Chapter 24: Heart Talks

Avabella

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‘Fire, air, earth, water, and everything in between. With your powers, let me commandeer that may this mist be pristine.’ I chanted this at every floor of the mansion and incinerated all the ghosts I could find.

I gritted my teeth when I got to the top floor, Sangye’s domain. I lost count of all those specters that were in this mansion. It just meant these had been living here for quite some time now. Darn her! Why did it choose to be caught by me earlier at the swimming pool? These specters did not even make me feel their presence since last night. I had a good night sleep, in fact… with the Edelweiss Elias gave me.

‘Maybe they were envious because I could enjoy physical pleasure unlike them? Tsk!’

“Why did you kill my ghosts?” Sangye screamed at my face just as I stepped on the top of the stairs. “They didn’t do something bad!”

I smirked at her, glancing at the bodachs that almost huddled together behind her. I was sure they told her what I did from the ground up.

“Really? Your ghosts? Fyi, I actually sent them to where they belong, and they can’t come back ever.” I stepped closer to her. She was apparently taken aback for a bit, realizing how she called them like she owned them. She backed away from me. Panic showed in her eyes. “I bet you sent those dead things to spy on us,” I added.

Her little eyes widened. “Spy on you? How dare you say that?” she spat. She clenched her jaw, sending me a shattering look. But I wasn’t the one to cower in fear of this little girl. I had been through a lot, and I believed nothing could frighten me anymore after what I’ve been through with Luis. Thank God he wasn’t here anymore to haunt me.

“Come on. Tell me, Sangye. What reports did you receive from them? That your Alpha was banging a bloodsucker like me? Did they tell you in detail how he did it, huh? Did you enjoy what you heard? Or… were you jealous?” I was sizing her up as those words left my lips. She slightly blanched, couldn’t speak. “How long have you been keeping tabs on Elias? Is it really to keep him safe? Or do you have another hidden agenda why you’re stalking him through those darn bodachs?” She couldn’t even utter a word. “How dare you use them for your own gain, Sangye?” My eyes drilled into hers. I could try to peer inside her head, but she blocked me, knowing what was on my mind. She averted her blazing eyes, heaving, and very, very pissed at me.

“I’ve been keeping the entire pack safe and strong since I discovered my powers, so you have no right to tell me that I have hidden agenda!” she shot back.

I crossed my arms, looking down at her. My eyes were mere slits. She was heaving in anger. “I suggest you don’t let your ghosts roam around the mansion, Sangye. The respect you could give to your Alpha is to give him privacy whenever needed.”

She swallowed hard. Clearly, I did hit a nerve. “I… I…”

“He claimed me as his mate, Sangye. Just in case your ghosts failed to tell you. Or have they?” I raised an eyebrow. “He already marked me, Sangye!” I told her clearly. “But it doesn’t need for a bodach to let you know, right? You already knew it from the start. So why? What’s with this voyeurism, huh?”

I saw pain and envy cross her eyes for a moment. Or maybe I just misread it as she was looking at me with hatred. Did she love Elias as a woman and not a child to a parent? Did Elias know about it? Did he draw the line between him and her? Somehow, I took pity on her. And I felt sorry, too.

“H-he claimed you? Y-you… were… m-marked?” There was pain in her voice and it was written on her face.

“Yes, Sangye. I did.”

We both spun around to see Elias. We didn’t notice him until that moment. His face looked grim as he watched the shamaness. I noticed he already changed in a casual outfit, jeans and T-shirt. Still, he looked so hot. Darn him!

“Is it true that you sent ghosts to spy on me even at my supposed private time with my mate, Sangye?” he asked in a quiet tone. However, it was clear he was trying not to blow up.

Tears began to run down Sangye’s cheeks. “Alpha Elias… I-I was just…”

“There’s no excuse for you to do that, Sangye. Avabella will not ever harm me while we make love, if that’s what you want to say.” He clenched his jaw; dark eyes swept over the shamaness in a disappointed way.

Sangye bowed her head, sniffling. Her shoulders shook, and she turned her back to us. She was ashamed of what she did and felt dejected.

“Sangye, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me and the pack and you’re like a daughter to me. You know that. But what you did was out of line.”

“I-I’m so sorry, Alpha Elias…” she sobbed.

I gently touched Elias’ arm, and he turned his head to look at me, apologetic. I nodded and threw Sangye a glance. Maybe I’d just leave them to settle this matter like father and daughter. Nonetheless, I could hear them talk as I walked down the stairs.

“Sangye, spying on me whenever I’m out of the cloaked territory is not necessarily bad. I know you have every good intention. You always have. You’re a good shamaness and the pack loves you. But this private matter with Avabella, it’s my life. It’s my own. I want you to respect that not because I’m the Alpha of the pack but like your father. Do you understand what I’m saying?” Elias said in a gentle voice.

I knew it was hard for him to talk with her like this. He must have been angry upon learning the truth but he was trying so much to not hurt the shamaness’ feelings who was like his daughter. He wouldn’t lose her over this matter, would he? If he would, then Sangye was really a shallow being.

“I… I will not do it again, Alpha Elias,” Sangye swore softly.

I heard some feet shuffling. I could just imagine Elias taking her into his arms as she sniffled.

I sighed and ran outside the mansion, with only the robe on.

“Now that was quite a drama back there,” Diego said, joining me at a table that was near the southeastern tower. The table was made of wood in a rectangular shape.

“Embarrassing, too,” I replied, trying to keep my cool. “Where’s Nianzu?”

“We were entertained by the fireworks while looking through the eastern tower’s topmost level. I should give you good credit for it. Quite a long spectacle,” he said in a teasing tone.

“Nianzu is still there in the tower?” I ignored his teasing me, furrowing my eyebrows. “Why?”

“Checking out things here and there, talking with the guards up there. The pack is very tight, he said. The prisoner is quiet, by the way.”

“What do you think about the plan Elias laid out?” I turned my body to face him fully as I was seated on a long wooden bench, and he sat on the table, feet resting on the bench.

“Well… Elias is a smart shifter. Sending first his right Beta and leaving his left Beta here, I think there’s nothing to worry about. I’m sure they’re used to this kind of arrangement. The perks of having two reliable Betas really. I’m sure Thibault is halfway there now with the hunting party before we follow. That sort of giving us a clear path with his enforcers.” He stretched his long legs as he put his hands on the surface of the table behind him. He turned his head to look at me with serious blue eyes. “So, have you decided to be his mate?”

I guffawed at that. “Of course not!”

His brows met. “What? What’s wrong with you? The wolf is clearly smitten with you, cousin. Imprinted or not. What’s wrong with him anyway? I don’t understand you.” He slightly shook his head.

I sighed, looking away. “It’s not him, Diego. It’s the cliché thing called me.”

He straddled the bench, facing me. I was forced to look at him.

“You haven’t let any man enter your life after Luis, Avabella. Elias is a good person. Only by knowing he’s Iago’s best friend and practically a brother, I can tell he’s very good for you. I just know that, and I believe that. So, why do you have to keep denying yourself to let him stay by your side? Nianzu and I will not always be there for you, Avabella. That’s the reality. But I can say Elias will be there for you. So, if you love him too, why not stay with him forever?”

I snorted softly and smiled at him bitterly. “Did you ever hear me say I need a man in my life, Diego? I wanted freedom. I wanted to just travel around the world and enjoy the beauty it offers.”

“And what then? When you’re done roaming around the world all by yourself, what’s next, Avabella? Being with Elias is not necessarily giving up your freedom, you know? You can roam around the world if you want, with him by your side, to take care of you, to make you happy, to love you.”

I snickered at his words, looking into his blue eyes. “Cousin, who are you to lecture me about love? You and Nianzu don’t even know or haven’t experienced it.”

He chuckled, slightly shaking his head. “Maybe you’re right. But I can just tell how Elias loves you, cousin. I’m happy for that. I’m happy for you. Even though you weren’t looking for love, it came to you like you deserve it perfectly. I’m sure Tia Alicia would’ve been happy to meet and know him, cousin.” He reached out a hand and cupped my cheek. “I love you, Avabella. Okay, I know love, alright?” He snickered and gave me a kiss on the forehead. He stood up and looked down at me. “I’ll go fetch Nianzu, and we’ll get ready. It’s almost time to leave.”

I gave him a gauging look. “And how do you pass your time while waiting, huh? Banging some she-wolf?”

He laughed at that. “You’ll never know, cousin.”

I shook my head when he left me. In just a blur as he used his vampire speed, he was gone in the eastern tower’s direction.

I looked up at the almost full moon that was uncovered by the thick clouds. It didn’t snow anymore but the night air was biting cold for ordinary humans. But of course, I was oblivious to it. And yet, I could clearly see the fog that formed as I breathed out.

I rested my elbow on the table and a hand cradled my cheek. “Is it lonely up there? You’ve been alone since time immemorial,” I said, talking to the moon. “You’re not complaining at all. I wonder how it is for you when you’re in your darkest times and there’s no one with you.”

I smelled that scent I loved so much before I heard him clear his throat. I sighed, looking at Elias, without moving my head. I watched him move around the table to sit where Diego left. He straddled the bench and mirrored my position.

“The first one to be there for me while I was in my darkest time was Iago and then his pack. What about you, Avabella?”

“You already know the story, with Luis. It was Nianzu and Alexei. Later on, it was…” ‘You,’ I said in my mind, recalling Alejandro’s birthday party. Elias was there, trying to help me face my fear as Luis haunted me. “Maria Adriana,” I added instead, recalling that night at the estate, where the two priestesses killed our family. She did not let everyone get killed. If only she had her powers back then, it wouldn’t have happened. But then I couldn’t blame Iago for that. It was the ex-Vampire King’s doing, for his greed and ambition. He was pure evil.

Elias looked at me like his heart was breaking. I could feel my heart twist and beat faster. “I wish I was the first one to be there for you.”

I smiled without mirth. “We were living in our respective pasts, Elias. It doesn’t matter anymore.”

“Right. From now on, I’ll be there for you when you’re in your darkest time, Avabella. I’ll just hold your hand like this,” he said, taking my hand and holding it tightly. “I’ll never let you go on your own. I don’t want to make you feel you’re all alone. I promise.”

I wanted to say the same thing. But I just opened my mouth and then closed it. I did want to assure him that I’ll be there for him if and when he’s going through something difficult in his life. But why was it always hard for me to promise him something like this? Was I afraid to let him down?