Traces of Elijah: Legacy of the Queen

Chapter 21

I wake up the next morning, slowly stirring and still feeling my mate's arms around me. I smile, my eyes still closed as I breathe in her scent.

"Good morning, beautiful." Her voice slightly raspy, music to my ears.

"Good morning...were you watching me sleep?" I ask, finally opening my eyes, the sun just barely starting to peak through the leaves of our tree. My love tucks my hair behind my right ear as I take in the sight of her. Her dark curly strands swirling on the blankets beneath us and her honey golden eyes sparkling with the morning dew. It's as if she somehow got more beautiful over night.

"Mm...I was. I wanted to remember this moment of peace...if I go back, Grace will have me executed. I don't want to leave you." She cups my cheek.

"You won't have to. You're coming home with me, Elia. And if you're going to get your things, I will come with you and we'll have backup in case shit gets out of hand. Our story is not over." I tell her, wondering why she's so worried we won't see each other again. I thought we decided we would go together and talk to her people.

"Grace is calling for me..." she sighs.

"And you do not answer to her anymore. Block her out. It's just you and me now." I touch my forehead to hers and close my eyes. She does the same.

"You're right. You are right my love, I'm sorry. It's just difficult to ignore her since she's not only been my lover but my alpha, the one in charge."

"You are the stronger Alpha. Even from the beginning, most alpha's fold before their true mate but you had the strength to restrain yourself even when I was writhing in heat, screaming for you days on end. You are the strongest alpha I've ever seen to resist me at that level. I think you can overpower her actually..." I say, getting an idea.

Lina...that might actually be an insane idea, my wolf protests.

It may be the only way for her to feel fully free...and for our plan to join the rogues and allied packs together to work.

"I can practically hear your gears turning...you think you have something don't you." My mate strokes my face as she pulls away just enough to see my face, to get my attention.

"You should challenge her. Challenge Grace to a fight for dominance, control of the pack." I finally say what I've been thinking, looking into her eyes. It may be crazy but if she wins- when she wins, the pack will follow.

"I don't want to fight her, Lina." She says reluctantly.

"It doesn't have to be to the death but if you get her to yield, the pack is yours and our union to unite rogues and the Allied packs will be even more of an impact. I believe you can do it, Elia." I nod to her. She sits up and sighs, rubbing her face.

"This is a crazy idea...she will want to kill me for mating with you."

"That why you need to disappear with me for a little bit...prepare yourself for what's to come. You deserve peace and happiness for more than a few hours. I can show you what your- our potential life could be like..." I try saying everything I can to convince her this will be worth it.  She glances back at me without fully turning herself to me.

"Just a few days?"

"Just a few days, as long as you need. Just come with me and live in bliss with me before you have to face her. Just think about it for a second." I sit up as well, scooting behind her, wrapping my arms around her and rest against her back. The warmth of our bodies comforting each other. She lets out a sigh of content, feeling just a tiny bit more relaxed.

"Okay....okay I'll do it. 7 days. That's what I'll give to you before we go and face her...together. We do this as a team."

"I wouldn't have it any other way." I kiss her shoulder blade.