Chapter 30 The ambush
Elijah
As my feet carried me to the border I wondered why I trusted Lara so much. She could be doing all this to sabotage me or working with the Silver Heart pack. I’ve heard her mutter to herself a few times. At times it felt like she was talking to someone just like the last time after our meeting in the study, I heard her talking to someone but I couldn’t make out the words. Yet, something in me just followed everything she said. Maybe it was the insane bond we shared as mates.
I got to the border and saw it deserted. I was a bit angry that Axel didn’t think to leave a few guards at the border but I didn’t dwell on that thought. I scanned the area for any intrusion but I didn’t sense any danger. Axel and the soldiers arrived a few seconds later, all looking alarmed. Axel dispatched everyone to their spots and joined me at our hiding spot with some archers.
“Did you spot them?” He asked breathlessly.
“I just had a hunch,” I said instead. There was no way I was telling him it was Lara who told me to come. She seemed like she had a lot of things she would rather keep secret and this was one of them. Axel nodded and we both waited in silence with our eyes on the border.
“Are you certain they are attacking today?”
I asked Lara through the mindlink. “Yes.” She replied almost immediately. I sighed, keeping my eyes on the border.
“Is Ron there?” She suddenly asked. I almost rolled my eyes. It has been her and Ron for the past few days and I wondered what it was about him that she found easy to talk to. Is it goofiness?
“He’s not,” I replied.
“Where is he then?” She asked. I was about to snap at her when I realized that I hadn’t really seen Ron the entire day.
“Axel, where is Ron?” I asked.
“There is an old lady who he helps to carry her goods every morning outside the border. He might be there now.” Axel replied. Something about it didn't sit right with me. If he did it every morning then why was he wasting time today out of all days?
I gave Lara the same reply Axel gave. I waited for her response but she didn’t give any. So much for replaying the information. I swear if she mentioned him again to me, I would probably lock her in her room forever. Till I find a way to break off the stupid bond.
“Should I send someone to call..”
Axel was cut short by the sound of coordinated footsteps approaching the borders. My head snapped to the border and Lara was actually right. The Black Stone soldiers dressed in their usual nasty-looking attire strolled into the borders looking as nonchalant as ever. For them to have such confidence meant that everything Lara warned about was true. They knew that they wouldn't be detected. The second prayer was for the bracelets Lara got to work.
The Black Stone soldiers passed the guards who were standing at the borders and I looked at the first guard. The silence was loud as I waited. Immediately his head snapped in my direction and he gave me a thumbs up discreetly. I smirked. It worked. I may or may not owe Lara a big favor after this was over.
“They work,” Axel stated in disbelief. “Those brightly colored beads work.” He repeated. Axel has always been serious-minded and has an interest in a very limited number of things so when he saw the bracelets Lara got. His first conclusion was that Lara was just messing with us to get everyone to wear childish bracelets. The confirmation that it worked was more for him than for any other person.
“Let’s go,” I told him and he nodded.
Axel signaled all the guards in hiding and everyone made a huge, hidden circle around the Black Stone soldiers who were casually talking while heading in the direction of town. When I was sure that enough of my soldiers had surrounded them, I gave the final signal. The Black Stone pack will learn never mess with us again.
Third-person pov
Flashback
The sick prince ran to the Alpha’s private chamber excited to inform his father that he had finally learnt how to do a triple flip while holding a sword. He had trained so hard to show his father even when his mom told him to rest. He had even ditched the medications so he would not feel drowsy.
As soon as he got to the chamber, he was about to push it open when he heard voices inside.
“Alpha, aligning with that pack you mentioned is not advisable. You might be risking the safety of our people.” He heard an older man say.
“The alignment is for our people. They will be the ones gaining.” The Alpha said. “You may leave.” He dismissed the man not wanting to listen any further.
The door opened and the older man saw the little Prince. He gave him a small smile before ruffling his hair and leaving. The Prince was no longer interested in showing his father his skills. As the door closed he saw his older brother sitting beside his father.
“Always look at the financial benefits of deals before anything else, Jacob. One day you will rule this pack. Make sure we are never in debt.” The Alpha said.
“Yes, father,” Jacob replied dutifully.
Elijah on the other end felt disappointed. That was always how his life had been. Under his brother’s shadow. He couldn’t even have time with his father without his brother being around. The older boy was always one step ahead. He was about to turn and leave when he heard a voice in his head.
I need Elijah.
He froze in confusion as he looked around for the girl that said but the chamber was empty apart from his father and brother. Was he imagining it?