CHAPTER 39

With Erik won over by Alexander’s brotherly affection and Iliana’s plea, the plan was all coming together. Although Erik and Alexander did wonder why Rachel –Iliana– was so concerned about Silver Creek history. It felt suspicious but they tried not to move based on assumptions but based on the dreams she had. Her dreams were the only valid reason why they are helping her with infiltration. At the same time, Alexander saw it as a chance for him to discover some things about Rajesh for himself. It was all too concerning why there would be a more secrets in the Silver Creek hidden away from the alphas. It was assumed that David already know. However, Alexander and Erik were skeptical about finding this underground library, at the same time thrilled.

“What’s the plan?” Erik asked sitting on a stool beside Alexander at Highs and Lows.

“We first have him talk–casually. After, we have him drink as much as he can.” Alexander said

“But he never gets drunk.” Iliana implied.

“He never gets drunk but his soul and will becomes vulnerable. He is susceptible to manipulation.” Alexander mentioned. “That’s his own drunkenness.”

“Doesn’t he put himself at risk drinking that much in front of you three or anybody?” Iliana wondered.

“It is true his mind falters and will wavers when he drinks too much but it only lasts for about a minute before the strength of his mind is restored.” Erik said.

“In summary, Rajesh do gets drunk but only lasts for a minute or less?”

“If our observations are correct, yes.”

“I see.”

They held their conversation as the saw Christopher, the owner of the bar, come with a bottle of whiskey and three glass cups. He set them respectively in front of Iliana, Alexander and Erik. He poured some ice into three of them and opened the bottle of whiskey. Iliana kept looking at Alexander from the side of her eye. She swallow every ounce of laughter that was being summoned inside her. Alexander tried not to smile. Christopher poured whiskey into the cup in front of Iliana first. Then moved to Alexander’s cup. Iliana took in a deep breath and closed her eyes. Then he moved to Erik.

“I’ll have a non-alcoholic, please.” Erik said

“Okay.” Chris took the order and grabbed a bottle of non-alcoholic beer. He opened it with an opener and passed it to Erik.

They all waited for Christopher to leave them. As he left, Iliana burst out with laughter. Erik was confused why but Alexander knew why.

“You should not be remembering things like that, Rachel.”

“I cannot help myself.” Iliana cackled.

“What’s the problem?” Erik asked as he switched Alexander’s glass of whiskey for his non-alcoholic bottle of beer.

“Erik, you do not have to know and Rachel stop laughing, everyone’s looking at you.” Alexander tried to hide his shame. “Back to our discussion.”

“We’ll meet Rajesh at the cabin. I’m not sure when that might be. If my informant is correct, he’ll be there today.” Erik mentioned

“Then as we are here, we will be there.” Alexander said. “Did your informant say the time?”

“No. It will be sometime in the afternoon towards evening.”

“Then, Erik and Rachel, you two will go. It will be a little too suspicious if the three of us are there. I have a good and bad feeling about this.”

“I feel good about this.” Erik said with a smile on his face.

They finished there drinks and left the bar. Erik went his way while Iliana and Alexander walked to the motel.

“Alexander…”

“Hmm?”

“I have changed.” She implied as she unlocked her door.

“What do you mean?”

“Back home, I was different.” She answered as she walked into the room; Alexander followed.

“Different, how?”

“I thought I was blank and void of emotions. Ever since I came here, I’ve felt happy, sad, infuriated and overjoyed—what I thought I could never tap into.” She sat on her bed.

“I never realized.”

“I really do enjoy being here. Thank you.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re enjoying it here. All that’s left is you agreeing to be a full fledged member of the pack.”

“I’ve thought about that. I don’t know when I’ll be ready.”

“I believe…you’ll know when you’re ready.” Alexander’s eyes pierced deep into Iliana’s perfect light brown eyes. Through his eyes, Iliana was the only existing being that has touched his heart. Through her, he has touched her emotions. These two stared deep that they came in contact with their souls. Alexander walked closer to Iliana and sat besides her. There was no single centimeter between them. “It’ll please me if you become an actual member.” Alexander said in a whisper tone. Iliana felt a rush. Her heart beat faster and her mouth ran dry. Her breathing changed and her sight was fixed on his. The only sound in the room was silence and two hearts beating in a perfect rhythm. Like a steady magnetic pull, they drew closer and closer. Their head tilted and their eyes partly closed. Their lips came too close…

There was a knock on the door; the two parted. The sat apart quietly for a while. The knock was persistent an

“You should go get that.” Alexander said.

“I should.” Iliana hurriedly walked to the door. She opened it to see a worried Erik. “Erik?”

“Quickly, come to the cabin. Something has happened.” Erik said in a panic. Alexander heard and rushed out to Erik. Iliana shut her door and followed them as they made haste to the cabin.

At the cabin, Sophia, David and Catherine were gathered around something or someone. They had a look of anxiety on their faces. As they, Alexander, Iliana and Erik, moved closer, they saw Rajesh injecting something into…Jacqueline who laid on the floor.

Alexander was speechless and his mind set ablaze. “What happened?”

“She mistakenly drank from a cup that contained very little amount of the blood. Thankfully, Rajesh saw it in time to slap it off her hand. Although she almost drank everything in the cup.” David explained “Rajesh is trying to neutralize the quantity of it that had been deposited in her body before it reaches her heart.”

“The poison moves really fast. How—” Erik was flustered.

Jacqueline was not moving at all. Her chest could be seen being inflated and deflated but she wasn’t moving.