1. A Secret of Snow and Ruin

Chapter XXI

Alistair Wardwell

"Nevermind." I say to Elysia. "I thought something that would be nearly impossible." I shrug it off and look down. I caught myself right before I gave away too much. I wasn't exactly sure who was behind but all signs pointed towards him—my greatest enemy at the moment—Killian Hale.

"Are you sure?" Elysia asks. "You sounded certain of yourself."

"Yes...it was a fleeting thought but it wouldn't make sense. Now... let's rejoice in the fact that I'm no longer dying by your hand." I laugh it off. Elysia looks suspicious of my sudden lapse in judgment but seems to let the thought vanish from her mind with a questioning glare.

"And let's keep it that way before Ries changes his mind. We are going home." Elysia whispers with a small smile hiding under her cloak.

I liked the sound of our home.

The ride back home made me think of how impossible my accusations might've been. Then again who else was powerful enough to take down that wall? If Killian was trying to harm Elysia, I'd kill him no questions asked. I'd given him enough chances to see the wrong in Isla's actions but even touching a hair on my darlings head would make me go back to my old ways.

Never in a million years did I ever think this thought would cross my mind.You'd think Elysia was the one who placed a spell on me and not the other way around.

Elysia has surprised me as the days pass and only in the best ways imaginable. My hands snaked along her waist and my head nuzzled in her neck as we rode down mountains back to the manor. I could feel her heart pick up and that made me content. Being near her was so exhilarating, my heart beat was stronger, my smile grew to the point where it hurt, and my hate for her and her kind lessened.

I felt like a changed man in her presence.

Being around her people, learning their culture, and what mattered to them made me realize Lycans and witches aren't all that different. We use ceremonies, we hunt, we care for our own and would do anything to keep them safe.

Yet no matter how different or similar witches were to Lycans I knew Ries and Isla would never see it that way and if me and Elysia were to ever openly admit our fated love; rage and war would sweep across the country in an instant.

In the back of my mind I still have my doubts because of this.

Doubts that someone so beautiful could possibly fall under my spell and want me by her side. At times I wished she'd just show me a shred of hate and respite because it was too good to be true. I know Elysia doesn't trust me completely because of my lineage but I know her heart was slowly beating for me.

She didn't embrace it completely but in due time she would and that scares me. I am scared she'll lose herself, her family; and her title trying to be with me. I am scared that the title she has built for herself would crumble if we were ever caught and she would resent me for the rest of our lives.

I don't feel worthy of her in the slightest.

Firstly, she was the most beautiful woman I had ever laid my restless eyes on. Her beauty was unique and nobody could match her in looks. I loved her dark skin, I loved the way she smelled of mints. I loved her hair and how she changed it from braids to her natural long coils. I loved her sharp elven ears that showed her Lycan side. Her tattoo markings, her scars, and her bruises.