Chapter 44 CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
MOIRA
The silence is killing me but I will not be the first to break it. At the back of my mind, I know we’re running out of time but there’s only so much I’m willing to sacrifice for the cause and giving in first to a game of silence with Elaine will not be on that list.
“You were always so juvenile.” She finally says.
“Insults? That’s what you start with?”
She shrugs and looks away. “I had to do something. The high priestess said we had to get to some hearts today before they lose their essence.”
“We do.” I admit.
“So why are we here in an unknown forest, well outside where we need to be?”
“I need to talk to you about something first.”
She looks back at me and her eyes narrow.”
“What did you do, Moira?” she asks.
“I made a blood pact with the werewolf.”
Her eyes widen and she shakes her head. “You didn’t tell the high priestess about it.”
“I didn’t. She would have never let me go back and you know why this is important to me.”
“I understand, but why me? We are not exactly close.”
“And yet, you’re the only one at the council that I trust. The werewolf will not let you see the rogues if you don’t make the blood pact.”
She huffs out a gust of air. “What are the terms of this blood pact?”
“You report everything you find to him first before you report to the priestess.”
She laughs. “You’re joking.” When I don’t respond, she continues. “That’s unheard of Moira. No witch will ever agree to such terms.”
“Well, I did and I want you to.”
“We swore an oath to the council. We could die.”
“It doesn’t go against our oath to the council. We still report everything to the priestess. We just have to tell him first.”
“Why would you trust me with something like this? Are you not afraid that I will betray you and report this to the council?” she asks, confusion evident in her expression.
“I trust you to see beyond now. We need direct access to these rogues. The alpha will offer it. All he wants to do is protect the interest of his kind. He knows that if we report to the priestess first, she will ask us to keep certain things from him.”
“As she should. Some matters are beyond their understanding.”
“This wolf is smart. It’s why the council chose him.”
“The council chose him because of Elder Vadis’ vision.”
“Be that as it may, we are here now. It’s either we play by his rules or we don’t play at all.”
She sighs heavily and gives me a wary look. “I don’t like this.”
I don’t reply. I’ve said my piece an it’s left to her to decide whether or not she wants to join in.
“I will admit I’m curious to know how the wolves are living. I haven’t been in contact with one since the war and separation.”
I do not tell her that Alpha Caius would never let her walk around his pack. There’s a twinkle in her eyes that I don’t want to be the one to snuff out.
“Very well. Let’s go.”
I take her hands and concentrate on the cell. When next I open my eyes, we’re standing in the middle of the cell with the rogues. Elaine lets go of my hand and shudders.
“This does not feel natural.” She says.
“The last time they were dead, they were feeding off my force and it gave them life.”
Her mouth hangs open in shock and I smile. I don’t hate Elaine. She is a very powerful and intelligent witch but we do not get along. We both know why and we both will never address it. I enter the next cell and stop in surprise. Another bed was added to the cell for Elaine. Maybe the wolf has some redeeming qualities after all.
“This used to hold a very powerful wolf. Well loved from the looks of the place.”
“His mate.”
Elaine stops looking around and turns to me, that same sparkle back in her eyes.
“He had his mate locked up? Tell me everything.”
Footsteps outside the cell makes us turn. The Alpha comes in with the same scowl he always has on his face. Despite the scowl, he does look good. He also reminds me of him. They look nothing alike but it’s the air around them that feels the same.
While we were doing the blood pact, I had to physically stop myself from using his blood to find out if they’re related.
“How did you know I was back?” I ask.
There’s something about this cell that doesn’t make sense to me. It feels magical but I’m sure it was built after the war and separation. No witch would have enchanted this place.
He ignores me and turns to Elaine who is blushing.
“I’m Alpha Caius and this is my pack.”
“I’m Elaine and I am a witch.” She says in a voice two octaves higher than her speaking voice.
It disgusts me and makes me wish Maeva were here to see this. Maybe a beating or two from an enraged she-wolf will bring sense back to Elaine.
“Did she tell you my terms?” he asks and Elaine nods.
“Good. Can we start?”
Elaine gently takes his hand and cuts his wrist. He doesn’t cut hers like he did mine. He lets her cut her own wrist. I shake my head and look away. Just like Elaine to come to where I’m not liked and make herself the favorite witch. I’m a little jealous of her and I’m ashamed of it.
After they’re done, Elaine refuses to let go of his hand and he has to pull away.
“The hearts are still viable for an hour. We can get a lot done in that hour but we need the bodies cleared.” I say.
“Leave one body. I’m stronger than Moira here so I think I can manage against one rogue.”
I’m starting to rethink my decision to bring Elaine into this.
“Maybe you were blind in there but some of the rogues were half shifted when they died while others were still in wolf form.”
She looks back at me over her shoulder with a look that said don’t argue. “Then he can leave two. I’m still sure I can mange.”
The wolf looks between the both of us before he nods. “I’ll get my pack members on it immediately. The door out of the cell will not be locked but going up is forbidden. Moving around my pack without my permission is also forbidden. Do we understand each other?”
“Of course. We’ll be the perfect guests.” Elaine purrs.
“You can tell Clayton whatever you want and he’ll make it available. There’s a bell outside. Ring it. Stay out of his mind.”
He looks at me directly while saying the last part and I glare. He nods to Elaine and leaves.
“He seems like fun.”
“He also has a mate that can and will kill you.”