Chapter 10 EZEKIEL
EZEKIEL
My rapidly beating heart calms the moment I hold her in my arms. I have never felt so relieved in my life. Her scent is calming me down. I've never loved the smell of berries, but right now I think it's my favorite. She feels so small in my arms, so I try not to crush her.
There were a lot of these creatures outside the dungeon when I arrived. As I was fighting them off, my heart couldn't stop beating faster thinking of Dalia. I felt the longer I delay getting inside, the more danger she's in.
Yes she's strong, but she's weak from starvation and bound in chains. She can't take down all of them. For a moment, I hated myself for being the reason she was in that situation. Before Erik said it, I already knew that I won't forgive myself if something happens to her. Whether it is the mate bond or not. Whatever causes this feeling, I hate it.
Nikolai clears his throat, a mischievous smirk on his lips. I've even forgotten that we came here together. My eyes snapped towards him. He's already in a pair of pants. Aaron and Creigh are already here with three other warriors.
Realizing what I'm doing. I quickly pull away from Dalia, and clears my throat. I close my eyes trying to get control from Erik. He's going overboard. He ran here while killing like a maniac. I hate to admit that he isn't the only one relieved when we find out that Dalia is fine. But I don't like his behavior right now. I refuse to give Dalia the satisfaction that I nearly ran mad because of the thought of losing her.
‘What the fuck Erik. Hold yourself together.’ I gritted. Erik is being so unbearable.
‘I want my mate. And don't pretend that you weren't scared when you thought she's gonna die.’
‘I felt that way because of the mate bond.’
‘Keep lying to yourself.’
I shut him out and focus my attention on Aaron who is saying something.
“..... There weren't many casualties. We didn't lose any warriors. Few were injured. The pack members are safe.”
“How many warriors are injured?” I ask as I glance at Dalia. She looks like she will collapse any moment. It's taking me my all not to pull her into my arms. I hate this mate bond, but the problem is that I can't destroy it. The only way to cut the bond is to reject her which is not ideal for an Alpha. It will make me weak. The bond is getting stronger because she's here. If she leaves, I'm sure it will be weakened.
“Ten.” Aaron replies.
“It seems their focus was here. What could have drawn them to the dungeon?” Creigh asks no one in particular. I glance at Dalia. Where those fuckers here for her?
Shit! I curse as she's about to fall. I caught her into my arms as she passed out.
“Dalia, Dalia.” I slightly tap her cheeks.
“Is she okay?” Nikolai asks. I ignore him and carry Dalia in my arms, rushing out of the dungeon. I heard footsteps behind me, but I didn't bother to look. Erik is losing it. It's hard controlling him and dealing with my emotions. The fear that was gone is back. The feeling I hate, but can't control.
I mind-link the pack’s doctor immediately. ‘To the pack house now!’
I don't know how I got here fast, but I arrived at the pack house in no time. I take her to the guest room and lay her on the bed. I hold her hand, rubbing them gently. Her body is cold, so cold but she's drenched in sweat.
A few minutes later, Jerald, the pack’s doctor, arrives. That's why I like him. He's always punctual.
“What happened to her?” He asks as he sets his working tools.
“Ezekiel starved her for three days.” Nikolai replies. I don't realize he's here. Aaron and Craig are here too. They don't know who Dalia is and I'm sure they will definitely find out because Nikolai is not one to shut his mouth
Jerald proceeds to check on Dalia. He did the necessary things and put her on IV drip. All the while, I was trying to control Erik. He's slowly losing it.
“She's stable now. Once she's awake, give her water. Add a bit of salt and sugar to the water. After an hour, you can give her food. The food should be light.” Jerald says after assessing her.
I nod. My attention is all on Dalia. I hold her hand. Rubbing it gently. I feel calm holding her hand. Her touch and her scent is what I need right now.
“I will take my leave now.” Jerald says before leaving.
“Don't worry, she will be fine,” Nikolai says as he gently taps my shoulder.
I glared at him. “I'm not worried.”
“Don't be a dick, Ezekiel. It's clear that you are.”
“Who is she?” Creigh asks.
“It seems those creatures were here for her.” Aaron cuts in.
“And she took them down,” Nikolai replies. “Shit your mate is so strong, Ezekiel. Even though she hasn't eaten or drank anything for three days and was also bound in chains. She was able to take down more than ten of those fuckers.”
“Mate? How is that possible?” Creigh looks surprised. I let out a frustrated breath. Nikolai will always be Nikolai.
“Is she really your mate?” Aaron asks.
“Whatever she is doesn't matter. She will leave anyway.”
‘She leaves no where!’ Erik barks.
“I like the way you lie to yourself.” Nikolai mutters.
“Leave, the three of you.” I commands.
Nikolai leans close to me. “If you don't want her, I can have her. I mean who wouldn't want a mate who is beautiful and fierce.”
I growls at him. More like Erik did. The thought of someone taking Dalia from him enraged him. He won't mind tearing the person apart even if it's Nikolai, our best friend.
The fucker laughs. He winks at me before leaving the room after others. I can't even explain why I've remained friends with him for decades.
I turn my attention to Dalia. She looks so calm while she sleeps. Seeing her this way, you will never believe that she's a very stubborn little being.
‘And strong too. She's the only one fit to be our Luna.’
I don't argue with Erik. I hate to admit he's right. There's no woman that can be so fearless and fierce in my presence like Dalia.
‘But that's not enough quality of being a Luna.’
‘I know, but if you give her a chance, I'm sure she's capable of more.’
‘I'm not giving her any chance Erik. I know that this mate bond is strong, but I won't succumb to it. No matter how it draws me to her, I will never accept her as my mate and Luna.’
‘Stop being so stubborn, Ezekiel!’
‘No. You stop being unreasonable. She's the daughter of our enemy. I don't know why you are making this difficult for us.’
‘She's not Selene. She's Dalia and nothing like her mother. We should give her a chance,’ he mutters. ‘And don't forget about the war.’
‘There won't be any war.’ I cut in.
He sighs. ‘You are just so difficult Ezekiel. How can you explain what happened today if there won't be any war. Those creatures are not normal, and they were here for her. We need to accept our mate and protect her. She was made for us, and she's special.’
I don't want to have this talk with Erik so I shut him out. I won't accept Dalia even though I'm unbearably drawn to her.