Chapter 21 Keeping Promises
Alara grunted, and then she slowly turned to Russell.
“Fine.” She forced her steps to the Alpha and folded her arms as soon as he stood in front of him.
“What is it, Russell? Do you realize that I have not seen my mate in three months? Thanks to you.”
Russell sighed, and then he pointed to the space beside him.
“Sit down, Alara. We need to talk.”
He turned to the Beta, and without saying a word, Marcus understood what the look in his eyes meant.
The Beta turned to Alara. “I will come pick you up for dinner, love.” He said calmly, and then he left.
Alara kept on staring at him until he was out of sight, and then she returned her gaze to the Alpha.
She sat down beside him and took a deep breath.
“I know what you are about to say, Russell. But trust me, everything is in order. I made sure that the remaining constructions were going to be completed in my absence, and that the supplies would get to the site in three days.”
“Why are you back?” Russell inquired, staring his sister in the eyes.
Alara’s sunny eyes glittered, her hands slowly resting on the chair.
She sighed heavily, and then she cleared her throat.
“Marcus called, Russell.” She paused for a while, looking the Alpha in the eyes.
“He was really worried about you, Russell. He said you were behaving strangely.”
Russell scoffed. “He said that?”
“Yes, Russell.” Alara nodded, inching closer to the Alpha.
“What is going on, Russell? Talk to me. Marcus said Craig is back.” Her eyes glittered with apprehension, tension crawling into her veins.
Russell grunted, clenching his right fist tightly.
“Nothing is going on, Alara. Was that the reason why you abandoned the ongoing project?”
He took a deep breath without looking away from his sister.
“Because Marcus called you and told you that I was behaving funny?”
“No, Russell.” Alara took a deep breath, pondering her next words.
“I came back because I was told that the same Alpha who killed our mother was back to the Eastern territory. I heard you have refused to go after him.”
Alara looked her brother in the eyes, waiting for him to deny the last sentence she made.
But she got nothing rather than a stare from the Alpha who chose silence.
“So everything Marcus said is true?” Her expression dropped, her eyes slowly getting heavy.
“Why, Russell?” She muttered, her voice shaky and dry.
“Why have you refused to kill that monster? I thought you had always wanted to find him. You promised to rip his heart out of his chest and hang his head above Mother’s grave.”
Tears welled up in Alara’s eyes, and she sniffled to suppress them.
Russell took a deep breath, and seeing the pain glowing in his sister’s eyes, he was moved to break his silence.
“I haven’t forgotten the promise I made, Alara. Craig will die by my hands.”
“Then what’s stopping you from going after him?” Alara asked at once, adjusting to look at the Alpha properly.
Russell’s lips parted slowly, but it took a while before he could find the perfect response, or so he thought.
“I think we have shed enough blood, Alara. If I am going to kill Craig, then it has to be just him and his cohorts. I am done spilling innocent blood.”
Alara scoffed, staring with arched brows.
“What has gotten into you?” She muttered, staring her brother in the eyes.
“Nothing has gotten into me, Alara.” Russell sighed heavily, leaning forward.
“I made a promise to mother before she died, Alara. I intend not to break it.”
Alara couldn’t utter a word, her eyes remained fixed on Russell, speaking volumes of utter disbelief.
Just then, she inched backward, and her hand felt the envelope behind her.
“What is this?” She grabbed it, opened it, and took out the first picture her hand could reach.
Russell sighed, shifting his eyes to the photo.
“That’s nothing serious, Alara. Just some findings I asked Marcus to help me with.”
“Hmm.” Alara nodded, taking out another photo from the envelope.
“I wonder what you need the pictures of the graves of the previous Alpha and Luna of Moonfall Pack for.” She turned her eyes to the Alpha, demanding an explanation.
But before she could get any, someone walked into the living room, and lifting her head, she saw Mia.
Russell had to shift his eyes toward the direction his sister’s eyes had gone, and seeing Mia, he was gripped by a sudden uneasiness.
He avoided Alara’s eyes, knowing that she was going to ask questions.
Mia on the other hand didn’t realize that someone else was seated with the Alpha until she moved to the center of the living room, lifting her face from the book she was glued to.
“Oh.” She halted, completely frozen by the unexpected presence of Alara.
She looked at the Alpha, and seeing how close he was seated with Alara, it was hard to battle the thoughts that crept into her mind.
“I will just be in my room.” She whispered and left in a hurry.
Alara trailed her with her eyes until she disappeared into the staircase.
“Who was that?” She asked, returning her gaze to the Alpha.
“No one of your concern.” Russell stood up at once and was about to walk away when he turned to the envelope.
“Return those into that envelope and make sure no one sees them.” He whispered sternly and continued walking away.
“Russell?” Alara called out to him, but he kept on moving, increasing his pace the moment he got closer to the staircase.
He hurried to Mia’s room, and just as he expected, the door was locked.
He sighed softly, and then he knocked.
“Mia! Open the door, please.” He waited, and even after getting no response, he didn’t think he was going to give up.
“I know you are in there, Mia. Open the door.”
“Go away!” Mia’s voice resounded from inside the room, laced with a slight annoyance.