Elaine POV
What did I just say? Jaws dropped and all eyes were on me.
“Why would you even want her? Do you know what she did?” Avena said, a little too smoothly.
Azaire gripped my hand as if he didn’t hear what I just said.
“I don’t care,” Azaire said through gritted teeth.
“You don’t care that she knew about Neel’s attack on your Pack? She knew well before the Pack was set in motion.”
“What?” Richie and Azaire barked.
Still Azaire hadn’t left my hand. He knew this was insane.
“Yes,” Dad said. “Tell them, Elaine.”
He’s lost his mind. I didn’t even know Neel was in town. I don’t want anything to do with that scrummy frog!
“Yes, I did,” I confessed.
Why did I just say that? Something wasn’t right with me. I looked around for help but the plea for help didn’t come out of my mouth. Opal stared at me with confusion on her face my emotions mirrored her face but I couldn’t express myself. It was like I’d been given a drug.
Nik nonchalantly leaned against the car as if everything going on was completely normal.
“I knew everything,” I spoke in a cool monotonous tone.
“What are you saying? What the hell are you saying?” Azaire span me so I could see the hurt in his eyes.
“Hey, don’t touch my sister like that,” Nik barked.
Was he serious? He chose now to defend me for the first time when he knew my behaviour wasn’t normal.
“I’d be careful about your tone, Nik. You are all trespassing and if we slaughtered you no one would question us,” Azaire barked.
“And you think we’d stand idly and watch you slaughter us?” Avena asked challengingly.
My breath caught in my throat and I bit my tongue. The coven didn’t want Avena in power anymore. Going back to my Dad’s house would put me right in the lion’s den.
“Enough, Elaine, let’s go,” Dad commanded.
My legs moved forward, compelled to obey his commands. Azaire snatched my hand and brought me back. My heart leapt with hope that he wouldn’t let my Dad win.
“You’re not leaving until you tell me the truth. Did you know? Why can’t I feel your wolf?”
He was right. Dove was dormant again.
I stared at my Father but he was stoned face as usual.
“I knew Azaire. I knew about the attack. I didn’t tell you,” I said.
“Tell him why, Elaine,” Dad added.
Because I’m Elaine Ryker, daughter of Laiken Ryker. My loyalty belongs to him and his Pack.”
“What the hell?” Richie muttered.
Tears battled to fall but my body wouldn’t let me do that either.
Azaire dropped my hand. The hurt on his face killed me. He just defended his Pack with everything he had. His Uncle was in the hospital he didn’t need this.
No, Azaire don’t believe me. Please, don’t believe me, I begged but he couldn’t see my pain. I must have looked like a cold and blank version of myself.
“So you want to go with him? Did you have to wait for him to get you, Elaine? You could have left on your own,” Azaire raved.
I oddly didn’t have an answer for that.
“Don’t listen to her Azaire. This is all crazy. I didn’t know about the attack!” Opal shouted, fighting her guards at the same time.
“I’m the Alpha’s daughter, not you,” I said. My voice carried no emotions it almost didn’t sound like me but it was coming out of my mouth.
“Oh come on! She’s lying. Why are you lying!” Opal’s face went red each second.
“Enough! Hey, leave her alone.” Richie brushed Lucas off and closed the distance between him and his mate.
Opal slammed her foot on her guard and kneed the other one in the thigh. She ran into her mate’s arms. Nik flared up instantly. He shoved Richie and stood in front of Opal. Richie was back in Nik’s face before anyone could stop him.
“You missed your chance, Nik! She’s mine now,” Richie yelled.
“I’m going to kill you. I’m putting another one of you in the ground.”
“Hey!” Azaire barked.
Azaire grabbed my brother by the front of his shirt and shoved him into Dad’s arms.
I felt like I’d been asked to fight with my hands tied behind my back. Lucas and Ross stood in shock. Ross caught my eyes and I think he understood I needed help. He pried Azaire off Nik and stood between them to prevent spilling blood.
“Get off,” Opal shoved Nik and scowled. “Mom, Dad, I’m not leaving. I’m pregnant. You can’t separate us.”
“Opal!” Opal’s Mom looked like she was a second away from hitting the ground.
Her Dad’s face wrinkled with rage but he wouldn’t explode in front of the Alpha.
“We’ll handle that another time,” Dad said.
I was happy inside but I couldn’t express myself. I hadn’t moved all I did was stare. Opal didn’t understand what was going on neither did I. Richie held his girlfriend in his arms protectively. I wanted to be in Azaire’s arms desperately but I think I broke him.
“Get off my property! All of you.” Azaire ordered.
Nik dusted himself off and climbed into the silver SUV in front of Dad’s black one.
Azaire turned to me. My hand went to my new necklace.
“Don’t bother taking it off,” he growled.
He reached out and yanked it off my neck. My soul shattered. He turned around and marched through the front door. Lucas went after him.
“Elaine, now!” Dad ordered.
My mate, I thought. I backed up, leaving the man I loved. I left a portion of my soul with him. He had my heart I couldn’t take it with me. I wanted to scream my head off but I feared I didn’t have a head on me.
“Go with her,” Richie said.
“What? I’m not leaving you,” Opal replied.
Richie slipped from Opal’s embrace. “Trust me.”
Opal nodded and climbed into the High Beta’s car as if she hadn’t just broken her mother’s heart. I disappeared into the backseat with my Dad. Avena sat in the front seat with the driver.
I glared at him, unable to burst out or claw his eyes out.
“We had a deal, Elaine,” he said, dusting his expensive ugly watch. “It’s time you fulfil your end of the blood promise.”