Chapter 47 Unavoidable temptation
Ruel’s POV
I don’t answer Elric at first as I replay his silly question in my mind.
“How sure am I that I’m a beta?” I repeat, tasting the infuriating words on my tongue.
Elric sighs but doesn't release my gaze. “Ruel,”
“Elric… are you actually asking me that?”
His brows pull together. “Ruel, listen,”
“No.” I say, cutting him off as I step closer, anger building up in me. “You think I’m lower than a beta? You think I'm acting too weak or what? We've spoken about this before and it's impossible for me to be an alpha. But to question my rank like this? As though I'm unable to overcome a fit several betas find easy to resist…. That’s absurd.”
Elric exhales sharply. When he speaks, his voice is thick with frustration. “I’m not questioning your strength. I’m saying… What if we’re missing something? Just like your lost memories, what if due to that you've been unable to realize a part of yourself?”
“Are you trying to say I might be an omega?” I seethe.
“Ruel, you know that's not what I mean. If you were an omega, you'll be mated to a dominant, not Ira.”
I bite my tongue, suddenly thinking about it. Ira isn't who he thinks she is. She's a sempyr, a threat… a deadly breed. She's not even a werewolf.
“What if she is a stray?” I mutter, furious that I'm even considering it.
“Are you seriously thinking about it? Don't be ridiculous. Make omegas are pup carriers. And what you will be experiencing would be heat not…”
Rut?
I wonder if that's what he's stopping himself from saying. But we both know that can't be possible except I am an alpha.
But that too is impossible. If I were an alpha, the alpha king would know.
“I'm a beta, Elric. I'm sure of it.” I say, done with the unnecessary mystery. “All I need is an effective drug.”
“Like the one I gave you, yeah?” Elric says and I nod.
“Still got it?” I ask eagerly.
“It was more effective than the suppressant, right?” Elric asks, folding his arms.
I pause, watching him closely. “What are you aiming at, Elric?”
“That brown powder is for alphas. It's dosage is far higher than what a normal beta need to suppress a mate pull. Yet that's what worked for you.” He says
“Goddess, I thought we were done with this?” I groan, scratching my aching head.
“I’m not trying to frustrate you. I only want to help you figure out why you’ve been off lately, why even your wolf is inconsistent.”
I turn back to him. “What do you mean by that?”
Elric unfolds his arms. “At first, wasn't it Krist losing control?”
I don't respond because we both know that's right.
“And now?” Elric asks with a suggestive gaze.
“My wolf's not absent. He still talks… still wants her.”
“Has he ever taken control again?”
“I won't give him that chance.”
“Or he's fighting himself just like you are…”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
Just then, a loud growl cuts through the atmosphere making the both of us stand at alert.
“What was that?” Elric mutters under his breath, as we strain our ears to hear.
My ears twitch when I hear another growl, this time louder and strained.
“That’s within the base,” Elric curses under his breath as we charge towards the warriors quarter.
My brows pull down as we draw close. See two wolves locked in a vicious fight, causes great disappointment within me.
Some warriors and guards try to separate the wolves but they don't stop. The golden-brown one seems to be having the upper hand, yet when pulled back, he withdraws but the black one charges again at him.
I barely notice the servant standing near a pole, trembling, looking like she's about to cry.
The moment the warriors spot Elric and I, they give way, parting sideways and granting easy access to the fighters.
I seize the black stubborn wolf mid-lunge, flinging him back with one arm. His body hits the ground and skids across the concrete floor.
His wolf's whine is loud in the suddenly silent clearing.
“Both of you,” I raise my voice. “Shift. Now.”
They obey instantly, their furs shaking as they shift back into their human forms.
“Form up,” I command, my eyes hard with greater disappointment when I confirm that the golden brown wolf is indeed Ben.
I had expected more from him.
They snap into attention, shoulders squared but Ben's eyes avoid mine. I keep my gaze on the dark-skinned warrior.
“Explain.” I say, hoping he does have a good reason for behaving so lowly.
His angry eyes drift to the man beside him but I watch those eyes soften when they fall on the servant who now has a stray tear rolling down her cheek.
“I found Xavier abusing the servant, Commander.” He reports furiously. “She ran into my arms terrified, yet he refused to let her go even when I ordered him to.”
I finally look at her fully. I can't quite remember her name but she's always with Ira. Smallish with one of the longest hairs at the base.
Rage rolls through me in a dark, violent wave.
The guard, Xavier, growls, “He’s lying!”
“I'm not! Commander Ruel, you can ask Sia.” Ben says, his eyes almost pleading.
I turn to the said servant. “Look at me.” I say stepping closer to her.
She hesitates, then lifts her face. Her eyes are glassy with fear.
“What happened?” I ask softly, conscious of the fact that she's visibly frightened.
Her voice trembles. “Guard Xavier said I didn’t wash his sheets properly. B..but then he grabbed me. He tried to…” She pauses, wrapping her arms around herself. “He tried to push me into the bed but I kicked him and ran. A…and I saw warrior B..Ben.”
Ben steps forward. “I punched him when he lunged for her while she was in my arms. I accept the blame for hitting him first.”
The guard snaps, shouting, “She’s lying! I only scolded her about the dirty sheets and she kicked me. I was only punishing her.”
“Bring the sheets,” I order one of the younger warriors, shutting the guard up instantly.
He runs off and we all wait in silence, Ben looking slightly unsure. But all that changes when the young warrior returns with the long fabric. I inspect it then pass it to Elric.
“It's clean.” Elric confirms with fury in his eyes.
“Xavier, you are suspended and will be dealt with as Sergeant Elric sees fit.” I say, getting a nod from Elric before turning to Cortis who's just arriving at the scene.
“Take the servant to the clinic. Her wounds should be treated immediately.” I order then stride away, ignoring the agonizing cries of the guard.
Rape is something that I'll never tolerate. Sex isn't forbidden but forced sex will never be pardoned.
Another reason why I need to keep far from Ira until I get my raging emotions under control.
I push open the door to my study and…
She’s there. Like a temptation that's unavoidable.