An Unwavering Promise--Completed

Chapter Ten

Alexander’s POV

I started forward as Eleanor’s eyes bulged. She then let out a snort of laughter. This couldn’t be good.

And this is why we tell our mate everything.

Inwardly, I rolled my eyes. I didn’t want a lecture from Hunter right now.

“Excuse me?” she sputtered? “Did you say ex-fiance?”

“Well, I guess technically we did get married. But ex-wife sounds awful. Of course, we annulled the marriage soon after due to…” Brit stopped, flicking her eyes over to me.

I felt Eleanor’s glare before I saw it. She was angry, and it was understandable. I’m sure in her eyes, it looked like I had lied to her. I had said that I didn’t have another family. And it was true! Brit wasn’t my family. She wasn’t Eleanor, who was the only family I had now.

“Ex-wife,” Eleanor mumbled. :And, um, how did all of this come about?”

“Eleanor,” I jumpei n before Brit could do anymore damage. “Please listen to me. We were young and stupid. We didn’t even know what love was and thought we had it. And though there was a type of love between us–”

“Lust is more like it,” my mate grumbled.

“Yes, lust,” I conceded. “It wasn’t a lasting relationship. We had just come out of a very extreme situation. We weren’t thinking. We were just happy to be alive and free.”

“Alexi,” Brit laughed nervously. “Our families were just different, that’s all. I mean, you’re werewolves, after all. And I’m–”

“An orc,” Eleanor finished for her calmly. “I know.”

Brit was now the one speechless and upset. She stared down at her suit jacket and pretended to pick at a thread. “H–how?”

“That’s why we’re here,” I said gently. “Brit, I need to talk to your dad.”

“Why?” she asked quietly.

I ran a hand through my hair, struggling with how much to say in front of either of these women. I had never envisioned being in this situation before, and I didn’t want to be here for much longer.

“Can’t we just speak plainly here?” Eleanor asked bluntly. “I mean, you know we’re both werewolves, we know you’re an orc. Apparently you aren’t the last orc, since Alex just mentioned your dad. Obviously there’s still a lot of secrets, but the sooner we just get over this stupid hurdle, the better it’ll be for all of us, right?”

I couldn’t help but smile softly. Eleanor’s direct attitude was one of the traits I loved most about her. She spoke her mind freely, and people pretty much knew how she felt about them. She wasn’t afraid to say what needed to be said or take the hits that came with acknowledging the truth. It was refreshing, and needed at this point. I really didn’t want to divulge anything more than I had to, but the cat was out of the bag at this point. And, Eleanor wasn’t an i***t. I needed to give her more credit.

“You’re right,” I said. “I’m sorry. I hadn’t been ready earlier, but it’s only been a detriment to keep you in the dark as long as I have. Brit and I were in a relationship because my family has dedicated their lives to freeing the orcs. As the dragons mentioned, they disappeared abruptly one day, but it wasn’t because they ascended or anything like that. They became enslaved by a group of humans and dwarves that joined forces. The orcs were gaining too much power, so by joining together, this coalition believed they were saving the known world. They broke off from The Order in order to form the The Rebellion. Brit and her family were slaves, and we saved them from the black auction, along with several other orc families. From there, we believed we were in love. Our families didn’t believe it was safe because The Rebellion sent people after us, and they saw the obvious flaws in our relationship. So, our marriage was brief. We went our separate ways from there, mainly to keep her family safe from being recaptured.”

The was deathly quiet as I finished speaking. I didn’t think either woman expected me to just come out with the truth, but it felt nice. And, as an upside, I sensed Hunter’s approval as well. He was glad I had finally come clean to our mate.

“That is…a lot to take in all at once. But thank you for telling me,” Eleanor said after a few moments.

Though I knew she was glad I said it, I couldn’t quite figure out what she was thinking. Her thoughts were closed off to me, and I could even sense her shrinking back from our bond. It pained me to know she was doing this, but telling her didn’t resolve the fact that I had hidden it from her. I would need to give Eleanor time to process everything. Hopefully she would forgive me.

And this is why we tell our mate everything, especially when she asks us the first time.

You already said that. I grumbled back.

Clearly you need to be told multiple times since you don’t listen to the intelligent people in your life. Both Eleanor and I spoke truth and logic to you, but you chose to ignore us. Now you get the consequences of your decisions.

You’re only saying that because you heard her say it. You have become more bold since we met our mate.

I think she brings up a lot of good points. What good is being an alpha if you never listen to what others have to say? You’re not always right, just as Eleanor and Rae aren’t always right. That’s why it’s vital that you talk and listen and exchange ideas. If you need to tell her every secret and mistake you’ve ever committed in order to help her feel secure in the relationship, then you need to set aside your pride and do so. I’d say the same to her, as would Rae. You two are equals, and she is stronger than you realize. She can protect herself and handle the information you’ve been keeping secret. Give our mate some credit! She is our match, our soulmate, our equal. Treat her as such.

I sighed, feeling both grateful and annoyed at Hunter’s words. It was difficult for me to acknowledge that I was wrong, but I didn’t want to lose Eleanor over it.

“You mentioned the dragons?” Brit’s voice brought me back to the current situation.

“Oh, um, yeah. We met with them, actually. It was pretty surreal,” I replied.

Brit scoffed. “You met with them even after everything I told you? Even after I warned you how they were? Not to mention everything they’ve done to my race?”

“I heard your kind wasn’t extremely nice to them either,” Elenaor piped up. “I believe there are three sides to every story because the two recounts of what happened are usually wrong.”

Brit glared at Eleanor. “Of course you’d take their side. Here I was, thinking you would be enlightened. I’m sure the dragons painted you a nice picture about how they were the victims. Did they mention how they wiped out half our race beforehand? Did they say that they were the ones who suggested the dwarves and humans unite in order to bring us down?”

“Brit,” I growled.

“No! Of course they didn’t!” she yelled.

“I am not here to pick sides,” Eleanor responded gently. “Not anymore. Not now, after finding out that your people are being enslaved. I don’t believe any people group should be discriminated against or enslaved for any reason. I would like to help free your people and take down this black market.”

“Re–really?” she asked.

I turned towards Eleanor, questions brimming in my eyes. “Are you sure?”

“I wouldn’t have offered it if I didn’t mean it,” she replied confidently.

“That, um, that would be amazing. I have a few leads, but I haven’t been able to follow up on anything because of my stupid job,” Brit said, getting up from the couch. “Let me get the files. Hold on a sec.”

Eleanor gave her a sheepish grin. “I kind of already started to look at them.”

Brit let out a laugh. “Of course you did. Okay, lady. I think I like you more now. You’re efficient, even if you have been snooping.”

“Oh, um,” Eleanor started, stopping Brit in her tracks. “How do you feel about vampires?”

Giving me a suspicious look, Brit shrugged. “I’ve only met a couple. As long as they don’t eat me, I’m good. Why?”

“Well, we have two outside, and I think we should invite them in?” she said, giving Brit a guilty but cheesy smile.

“You two are full of surprises, aren’t you? Go get them,” she answered as she walked into her study to grab the paperwork she’d been working on.

“So…” I began.

Eleanor gave me a sharp look. “Don’t even start with me,” she snapped. “You are very much in trouble, and there’s no sweet talking your way out of it.”

I winced at her words and harsh tone. I knew I was in trouble, but I didn’t know it would be this bad for me.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“That is not going to cut it. You lied to my face and were a complete asshole.”

“I know, but I’m–”

Standing abruptly, she stated, “Save it. I’m going to get the vampires. I don’t want to hear any of your excuses.”

I watched her leave and frowned. It felt like part of me left with her. The only problem was that I had no idea what to do.

“You’d better fix that,” Brit said, walking back into the room with her arms full of papers and folders.

“I know.”

“Come on. Help me spread these out.”

I followed Brit into the dining room and set things up for her. After a few minutes had passed, no one had come back into the house, which was odd. Instinctually, I popped my head outside to see if I could locate her or the vampires. Instead, I found a giant white ‘X’ spray-painted on the door.

“Brit? What is this?” I asked, calling her attention to it.

“s**t,” she said, fear clouding her eyes.

“What? What is this?”

Brit took a few steps back and jerked her head all around, as if trying to spot something. “The Rebellion,” she whispered. “They’re here. I’m their next target!”