Marked by the Alphas

Chapter 52: Chapter 52

Kane POV

I enter Elara’s room, careful not to disturb her.

“I’m awake,” she says softly, and sits up.

I look intensely at her as I walk over and sit beside her. She has obviously been crying, and she is as white as a sheet.

“What’s wrong?” I ask softly, taking her hand.

“I have a bug,” she shrugs. “Nothing serious, but I feel awful.”

“Elara,” I sigh her name and squeeze her hand. “We don’t know each other that long, but I know you intimately. You’ve been crying. This is more than a bug; you’re upset.”

“Would you like to tell me about it?” I ask sympathetically, but she shakes her head, pulls her hand away and crawls deeper into bed.

“Alright,” I stand up and tuck her in. “Feel better, okay?”

“Kane,” she reaches for my hand. “I know I’m being weird, and stuff, and this probably won’t make sense, but ... I need you to know that I care for you and Axel deeply and that I’m grateful.”

“It sounds like you’re saying goodbye?” I frown. Is she lying about her illness? Is she dying?

“I’m only saying I care,” she sniffs. “I was so mad at you for so long, but now ... I’m over it, okay?”

“Okay,” I nod, lean over and kiss her forehead.

But my gut is in turmoil as I leave her room. She is hiding something, and I do not care who says what; I will be camping by her bedside until I figure it out.

Elara POV

“Elara,” Gabriela whispers, shaking me awake. “If you want to do this, we must leave now.”

“What time is it?” I croak, sitting up.

“It’s two in the morning,” she replies hastily. “Hurry up.”

I climb out of bed and freeze when I see Kane and Axel sleeping in chairs beside my bed.

“Don’t worry about them,” Gabriela whispers. “I mixed a sleeping pill with their coffee.”

I nod and bite back my tears. I never cried so much in my entire life! Giving up my memories is nothing compared to giving up Kane and Axel. How the fuck did I fall in love with them so fast? For fuck’s sake, they made my life hell most of the time. I am supposed to be happy to be rid of them. Instead, it feels like I am being torn apart limb from limb.

I am doing this for one reason, and one reason only – our baby. It kills me that they will never get to know their child, but never knowing would be better than losing him or her. I will not sacrifice our child to the High Council.

I quickly dress and grab the bag I packed earlier. I stroke Kane’s cheek and kiss him lovingly on the cheek. Repeating the process with Axel. I step away, following Gabriela outside towards the idling car.

“Hi, Mom,” I smile sadly as I get inside. This must be worse for her than for me. She is going to remember, I am not.

“Don’t worry, honey,” Mom says, looking at me sympathetically. “It will be okay. You’ll see.”

I nod and stare out of the window. I know all of this, I just did not realise it would be this hard.

Gabriela parks in front of what looks like a regular human doctor’s office.

“How do you know about this place?” I ask curiously.

“Don’t worry about it, Elara,” Gabriela waves her hand. “I promise they’ll take care of you.”

The three of us enter the doctor’s office and find an older woman waiting for us.

“I’m Isolde,” the woman says with a warm smile.

“Elara,” I warily shake her hand.

“No need to be nervous, Elara,” she reassures me. “The spell involves ingesting a potion, so I’m just going to run a few tests to see exactly what measure of ingredients will work best for you.”

“I didn’t realise this was so scientific,” I say as she sticks a needle into my arm and draws blood.

“Yes,” Isolde replies. “I also recommend your mates take a similar potion. It can easily be slipped into food or drink, and it will help break any bonds between you that might prevent your memories from disappearing.”

“That won’t work,” I protest quickly, panic brewing in my gut. “You can’t erase their memories. What about Alice? How will they rule if they can’t remember shit? Also, the High Council knows they have two mates, and they will easily sniff out witchery if they wake up with amnesia. Not to mention ...”

“Okay, Elara,” Gabriela interrupts my rant. “We know and discussed it.”

“I said recommended, dear,” Isolde smiles at me. “And similar, not the same. We won’t erase their memory completely, just your bond, and they only need to take the potion if needed.”

“I can get them to take it,” Gabriela offers. “When needed.”

I zip my lips and watch Isolde walk out to run the tests. freeweɓnovel.cøm

“Does this mean the next time I see Kane and Axel, they won’t remember me, either?” I look at Gabriela, the thought makes my stomach turn.

“Yes,” Gabriela smiles sadly. “It’s best if you stay away until the potion has done its job for all of you.”

Isolde enters the room before I can respond, and she is visibly concerned.

“What’s the matter, Isolde?” Mother clutches her chest, and I lower my gaze because I know the answer.

“Elara’s pregnant,” Isolde says somberly.

“That can’t be right,” Mother chuckles nervously. “She’s been mated for less than two weeks.”

“It’s true, Mother,” I admit softly, and she gapes at me. “I found out yesterday.”

“It’s common for a she-wolf to get pregnant when she’s in heat,” Isolde continues.

“You knew and you didn’t tell me?” Mother looks at me with hurt.

“Now, now, Julia,” Gabriela comforts her. “She needed time to process it.”

“The timing isn’t ideal given the spell,” Isolde says gently. “Termination is always an option.”

“No,” I shake my head adamantly. “This baby is all that I will have from my past. I’m keeping it.”

“You don’t have to terminate,” Isolde says thoughtfully. “But I have no idea how the spell will affect the fetus, if at all.”

“So, my baby can die?” I swallow nervously. I am doing this to save my baby, not to kill it.

“No,” she shakes her head, picking up a small vial of thick, dark liquid. “That I’m certain of.”

I take the vial and stare at it. I think of my mates, my dad, Selena, and Mindy. Fuck. I did not even get to say goodbye.

“Mom,” I look at her with tears in my eyes. “Was it worth it? Losing everything you had?”

“You can’t miss what you don’t remember,” she wipes my tears. “The spell didn’t work for me like it was supposed to, but I’ll pray it works for you. Because it’s worth it when you do it for your babies.” ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

“I love you, Mommy.” I hug her tightly, clinging to her as I cry.

After the longest time, I pull away, wipe my tears and pour the liquid into my mouth.