Chapter 88
ELEIA’S POV
—
Our guards have been looking for the missing hunters that ran off…no one has a precise count of how many escaped and we don’t even know if all of them were here…There could be hundreds and all they want is me, well wanted, but what they want now…is unknown.
We’re walking around on the land when guards come back, silently and armed with guns and they’re heading straight for us.
They bow in front of Aiden and I before standing upright, “We couldn’t find anyone.” The guard announces, making my small smile fall. “Excuse me?” I stare at them with wide eyes, “It’s fine,” Aiden excuses them and they give me a worried glance before walking away.
I turn to Aiden, frowning, “It’s not okay.” I point out the obvious. They couldn’t have just disappeared…they couldn’t just vanish.
“They aren’t here, which means it’s fine.” Aiden rests both hands on my shoulders, staring down at me to convince me that the people who are out there to hunt us, to kill us, is far away and we’re safe, but as long as they live, we won’t be safe.
“No, it’s not. They are going to come back, they’re expecting us to look for them now and in a month or two, when we think this is all over, they’ll be back and we’ll be dead.” I ramble, making him sigh as he drops his arms beside him.
“It is a possibility.” He breathes out, sounding disappointed, but it’s only because I am right. He knows I am right and he can’t stop any of this.
“I want people to do their usual rounds, inside and out, but on high alert. I’m sure someone is still watching us,”
A clearing of a throat makes Aiden and I turn around and a servant stands there, wearing her pretty uniform, her hands crossed in front of her, her head bowed to us.
“My King, My queen.”
“What is it?” Aiden asks nicely. I wanted to answer but I guess he’s doing a kinder job than I would have.
“Mr. Zac is asking for you.” she offers a small smile and we nod before she rushes off. Aiden takes my hand, “You have to stop scaring the people.” he whispers as we walk. I turn my head to the side, glancing up at him and I roll my eyes at the sight of his dashing smile. He’s taunting me since I decided that I have to put my feelings aside. “What?” he asks, nudging his shoulder against mine. I refrain from answering, knowing that if I do, it might not be something nice.
“Come on.” he stops, making me stop since he’s holding my hand and he’s twice my weight, maybe three times with his muscles.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.
“What?” I sigh, feeling annoyed that he’s wasting my time.
Zac had gotten an infection and was in and out of consciousness for days on end. I have yet to thank him for saving my life, but then again…that would show feelings.
“Talk to me, you’ve been snapping at everyone.” his eyes are filled with concern. “I have not.” I argue, even though I know that he’s telling the truth.
“You have and you know it.” he grits out, giving me a warning look. “So what?” I snap at him, pulling my hand free. “Zac is waiting for us.” I snarl as I turn to the castle and start marching.
Everyone has settled in alright, the castle’s pack, which is now mine, is wary of me because I didn’t grow up here, but that was not my fault.
Even though some of them don’t trust me, they still follow me because I am the only one of age that can rule this place. Next in line is Felix and I have to start teaching him from a young age, he still has a few years left of freedom at least, to enjoy the peace of being a kid.
Arriving at the room we put Zac in for comfort and safety, he’s sitting up on the couch, sipping on something.
“Zac.” I call out to him to make it known that we are here. He stands up, turning to us, “Hi.” he smiles, his gaze flicking between Aiden and I, “I’m glad to see you are in one piece.” he jokes, “Thanks to you, I am.” I thank him in the nicest way possible, “The pleasure is mine.” he smiles before sitting back down, “Please, sit.” he motions to the couch next to him.
Aiden and I both sit down, but the way Aiden wraps his arm around my arm makes me let out a sigh. He can’t seriously still be jealous, can he?
‘Stop it.’ I scold him through our private link and he pulls me closer to him in spite of what I just said.
“Zac, what do you remember?” I ask since Aiden wasn’t going to start the conversation with him. “Taking a hit for you.” he snorts, raking a hand through his messy hair. “The last time you’ll ever need to.”
His eyebrows furrow together, “What do you mean?” , “Most of them are dead, we’re hunting the last we’ve seen but we actually don’t know how many there are.” I shrug and he nods, “Your count on them was very off though.” Aiden adds. “Yeah, are you sure you only saw a few?” my eyes narrow on him, “Yes.” he replies non-hesitantly and I nod, “Well, get better soon.” I stand and Aiden follows suite. “Wait, you do believe me, don’t you?” I glance over my shoulder at him as he stands with a frown on his face, “Of course we do, but we have more investigating to do so excuse us.”
We leave his room and as we reach the end of the hall, Aiden grabs my hand, “I don’t trust him.” he deadpans, making me roll my eyes at him, “You don’t trust your own reflection, get over it.” I snort before walking down the stairs.
I shouldn’t be so snappy with him…but it gets fun when it gets dark. He silently loves it and what he loves more is when he ‘teaches me a lesson’ at night to not be like that with him, but how could I deny it when every night we have mind-blowing s*x?
I’ll be snappy with him forever if it means that I get to go to bed happy every single night.
Coming down the stairs, Penelope walks toward me with a plate of fruit and a smile on her face, wearing leggings and a t-shirt.
“Oh, you have pants.” I tease and she giggles when she notices me. “I do, new ones too.” she winks, “I must thank you for making it possible for me to wear these, they are much more comfier than dresses!” her eyes trail my body, “Which you should be wearing.” she frowns at my jeans and crop top.
“Listen, it’s time for something new. Dresses are worn with the crown at events, not indoors when you have nothing to do except search for information about enemies. Plus, I don’t want to ruin a good dress.” I shrug her comment off and she just stares at me with amusement. “Turning things around, I like it.” she nods before passing me.
“Where’s uncle Roman? I haven’t seen him in days.” I turn, looking at her. “He’s doing a lot in the pack, helping here and there. He doesn’t like to sit still and do nothing.”
“Oh, alright.”
Aiden comes down with Felix and Arlen , smiling at me and I just stare at them. I can’t be a good mom and take care of the pack, I have been distant with them since the attack on the hunters because they need to be safe and the last thing I heard was that the hunters were after me, meaning I am the threat.
I am a threat for my kids, not directly but they could get harmed.
“I think we should go sit outside in the sun and I’ll play ball with Felix.” Aiden offers , “I have things to do.” I change the subject, “But be careful.” I demand before making my way to the office downstairs.
I could feel Aiden’s gaze on the back of my head as I march off, but I can’t let anything happen to them. The hunters made a mistake when they shot at me first, but I bet they won’t repeat their mistakes.
I sit down in the chair when a knock on my door has me glaring at the wooden surface, “Come in.” I grit out and Zac’s head pops through the crack, “Can we talk?” he asks kindly, “If you promise not to take up all of my time.” I grit out as I pull the laptop open, hitting the start button in the corner and he sits down as I wait for it to run.
“What is it?” I snap, eager to know what he wants. “Aiden doesn’t trust me, does he?” he chuckles, “That’s King for you, Zac.” I grit his name out. “Right, my apologies.” he shifts in his seat, looking somewhat uncomfortable.
“And no, he doesn’t. But don’t let it bother you.” I wave it off, Aiden has a lot of trust issues, some are with me clearly, but he is working on it.
“Right…Anyway, I was wondering if I may leave?”, “No.” I deadpan without hesitation. He knows more about the hunters than we do, we need him. “Why not?” his angered tone makes me glare at him, “Because your Queen said so, or shall I lock you in the basement to keep you here?” I threaten, “I guess I can stay a few more days.” he rolls his eyes. “Wonderful , you are dismissed.” I snap at him.