Elara's Second Mate

Chapter 4: Prisoner.

Elara.

.

.

Why did he look so much like Damon?

Only hotter? But if he was related to Damon, there was every possibility that they behaved the same.

I shook my head and gasped as searing pain shot up my spine. The healer had arrived, and was working on my bruises. She carried the same expression as the others.

Disgusted.

The hall had returned to its usual silence, and the path to the entrance had cleared. Elder Silas grabbed the gavel and banged it three times, signaling the dismissal of everyone except the high ranking wolves. He seemed to have recognized the intruder.

“Remain where you are, Elara. We haven't meted out your punishment yet.” He said, stopping me in my tracks as I turned to leave. I felt my stomach squeeze in agony and despair at his words. They still wanted to torture me?

Damon still stood at the entrance of the hall, his stance similar to Jaxon's when he was ready for battle. He glared at the gray eyed wolf, who kept his gaze trained on me. The intensity of that stare stirred up something in my chest, but I dusted it off and buried it back wherever it came from before I had a chance to react. He finally pulled his gaze away from me and stared straight at Damon.

“Nice to see you again, brother.” He spoke, strutting past Damon and into the room.

Fucking hell.

His voice…

His voice was heavenly.

A perfect blend of deep, husky timbre and divine baritone that sent shivers down my spine. My wolf purred in my chest, a sure sign of approval. I paused, completely stunned.

Approval of what?

“Get it together.” I gritted at her. Can't believe this girl. In the middle of a possible execution, or exile. And she was here fawning over a stranger.

Animal.

I rubbed my temples, pulling myself out of my musings. The husky, pine filled scent returned to my nostrils, only closer and more pronounced. I looked up.

Those eyes were even more beautiful up close. I had the urge to touch them, to know if they were real. But I shook aside the thought. I was just stripped of my title in front of everyone and I'm thinking about a stranger? “Who are you?”

I whispered.

“Axel Ravenwood. Alpha of the Ravenwood pack. Nice to meet you.” He said, grabbing my fingers and kissing the back of my palm. I was absolutely stunned.

“Stay away.” Jaxon growled at him, moving quicker than I expected, and stood in between me and him. Damon walked over to the three of us, and pulled Axel by the arm, slamming him against one of the pillars in the hall.

The impact made me gasp, as Damon's eyes flashed wolf. Axel chuckled at him, seemingly unfazed, the scar along his jaw vibrating.

“You didn't acknowledge my greeting, so I offered it to someone more befitting. Why are you in such a rage?” Axel asked, before slowly and strangely shoving Damon off him, straightening his button up white shirt. He adjusted his trousers, and walked towards one of the visitor's chairs beside the entrance doors.

“I didn't receive news that you were coming.” Damon bit out.

Axel raised an eyebrow. “Oh? I sent a message this morning. But it seems you had other issues to attend to.” He drew the last sentence, keeping his heated gaze trained on me longer than was necessary. I looked away and glanced at Jaxon, who was visibly shaken with fury.

Damon exhaled, obviously trying to calm down. “What do you want?” He asked.

Axel turned towards him, looking lost in thought and waving his cane in the air. Another wolf I hadn't noticed, with blue eyes and brown hair, spoke up beside him. “A proposal. You have something we desire.”

Damon stiffened at his words, even Jaxon.

And me too. Damon c****d his head, urging him to continue. But before the wolf beside him could utter a word, Axel got up in one swift motion, still swiveling his cane and stood in the center of the room.

“Before we get to that, I'd like to know why you had one of your enforcers infiltrate my home last week.” His tone had dropped an entire octave. Just when I thought his voice couldn't get huskier.

Damon stilled, narrowing his eyes. “I didn't send anyone. That wolf wasn't from here.”

“Except he was. He has your symbol on his calf to prove that. Axel replied, tapping the cane on the marbled floor meticulously. “If there's anything I wouldn't like, it's a breach of terms.”

Damon growled, a low sound that slowly turned into a roar. “You have no right to come in here and accuse me.”

Axel stood square with him, staring straight into his eyes. “Now, who is the one who's known for doing that, hm?” He smirked, waving the cane in the air. Damon stilled, a shadow passing over his eyes.

All the while, I sat there, alone and unnoticed. As always.

“Well, if you won't believe me, I suggest you take your leave then. Or show me this… ‘wolf’ of mine.” Damon said, doing air quotes around ‘wolf’. Axel smirked again, and I realized just how dangerous that smirk was.

“I will definitely be doing that. But first…our proposal.” He said, returning to his seat and allowing the other wolf beside him to speak up.

“Yes, um, Alpha Damon, we would need to speak with your Luna. Elara.” The wolf said, and another surge of adrenaline pumped through my system. Damon turned towards me, a weird emotion flashing in his eyes.

“Why?” He thundered out.

Axel chuckled. “Because we need to. Are you daft? You know we would tell you the details later.” He said glancing towards the elders table. The six of them sat behind the table, watching in silence.

Axel didn't want them there.

Damon sighed. “Well, I'm sorry, but you can't. She is not to be spoken to until I deem fit. Flynn, Tarus, throw her in the dungeons.” Damon barked. Axel's expression shifted towards me, a weird spark in his eyes.

I froze as Damon's words finally sank into my head.

“What?” I choked out. “Damon…you can't do this I..I haven't done anything!” My tears were escaping again, and soon I was sobbing fully. My heart welled up with pain, and all I wanted to do was run away.

Jaxon immediately spoke up. “Damon come on. You need to think this through. Besides, Alpha Axel here would definitely have a good reason for-”

“Don't question me.” Damon said coldly, shutting out Jaxon. He remained quiet, which was probably the best thing he could do.

“Damon…please…” I begged, kneeling on the ground closest to him. “I'll do anything….please…not the dungeons.” I crawled to his foot, my tears staining the marbled floor. I could feel my insides shattering, like knives were repeatedly stabbing into them.

Then, he kicked me off him.

“Get off me. Take her away now!!” He roared, and suddenly, two pairs of arms pulled me up to my feet, their grip tight enough to leave bruises on my skin.

The dungeons were even worse than being thrown into the woods. But what could I do?

I took a deep breath, and walked towards him, my eyes puffy from all the tears I had drained out. I looked him dead in the eye, keeping my expression neutral.

“Congratulations.” I said coldly. A flash of something flickered in his eyes. Panic, surprise? I couldn't tell because the next moment he yelled at the guards again and I was being dragged limb by limb into

the dark, deep, filthy depths of the pack dungeons.

Never to see the light of day again.