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“He’s in pain!” Eliana shouts. “We have to do something!”
“Get her out of here,” Chase growls, his words exploding through my mind. “Please. She can’t see me like this.”
Adam glances at me, and we share a silent look. Chase doesn’t have to explain why. He doesn’t want Eliana to see him because he feels weak. He feels like a failure.
“Come on. Let’s find Mirabel. She’ll know what to do,” I say, linking my fingers to Eliana’s. “You might be triggering him.”
“Fuck,” Eliana breathes, clearing the tears from her eyes. “Damn it.”
As if Mirabel hears Chase’s pleas, the woman strides into the room and tugs Eliana away. She turns and throws herself at me, her whole body trembling as she struggles not to cry. Seeing her like this awakens a deep-seated need inside me. This is why she doesn’t want to stay. She fears for all of us. For her future children.
I finally see.
I scoop her up and cradle her in my arms. “Come on. He’s going to be fine. Let Mirabel handle him.”
“This is all going to shit. I hate seeing him like that.” Eliana clings to me, her emotions getting the best of me. “This is why I want to leave. We need to get the others and go. Slater said Evander is with an ally.”
I nod my head. “I made you a promise, but you have to let me handle it. Ravi and Slater aren’t going to let you leave.”
She glowers. “I don’t care—”
“Please, Eliana. I’ll find him. Stay here with the others. Keep them distracted.” I don’t even know what I’m saying, but it’s like I can’t control myself and the need to do whatever she wants.
Her lip trembles. “Okay. You’re right.”
My chest clenches. This could be a mistake, but I don’t know what else to do. I’ve let her down enough that I can’t do it again. I need to get Evander and prove that I’m all in. I need to prove that I can be who she needs.
If only I didn’t feel as if I’m being ripped in two—between my need to give her what she wants and my need to protect her.
If only I didn’t feel as if I’d fail.
Chapter fifteen
Evander
Overprotective
“Everyone,stayonguard.I got word from Ice Meadow that there were intruders near the border. Looks like Twilight Cove and maybe Sunset Pointe. They’re at war with each other. Remember, if they enter our territory, we must be prepared to fight.” Isaac fists his hands, peering around at our pack.
Hearing him say Sunset Pointe awakens anger inside me. Fucking bastard Ravi. He’s why Eliana is there and not with me. I haven’t stopped thinking about her. It’s as if my soul aches for her, but my mind remains firm in my decision. This is my pack now. Isaac has been good to me. If he hadn’t bitten me, then some other asshole would’ve. He’s nice enough. A bit strict. But at least he respects me.
“Hey Van, I want you to stay nearby. I know your history with those two packs. Let us handle this. It’ll be better this way.” Isaac breaks away from the others, strolling in my direction. “We will bide our time. I assure you that Ravi won’t get away with what he has done. Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do for the she-wolf. If she bowed to him, the only way we could break that is if he is dead. It’s a bit more complicated. If we go to war with the Sunset Pointe, we go to war with every single one of their allies. Our allies won’t stand for it. There’s been enough problems already.”
I tighten my jaw, my body twitching with the need to transform into my wolf. I don’t want to hang back. I don’t want to just stand idly by and do nothing. It’s my job as one of the pack’s protectors to go with the others. Even if I have history with Twilight Cove, and I want to murder Ravi for his betrayal, I know I can’t.
“I’ll be fine, Isaac. Please, let me help. I feel like a child when you pull stuff like this. You wouldn’t even let me go to the last alliance meeting with Ice Meadow, even though you know that one of my friends is there.” I scrub my hand over my head, messing up my black hair. Howls sound out, and I turn my attention toward my pack, darting through the forest. Damn it. I want nothing more than to follow them.
Isaac rests his hands on my shoulders, staring into my eyes. “You’re a good man, Van, and you’re right. I’m being overprotective. You must understand why. We need every single one of our members, and I’m afraid that your previous ties could jeopardize you. A she-wolf can influence many, but especially new lykoswulf like you. You hold too much hope for her. She’s been claimed. She has her pack, and you understand what that means, right? There is no chance for you. Imagine all the attention she will give to others. You deserve more.”
A part of me knows he’s right, but not for what he says about me. I don’t deserve more. I don’t even need more. All I need is Eliana, but if she’s someone else’s...I don’t want to put her in that position. She might regret it or resent me, feeling as if she’s being split apart.
“You don’t have to worry. This is my pack. You are my alpha.” I bend my knee, lowering myself to the ground. My whole being screams in protest, but I don’t see any other way. If bowing convinces him, then I’ll do it. I just want to earn my place in this godforsaken world.
“I vow to always be loyal to Blackshell,” I murmur, keeping my head low. “Let me prove it. I can help. I know the scents of Twilight Cove and Sunset Pointe.”
Reaching down, Isaac rests his hand on my head, ruffling my hair. “You really know how to convince me, Van. I guess it’ll be fine, but do not confront anyone. Do you understand?”
A strange feeling washes over me, and my skin prickles. “I understand.” The response escapes my lips automatically. His influence pulls at my very being, and the thought of disobeying him winds me.
