Chapter 103
Iris
"Not today," I murmured through gritted teeth.
Tonight, I didn't need saving; not from Gradel whom I knew was seconds away from bursting through that door to fight for me or Hegar who I guessed was around.
My wolf was around growling, desiring to be freed from the cage it was in and right now, I'd have to do as she wanted.
"Tell him to let her go right now," Gradel demanded authoritatively.
Elda snorted and spat some blood on the ground. "Sure, but we have to do some trade by barter kind of business before that. First, you'll let me out of here without unharmed. Secondly, I stink and I can't walk around, oozing animal blood so your dear mate will have to clean me up,"
"That isn't going to happen," Gradel disagreed in the shadows.
He laughed briefly and glanced at the man behind me. "Alright then. Watch her die,"
"Wait-"
My claws had already stretched out and before Gradel could complete his statement, I'd dug them into his skin. The knife fell off his hands and I quickly turned around, wrapping my fingers around his neck.
"You shouldn't have attacked me so foolishly. You all think I'm the powerless woman who can't do anything for herself? Well, you'll be the first person to die by my hands,"
His eyes widened and raw fear blared through them. He would be my first kill and though my heart was hammering hard against my chest as I'd never murdered anyone before, Irene, my wolf, kept reminding me that if I didn't take my chance now, he wouldn't spare me later on.
Fueled by the surge of adrenaline and the overwhelming need to survive, I dug my claws into his chest, forming a puddle in it. And then I removed his heart and kicked his corpse away, turning to the crowd.
"Anyone wants to try me?" I grinned.
"You have a wolf?" Elda questioned, looking appalled.
I nodded and flung my attacker's heart away, not minding where it would land. "Of course, the moon goddess decided to have mercy on me and she stirred up my latent wolf. Everything you did, I allowed it because somehow, I believed that I would get my pound of flesh, but there's someone that needs it more than me,"
Gradel chose that moment to barrel into the hall as if to confirm my words. If he was truly dead, I'd have taken my revenge on Elda by myself, but Gradel, who had been humiliated and nearly murdered would find satisfaction in dealing with him more than me.
With his gaze trained on me, he took each step slowly with the world coming to a complete halt. There were several things I wanted to do to him which included, tearing his clothes apart and being one with him again, but we had several unfinished cases.
"You're really alive," I muttered under my breath and he nodded with a smile.
"I couldn't die so easily," He replied and flitted his attention toward Elda. "Your men were loyal to you, but you didn't return the favor so I capitalized on that. You were going to hurt their families if they didn't prove my death, right?" He questioned.
Elda hissed loudly. "I should have been more meticulous with my inspection. Those men, I'm going to destroy them once I lay my hands on them," He barked.
"What makes you think I'll allow you to see the light of the day again, huh? After everything you've done, you aren't supposed to live. I might have forgiven you after usurping my throne but you crossed the line. You forced yourself on my mate and her friend. You allowed your libido to take over your brain that you raped two women in this pack, how crazy can you be?" Gradel hollered, his voice rising in a frightening crescendo.
I knew that he was moments away from going physical on him, but for the pack members who were still watching, he had to restrain himself.
"I'm going to take care of you myself and trust me, it will be so much fun," He said to Elda and immediately, they whisked him away.
I closed the distance between us, upon remembering that Eliana's family was still under threat.
"Eliana..."
His lips curved into a confident smile as he raised his hand to stop me from talking. "You don't have to worry about her family. They are well taken care of. Lyros had already informed me of your plans so we intercepted them before they could get to them,"
Relief washed over me and I exhaled deeply. A huge burden has been removed from my shoulders and I couldn't be grateful enough to the moon goddess for helping me out today.
"Thank you," I muttered.
He nodded and turned around to face the crowd. "You can all return home now. Please be careful,"
******
After the tension had died down and the hall was empty, I stood by the window sill, watching the stars twinkle brightly in the sky. The backlog of challenges had made me forget some of my hobbies.
The hairs on my skin rose and at that moment, I knew that I wasn't alone any longer. His strong, capable arms snaked around my waist and his faint woody scent wafted into my nose.
"It's been a while since I held you comfortably like this. The last time you came, we were under so much pressure and I couldn't even enjoy my time with you,"
I moistened my lips and held his hand. "That is over now,"
"And it's all thanks to you. I was very scared when I thought you defected to his side and I couldn't blame you because I was at fault, but once again, you proved to me that you are the right woman for me and I don't deserve you," He proclaimed and planted a kiss on the side of my neck.
Instantly, I spun around and cupped his hairy cheeks. "You need a good shave," I stated.
"And I need you right now," He replied with a smug grin playing on his lips.