Forever My Alpha

Ch. 7

"Well I'm still hungry," Elias excused himself. "Going over there," he pointed. "Want more?" He asked. "No thanks, Ellie," I gave him a nod and he returned it with his bright, starry smile.

A wave of melancholy washed over me as I watched him go; I didn't want to leave his side. My pouts were replaced by excitement when Liam came back."I'm now out of your debt," Liam stuffed a giant slice of strawberry cheesecake into my hand.

I bit into it and my mouth was overcome with the sweet flavor. "Amazing," I took another bite. I moaned at the yumminess.

"Enough of that," Liam scolded me. "Any more and I think I'll get jealous."

I giggled, "I love you more than the cheesecake Liam."
"You'd better," Liam was serious, "How are you feeling anyway?"
"Good."
"You've just been so quiet," Liam ranted, "How can you be so calm? We literally had a war over you."

"I know, I know," I shared his crazy exasperation. "I still can't believe it."

"What happened?" Liam's eyes were full of curiosity and he was my best friend so I didn't feel the need to lie.

"A lot," I replied with a honest sigh.
"Damn," Liam cursed. "How did he even get to you? Where did he take you? Don't you know he's still out there, waiting to snatch you back while our backs are turned."

"Stop turning your backs then," Liam did not appreciate my sarcasm.
"I'm serious and all you ever do is joke. Do you not understand that everything is in chaos? Don't you see how he threw us into complete disarray?" Liam stood up in his anger.
"I'm sorry," I tried to calm him down.
"No," Liam growled at me. "Look at that!" I followed his line of sight and from the fire's illumination, I could see the damaged debris.

"Liam, I know," I began.
"No you don't. You don't know Ken. You weren't out there putting your life on the line. You weren't out there watching people die."

"Well excuse me," I stood up. "I've been through just as much."
"Sure," Liam's voice irked me. It was almost as if he was mocking me.
"What? You think I didn't go through stuff? I had my life taken away, my power, my dignity. Everything I knew was uprooted by him. I was a prisoner! You know what happens to prisoners?" Liam's expression changed to disbelief. "Exactly! Everything happens. My friends," the tears threatened to leak. "You're not the only one who's confused and angry Liam. I don't know why he did it. I don't know anything. But I do know you're supposed to be my bestest friend and right now, you're being intolerable."

Liam released a breath and he walked away into the forest with his curled fists in his pockets.

I figured it was best for us to just cool off. I recomposed myself and dried the moisture from my eyes and face. I found Elias, and ran to him. "How long are we going to be out?"

"Actually, I was about to go home. I guessed that you would want to stay and rekindle your bonds," Elias sipped his last drop of stew. "Is something the matter?" His eyes wandered over my face, instantly noticing my expression.

"I need to apologize to Liam. We had a fight."

Elias stood up and embraced me. "Everything will be alright. I promise you. That's how friends are. You get mad at each other, you laugh, maybe even fight, but it's all about the love and respect you have." His hands moved up and down, continuously caressing my arms. I relaxed into his body, nose stuffed to the brim with his manly scent.
"Do you really think Liam is mad at you?" Elias questioned.
"Yes."
"No. He isn't mad at you. He's mad for you, that's a difference." Elias ran my curls through his fingers. "He's just processing."

I nodded and pulled from him. "Thanks, Ellie," I walked away to the forest, trying to find my first clue of what direction he went.

I looked down and followed the hollow prints on the ground; I found Liam and his back was still turned to me. I walked up to him and said, "Look, I know that I'm not the only one who's been through a lot. I know that it's hard for you to accept that I don't understand everything you've gone through. But I'm sorry that I made you feel as if I didn't care. I do. I care about you and I'm here for you."

Liam turned around and wiped his nose. "I know." He hugged me tightly. "I'm sorry for taking my anger out on you. You're right, I should've been more understanding."

We embraced for what felt like forever and we talked about what we had been through. We discussed the pain and the sorrow, and remembered the people we had lost.

"I can't imagine what you saw being a prisoner," Liam's anger flared again. "Were you hurt?"

"I was his favorite. I couldn't be hurt," I answered. Liam was satisfied with my answer. "Well, I lost my father on the battlefield," he confessed. I had no words; I could only hug him tighter. We cried together in that moment, consoling each other for our hardships. The cries were ceased and we soon laughed together. All of the animosity and frustration melted away and we were the best of friends again.

"Ken, you can't do that anymore. Don't disappear. Don't go anywhere on your own. You need protection," Liam insisted.
"I'm glad I have you," I dismissed the thought.
"Will you ever take this serious?" Liam was displeased by my disposition.
"Is there more cheesecake?" I ignored him.
"I got you the last slice," Liam replied as He reached for his shoes. "Are you coming with Alpha Blake in the morning?"

I smiled at the words. "Alpha Blake," I playfully rolled my eyes. "He's Elias to me."

"Only to you," Liam corrected.
"Where's Matt?" I suddenly asked.
"He's been more MIA these days," Liam's brows rose and fell.

"Do you know why?" I asked.
"Nope," Liam popped the 'p.'

Of course he didn't know, but I did. And I was nothing short of ecstatic about the secret.

"What's that smile for?" Liam stared at me.
"Nothing. Just thinking about how I'm so happy to be back. To be around my friends and family."

"Well, you'll get even more time with us in the morning if you come to help us rebuild," said Liam.

"Fine," we strode from the forest and I wandered back to Ellie. "Let's go," I tugged Elias.