IMPRISONED by the ALPHA

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Elara did not breathe.

The captain's hand rested on his knife, his eyes fixed on her, calm and flat, like a snake watching a mouse.

I can see it in her face. She heard something.

The voice again, clear as a bell, and his lips had not moved. Am I going mad?

"Captain Brannic," Kaelen said sharply. "Is something wrong?"

Brannic blinked, and his hand slid away. "No, my lord. I wondered if the omega needs a healer. She looks pale."

"She looks guilty. Go."

"Yes, my lord."

The door clicked shut behind him.

"You're staring at the door," Kaelen said. "Like it owes you money. What was that? You went white as milk when the captain walked past."

"I haven't slept."

"Neither have I, and I'm not shaking."

She looked down. Her hands were trembling. "It's cold. The window is broken."

"Elara."

It was the first time he had said her name, and it stopped her cold.If you know something, tell me now. I will not ask twice."

Tell him what? she thought wildly. That I heard a man's thoughts? That I think the captain wants me dead? He would call her a liar and say she was inventing stories to save her neck. Worse, he might decide she was dangerous.

"I don't know anything."

He studied her, and she felt as if he could see straight through her skull. "Fine. Get up. We're going to the council hall."

"Now? I'm covered in dust and glass."

"Then you'll look like a person who was nearly killed, which you were."

The hall was already half full. The whispers died the moment Kaelen walked in. Thorne hurried over, leaning on his cane. "Kaelen! Are you hurt? I couldn't bear to lose you too. First Soren, and now..." He turned his gentle, watery eyes on Elara. "And the omega survived as well. How remarkable."

"Yes," Kaelen said. "Remarkable."

Elara kept her head bowed. If I can hear thoughts, what will I hear in a room full of people? Don't listen. Don't listen.

But it was too late. The sound began as a faint hum, then grew, like a crowd talking behind a closed door.

...the Alpha is losing his grip...

...should have been hanged yesterday...

...my son's birthday, I forgot the cake...

She gasped and pressed her hands over her ears.

"Elara" Kaelen's hand clamped her elbow. "What is it?"

"A headache."

"You're lying. Your eyes are wide as plates."It's loud in here."

"It's a council hall. It's always loud." He pulled her closer and lowered his voice. "Can you stand?"

"Yes."

"Then stand straight and keep quiet."

She fixed her eyes on a crack in the stone floor and counted. One. Two. Three. The voices faded to a murmur.

Kaelen took his seat, Thorne at his right, Marek by the door with his arms crossed.Last night," Kaelen announced, "an unknown creature broke into the Alpha's chambers."

Gasps filled the room.

"A shadow wolf," said the gray-bearded elder. "It cannot be."

"Then the omega is cursed," the elder woman said, glaring at Elara. "She brings darkness wherever she goes."

"Or someone is using her as bait," Marek said. "The wolf went to the girl, but it was in the Alpha's chamber. Whoever sent it knew exactly where he sleeps."

"That means a traitor," the gray-bearded elder said slowly.

"Perhaps," Kaelen said. "Or perhaps someone only wishes me to think so."

Elara kept counting. Four. Five. Six. Then someone walked in behind her, and the sound crashed into her head like a wave.

She heard me. I know she heard me.The same voice from the bedchamber. Elara went rigid.

Captain Brannic had slipped in through the side door. He stood in the shadows near the pillars, arms folded, face blank. He wasn't even looking at her. He was looking at Kaelen.

If the girl talks, everything falls apart. I should have killed her in the cell. Soon. It will have to be soon.

Her knees began to buckle. Kaelen caught her. "What is the matter with you?"I need air. Please, I'm going to be sick."

"Then be sick quietly."

"The girl is clearly unwell," Thorne said kindly. "Even prisoners deserve a chair. Bring her a seat, and water."

A servant hurried over with a stool. Elara sank onto it, shaking, and drank without tasting.

Thorne is being kind. Why does that make my skin crawl?

Then she noticed something strange. She could hear nothing from the old man at all. His mind was perfectly silent, like a locked door. Odd. Everyone else is so loud.

But she couldn't dwell on it. Brannic was still watching the Alpha, and she could tell no one. They would think she was a madwoman accusing the captain of the guard of treason because she had a headache.

The council droned on. Patrols were doubled. The shadow wolf was written down as an "unexplained threat." At last the elders filed out.

"Come," Kaelen said, taking her arm. "The healer will be waiting in my chambers."Seraphine. Elara's heart sank. "Yes, my lord."

They walked the long corridor in silence. Guards stood at every corner. Brannic's heavy footsteps echoed behind them, matching their pace.

Don't turn around, she told herself.

Just a little longer. He won't see it coming.She stopped dead.What now?" Kaelen snapped.My shoe. It's loose."

"Fix it. Quickly."

She bent down, fingers trembling, and pretended to tie her laces. From the corner of her eye, she saw Brannic stop ten paces back. His hand slid slowly beneath his cloak.

"My lord," Elara whispered, standing. Her voice was barely a breath. "Please. Don't turn around. Just listen."

Kaelen frowned. "What are you..."

"There's a knife behind you."

"What?"

"The captain." Her heart raced so hard it hurt.