22
865 Words
Gabriela
The door opens a while later to the two enforcers from earlier.
"He'll see you now."
I practically jump off the bed and jog over to them, my wolf crooning inside my head. The prospect of seeing Elijah after weeks of being separated is both exhilarating and nerve-wracking.
Will he put on a front in front of his pack when seeing me? Or will emotions overtake him, causing him to drag me off into a secret room in order to have our proper reunion? Honestly, I'm hoping for the latter.
I've been so damn touch-starved lately. My body craves what I was given the last time I was here, Elijah's touch so deeply ingGabrielad in me that it's all I think about before I fall asleep at night.
I want his hands all over me, our bodies pressed together as he makes love to me and kisses me while we finish together.
One of the enforcers chuffs in front of me, probably smelling my pheromones. But whatever, I don't care. It'll all make sense to them once Elijah claims me.
I'm led down to the ballroom, which has been transformed from a beautiful party venue to a royal chamber. The double doors are open, with two enforcers standing in front who greet the two escorting me. They glance my way, strange looks appearing on their faces when we pass by.
My nerves kick in again.
The possibility of Elijah's pack also not accepting me has me on edge. I don't want to go from one pack that hates me to a new one where I have absolutely no friends. At least back in Redwood I have Raya.
I'm scared though. What if the reason Elijah's been having such a hard time with this is because he knows his people are resistant to change?
A long carpet stretches from the entrance of the ballroom all the way to the back wall, where a large set of stone risers has been placed. On top of them are two chairs, both of which are occupied.
My heart skips a beat when I finally lay eyes on my mate.
He's sitting in the tallest chair, dressed in a fine silk shirt that's buttoned to just below his collar. The pants he wears are dark, tucked into calf-length boots that make him look tough and regal at the same time. His sand-colored hair has been slicked back from his face, giving him a more mature look.
My eyes catch sight of the other chair next to him, which is also occupied.
I nearly trip over my own two feet as I spot Linda sitting there, beaming at me maliciously.
What the hell is she doing here?
My throat tightens.
Have they gotten married already?
And when?
Why her?
"You requested an audience," Elijah speaks, his voice even.
I nod, stepping forward to the first riser. A hand quickly latches onto my arm, holding me back from advancing any farther. I look up to see one of the enforcers holding onto me, his eyes trained steadily ahead at his alpha, waiting for instructions.
Elijah waits in utter silence for me to speak.
My heart begins to pound while something in the back of my mind whispers that I'm in trouble.
But why would I be?
"I came to see you." I swallow, trying to clear my throat as my voice grows scratchy. "I-I ran from my pack."
He doesn't say anything, nor does anyone else. He simply stares at me with a blank look on his face, utterly devoid of all emotion. The atmosphere in here is unnerving. Why isn't he saying anything?
I press on. "My alpha...he...he locked me away in a cell beneath his estate for weeks. I managed to escape and I came here right away."
My eyes begin to water, the horribleness of what was done to me finally hitting me.
To my surprise, Elijah simply leans back in his chair and lets out a small sigh. "And what did you come here for?"
Linda laughs.
My jaw drops. "What?"
"I assume you came here for...something? To complain or to...what?"
Dumbfounded, I say, "I came to tell you. Why wouldn't I?"
"Why would you? What your alpha does with his pack is his own business."
"He locked me in a cell, Elijah," I bite out.
Instantly, both enforcers grab me and thrust me down to my knees.
"You will address his Grace with respect," one of them spits at me.
Fear shoots through me as I look up at them and then back to my mate. I'm so confused—why isn't he helping me? Why doesn't he care? Does our bond mean nothing to him anymore?
Elijah slowly rises from his chair and makes his way down the risers to where we are. He untucks something from his pocket, pulling it out as he grows closer to me. My entire body stiffens when I see that it's my pregnancy test, along with the letter I wrote to him.
How the hell did he get those? And from where?
He clears his throat and holds the letter up in front of his face.
- Writer
