1. A Secret of Snow and Ruin

Chapter XXV

Elysia Wolfe

I was relieved about a lot of things. I was relieved we had the fish and that the mission went smoothly. But I wasn't relieved for Thea or Freya. Family was everything to me and to hear my family be put in such revealing situations regarding their well being made me hurt inside from anger, shock, and betrayal. I felt my eye twitch in permanent anger from the damage my brother caused. I wanted to strangle him for offering up our sister to Uriah Crescentridge. I felt a subtle resentment to Freya with how she withheld such sentiments to me and how she dismissed our once thriving familial friendship after I lost everything.

I couldn't even wish to think of Freya now.

I shift my focus and my mind settles on Thea and what predicament she was in. I had heard stories of The Cold Alpha of Karo Clan. He tortured people without care, despised rogues searching for safety, and wasn't afraid to intimidate the enemy. Ries was his match in a way and prevented things from reaching the next level during their negotiation with ease.

I hated it with every fiber of my being that my sister was now betrothed to him and that her lingering scent on me had caught his interest.

A man like that couldn't love, only obsess.

A man like that wouldn't let Thea roam free, he would only lock her up and keep her all to himself.

When Alistair, Jasper, and I returned my anger was evident as ever across my face. I knew Alistair and Jasper refrained from asking me questions about whether I was okay because they'd both know I'd snap with irritation.

My anger at Jasper would be more lethal than ever before. Alistair walked back to his chambers, not even looking my way. As my eyes drifted to his departing figure I couldn't help but yearn him to be my side as I was about to break this news to Thea. Alistair had brought me great comfort in the time we were together and happiness I had never felt even from previous relationships.

He brought me something I never thought I'd find again—love.

At times I felt like I didn't deserve him. He was so kind, so mesmerizing, and I couldn't help but want to bathe in his scent, his life, his everything. I wanted him safe with me and just seeing him being in danger or hurt made me see red.

"Elysia...you've grown quite close to him." Jasper says to me. I snap out of my reverie and look at him with a blank expression. I really didn't want to turn this conversation back on me.

"Let's just worry about how we are going to tell Thea what you have done." I say back. I roll my eyes and try to walk to Thea's chambers before Jasper grabs my arm, completely stopping me in my tracks.

"You hate magissi more than anything. Hugging one...spending time with him alone in the woods, laughing with him, if I were a fool I'd say you were sleeping with the man." Jasper roars at me. I flinch back at how angry he seemed. "Have you forgotten what this man's own sister did to your mother? He isn't your friend—he is your enemy." Jasper's hold on me tightened and tears welled in my eyes.

I snatch my arm back from his and before I knew it I slapped him across the face. Jasper's head turned and he stayed frozen like that until he said, "What is wrong with you?"

"No...what is wrong with you. Don't turn this on me because you're ashamed of how easily you fell back on Alpha Crescentridge." I seethe with tears. "This is not my lecture so you will hear me now brother. You complain and complain about wanting the best for Thea and I but you are at fault for this! You let father and encouraged him to marry me off to ensure better treatment and riches on our house! I spent years with a man who made me feel weak, made me feel stupid, ugly, unseen and you don't see it but you have done the same to her. You have promised Thea, our innocent and naive little sister to a man who hates our clan. He will never love her the way she truly deserves, just how Kareth Oberon never loved me." I cry out. "Jasper...I know you feel burdened by us but you have burdened yourself and us all on your own. Wonder to yourself why I'm befriending the enemy and then look in the mirror." I say.