Chapter 68 - Choose Wisely

Chapter 68 - Choose Wisely
Chapter 68 - Choose Wisely

“What is it?” Ikrus snapped as Veris turned his back to him.

“You need to bring her back to here. To me.”

Ikrus laughed. “What makes you think I would do that?”

“Because of that bite.” Veris turned sharply to him. “Humans do not—-“

“And how many humans have you seen in this position? How would you be able to know what they can’t and can not do?”

The silence was loud.

“You do not trust me,” Veris’s voice was quiet.

“I do. But not in this way. Not with her. I know you would do anything with her if you are convinced enough that it is for my good.” The words settled heavily between them. He waved his hand aside, saying his next words to convince himself more than to convince Veris.

“It is normal. She is my mate. To complete the process it has to be, or how would she mark me too?” He paused with a sigh. “She took my blood as I have taken hers.”

That seemed to have made Veris lose his mind.

“By the Moon, more madness! I have never seen you so careless!”

This time, Ikrus did not have the strength to fight him. The strength to fight anyone. He sank to the floor, feeling drained of all his strength. The weight seemed heavier on his shoulders too.

He was so tired.

When he spoke, his voice was quiet. “What is so wrong with wanting her Veris. Is it so bad if I allow it. Denying myself has been pain. I have wanted a mate since forever, and now that she is here, I cannot have her?”

Veris shifted his weight from one foot to another, unable to meet Ikrus’s troubled gaze.

“Is it so bad if I give this a chance?”

Veris sat on the floor next to him. Both of them now under the moonlight.

“You are forming stupid attachments. That is why I warned you not to do this. You were doing so well but you have to ruin it. Tonight would have been the night everything falls into place and this burden would have been lifted off you. She would have died by her own poison.”

Quiet voice. Harsh words. But Ikrus refused to let taht get to him. He knew his friend only wanted the best for him. He had to make Veris understand that this was necessary.

This wasn’t something he could do alone after all. He needed him. As always.

“And I would have been miserable. I would have died by her side. We can all live a little longer together. What is wrong with that?” He shoulders slumped, as he pushed his fingers through his hair. He could feel the weight of the mark on him, knew that it was there. “I just want — I want - I want to be a good mate, a better father.”

“Unnecessary attachments.”

He laughed. Humourless. “No. It is necessary because I want it. My heart does not ache anymore. My wolf is no longer restless. It feels…” he pushed his head back, facing the moonlight that bathed his face as he closed his eyes and felt the cold breeze fully, “perfect.”

“You must resist it or you will regret it.”

“Of course, you don't understand. You are an Elder Superior in Training. A Priest.”

“Don’t use that foreign word on me.”

“You don't know want it feels like to deny yourself. You have no mate,” Ikrus kept speaking like Veris hadn’t spoken at all. “For a Priest you are strangely concerned with my intimate affairs. Stop it.”

Veris jabbed him in his shoulders and Ikrus laughed.

“It is not that I am concerned about, it is about you and those things you care about. You are my friend and I will always be concerned for you even when you lose your mind.”

“Let me do that for myself.”

Ikrus felt Veris move from his side then he was back again.

“You obviously can't, that is why I am helping you. Ikrus, even if you stay, you will eventually have to kill her! Either ways, you will both die. It is either she does with mercy at your hands while you die with honour, or she does by the Alpha’s rod after you’ve died dishonourably. Then your child…”

His eyes snapped open when he heard Arlo’s voice. Ikrus reached out for him immediately. It felt good to have his warm and alive son in his hands.

“Will no longer be safe at the Temple. Instead, he will executed for the treason of his parents. You know your father. He will do it.”

Ikrus frowned, looking down at the smiling child.

“Stick to the plan, both of you will die peacefully and your son will live. Don’t and you will all die with agony and without honor. The fate of your family, lies in your hands.”

Ikrus’ hands tightened around Arlo. He rose up to his feet and turned his back to Veris, but two words reached to him.

Two heavy words.

“Choose wisely.”