Chapter 139 For a moment
Ruel's POV
The bed is obscenely comfortable, and for a moment that is the only thing I can think about.
I lower myself onto it with all the care my healing body demands, which is still not enough to hide the strain.
My tired eyes fall shut as the expensive mattress receives me as though it too has been waiting for this exact moment.
A minute later and my eyes flicker open.
I stare at the ceiling, allowing myself the smallest kindness… accepting reality.
I may die soon.
Knowing Alpha King Andre, he won't fight a war he can't win. So for him to so easily accept the challenge, he must have thought of a way to bring me down.
All my life I've been in war. It'd really suck if that's how I die too. Without having a glimpse of my memory… no knowledge of my past.
The only time I ever felt a bit of peace was in her arms.
A heavy sigh escapes me.
“There goes my promise to myself.” I mutter under my breath.
Not a day goes by without me thinking about Ira. Thoughts of her linger the way pain does when it hasn't fully healed, waiting for the slightest pressure to return.
I know what I will do if I ever stand in front of her again. There will be no hesitation in me, no softening, no room for anything that looks like forgiveness.
I will give her back everything she handed me, every fracture and every scar, in a language only she would understand.
The door opens.
Swiftly I shut my eyes, staying still. Keeping my eyes closed, I silently pray he falls for it.
His footsteps draw nearer but I don't doubt. I know the sound of those steps too well to mistake them. He always moves steady and deliberate, carrying the quiet certainty of someone who has already decided that whatever he has come to say cannot wait.
“Ruel, I know you are not asleep.” Elric hisses.
My eyes flicker back open. “Well, I was trying to be.”
With an eye roll he lowers himself into the chair by the window. He does not speak immediately, which tells me more than his missing words.
Elric does not sit in silence unless there is something in him that needs to settle before it can be said.
“Look, whatever is written on your face right now, can it wait until morning?” I mutter, already feeling an increase in my headache.
“No.” He says without hesitating.
“Elric.”
“Ruel.”
I close my eyes again and exhale slowly. “Then at least give me thirty seconds with this pillow before you ruin my evening.”
“Ruel,”
“Fineee,” I groan, sitting up lazily.
“We need an escape plan.” He starts with a lowered tone, staring intently at me.
“Why?”
“What do you mean? For tomorrow. In case Alpha King Andre decides to act before the fight begins.”
I look at Elric closely, and there is nothing uncertain in his expression.
So I'm not the only one who has considered the possibility.
“You think he will move before the fight,” I say.
“I think we know how cowardly he can be. Ruel. There's never been a fight were he ordered us to be fair. His strategy has always been to catch his opponent unawares. And I won't be bothered if I haven’t always suspected he too had a hand in those alphas’ deaths. Why is he the only alpha in Vahl? Literally no alpha is left. Well except you and those who fled.” Elric answers.
“Elric, I'm not sure what I am.” I mutter.
“You are certainly not less than an alpha. Ruel, if he plays any games then we run.”
My eyes snap up in disbelief. “We? So you're not going to consider Omar? And, when did you find out you were mates?” I ask, watching him closely.
Elric looks down, surprising me with his shyness. “Um, a couple years ago.”
“Does he not like you?”
“He doesn't kiss me like he doesn't like me.” He says with a smirk.
“Don't you want to at least try and build something with him?” I press further.
“He acts… Goddess. Don't distract me from this, Ruel. We can't wait for tomorrow. We must find escapes routes today. Come on.” He rises to his feet but I don't follow. “What are you waiting for?”
“If I eventually have to run, I won't be doing it with you Elric.” His eyes harden in confusion. “Promise me you won't come with me.” I say calmly, noticing how his brows furrow further.
“You know that's not po…”
“Promise me Elric. I need to be sure you'll stay safe and not involve yourself in any shit I face tomorrow.”
“Fine. I won't run with you if it ever comes to that.” He spits out with a frown.
“Thank you.” I mutter, getting up and striding out the door.
The pack house is lively yet not the least bit crowded. Guards nod in respect as we pass but I notice how their gaze turns suspicious right before we turn our backs.
“We are being watched.” Elric hisses.
“I know.” I respond, “Let's turn here then lose them.” I nod, and the moment we turn, we run, pushing open a random door and running in but right before I slam it shut, someone else barges in.
“What the hell are you guys doing?!” Omar frowns, his gaze mainly on Elric. “You can't be moving around and you know it.”
“Shhh” Elric hisses, shutting the door while we listen for the guards footsteps to fade.
“What is wrong with you? I told you not to leave your room Elric. You can't keep putting yourself in harm's way. Why can't you learn how to put yourself first?” Omar seethes, clearly displeased.
I step aside, checking out the room we're in. Thankfully no one else is here.
“I'm not in harm's way. I'm only walking around with Ruel.” Elric defends quietly.
“Yeah? Then why are you sneaking around and avoiding guards?” Omar pushes.
From the aesthetic of the room, I can tell it belongs to a female. I walk further to what looks like another exit. When I pull the door open, I realize it's a walk-in closet.
“We never explored places like this when we were children,” Elric says quietly. “We were never anywhere long enough to. So now,” He stalls, and I notice how Omar’s eyes soften.
There's no lie in what he's saying but that's also not the reason we are out here today.
Suddenly intense footsteps echo outside, heading in our direction.
I quickly shift into the closet, Elric following suit as he drags the reluctant man behind him.
The space isn't wide enough for the three of us so we end up squeezing. Well, Elric and Omar end up in a suspicious position beside me. With Omar's hands on Elric's waist, preventing my not-so-subtle friend from pressing anymore against him.
The scent of soap is almost life threatening in here but just then the door slams open.
I peep through a hole in the door, immediately regretting ever encountering this room when I see Gestrid.
“Fucking idiot!” She screams, furiously marching over to her bed then begins ripping the sheets off.
We all hold still, our shoulders straight, our breathing controlled as we listen.
“What do you mean it cannot be fixed?” Gestrid demands to… no one that's visible. “Do you have any idea what tomorrow is? Yes I do. YES I DO! AHHHHH!!!”
“Nah, she's insane.” Elric blurts.
“Shhhhsh!” Omar cautions but turns completely red as Elric shifts the leg he still has wedged between his thighs.
I notice how the royal guard’s hands tightens on his waist, his eyes dropping to the tiny space between them.
Yeah, I certainly don't need to witness whatever is happening between them.
“The only reason he wants to leave is so that he can see that bastard sempyr.” Gestrid's voice echoes again and in one swift move she rips off her veil. “How hard do I have to try before he can love me. The idiot!”
“You are the idiot.” The cold voice of the alpha king surprises us, including Gestrid.
He slams the door behind him, a hard glare on his face. “You had one job, you fool.”