SWORN TO THE ALPHA KING

[55.1] FRIENDS

[SILVER RAYNE WILLIAMS]

Akata seems to be trying her best to soothe her, a hand resting on her shoulder.

I move closer, watching. More of her friends try to comfort her but she only seems to grow sadder.

I stand behind their figures, my heart bleeding.

It's only when Akata spots me that Vella is made aware of my presence. She looks at me seemingly frozen. Her eyebrows draw in and she stares at me as if I'm some sort of ghost.

I smile, waving, "Hey Vel."

Her lips quiver and she shakes her head as she walks toward her and engulfs me in a hug. She's so emotional, that I curse myself for ever putting her in this position.

For making her worry.

"It's alright Kiddo." I ease. My hands run through her curls, "I promised I'd be back, remember?"

She looks up at me through blurry eyes, her voice trembling, "I thought I would never see you again, Silver."

I sigh softly, as she sobs quietly in my arms, "I told you, it would take heaven and hell to keep me from you, right?"

Granted we had met the devil, but here I was, alive.

Her tears only fall harder so I hold her a bit longer.

She just needs a moment.

Her friends watch for a while, and I thank them wordlessly for being there. I look down at my sister, pulling away gently,

"I'm not going anywhere, okay?"

Her eyebrows gather, "You're staying? You don't have to leave?" she asks between sniffs.

I crouch down, " Nope," I pop the p, fixing the curls in her hair, "I'm staying right here, Vel, right here."

Her smile grows and she hugs me again. Whispering Little thank you's in my ear.

I chuckle at this, my arms wrapped around her, leaning backward at the weight of her.

"W-whose that?" Loren hummed.

My gaze stretched where she was pointing, turning slightly. I blink at the figure that stands a respectable distance away, watching silently.

"He's handsome," Eun-ji commented, her eyebrows gathering, and her cheeks heating.

Hunter.

I forgot.

I purse my lips, holding Vella, as I watch him. He seemed nervous.

Vella shifted slightly at the statement, her head resting on my shoulder as she turned to look his way, sniffing quietly.

At the sight of him, I could feel her visibly stiffen.

"It's okay," I eased, rubbing her back softly.

Her lips pursed, "What's he doing here?" she mumbled, her eyes never leaving him, though her breathing deepened and her words became colder,

"Silver he's here.." she squeezed quietly.

"I know." I took a soft breath out, "I brought him here." I finally confessed.

She immediately moved to look at me, her eyes searching mine at my statement. Wide and unsure.

My hands reached for her, resting on the shoulder, rubbing her arms softly.

"I know... I know.." I swallowed glancing at the boy, "I know what I said.." I continued, watching him, "He's a fang- yes... but..." I trailed off, eyebrows drawing in, "but he's also just a boy," I added, my gaze found hers.