Chapter 62
Rhea
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The question takes him by surprise. I can see that from the expression he wears on his face. He isn’t expecting it from me. It’s clear. He’s not expecting that I’ve found out about his secret. Or Aron’s. Whatever.
His eyes flicker, looking around us before they settle on me again. I see the hesitation on his face, the reluctance to speak. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You know what I’m talking about,” I say, and he knows. I can tell he knows. He just doesn’t want to say it. “You called him that. Several times. Why? That is not his name. So, why do you?”
His brows furrow with tension, there are creases forming on his face. “It’s nothing-” he stops. “We should get to the ceremony before it starts.”
“No,” I don’t move an inch from where I stand. There’s something he’s not telling me. He knows something and I want to know it, too. “Tell me first. Why do you call him Kael?” When he doesn’t reply, I continue. “I’ve been to his house. I’ve seen the painting in there. I know that he is not Aron. He is someone else.”
He swallows hard, and his eyes flicker around again, looking at the guests who’re walking down to the ceremony grounds. “Rhea-”
“Please,” I whisper, almost a plea.
“That’s his wolf. You’re talking to his wolf-”
We are cut by someone else this time and it comes out of nowhere. Suddenly, there’s Ezra standing in front of us. He’s wearing a dark suit, his eyes on me, and his expression grim. I haven’t seen him in a long time and seeing him now makes my stomach twist in fear.
“I thought you’d be dead by now,” He’s a little disappointed in seeing me.
I step away from him and to Kovas‘ side.
“But from what I’ve heard, you’ve turned into a pet,” His eyes move toward the collar on my neck and he laughs. “I’m not surprised. I knew you’d be begging on the ground eventually. Runts don’t go far, do they?”
He’s saying these things on purpose, I know that, but it doesn’t make it hurt any less.
Kovas looks at him and then at me before he clears his throat, “You’re interrupting us.” he says. “Leave.” The last word comes out as a growl.
Ezra looks at him, a smug smile on his lips. His shoulders are pulled back, and he’s not afraid. I can see that much. He doesn’t care that he’s being threatened by an outsider.
“Who are you to come into our territory and talk to me like that?” He asks Kovas and takes a step forward, challenging him. “I’ll do as I please, and right now, I’m speaking with Rhea. It’s between us.”
“Leave, or I’ll make you regret it.” Kovas‘ threat is much clearer this time.
Ezra only scoffs, but this time he doesn’t say anything further. Instead, he looks at me and grins. “Enjoy the ceremony, Runt.” He says before moving past me. “I’ll see you after. If you’re still allowed to roam free, of course.”
His presence disappears and I’m left feeling breathless again. It feels like I’m back here, all over and everything feels like a nightmare again. Like I’m suffocating. I’m drowning.
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Chapter 62
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.” My answer comes out weak.
“Who was that?”
“Ezra.
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“He’s on the list,” Kovas states. “He won’t bother you again. Don’t worry.”
I nod, knowing what he’s implying. Ezra’s going to be killed. It’s good for me. He’s not going to live after today.
I can’t help but feel a little relieved at that.
We continue across the pathway and toward the guests. We’re the last ones to arrive. The rest are seated already and I can hear the music playing. I take my seat in the second row, Kovas sitting right next to me. He’s not leaving me. And I know he won’t. Aron must’ve told him not to. I don’t mind it. It’s good to have company. Even if it’s him.
I take a glance around the gardens and see so many faces, but none are Aron’s. The ceremony is about to begin and he’s not here. Isn’t that going to be suspicious? People are going to wonder where he is. Especially, Alpha Elias. He’s going to notice the absence of Aron.
But maybe that is part of the plan too.
I’m not sure what’s going on, but I’m a little anxious about it. It makes me fidgety, and a little restless.
It’s only moments before that the music changes that I sense a shift to my right. I turn and see Kovas standing up and moving to the left. Aron comes into my line of sight and takes the seat next to me. He’s all dressed in black, his hair pulled back neatly.
He gives me a smile before leaning into me. “You look pretty, He whispers to me.
“Thank you,” I mumble back.
There’s something different about him. Again. I can’t tell. For someone who’s about to kill a lot of wolves and take over a pack, he seems pretty composed. Too calm.
His attention stays ahead, onto the altar, while mine remains on him. The things Kovas said moments before we were interrupted by Ezra–you’re talking to his wolf.
What did he mean by that? What does that even mean? He is his wolf, isn’t he?
My eyes travel back onto the altar as Catelyn gets on there. She’s dressed in white, wearing a beautiful dress. I have to admit that she looks very pretty. Stunning, in fact. She walks toward the center where the officiant is standing.
Most of the ceremony goes by in a blur after what Aron does. He places his hand on my thigh and keeps it there throughout the vows. He doesn’t let go of me, and I can’t seem to focus on the words being said. I can’t hear what they are saying.
I’m just focused on his fingers on my skin, the way they trace over my leg, drawing circles and shapes. It’s like a tease, and it makes my heart beat a little faster and my face flush. I don’t know how to react.
Last night, he kissed me, he touched me, he told me he wanted to ruin me and put me back together again. And now, he’s touching me in public, in front of everyone. And it’s making me squirm. I can’t stay still. I can’t breathe.
The ceremony ends and everyone claps. I watch as Alpha Elias kisses his bride and I can’t help but feel a little bad for him. He’s been good to me, for most of the time that I was here. But, he did turn his head away when I was framed.
And now, it’s going all come to an end.
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Chapter 62
He’s going to die..
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Aron’s hand slips off of me as soon as the clapping starts, and I feel the loss of his touch almost immediately. It leaves me cold, and I want him to touch me again. I want him to hold me, to kiss me.
I want him to make me feel the things I’m feeling.
He leans closer to me and whispers in my ear. “For you, little wolf.” His breath caresses my neck and sends a shiver through me. “All for you.”
The crowd stands and so does he. He moves away from me and walks to the altar. My heart pounds as I watch him approach Alpha Elias. It feels like I’m dreaming, like I’m watching this from outside my body.
Alpha Elias sees him as he comes near him and smiles at Aron, saying something to him that I can’t hear. He doesn’t see the danger, doesn’t know what he’s about to do.
Aron smiles at him, but it’s not a friendly one. It’s a cold, cruel smile. I see his gaze and the look on his face. It’s all so clear.
He’s not afraid.
He’s not scared.
And when he strikes, he strikes fast. Too fast. Before Alpha Elias can react, Aron has him on his knees and his claws at his throat. There’s a gasp that rips through the crowd and people scream. It’s chaos. Absolute chaos.
I can’t move. I can’t breathe. I can’t think. All I can do is watch as Aron tears Alpha Elias‘ throat out with his bare hands. There’s blood, so much blood. It’s everywhere. On his hands, on his face, on his clothes.
And then, he’s not alone. Kovas is there too, and the other wolves with him. They are all around and they appear from everywhere. They are killing, slaughtering the ones that fight.
I can’t see what’s happening, but I can hear it. The screams, the cries, the howls.
I’m frozen in place, unable to move.
All my eyes trail is Catelyn who runs from the altar, her dress stained red with blood. She’s trying to escape. Trying to get away. And I think she almost gets away. But I’m not sure. I can’t see. There’s too much blood, too much death.
My heart is pounding and my chest is tight.
I can’t breathe.
I can’t breathe.
The skies start to get dark minute by minute. The full moon is here. I can sense it. It’s there. And it’s not going to wait for long. The wind blows, and I feel it on my skin. It’s cold and it makes me shiver. I can’t stop shaking.
Aron comes back to me after, and his eyes are black. He’s covered in blood, and he’s not himself anymore. I swallow hard as I rise up from where I’ve been seated for long. He’s in front of me, his eyes on mine. He’s looking at me like I’m the only thing he sees.
There’s blood and chaos around us, but he’s not paying attention to any of it.
His hand grips my wrist, tight and rough, pulling me closer to him. I don’t resist. I can’t. I can’t move. I can’t speak. All I can
do is stand there and let him touch me.
It’s fear I feel. Just fear. And I wonder if I’m the next one. Is he going to hurt me? Is he going to kill me?
He traces his fingers down the collar on my neck, his touch is soft and gentle. He’s not hurting me. He’s not killing me.
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Chapter 62
I’m safe.
I’m safe.
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“I told you I’d take you as mine. Now, look into my eyes and tell me what you see, Rhea,” I shudder and turn away from him. I can’t look into his eyes, and I don’t want to. But he doesn’t let me. He grabs my chin, forcing me to face him, his grip hard. “You’re not going anywhere, little wolf. Not ever again. Now, tell me what you see.”
“I see you,” I whisper.
“Do you see a monster?” He asks me in a way that reminds me of my own words that were scribbled onto the letter I wrote to him.
“No, no, I don’t,” I say, swallowing tightly. “I don’t see a monster. Only a man.”
There’s a small grin on his lips as he tilts his head. His thumb presses against my bottom lip, smearing blood over my skin. “Oh, you’re going to learn just how wrong you are, my little wolf. I am a monster, and tonight, you’re going to find out how true that is.”
