that.”
“I’m sorry he did that, but I know this needs to happen for our baby. For my trust. Or I will never be able to trust any of you again,” I reply, rubbing my arms with my hands as saying that out loud hurts.
“Elodie,” Alaric pleads.
“Leave. Just go,” I ask. “Please.”
“I can’t leave you alone like this—” he starts to say, but River interrupts.
“She isn’t alone. Now, my alpha asked you to leave, so leave before I make you,” River growls out, stepping out from the balcony where I sensed he was. River is always near, protecting me. Alaric lets out a low growl when he turns to face River.
“We both know who would win that fight. I always beat you as a kid,” Alaric replies. “You did always come back for more though.”
“A lot has changed since you left, Alaric. We aren’t kids anymore,” River states. “And we both have someone worth fighting for now. It won’t be a fight for fun or for an alpha we both hated.”
“I’m going to leave, for Elodie, because being upset isn’t good for the baby or her,” Alaric says, looking once at me; the look is so full of longing, and it’s confusing as much as it hurts. “Though if you touch her, River, then I won’t even get a chance to kill you. Alpha will tear you to pieces.” Alaric walks to the door, sadly smiling at me once more before walking out, and the moment the door closes, I can’t hold in the tears anymore. I wrap my arms around myself as big hot tears stream down my cheeks. River surprises me by stepping in front of me and pulling me into his arms. I rest my head on his chest as I cry, breathing in his calming leather and what I think is chocolate smell of his clothes.
“You smell like chocolate,” I finally say, chuckling through the tears.
“Yeah, that’s a long story. I could take you to meet my sister and explain the chocolate smell tomorrow if you like?” he asks.
“I’d like that,” I say, smiling up at him. I freeze when River rubs his thumb against my cheek, wiping the tear away.
“You are playing with fire, River,” I warn him, knowing it is risky to even call him out on how he is staring at me. He is looking at me like Letric did when I sang that song and then he kissed me not long after. River is a handsome wolf, protective, strong and slowly becoming a best friend to me. This is dangerous, especially when my emotions are all over the place.
“Elodie, sometimes being near the fire is worth the chance of being burned, because it is just so beautiful,” he says, keeping his hand on my cheek.
“River, sometimes I think you could charm anyone into anything,” I reply, smiling a little.
“You aren’t in the right head space to deal with any of us wolves. I’m your friend first, no matter what, but I won’t lie to you. Ever. Now I’m going to run you a bath, and then go to the kitchens to get you those sweet cakes you like so much,” he says, though he doesn’t move and neither do I. We are both paused like this, neither of us knowing how to break the moment up. We are both addicted to each other, to the moments we secretly share in the shadows as we pretend to be friends instead of admitting the truth. Sometimes the truth can only bring pain and heartbreak. Pretending can be oh so much simpler.
“You don’t have to…” I slowly reply.
“Look after you like you deserve? No, I don’t have to, but I want to. Elodie, you need to get used to being cared for. You are too special to go unnoticed and unloved,” River says, gradually letting me go and walking to the bathtub. I cross my arms, a warm feeling burning in my chest, slowly making the pain that the Alpha Brothers left seem that bit easier to endure.
Chapter 12
Elodie
“I don’t think I will ever get used to the way they pause and nod to me as we walk past. I used to be a nobody, a pack slave who was mostly ignored unless someth
ing was needed. Now everything is so different,” I say to River as we get to the village and people start noticing us. I haven’t been here since my last trip with Angel, and I was not treated as nicely then. The males did not like their brothels being burnt down, but as I glance back at Angel and Pela, I know I made the right choice when it came to what is best for my pack. My new betas stay close, though River will always be at my side. I tossed and turned all night, thinking of Alaric’s promises and how much I just wanted him to hold me. Though he can’t, and until Alpha makes his mind up on whether he will submit to me, nothing will change.
“What are you thinking so deeply about?” River asks. I look up at him as we walk on the stone path, loving how the dim light that shines through the clouds reflects in the deep pits of his swirling blue eyes. He really has such deep, unique eyes that remind me of the beach at the Luxa Pack.
“Things I can’t change,” I admit, biting down on my bottom lip for a second. “Well, stubborn alphas I can’t change, to be exact.”
“They don’t deserve to have your attention with how they are acting,” he replies, most likely talking about how they are walking around the castle like they own it and me as well. They have made countless changes to several rooms and chosen rooms that are just underneath mine so they are as close as they could possibly get. I want to tell them to stop it, but that requires talking to them, which I haven’t really gotten around to yet.
“I want to believe everything they are telling me and they didn’t betray me, but I can’t. I can’t accept it was a week before they came to save me. I can’t accept—”
“That they didn’t put you first like they should have done?” River adds in.
“Yes,” I reply, knowing River would understand.
“You shouldn’t have to accept that. Not from the people you are in love with,” he replies.
“Is it that obvious I am?” I quietly ask.
“You have a big heart, Elodie. Just be careful who you let into it,” he replies. “Though I don’t like the Alpha Brothers, I do think they aren’t all bad. They just had a bad life, and it messed them up in ways none of us could understand. They need love, your love and your child’s, to be exact. They are fools not to realise that though.”
“I’m not the only one who has a big heart, River,” I counter, and he smirks.
“Dangerous fact to point out about me. I’m the beta who has a side job of kidnapping, just like you’ve always known since I met you. I’m not the best kidnapper when I come back to save the ones I’ve kidnapped,” he replies and winks once at me. I laugh, not really being able to help it, and I suddenly realise that is the first time I’ve laughed, really laughed, in a long time. It’s funny how laughing can instantly make you feel a tiny bit better.
“Why are you still at my side? Why did you choose me?” I ask, feeling his hand brush into mine as we walk, and for a second, he links our fingers and lets go. The simple contact makes me shiver, and my hand itches to reach out.
“I like a bit of danger in my life. Plus, it can be pretty addictive and seductive to be around you,” River replies and goes to say something else, but he is interrupted.
“River!” a girl shouts, breaking up whatever that was between us as we both turn to see a dark haired, little girl running out from a door to us. She is the spitting image of River with dark blue eyes and long black hair. The girl wraps her arms around River’s waist when she gets to us, and he hugs her back as she stares at me. I glance back at the door, seeing a blonde woman holding a toddler, waiting and smiling like she has been waiting a while. Her eyes are locked on River. I swallow the odd, sad feeling that builds in my throat when I realise the woman could very well be his partner, from what little I know. I never asked if he had a mate or anything. What a fool I am. River isn’t a no claim as far as I know. He couldn’t have been to be a beta for Tanner.
“Who is this?” the little girl asks, looking at me as I snap myself out of it.
“Elodie, this is my sister, Arabella,” River replies.
“Nice to meet you,” I say, making her shyly smile as she lets go of her brother.
“Same. Bye!” she says before running off back into the house.
“No patience whatsoever, that one. Arabella got her wolf about two months ago, and she has been running around ever since,” River explains to me. “I swear she only sits down for five minutes before she is off doing something or getting into trouble again.” I laugh, walking back towards the house where Arabella ran to.
“What age did you get your wolf?” I ask him, curious.
“Younger than I should have done,” he tells me, not adding more to that as we get to the woman at the door.
“Hey, River!” the woman says rather sweetly as we get to her. “Alpha Elodie, it is an honour to meet you!” I smile at her before looking up to River to introduce us.
“Elodie, this is my cousin, Jelaya,” River introduces me, and I can’t help the sigh of relief that slips out of my lips as River turns to talk to her. I smile at the baby in her arms, the reality of seeing a baby reminding me my own will be here before I know it. “Thank you for watching Arabella. Has she been any trouble today?”
“None at all, but I have to get going,” she says, hugging River and smiling at me before walking off with her baby in her arms.
“Please come in,” River says, pushing the door open to the small house. It’s all open plan with stone walls, a large kitchen, double doors open to a garden with a river at the bottom of it. The lounge has some sofas, bookcases and a little table where Arabella is drawing. There aren’t many female touches around, and the place reminds me of Alpha’s tower, with added food and children’s things. It’s almost like River doesn’t live here much, which he likely doesn’t because of his job. I wonder if he would be happier moving Arabella into the castle, where he could still protect me and see her too. I make a mental note to ask him later on about that idea.
“What are you drawing?” I ask, walking over to Arabella as River shuts the front door. I look over her shoulder at the big grey wolf near a river which she is colouring in. She is a fantastic drawer even at her age. Everything is incredible in detail.
“It’s for my claimed mate. I get to see him tomorrow, and we always give each other drawings as gifts,” she says, grinning at me. “He likes my gifts, and he always makes me little rock statues.”
“That’s so lovely,” I say as River comes to my side and looks down at the picture.
“That’s mum’s wolf,” River says, though he isn’t good at hiding his feelings in his tone. It hurts him to see this picture. I don’t think as I reach for his hand and pause when our hands touch. River slowly links his hand with mine, never looking once at me or acknowledging the move. He just takes my comfort that he currently needs. “I’m surprised you remember her so well.”
“She looks like you, but your wolf is a much darker grey,” Arabella replies. “I see mum’s wolf in my dreams. She never really left us, you know that?”
“I know, sister,” River states and clears his throat. “Elodie has a white wolf, big and fluffy. Almost cute like a teddy bear.”
“That is so cool!” Arabella says staring up at me with wide eyes.
“Maybe Elodie could show you one day, but for now, I’m going to start dinner. Want to help out, Elodie?” River asks, dropping my hand when he seems to finally notice he is holding it.
“Love to,” I reply, flashing a smile at Arabella before following River into the kitchen where he starts opening cupboards, pulling out different ingredients. “What are we making then?”
“A classic Xan recipe. I thought you might like to try some of our foods as you order a lot of fish and Luxa Pack recipes,” River says, handing me a tub full of vegetables. “Could you cut those up while I sort out the steaks.”
“Sure,” I say, picking up a knife and starting to peel the carrots first since they will take the longest to boil. River fills up a large pot of water for me before putting it o
n the stove, then he lights up that and a hot plate. He marinates steaks with herbs as I cut up the vegetables, adding them to the pot. “I didn’t notice what food I’ve been eating. I guess I miss the pack more than I want to admit.”
“The Luxa Pack is a beautiful place. I’m sure you will return there one day, Elodie,” River says, but I highly doubt it. Going back there would require the Alpha Brothers and me to be at peace, and I would need to trust them completely. I don’t see that happening any time soon with how Alpha has been acting. We don’t talk for a few moments as I run over his words in my mind and thoughtlessly cut the vegetables up.
“River…where is your mate?” I blurt out, not really thinking about how unwise it was to ask him such a personal question.
“Dead,” River coldly and quite quickly replies before picking up a steak and placing it on the hot plate, the sizzling sound the only noise in the otherwise silent room.
“I’m—”
“Don’t say you are sorry, Elodie. You didn’t know her, and neither did I really,” he warns me, and for the first time since we met, his voice is cold with me. Like we are strangers. I walk over, placing a hand full of carrots into the pot, and stop right next to him.
“I didn’t mean to hurt you by bringing up the past,” I say.
“I know you didn’t, you just want to know me, and I don’t get why that is. You have them, and you don’t need another messed up asshole in your life,” he says and slams his hands on the side. “I didn’t mean to say that to you.”
“I don’t have them,” I reply, knowing exactly who he means. “And you are not messed up or an asshole.”
“Trust me, I am,” he replies, turning to look at me with those icy blue eyes. “My mate died because of me.”
“That can’t be true,” I say, not believing it. “You are brave, selfless, and I know deep in my soul you are too good to give up on anyone you care for.”