IVORY: The age of Gloarian

Chapter 23

    Looking into the bloodshot eyes of a vivid Alpha, the Hybrid leader wondered what exactly Eiva had written in her note to Razaar. She also thought of what his initial reaction had been to the news. He seemed as angry as always, an indicator that he had not been pleased with the departure of his proclaimed mate, and that made Eliana rethink all her previous thoughts about even bothering to give the man a second chance. Perhaps she wouldn’t have to if he kept acting up the way he was, and perhaps that was an escape for the leader who for the past hours had been trying so hard to get the frail woman’s words out of her head. Her prior panic had died down at his sight, and she remembered the usual mannerism she held in his presence. 

    ‘I don’t know, she’s gone. As soon as I returned from sending word out to you, she was gone. I told her to have lunch with me, I told her I was going to get Dennis and the next thing I know she’s disappeared into thin air’ responded Eliana, shrugging her shoulders as she continued to pace around. The Alpha of Gloarian, who still stood by the door, letting the air in, had yet to take a step inside, or cool down for that matter. 

    ‘You let her out of your sight? Are you insane?!’ he yelled in a tone that was not to the Hybrid leader’s liking. She found herself advancing towards the man she called mate, tentatively before he began doing the same, finally shutting the door behind him. The banging of the door behind them had been an initial sign that this was most certainly not going to be the last of fights the pair had, and perhaps marked a while before the two would even consider taking each other back. 

    ‘I don’t appreciate your tone right now Alpha Solonov. I understand that your mate is missing, but if you’ve just come here to put the blame on me then I recommend you step foot out of my territory right now’ she spoke, her voice low as they now stood head to head despite his towering figure. Eliana had not let any aspect of the man intimidate her in the slightest, for she too, was a leader, and a fierce one at that. 

    ‘You let her out of your sight, so like it or not, it is your fault’ he spat back, stationary in his position. The only sound that covered the air for the next minute was that of the two heaving, almost growling in each other’s presence. 

    ‘Maybe if you didn’t let her slip from your hands, she wouldn’t be missing to begin with. What happened, Alpha? Can’t even protect your mate?’ she mocked, her anger clearly getting the best of her. The woman had recognised that her words would no doubt drift the Alpha off the edge, though the brave woman was up for the challenge as she uttered her words with a tone she knew would get to the Alpha’s head. In no less than a second, she found herself backed into a wall as the almighty Alpha of Gloarian placed his hands on the wall behind her, staring her down with eyes that would not resemble those of a loving mate. He felt rage consume his entire being as he looked into the eyes he considered so magnetising, knowing for a fact that those eyes had always found a way to pull his strings.

    ‘Don’t. f*****g. Mock. Me’ he snarled, looking at his mate with the utmost wrath. He certainly knew he couldn't do her any harm, not that he wanted to to begin with, though he found himself losing his patience at the constant tests his mate put him through. 

    ‘You come on to my territory everytime assuming I’m like any other ordinary person who will bow down to you because you’re the great Alpha of Gloarian!’ she roared, pushing her mate back as she did so ‘well guess what your royal highness Alpha of Gloarian, I am the bloody leader of Hybrids, I deserve just as much respect as you do. Not just because I am a body of superior power or your mate, but because I don’t care who you think you are, you talk to no one on my land with that tone. On your territory it might be normal for you to boss around people and take control of their lives as if it were your own, here, on Hybrid land, the rules are different buddy. Your feet aren’t made out of gold, so I suggest you humble yourself when you deal with me, or expect me to keep throwing snarky comments at you all throughout.’ Her words had hit the Alpha who within seconds found himself backing away from the woman, who had frankly surpassed her tolerance for bullshit and was in no mood for any more. She had been through her fair share of harsh times with the one person in life she wished she had never met, yet every time the two reconciled, it was only a matter of time before they didn’t. 

    Using the distraction she had provided her mate, she proceeded to push past him as she slipped back into her chambers, where without an announcement, she quickly gave herself a necessary change of clothes, walking back into his presence right after. Razaar had taken that moment to think through her words, and despite identifying the truth in them, he still loathed the situation presented to him by the flame. Avoiding his mate by having another was a whole concept he had gotten used to, but having to avoid her without Eiva would be a challenge all on it’s own. To add to that, having to deal with the awkward mess the woman had left behind for the couple to eventually discuss had been another topic that both parties of this unwanted mating had yet to bring to light. It seemed that the flame had been getting impatient, and the conversation that perhaps the couple would have postponed till further notice, had decided to make its way to the table in their present time. 

    ‘I have a search party out looking for her, as I’m sure do you’ commented Eliana, beginning to lead the Alpha to the office building where the majority of their fights had gone down. He followed in silence before he decided to kill the awkward silence with words. 

    ‘Why did she come here to begin with?’ he asked, worrying for the answer he was about to get. He had read the letter she had so neatly written to him, and it didn’t take him time to put together the pieces of the puzzle upon hearing that Eiva had been on Eliana’s territory. Still, he asked, wanting the full story before attempting to to look for a woman that clearly didn’t want to be found. 

    ‘She wanted to have a word with me before her departure. It’s crazy I’ve never really seen Eiva in that light before’ stated the Hybrid leader casually as they neared the doors of the office. As always the tiny assistant had scurried away at their entrance, and kept his head down as they skimmed right past him into the private office space. 

    ‘What do you mean? What was she saying?’ he questioned once they sat down on their corresponding chairs. 

    ‘She seemed...more confident. The porcelain doll that you’re so used to seeing was completely replaced by someone else entirely. I didn’t even think she was capable of lying to me, that’s how shocked I was when I returned and she wasn’t there.’ Razaar’s eyes lingered on hers for a moment, debating whether he should release the topic that was sensitive to the pair, before his instincts and frustration got together, and he decided to speak without giving it much thought. 

    ‘What did she say to you exactly Eliana?’ he directed, facing his fate sooner than later. The woman tensed as she realised it was time to get over with the most awaited conversation that somehow they kept getting pushed into.

    ‘She told me that she was leaving because she wanted to find herself, and because she didn’t want to get in the way of our relationship, and told me to give you another chance’ she responded with an odd feeling in the pit of her stomach, one causing her to avoid her mate’s eyes at all costs. The great Alpha of Gloarian found himself experiencing similar symptoms at the release of her words, and was grateful for the lack of eye contact as he digested her words. ‘What did she write to you in the letter?’ she asked, now moving the focus on him. 

    ‘The same thing, actually. Told me she was grateful for everything, but needed to go explore the world, and that I should accept you’ he concluded, adding to the awkwardness that had already made a presence in the room. Silence conquered the room before Eliana decided to break it, unable to stand the feeling of discomfort that the interaction had left behind. 

    ‘What do you think changed her mind? I thought you already had this conversation with her?’ she questioned in an attempt to drag the conversation back to normality. The man shrugged, concentrating on the flashback playing through his mind to gather answers.

    ‘I don’t understand. I did talk to her. I told her clearly that I chose her and that you weren’t bothered by it, she was ecstatic at first. Then yesterday she started acting up, I think she was jealous of the fact that I asked you to stay, and the next day she’s gone and she’s left me this massive letter explaining how she needs to be on her own to find herself. I just don’t understand how she’s managed to be a different persona every day since the day the truth came out.’ It had been something that now both members had been considering deeply as they wondered if that was all really a part of Eiva’s nature, or perhaps it had been foreplay? Though the latter evaporated from the mind quickly as they recapped her sudden appearance on Hybrid territory before her departure. Though now that the facts had been eliminated from the conversation, the pair had anticipated the coming conversation on the actual matter that Eiva had instilled in both their minds. ‘What do we do?’ asked the Alpha, for once completely lost. 

    It was an evolutionary moment for Razaar as he faced the moment he could finally accept his mate and close the door to the silly excuses he had been letting in. He felt a pressure in his system, not knowing exactly what Eliana had been thinking of regarding the entirety of the situation, and neither did he know himself what his next steps were to be. 

    ‘We look for Eiva’ she responded, confused at what exactly it was that the Alpha had been asking of her. With a deep breath of courage, he made himself more clear regarding his intentions. 

    ‘Of course, I just meant, what do we do? About us?’ he released the words with a heavy load in his chest, his heart suddenly speeding up for the revelation of her answer. The woman had paused, at the realisation, and skimmed through the events that had led up to this moment with her mate. The pair certainly had come a long way, though they had yet to meet each other halfway, and they were a long way away from that. 

    ‘Razaar, you’ve made this excuse up in your mind as to why you should reject me, and you’ve stuck with that from the beginning of time, without even getting to know me or giving this a chance. I understand that what you must have gone through as a child was traumatising and damaging to your mindset, but especially at this point, I have worries of my own to deal with. The whole reason I was calm about you and Eiva and the rejection to begin with was because I don’t know how to fix you. It’s the same thing I said to your proclaimed mate and I think it’s high time I tell you: I’ve been through enough in my life, from the rejection, to the death of my parents, to accepting you and Eiva in my life and now this bloody war that you’ve put me in the middle of. I don’t have the time or the capacity to abandon my duties to myself and my community and try and fix your mentality. Eiva, she begged me to take you back, but the truth is I’m not even sure you’re ready for another chance. I can’t be with someone who is constantly controlling me, snapping at me and frankly doesn’t have the balls to be with me’ she completed, the truth hitting her as much as it hit her mate. 

    There were certain bits that had caused the Alpha to clench his fists in anger, though he maintained his calm and he thought of a reasonable answer after coming to terms with what was, the reality of the Alpha’s life, He had never once stopped to think of the other side of spectrum, and having been introduced to it now, saw more than ever, the truth that he had been missing out on. He had suddenly thought of an accurate vision of what his mother would have said had she been alive, and knew that she would most certainly not have allowed for this charade to have lasted this long. The speechless Alpha had no words to describe the way he felt in that moment, the only thing he could do, was formulate an answer that would come straight from the heart. 

    ‘I understand that, and I apologise for everything I have put you through. I know I have a lot of making up to do, and perhaps you’re right that I need to figure out what’s going through my own head before we revisit this conversation. In the meantime I appreciate you helping me get Eiva back.’ He finished, not having much else to say on the matter. She nodded, resuming the peace and quiet that wished to be in the presence of. 

    ‘Given everything I think we both need to be ready to attack soon. I may have not agreed with it before but with Eiva out there in the wild it could be dangerous for her’ she stated just in time for the tiny assistant to come running into the office unannounced. His entrance took the pair by surprise as they awaited an explanation. 

    ‘The guards, they found a ring Miss Genova, we believe it belongs to Miss Matouk’ he announced, delivering the ring to his leader. The woman picked it up to inspect it before it was snatched off her hands into the much larger ones of her mate. 

    ‘It’s hers. It was her engagement ring’ he growled, looking back up at the trembling assistant. ‘Where was it found?’ he asked angrily, in a tone that had eradicated the entire speech that Eliana had only minutes ago conveyed. 

    ‘A couple miles down the southern border’ he quivered. In the flash of a second, Razaar was gone, no doubt heading towards the indicated location of the discovery. Eliana elevated from her seat with an apologetic look towards the assistant. 

    ‘Ignore his anger, thanks for letting us know’ she commented before firing off in the same direction as her mate. The man had certainly made it record time as the moment she neared her borders, the woman found herself facing her best friend and top guard: Armelia. 

    ‘He took off into the distance just minutes ago’ she informed, allowing her best friend to chase her mate in the same direction. Minutes of running had turned into half an hour until she finally spotted her big headed mate standing next to the bark of a tree with a tense back. 

    ‘Find anything?’ she asked, finally slowing her pace and advancing towards him. His back had still been facing her as she did so, and it took a minute for him to answer. 

    ‘Your guards let her through’ he seethed, finally turning around to meet her gaze. To say she was shocked by his reaction was certainly an understatement. She had yet to get used to his bipolar attitude and found herself in the meantime going with the flow of surprises she was being faced with. 

    ‘Excuse me?’ she asked, more for clarification than lack of hearing. 

    ‘Your guards let her through those borders, they did not stop her.’ He spat with hate and wrath. 

    ‘They had no idea she was there to escape. I myself had no idea what she was up to! You’re lucky they let her in to begin with. My guards don’t let anyone in without my permission, and it wasn’t like I was expecting her visit. The only reason they let her in is because my guards respect her as much as I do and they know she’s no threat. So if you’re trying to accuse me or my guards of her escape think again. Had it not been for my guards you would have no starting point to finding her’ defended the Hybrid leader, her anger resurfacing once more like a valve that kept opening and closing. The  restart of the cycle had exasperated Eliana, and she found herself unable to listen to the pathetic Alpha rage anymore ‘you know Razaar, I’m really through with all of your bullshit, and I sincerely can’t be bothered to deal with your childish behaviour anymore. When you’re done being angry at the world come find me in my office, till then I recommend you stay here and blow off some steam,’ she suggested, abandoning her mate in the middle of the woods to return to her office. She had once again crossed her best friend on the way, though had nothing to say as she darted right past her and back into her own lands. The woman had known better than to run after her and ensure she was ok, for she knew that her mate had a way of getting to nerves, and that was certainly not the moment to confront the leader, even if it was just to make sure she was alright. 

    Her withdrawal from the scene had more of an effect on the Alpha who released a frustrated growl and like any stereotypical macho male had punched the innocent bark of a tree that was placed next to his clenched fist. The pair had once again embarked on the highly entertaining journey that only led them in circles of phases. From friends, to enemies, to acquaintances to vulnerable for each other, the two had officially begun losing their minds as they swam around in a cycle of their own creation. 

    The raging man had halted before rethinking the entire situation, and understanding that he had, in fact, accused a woman of something she was not responsible for. His inner guilt had suddenly taken over, oozing at the fact that he had lost a fragile woman who now was at high risk on the loose. Had he been more generous to her, perhaps she wouldn’t have left. Had he made a proper decision about Eliana to begin with, then this never would have happened! It was times like these that regret would take over the system of a corrupted man, and it caused Razaar to reduce the pain by exerting his anger upon others, even if that other was his true mate. Of course, it didn’t help as he currently began catching on to the after effects of his actions and felt more guilt and regret penetrate through him at his minor mistake. 

    Deciding it would be best to follow protocol, he sighed and began venturing back to Eliana’s community grounds, ready to have to endure yet another tough conversation with the leader about his temper. He rehearsed the familiar lines in his head, deciding upon which tone to use this time out of the very few that the Alpha possessed, and yapped in annoyance when he felt unsatisfied with his apology. He knew that he had crossed the line a time too many, and prayed that the leader would accept his stupidity just a singular more time. 

    His thoughts had been put to a stop as he neared the border he had initially crossed, and he approached it he knew not what was coming his way. In the time that the Alpha had been preparing to face the woman who would for sure unleash her vexation upon his return, he certainly hadn’t expected to be attacked by another individual who had a lot to say on the matter. Armelia stormed towards him as he arrived, taking him by surprise before she let go of the pent up emotion she had been holding on for so long at the mere thought of her friend constantly hurting due to the insufferable Alpha of Werewolves.