Dragon’s Fire- Fake it till we fall

When things go south

Alpha Elliot

Earlier the same day

“I don’t give a f**k about pack laws!! We are talking about my daughter here!!! “, my hands clench into fists, and I have to hold back with all I have so I don’t punch Dane. He is the head of guards and an old friend, but I swear by the mighty moon goddess, if he doesn’t take it down a notch, I will plant my fist in his stupid face.

“Elliot.“, Olivia pipes up next to me.

“NO! There is no ‚Elliot ‘, right now. And don’t look at me like that.“

“Like what?“, she asks quietly.

“Like I’m being unreasonable!! He assaulted our daughter!“ And now I actually punch at something. My desk. But it does make me feel a little better.

“And I believe that. Trust me, I do. That is also why I didn’t stop Ryan, when he beat him to a pulp and why I still forced him to come in for his gate duty today.“, Dane says calmly. I miss the raging grizzly I first met about 21 years ago. I could use someone with his temper right now. Or maybe not.

“I don’t like the boy. But we also don’t have proof of anything happening before she punched him and smashed that jug over his head. There is no one willing to come forward, and apart from what Maeve mumbled last night before she projectile vomited into the entryway, nothing points to him being indecent.“ Dane puts a hand up when I want to interrupt him. TSS, the nerve.

“But, I know of a few female warriors and guards who have complained about him, unofficially, anonymously. However, that is not enough to build a case around what happened last night. But, I will certainly get someone to tail him at all times.“

“That is crap.“, I huff.

“Elliot, she is our daughter, yes. But she was violent towards another pack member. And however much of a d**k that boy is, she wasn’t right to assault him. We will not punish her, of course not. But there is also no way you could rectify punishing him more harshly than having him beat up and chasing away any chance he has to get laid for the next few months. Or following him, keeping him away from all the she-wolfs in the pack. And you know it.“, Olivia strokes my arm.

I am torn. I know my duty as Alpha is to my pack, but it gets hard to be objective when my kids are involved. Not after what happened seven years ago. Oh, I just wanted to wrap Maeve up in a thick layer of cotton and never let her go outside ever again. But of course, that wasn’t possible. I nearly lost her, and I swore that day I would never let anyone harm her like that again. And now I have a sinking feeling that I will be the one delivering a bad blow today.

“I think I will break our kid today.“, I mutter lowly.

“What makes you say that?! No, of course not!“, my mate is by my side instantly.

“Just look at her, Liv. She is faking it, I’m sure—all of it, the cheeriness and the pleasant conversation. But, when you look into her eyes, you can see how dead she is inside. I realized that once she came through the door last week. How did that happen? Did we decide wrong all those years ago? What if we did this to her?“

Olivia grabs my hands. “Don’t talk like that. We saved our daughter! She is here because of how much you, all of us, love her. It is hard to see her like this, but we didn’t make a mistake back then. I will NEVER allow you to say something like that again!“ She gives me a stern look and squeezes my hand.

“There is no light in her eyes any longer.“, I say again. “The last time I actually saw her happy was when we visited her in Athens for Christmas two years ago. Her tiny apartment and that boy with the bad haircut and weird Greek name. She was so happy about everything. Her friends, her art, school… her job. She is not happy here, and we made her come back. It was selfish.“

“A little bit. I see that.“, Olivia nods. “Let’s make the next two weeks good for her. And then we will give her back to her little world. However much that hurts me. But you are right. She is happiest when not with us.“

“I just hope we can get that video taken down.“, Ian pipes up from his seat in the corner.“ She has never had any social media, was pretty much off the grit for the last seven years. What if…“, he doesn’t finish his sentence. He doesn’t have to. A shiver runs down my spine. No, I will deal with that when it actually happens.


“Well.“, I sigh.“ I guess I will go get Maeve then. Might as well get this over with.“ I turn around again as I leave.

“Call Theo. He wants to be Alpha so bad, let him get a glimpse of how fun that is.“, I growl, closing the door behind me.

::::::::::::::::::::::

Unknown

My hands tighten around the phone I’m holding. It has been minutes since my brother has handed it to me with the words: “Have you seen this?“And even though I was busy with one of the lovely ladies he gets to keep us company, I looked up.

I never do. Call it intuition, maybe. Because when I saw my brother’s face, I knew whatever it was, it would change everything.

And I was right. I play the video again. And then again.

Mmmh. Interesting. No, actually infuriating. What the f**k is happening here?

How is that even possible? How is SHE in that video? I was sure… My thoughts trail off, and I grit my teeth. I guess I underestimated her.

She must really like being alive, and she is stronger than I thought. I should have tried harder than, I guess. I grin to myself.

There is always a next time. Or at least, in this case, it seems like there will be.

“Maeve.“, I mutter. “Where have you been hiding?“Must have been a good hideout because I couldn’t find her for years. I thought she was dead, to be honest. Actually, I was pretty sure of it. I scratch my brow and finally push the screen lock button. A green eye is staring back at me from the black glass with a slight crack in it.

Alright, Maeve. I guess we are going for round two then. A wide smile spreads on my face.

::::::::::::::::::::

Nael

My fingers drum along with the song on the radio. We just took the last turn on the road going up to the Blue Ridge pack house and passed the gate.

“Nervous? “, Jordan pipes up next to me.

“Nope. Excited actually. This is going to be great.", I reply, grinning.

And I could swear I see him cringe and his hands ball into fists for a second.

“Ótimo.“ Jordan leans back in his seat and stares out the windshield at the house coming up in front of us.

“Everything ok?“, I turn towards him.

“Yup.“

I decide to leave it be for now and park the car in the driveway. When we get out, I see the door swing open and Elodie waving at us, a big smile on her face.

Walking towards her, I feel my stomach churn. Guess I am more nervous than I thought I was.

“Hey, back so soon?“, Elodie flings her arms around my neck and gives me a quick kiss.

“Did you miss me that much.“, a clap to the arm for me and one for Jordan.

“No… well, yes, I missed you. But there is something I need to talk to you about, and I didn’t get the chance to last night.“

“Straight to the point. That’s what I love about you.“; Elodie smirks at me and waves for us to follow her inside.

“How is your sister?“ If I avoid saying her name, maybe it will feel less awkward.

“Oh, Maeve is… things are not good. But I feel like that is a little too personal. A pack matter. Sorry, babe. Maybe if I could have asked Maeve first if she was ok—-

“Never mind. I’m here to see you, and we can talk about it some other time. Or maybe not.“, I give her hand that I’m still holding a squeeze, which earns me a smile.

Elodie smiles a lot. There is not much that can rattle her. She is the calm facing the storm. Always poised, always nice, and …warm. She indeed is perfect, isn’t she?

I smile back at her.

“Is there somewhere we can talk? Maybe without your parents or siblings looming.“, I wink as I finish, just to make it sound a little more lighthearted. I do that for her. Try and be a little less blunt. That is a good start to being a mated couple, I guess. Compromising.

“Sure. There is a small yard behind the house. It is nice out today. And not a lot of people come there. The warriors and guards are training at the moment, and Mom and Dad went out. I have no idea where Maeve and Theo are, but I am sure it’s not the world’s tiniest piece of heaven.“ Elodie beams up at me.

“Lead the way.“ I nod for Jordan to wait for me, and he drops down on a chair with a huff. Boy, so dramatic today.

Elodie pulls me down the corridor to my left and then out a door.

“TADA. “, she opens her arms wide, taking a few steps in front of me and then starting to spin around. Showing off the place around her. It is nice. Really green with the big willow tree in the center, a footpath circling it. The small yard is almost completely closed off by the house, though. Three of its four sides face the walls and endless windows of the victorian style building. Along the house's outer walls, there are luscious patches of grass with a lot of flowers sprinkled here and there and odd plant pots mixed together, holding any kind of herb and eatable plant you can think of.

“Nice.“, I say. Feel like she expects a reaction from me. Don’t get me wrong: I am outdoorsy, but flowers are just not something you can really entice me with. Rather boring, to say the least. And even a space as pretty as this… nope, still doesn’t spark an interest.

“So, what did you want to talk about? It must be pretty important if you drive all the way out here again.“, Elodie has taken a few steps back towards me and is grabbing my hands now.

“Well, it actually is, yeah.“ I breath a sigh. Now our never. What can go wrong, huh?

“I told you about my grandfather's will, right? How there were “requirements “he wanted me to meet, so I could claim the throne?“

She nods, probably feeling that this is something I just need to get off my chest without an interruption.

“Well…One of them…Actually, the one requirement was that he wanted me to find my mate. He gave me till my 27th birthday to do so if I want to claim the throne by 28 like it is custom.“, I say matter of factly.

Elodie’s eyes went wide, but she was still not saying anything. Instead, waiting for me to finish.

“I would like for us to be mates. I am sure you are my fated one after spending so much time together, and we can test my theory in a little over two weeks under the blood moon. You know that is what it would take for me to recognize my mate. Sure, that is during your brothers Alpha ceremony, but we—-

“It won’t work!!“, she blurts out. Then, cringing a little at her own volume, she lets go of my hands and gives me an apologetic smile.

“Huh?“, that’s all I get out. I’m a little stunned now that she interrupted me.

“It won’t work, Nael. I like you a lot. And I also think we are mates. But I won’t be able to recognize you as my fated one until I turn 23. It’s a weird triplet thing and was part of the prophecy about my siblings and me. All of us—well, Theo and me, can only find our fated mates once we turn 23.“

“That’s almost two years from now.“, I say dryly.

“Yes.“ Elodie nods.

“Well, just mates will have to do then. Luckily there is a clause in my old man's will that says I can take a chosen mate if I shouldn’t find mine, given it is rather difficult and two years have passed after his death. The two years were over last month—so happy mating.“ A wide grin crosses my face, and I reach for her hands, but Elodie is weirdly still.

“No.“, she says again.

“What do you mean, no?“, I look at her, a little flabbergasted. Did she not hear me just now? It’s alright. Even if we can’t find out in time, she will count as a chosen mate then. That is fine too. And later, it won’t matter. I know she is my fated one, so that will not be in the way.

“I’m sorry, Nael, but I don’t want that.“, Elodie shakes her head, her eyes still big and a sad expression tugging on her always cheerful lips.

“I want to mate, but not if I am not sure that he is my fated one. I don’t want to throw my chance at that away before I even get it. I like you…. so much, and I think there is a good chance that you are my mate, but I won’t just let you mark me without being able to get proof.“

Anger is boiling inside me. Does she not know what that means for me? I know I sound selfish, but f**k.

“That takes too long. I can’t wait that long. Please, Elodie, think of all the good you could do at my side. Don’t you remember all the plans we made? Now is the time to put them in action.“, I grab her hand. There is no way I am letting this go easy.

“We were playing pretend.“, Elodie squeezes my hand. “I want a chance at finding my fated mate. I want what my parents have. And I like you so much, but I am not…“, she takes a few breaths, seemingly suppressing tears. "But I am not going to pass that for you. I will not let you mark me unless I am sure you are my fated mate.“

“That will be in two years from now!!!“, I’m almost shouting now. “I don’t have the time. This will derail my entire life plan. Please, Elodie, we could be so good together. Don’t you feel the sparks when we are in the same room? Are you not just constantly drawn to me, want to be by my side? What more proof do you need?“ Breathing heavily, I stare down at her. She has turned and taken a few steps back towards the door that leads inside.

“Like I said. I’m incredibly sorry, Nael. But I won’t let you mark me without knowing for sure. This is not what I want my future to be. I want a fair chance. I know you will be able to figure something out… I just know it. But if you know me so little that you would offer this to me and think I would just jump on the chance to waste my shot at a fated mate, then I really think I am making the right decision here.“ And with that, she turns her back to me and hurries back inside.

I’m left standing under the pretty willow tree, in the pretty yard, surrounded by all those pretty flowers… feeling pretty sh**ty.

There goes everything I worked for-- down the drain. Sixteen years of intense training just wasted in a five-minute conversation. Now I will have to start over.

“F**K!!!“ I lean my head back and let out a guttural groan.

„F**K, F**K, F**K !!!!“

Taking a deep breath, I feel my chest heaving. I have to calm down. This is something I can handle; I just have to —-

“I can do it.“, a voice to my left pipes up.