Marked by the Alphas

Chapter 37: Chapter 37

Elara POV

I run straight to the edge of the lake. I do not care if it is stupid or predictable. I was going to see Braden anyway.

I cannot believe what just happened. I am angry that Lily encouraged me, angry at Axel and Kane for humiliating me ... AGAIN! But most of all, I am livid that I allowed myself to take a chance on them.

What is so wrong, so ... so repulsive about me that I am being rejected over and over? I am over the thing with Mason, I mean, it was puppy love, but the twins? We were matched and mated. And something happened between us. How else can the mind-linking be explained?

I am not surprised to see Braden when I reach the lake. He probably smelled my distress miles away from ... from wherever he lives.

He looks at me and smiles, but I know he is wondering why I am here again. I drop my clothes and shift. My clothes lie in a puddle at my feet, but I do not bother picking them up.

“Elara?” Braden frowns, maintaining eye contact and not looking at my naked body.

“What’s wrong with me?” My voice is hoarse with pain. “Why am I not desirable? What is so ...”

“Whoa,” he interrupts me, walking over and placing his hands on my shoulders. “You’re perfect, Elara. You’re gorgeous, honest and funny. Don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise.”

His words are manna for my soul, and a warmth spreads through me. I hope he is right. I want him to be right, but I cannot tell what is real anymore and what is not.

“You don’t need to change for anyone,” his gaze darkens as his eyes slowly glide up and down my body. “You don’t need to prove anything. They only thing you need to know is that some people simply can’t be honest with their desires and hearts.”

The way he looks at me is vastly different from Axel and Kane. They look at me with lust and desire, but Braden’s eyes are filled with admiration.

“You mean the Alphas?” I searches answer on Braden’s face, and he smiles, his usual comforting but charming smile, “Not only.”

“Elara, what are you ...”

“I need you to stop talking,” I cut him off and leaned in closer until our lips were inches apart. “And kiss me.”

Braden chuckled, a bit wryly, “While I don’t refuse, and I must admit I’m attracted to you, I don’t want to be your outlet for anger.” He reaches out for me, his fingers softly tracing the curve of my waist, and I shiver. Then a polite kiss lands on my forehead. Like a feather.

But something is lacking. It is not like the switch that seems to flick on when Kane and Axel touch me. There is no clawing need, no animal desperation.

Is it wrong that I want the flame of desire flickering deep in my stomach? To strip Braden of his clothes so I can feel his skin against mine. Braden obviously cares for me in a way that the twins do not.

But before I could even think more, a harsh voice rang out across the lake.

“Elara!”

I recognise the voice and freeze.

Elder Anton.

A part of me expected Kane or Axel would follow me. Maybe I even wanted it, but I was standing naked with a fucking vampire. An Elder was the last person I wanted to see.

I turn around slowly, and there he is, shaking with fury.

“What the hell are you doing with a vampire?” He demands.

Kane POV

Is Axel right? Am I making a huge mistake locking Alice away?

It is not like she was an actual prisoner. She is locked in her own decked-out quarters for goddess’ sake. She has everything she needs. And on top of that, she still refuses to tell us where she was last night. fгeewebnovёl.com

I starts to wonder if something really happened that night, but my goddess, we don’t even have the mate bond with Alice. Axel and I know nothing. This whole situation is a mess.

“Alpha Kane,” I look up and see Monroe standing at the entrance to my office.

“Yes, Monroe?” I ask.

“You have a visitor,” he replies stoically. “The High Elder.”

And just like that, he appears at Monroe’s side, white robes flowing behind him.

“Kane.” The High Elder nods toward me, entering the room without permission. “I must speak with you urgently.”

“High Elder.” I stand and bow my head in a show of respect. But I am in no mood to update him on our mating situation or entertain any more of the Council’s commands. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have the time for a meeting right now.”

“Interesting,” he murmurs, his gaze sweeping around the room before his eyes narrow back onto me. “You don’t look very occupied at the moment.”

“Really?” I raise my eyebrows, pointing to the stack of documents I am working on.

“It can wait,” he says, walking over and sitting in one of the armchairs, motioning for me to sit across from him.

Great, now he is making himself comfortable. Obviously, he has no plans to leave until he says his piece.

“And please,” he says as I sit down, “call me Gustav. I imagine we’ll be having many meetings like this in the future, so you might as well address me by name.”

Many meetings? Lucky me.

“You know I’m a busy man, don’t you, Gustav?” I fold my hands in my lap, not breaking eye contact.

“With two mates to attend to, I’m sure you are,” he scoffs.

I clench my teeth to keep from cringing. I have no interest in discussing my intimate activities with a High Elder.

“Gustav,” I sit up, eyeing him suspiciously. “With all due respect, why are you here?”

“I have some disturbing news.” He sighs deeply. “There’s been a vampire sighting.”