Chapter 16
ALEXANDER
I groaned inwardly in bitter annoyance when the sound of someone knocking on the door got in the middle of my important meeting with my precious mate .
Taking in a long whiff of the scent that was lingering from behind that door, I instantly came into realization necessarily to figure out who it was.
"What do you want, Veronyka?"
Silenced filled the entire area as my eyes sweeped the room towards the door. I can see her biting her lip and looking away from the door in front of her through my alpha wolf's eyes.
She was hesitating, as though she was forced to stand there behind that door blocking us from view.
I heard her take a deep breath whilst Eleanor scrambled off me, leaving my fingers wet and slick from touching her for long enough.
I didn't want it to end, but because of Nyka's interruption, I got no other choice.
Eleanor sat up straight on the bed and pointed me to the door using her lips moving to emphasize I need to go there and open the fucking door.
I pouted, sighing I hope for the last time as I swung open the door and met Veronyka eye to eye. I stared at her sharply and sternly, turning on my alpha protective mode for Eleanor while Veronyka widened her eyes as they landed on my face, then Eleanor's.
"Oh." Surprise left her face. I could see from the way she looked at me she was hurt. But when she turned her head at Eleanor, rage was all that consumed her.
"Well then, I guess I came at the wrong time. Pardon me for the interruption, Alpha.” She turned her back on me and was about to walk away.
I raised my brow, noting the sarcasm evident in her voice as she rolled her eyes at me
I sighed, closing my eyes momentarily.
"Wait." I glanced over my shoulder to look at Eleanor whose face has the word guilty written all over.
I furrowed my brows. Did she regret what had just happened between us? Did she not like the way we kissed? Was I being too rough?
Shaking my head, I gritted my teeth. I shouldn't have been forward. I need to approach her some other way. Not like this.
When our eyes locked, she seemed like she was about to say goodbye. Regret was the only thing evident in her face as my heart raced. Afraid. Suddenly afraid of losing her because of what had happened.
"What, Alpha?" Veronyka sneered.
Her arm crossed over the other as she looked at me impatiently.
I eyed Eleanor before turning on my heel to talk to Veronyka.
"Wait here." I instructed.
Ellie, a nickname I liked to call my mate, nodded before she took her eyes off mine, looking through the window and far trees beyond the walls.
Something told me I should stay, or is it our bond wanting us to be closer together even more? Perhaps, but I need to deal with Veronyka first. She's like my little sister, anyway. In the past I never abandoned her, even at times when she’s just being spoiled and unreasonable.
I turned on my heel and clised the door behind me, leaving Eleanor alone in that room filled with a mixed scent of two mates biting each other playfully.
A smile crept to my lips, forming a small curve upwards marking how pleased I feel now.
"So you've completely forgotten, because of that girl, huh?" Veronyka's frustrated voice startled me, forcing my eyes to look at her face, frowning. Betrayal etched her face as she looked over me, then the door where my mate was.
"What is it, Nyka? What was the thing that was so important it slipped off my mind at a time like this?" I frowned, watching her place her hands on her hips before swaying it to the other side in front of me. She eyed me as if I was the evilest person in the world.
Veronyka chewed her lip and I could see how she was holding back tears. Guilt washed over me the moment I saw her have to swallow just to choke down her frustration at me.
My face softened as she finally dropped her eyes to the floor. What have I done?
"It's Elijah. He followed me into the woods, and we talked. But suddenly, his eyes turned golden. He acted so strange and shifted into his wolf, as if by force. I think something is happening to him. I don't know what. But I guess it's not so important after all...sorry" She muttered while desperately stifling her sobs.
Fuck! Why didn’t I notice something was off with Elijah?
Guilt started to eat me and I looked at her apologetically. She clenched her fists and shut her eyes tightly, panting. Her hair was unkempt, making her look like she'd run a thousand miles to get here. Sighing, I wrapped her around my arms and hugged her like I always did in the past. As that big brother who always looked out for her. After all, she's just a kid. I shouldn't have been so neglectful I shouldn't have let this happen to them. I was the one supposed to look after them.
She hugged me back, and started sobbing freely. I caressed her hair and kissed her head.
"I'm so sorry, Nyka. You're going to be alright. I'll talk to Elijah.”
I felt her pull away from me slightly and shake her head.
"No. Don't tell him I told you."
I gripped her shoulders lightly and looked at her eye to eye.
"Are you sure? But why?"
She nodded and said, "The way he looked at me in that forest, it was like a threat. I'm just scared. Please don't tell him..."
I sighed before pulling her back in the hug.
"Okay. Don't cry.” I whispered.
"What's happening to him? I feel worried” She said.
"I'm sure he has his reasons. Don't worry. I won't tell him."
She nodded and quietly walked like a broken lamb.
I groaned, lifting my middle and forefinger to massage my temple.
Why is this happening?
I tried to mindlink Elijah, but to no avail. He wasn't picking up. And that usually never happens at all, especially if I'm the one reaching out for him. After several more attempts, I heard him finally break down his mental block.
“Elijah, what happened?" I asked urgently.
'Alex...I.." He clears his throat, making me furrow my brows. I wasn't quite satisfied with his response. 'l just went for a run. What's up?’
“Don't “whats-up?' me. Get your ass in here and tell me what the fuck is going on between you and Vera.'
Before he is given the chance to protest, I cut off the mindlink. Oh he better be here. Closing my eyes for a brief moment, I heave out a sigh.
I went straight to my office. Resting my back on the chair, I pressed my lips into a thin line and listened quietly to the sound of footsteps outside my door.
The next moment, Elijah came in looking like shit. But as always, he didn't disappoint. He would rush to me whenever I wanted him to or at times I needed him in pack duties. However, this time, the situation is different.
I looked at him straight in the eye, crossing my legs and clasping my hands together on my lap. My worried expression now shifting into serious mode.
"Start talking."
I noticed his body stiffen, and he gave me a hesitant look before sighing in inevitable defeat. He knows he'll never win against me, either way, making me smirk at the defenseless expression on his face.
"Fine. I'll confess.” He uttered. Raising both his palms in the air as he strided over to the empty seat in front of my desk.
ELEANOR
What was I thinking?
I bit my lip, raising my hand and biting my nails in an attempt to ease the frustration I'm feeling.
I have to admit, that was the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me. My first kiss, taken away just like that. It was something my body craved for passionately, dangerously even. At the same time, it was something my mind was protesting against because of my curse.
I shouldn't have taken that step. I shouldn't have. Because in all of this, there will be no looking back.
If 1 fall for him, I'm letting my father get what he wants.
When that happens, I won't be anything less than a killer.
Sighing, I crawled out of the bed and headed to the door. My hands rested on the door knob, about to turn it when I heard Alex's voice from the other side,
"Are you sure?"
I pulled the door a bit inside and peered out with one eye. The gap between the wall and the door was narrow but it was enough to give me a view of the surroundings.
When I peered through the narrow space, I saw Alex holding Veronyka's shoulders.
A low growl rumbled in my chest, my wolf was pacing.
“Great. Right after we kissed like wild animals two seconds ago, he's out there touching another woman intimately. Can you believe it?" My wolf scoffed. She couldn't accept what she's seeing through my eyes.
“Calm down, Ares. We don't know that’ She laughed bitterly and pointed out, “Does he look like he knows that?'
I shifted my attention back at them when Alex gently pulled her in for a hug. His back was turned on my so I couldn't tell whether they were kissing or not.
Biting my lip, I pushed the door closed. There was a pang in my heart the moment I saw him touch her and pull her close to his body. The exact same touch that drove my emotions to flow freely like the flow of a river in an angry storm.
Suddenly, I felt embarrassed and ashamed. I displayed my frustrations and sobbed in front of him not too long ago, and the next thing I knew he's off to become another woman's comfort.
I should've known better.
I should've saw through him earlier.
I should've stayed the hell away from him, first chance I got.
Most importantly, I should've never allowed myself to kiss him that way.
Worse, he's not even my true mate!
But why do I find myself drawn to him. Why do I want to be spoiled by his touch?
Why do I want to be buried in his scent?
Slowly, I felt my back slide down against the door, until my ass landed unceremoniously on the tiled floor.
It was cold, my body shivered amidst the sudden frigid air surrounding me as I buried myself deep in my thoughts.
I brought my knees to my chest, hugging them closely. My head dropped and I hid my face, not wanting to stay awake in this reality my father threw me in.
But I've nowhere else to go.
After a few seconds, someone was knocking at my door.
"Ellie? Can I come in?" It was Alex.
I chewed my lip, racking my brain to figure out what I need to do at this moment.
"I-I'm sorry, I can't.” I replied, yelling at the door. I swallowed down the tears that's been keeping my voice hoarse and cleared my throat. I hope he doesn't notice it.
"Are you crying? What happened?” He asked with an alarmed tone.
I cursed myself for speaking too loud. Groaning, I turned to the only thing that was blocking me from Alex right now.
"Nothing! I just...feel so sleepy all of a sudden. I must be tired.” I lied.
Alex paused for long moments and I waited nervously for his response.
Did he leave?
I was about to turn the door knob to check if he did already leave when I heard him speak, forcing my body to stop.
"Okay. Get some rest, Eleanor. I'll see you at lunch.” He said.
The sound of footsteps walking away came subtly from outside the door. I sighed in relief and walked lazily back to the bed. Guess I needed some rest after all.
I flopped down and buried my head on the fluffy pink pillow, finally drifting off to sleep...