Defiance

2.5

Chapter 25

A L D R I C

    Almost instinctively, I stood before Elysia as Hunter, Freya and Arden stood at the door. I could see their eyes, gawking at Elysia like she was nothing but prey. At the same time, I controlled my burning rage for Hunter, the one who had hurt Elysia so much.

I wanted to say more, to do more. I glared angrily at my wolves. 

I was already frustrated my Ella's response but even more, I felt the guilt growing for yelling at her.

"What did you do to Ella?" Freya demanded.

"Nothing. I'm going to talk to her later when she calms down."

They seemed angry but I was angry too. I turned to back to Hunter, Freya and Arden. Their eyes narrowed at Elysia, who stood beside me.

"How can you be sure she isn't bewitching you?" Hunter hissed. I could feel Elysia's tension behind. I held her hand tightly behind me, tightly enough to squeeze her fingers gently.

    I will never let anyone hurt you.

    "I'm not." Before I could respond, Elysia stepped forward.

    "And you expect me to just take your word, witch?" Hunter snapped, stepping forward angrily. But Elysia didn't seem to back down. Sometimes, I forget Elysia was much braver than I thought.

    "Aldric," Arden said next. "I know I defended you before the Alpha, but the truth is, I think Hunter's right. She's a witch. Witches and werewolves have never mated in eons. Think of this practically. Whatever spell she has you under -"

    "I told you I could prove it," I answered, as calmly as possible. "In the knife, in the moonlight, our blood will glow silver. I have seen it."

    It took me so long to accept Elysia was mine, I know it would take time for my wolves to accept too. Arden blinked as I said those words; she was confused that I hadn't yelled at her or something for questioning me, I realized. Instead, my voice was calm. It was soft. Normally, I would be burning in rage if anyone questioned me.

    Elysia had taught me this, to understand even if I didn't agree with someone.

    "How - how did you meet her?" Freya asked.

    I realized Freya and Hunter were still at the battle when I met Elysia. They hadn't seen Elysia save Cassandra and Ian's life. Or even know she saved Ella's.

    "Ella was roaming around and she was captured by the Mae Coven witches. Ella said she managed to escape by sneaking out but she was still hurt under the Svesta curse. Elysia was the witch that undid the Svesta on Ella. She saved Ella's life. But the witches kicked her out of the village because she did so and Elysia ran away."

    I tried my best to summarize the past few months as fast as I could. It was hard because they missed so much, but I knew Arden was still here.

    "That doesn't answer my question. How did you meet her?" Freya asked again.

    "She stumbled onto the pack grounds. Some of the wolves recognized her scent was the same that came from Ella when she came. I offered her to save more wolves from the Svesta and in exchange, she would get my protection and stay here."

    "You did what?" Hunter hissed.

    "Only a witch can undo Svesta - I thought I was doing the right thing -"

    "No. You just didn't want her to leave!" Arden hissed next to him.

    This time, Elysia gripped her hand tighter around my fingers. I knew Elysia wanted to say something but I was glad she didn't. At the end of the day, these were my people and no matter how much I tried to deny it, I loved them. And right now, even though they were yelling at me, I decided to let them. I would rather have them say to me to my face than behind my back.