The elder's words found their way, still echoing in my head—the last thing I was willing to do. The very same people who I found suspecting of, do they think I would be letting her off my grasp so easily and to them, of all people?
"No," I said, tightening my arms around Elara. My voice was low but unwavering. "She stays with me."
This wasn't just a mere word; I only expected him to take it as an order and leave, but he stood there. I watched the frown that made its way to his face deepen. His eyes narrowed in those moments, a shift taking place, as though he was trying too hard to hide a side of him that was close to lashing out.
"We have to get her treated before her condition gets any worse, Alpha Kieran. I'm sure you understand that..." he said after.
Even so, I knew I couldn't deny Elara's delicate form in my hands, her pale and sweating skin, which only seemed to remind me of the fact that she needed to be treated soon.
Knowing that, I found it hard to take it; the words hitting me like a hammer. I didn't want to release her, not when every part of me screamed.
"What if she's my mate?" I eventually said, only for my words to be silenced by a mocking echo of laughter from the elder. "A... I'm sorry, Alpha..." he tried to regain his composure, "I thought you must be joking right there. There is no mistake in it, Alpha, but I can tell you that she is not your mate..." he said.
As if he was so sure. He wasn't the one feeling it—the bond that only grew stronger, the cravings when she felt distanced away from my grasp.
His words had cut through me, but I refused to falter, even in the slightest bit. Elara, she was my mate.
I would not—I could not—let them take her.
A part of me was waiting for the woman who was in her care to return; a hope, maybe she would find something—a cure—but the response the woman gave me earlier came hitting me. She mentioned not being able to treat her, and how was I so sure she would be coming back?
Elara's condition was getting worse by the second; I couldn't waste any more time. Should I really? But just why? Why do I have to let her go? I had to be by her side. Didn't they get that?
I looked down at Elara; her face was pale, her body trembling even more than it was before.
She was still unconscious, and the fever was only getting worse.
I had no choice, hating myself so much, knowing this was the only option I had to choose. I had to leave my world in the hands of those I found a threat. But what if they would be able to treat her.
"Take her, then..." I said, my voice cold as ice.
"But mark my words," I added, "if she is harmed slightly, I will burn this town to dust." I threatened, watching the expression of the elder falter for those moments. Yet that was all I needed—making him know I wouldn't be taking it so lightly with any of them. The Alpha sent to investigate, leaving such a threat for war, just for someone he presumed was his mate. I was sure he must have seen it like that.
But he should know better that I wasn't leaving a bluff. Nothing must happen to Elara.
I stood up, with Elara still in my arms, as some men made their way in, taking her from my grasp. I hesitated in those moments, my hands refusing to let go of her, but eventually, I had to.
I walked closer to the elder, who still stood as though he was still processing the threat I had left earlier.
I pressed in for a whisper against his ear, my voice lowering until it cut like steel.
"This isn't over. You know that as well as I do."
I withdrew backward, watching the change in his expression.
The pale look that almost found its way to his face—one that told me that I was right with the fact that they were hiding something. At least he had proved me right of it.
"I will cooperate," I continued, "for now, but I will be watching very closely."
I didn't care if he took that as a warning, but it was for the best that he knew.
I watched as they took Elara, leaving the room afterward. No one spoke as the whole went silent, with the door shutting after they left. The woman I presumed as Elara's friend stood there, her expression—I couldn't tell, but I noticed she tried avoiding a gaze at me, even Lincoln.
I stormed outside, leaving the room, walking into the heavy rain that still poured outside. The lightning striking, displaying the half-lit way.
"Damn it!" I broke, hands slamming against the muddy ground.
My wolf clawing at my skin. "Just why, why did I let them take her? I shouldn't have..." I muttered, facing the denial, leaving all the hate of my own incompetence to help her.
I was helpless in the end, and had no choice but to hand her to them.
But really, could there have been something I could have done?
"Alpha..." I heard my name being called as Lincoln made his way. "So he had followed me all the way here," I thought.
I stood up from the muddy ground, my hand bleeding as the blood trickled down into drops, washed away by the rain.
"What are you doing here, Lincoln?" I questioned.
"I'm sorry, Alpha. I thought you needed..." his voice trailed off from the mere gaze I gave. Needed what? All I needed at that moment was Elara. Nothing else.
"Leave, Lincoln." I whispered.
"But Alpha..." he was about to say, only for me to lash out. "I said leave, Lincoln!" I yelled, his words caught up in his throat. "Alright, Alpha..." he said, leaving me.
They may have taken her for now, seeing me helpless, unable to do anything before their sight. But that was what I needed them to see.
Let them think I yielded.
Let them underestimate me.
That mistake would be their last.