Marked by the Alphas

Chapter 107: Chapter 107

Kane POV

The door slams shut behind Mason, and the silence that fills the room is deafening. Everyone, including me, is looking at Elara.

Isolde looks at her with a mixture of worry and disgust, because ... well, I guess she hates vampires. Mother’s face is covered in fear, and I am in awe. My mate is beautiful, strong and perfect.

I cannot even begin to describe what I felt or thought when I woke up with my memories. I have an immense number of questions, but everything vanished when I saw Elara.

“So,” Mother turns to me. “Where’s Axel?”

“He’s still asleep,” I reply.

“Do you think he’s okay?” Mother asks worriedly, clasping her chest.

“Who’s not okay?” Axel croaks, wiping his eyes sleepily when he stumbles into the room.

“Thank Goddess,” Elara gasps, running forward and wrapping her arms around his neck. “You’re okay.”

Emotions stir inside me as I watch them clinging to each other, and my memories surface. I remember how I felt when we were mated, how worried I was when she was sick and how Mother lied when she told us Elara is dead.

“Isolde,” I growl, and everyone turns to me, stunned by my change of mood. “Please leave us alone.

Elara POV

Isolde scurries away, and I slowly let go of Axel, turning to face Kane. The soft and loving expression he looked at me with a minute ago has been replaced with white-hot rage.

“You owe us an explanation, Mother,” Kane growls, his eyes flashing red and his fists clenching.

“Kane, I ...”

“She only tried to help,” I jumped between them. “Don’t take it out on her, I was the one who chose to take the potion.”

“Oh, and are you also the one who decided to fake your death?” Axel chips in.

“My what?” I frown, turning to Gabriela.

Her cheeks are slightly pink, and I can see her pulse racing in her neck. But her gaze is sturdy.

“What else was I supposed to do?” She shrugs nonchalantly. “The two of you were running around like Sherlock Holmes and Watson searching for her. You needed a dead end, and I do mean that literally.”

“We saw her body,” Kane argues.

“Gabriela,” I gasp in disbelief. “You actually killed someone?”

“No,” she waves me off. “It was an unclaimed body from the morgue. I’m not that evil.”

“What the hell, Mother,” Axel explodes. “I can’t believe ...”

“Axel, stop it,” I cut in. “She did it for the three of us. She didn’t want you to suffer while I fled to keep our baby safe. You should thank your mother for being thoughtful and caring.”

“Thank her?” Axel gapes at me. “For what? Putting us through hell?”

“Okay, then,” Gabriela claps her hands together. “Now that everyone knows everything, I’m going to spend quality time with my granddaughter.”

I watch her leave, and steel myself to face my mates. They are understandably upset and will have plenty to say. Not to mention that I have run away with their child and must answer for it.

But when I turn around and look at Kane, I am stunned to see his eyes glistening with tears. I turn towards Axel, and his face is drenched with sadness.

“I need a moment,” he clears his throat and walks away.

“Elara,” Kane’s voice is hoarse, and I turn to face him.

“We thought you were dead,” he gently glides a finger down my cheek, leaving a trail of electric sparks. “Do you know how much it hurts? Just as things were getting better between us, we lost you. We were devastated.”

Even though I did not fake my death, I am consumed with guilt. I chose to leave them. It was my decision which hurt them.

“I’m sorry,” I murmur, taking his hand and intertwining our fingers. “I did what I thought was best for everyone.”

“How is keeping Stella away from us better for anyone?” He frowns, but there is no accusation in his voice. Only misery. freeweɓnøvel.com

“I’m so, so sorry, Kane,” I cup his face and look deeply into his eyes. “I didn’t know what else to do. Leaving was the only way to keep everyone safe. Not just me, but you, Axel and Stella. The Council is gunning for hybrids. Can you imagine what they would do if they learn about Stella’s existence? They’ll take her from us.”

He looks at me long and intensely, and for a moment I fear that he does not understand or hear my explanation. But then he leans over, and his lips softly touch mine. I can remember every kiss we have shared before, but this time it was different. We have always shared a passion, but this kiss is more than that. It is soft, tender and filled with an emotion that tightens my throat and clenches my heart.

When Kane pulls away, I am dazed and unsteady on my feet.

“You’re home,” he smiles, rubbing my arms. “That’s all that matters now.”

“Kane,” I must clear my throat before I can continue. He is not going to like what I am about to say. “I can’t go home with you; I’m going to stay with my mother for a while.”

“No,” he grunts, his fingers digging into my arms. “Please, don’t. I’m begging you, come home. I’ve missed you so much.”

“It’s not like I don’t want to,” I sigh, wiggling my arms out of his hold. “But can you imagine the chaos and panic if a dead girl rises from the dead and parades in the mansion?” ƒгeewebnovёl.com

He pales and pushes his fingers through his hair.

“Kane, what is it?” I frown.

“Now it makes sense,” he scoffs. “Gregory and Lucas accused us of killing our mate. We didn’t understand, because we couldn’t remember you, but now I get it.”

“They did what?” I gape at him.

“Yeah,” he nods. “And they had the nerve to accuse us when we announced Alice’s death. It was horrible.”

“They truly are assholes,” I huff, crossing my arms.

“I agree it’s best if you go to your mother,” he says, unfolding my arms and pulling me into his embrace. “But I don’t want you to go alone.”

“I have no choice,” I sigh, hugging him tighter and revelling in his body heat. “You and Axel can’t stay away from the mansion forever. People will start asking questions.”

“Let me worry about that,” he whispers, kissing the top of my head. “I’ll work something out.”