Betrayed by my Alpha

Chapter8 - Shock

“Moon's peace, Varek,” Tahla greeted as she stepped into the meeting room with Zephael.

Varek looked as though he had seen a ghost, which was most likely what was running through his mind. The woman he had led to her death was standing in front of him. The leader of the sanctuary he had come to for aid. There was no joy in her heart seeing him again. What surfaced was the pain she felt the day he betrayed her.

He tore their bond with his betrayal and for that, she was glad. She would rather have their bond severed than continue to live miserably with him. He had caused her so much grief and embarrassment. She had been so close to asking the elders for an annulment when the ambush happened.

“T-Tah–”

“I am Alpha Tahla. You will not speak my name with familiarity.” Her head was held high as she spoke with authority. Lysan looked between them both, confused. He decided to speak to break the tension in the air. It was too thick.

“Moon's peace, Alpha Tahla,” said Lysan. “I have brought Varek Navar of Ironpeak, but it seems you are already acquainted.”

“Indeed, Alpha Lysan,” Tahla said in a flat tone, her eyes never leaving that of Varek’s. They were filled with fear. “We are well acquainted.”

Varek’s were wide, his face the colour of ash. He was unsure of what to do. This was why they all knew his name. The reason why they had turned him back. He was suddenly regretting his decision to return and get answers. Tahla was alive and she was ruling a powerful sanctuary, much to his chagrin. “T- Alpha Tahla… I…” words eluded him as his mouth opened and closed. All he could think of was that night. She had gone down the cliffs into the water with jagged rocks. The bond had severed.

So how was she standing in front of him now?

He couldn’t do this.

“Why are you here?” she asked calmly as she took a seat, she eyed Varek and he shook his head several times.

“No… we don’t need your aid…” He turned to leave, but Lysan quickly grabbed his hand, baffled and confused. “We’re leaving.”

“What? Varek, we’ve come all this way.”

“I cannot!”

“You cannot ask for my aid? Pray tell why, Alpha Varek.” Tahla was calm as Zephael stood beside her, he had a glare in his eyes, which was more emotion Varek had ever seen on the man’s face. “Are you here for yourself and because of your own pride and fears that you will leave or will you think of the wellbeing of your people? Is this not the aid you need? For your people?”

He stared at her, mind racing before he spoke again. “I would like a private audience,” he said, applying much courage to his words so his voice would not waver. He looked into her eyes, determined not to look away, somehow, her gaze made him feel a type of way. It made him rather uncomfortable.

Tahla chuckled lowly. “You do not have any leverage to make requests here, Varek.”

He paused for a moment before swallowing and looking back in her direction. “Please,” he said as calmly as his voice would allow. He needed to speak with her without Lysan finding out anything.

The word sat heavily between them and Tahla found herself surprised, though she did not show it. She c****d her head to the side, studying him carefully. “Show Alpha Lysan the grounds, Zephael.”

“Alpha–”

“Now.”

Zephael clenched his jaw. He knew he could trust Tahla to take care of herself. She was a strong warrior. It was Varek he did not trust. It made him uneasy to leave Tahla with him. He remembered hearing her story for the first time the year he arrived. She had still been broken by it all and he did not wish to see her like that again.

Hesitantly, he signaled for his guards to follow as they escorted Lysan out. The man followed, still very confused about the entire ordeal. Zephael gave one last look at her before shutting the door behind them, leaving the two alone. He kept warriors close to her home, but far enough that they wouldn’t hear a calm conversation. He led Lysan away, doing as instructed.

“You have until I lose my patience,” Tahla said calmly, intertwining her fingers together in her lap.

“Tahla…you must not tell our people–they are already very frightened…”

“So, you wish for me to protect you,” she scoffed. “How do you wish to explain to them that I rendered aid then?”

"I want you to protect them." His voice was rough. "I know what I deserve. I'm not asking you for mercy. I'm asking you not to punish them for my sin."

“You are only afraid they will turn against you once they hear of your transgression. Telling them the truth will not punish them in any way. They will only know they’ve come to ruin because of your actions. Is that not why you’re here? You suffer.”

Varek swallowed. What had he done? Maybe telling the truth would ease her anger, pushing the fears of the people would soften her. Tahla always held great love for the people and he could tell she still held love by building the sanctuary and giving more people homes.

“Yes,” he said. “We have been raided one too many times since word spread that I had lost my mate. They thought I was weak, but we held on. My soldiers left for better pastures and clan members, too. We are out numbered. Think of the people, Tahla, not of what I did.

"Set your pride aside, Varek. All of it. If you’ve come here to use the people as leverage, you’ve come to the wrong place. They are afraid and you fear everyone will leave because you no longer hold power as a strong leader. That is what I need to hear from you. Are you capable of that?"