Marked by the Alphas

Chapter 150: Chapter 150

Kane POV

I storm out of the back door and into the woods. I need fresh air and a moment to clear my head. It is bad enough that we are in this mess, now Mason has fucked up and made it worse.

“Kane!” Elara calls, and I reluctantly come to a halt. Ignoring Mother is one thing, but Elara has not done anything wrong and does not deserve my wrath.

“I can’t believe him,” I throw my hands in the air. “We include him in everything, and he still fucks in his own direction. This is the second time now. First the twins, now this. I mean, come on.”

“He was trying to help,” she says softly. “I agree it was the wrong decision, but it did help, Kane. I’m not sure if the twins and I would’ve made it out if it weren’t for him and that potion.”

“I just ...” I close my eyes and exhale deeply. Sure, the potion helped, but we would not have needed it if he had not run off with the twins in the first place. As much as I want to shout out the blame and punch Mason out, I respect Elara’s wishes more. And she wants us to get along.

“Hey,” she smiles at me, cupping my face. “It will be okay. We’ll figure it out like we do everything else.”

“Everything else?” I snort, removing her hand from my face. “Elara, we haven’t figured out anything yet. My pack’s still in lockdown, the Council is hunting us, not to mention that dreadful facility is still operational. And what am I doing? Playing house with my family. We’re all safe and happy in a cocoon while my pack suffers. What kind of alpha would allow that?”

“You’re not a terrible alpha,” she says firmly. “You’re overwhelmed, that’s all.”

“But I’m not, Elara,” I argue. “Axel and I have been hiding with you in a cabin for Goddess knows how long, and we did nothing to help.”

She looks at me intensely, and a big smile spreads across her face.

“Elara, this isn’t funny,” I argue.

“I know,” she looks at me with so much love that I can feel it. “But you make me proud, my Alpha. I don’t care that Mason is the firstborn, or that you three share the title. You, Kane, you’re stepping up, and I’m proud.”

Her compliment leaves me speechless, but heartwarmingly happy.

“Come on, Alpha,” she says, taking my hand. “Let’s go inside and sort out all the problems.”

Mason POV

I can feel their eyes on me as I follow Rhiannon. I know they are going to grill me after this, but it does not bother me. Right now, I must get rid of Rhiannon, because I do not like her in such close proximity to Elara and my kids.

“Let’s talk by the trees,” she says, glancing over her shoulder at the cottage. “I need the peace that radiates off the leaves.”

“Fine,” I roll my eyes. I do not give a shit if she draws inspiration from a dung beetle, but if it gets her further away from the house, great. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

“Put your wolf away,” she says serenely as she tips her face toward the sky and lifts her hands, palms up. She wiggles her fingers, then cracks an eye open at me. “I’m sure your wolfy women find that animal stink a real turn-on, but I’d rather you put your teeth away.”

My canines have not even dropped. She is just being snide. Still, I make a conscious effort at pushing my wolf into silence, even though he wants to snap and snarl at her.

“Ah, that’s better,” Rhiannon purrs. “I knew you were capable of submitting. You’re the other brother, after all.”

My fingernails cut into my palms as I fight the urge not to show her how “submissive” I am.

“Oh, my. You’re angry,” she laughs. “You don’t like it when someone points out that you’re in second place.”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about, or how anything works,” I keep my voice even, but bitterness coats every word. “And I’m not about to educate you, either. Just get to it, okay? I know I owe you.”

“So ... you’re not going to back out?” Rhiannon looks genuinely surprised.

This time, my teeth grow sharp at the insinuation that I will go back on my word. She might have felt confident enough to poke me a few minutes ago, but at the sight of my wolf rising, the witch took a hasty step back.

She is afraid and, based on the way her nostrils are flaring and her lip curling back, more than a little disgusted.

“You hate me, and our kind,” I say in a low voice. “You’ve made that abundantly clear. So why are you asking this of me?”

“I don’t have to tell you a thing,” She replies, lifting her chin and balling her hands into fists on her hips. “All you need to know is that I gave you what you asked for, to save your precious Luna, and that means that you owe me. And let me warn you, wolf, those who back out on a vow they’ve made to a witch only live so they can be made to regret it.”

“I’m not going to back out, Rhiannon,” I force myself to smile and hide my resentment. “We made an agreement, you held up your end, and I will do the same.”

“You’re going to ruin your relationships with them,” she points out in a low tone, looking curiously at the cottage. “You don’t care about that?”

“I care,” I nod. “But without you, Elara and the pups might all be dead. If you really want me to give you what you asked for, I’ll do it. My mate and the others will have to understand.”

“And if they don’t?”

“I’ll find a way to make them.” I shrug, my expression and voice both grim.

“Fine,” she says, looking at me. “I’ll book a room at the Stillwood Inn. Meet me there Saturday night.”