Defiance

2.6

Chapter 26

E L Y S I A

"Do you want to talk to Ella?" Aldric asked me as I analyzed the plants in the greenhouse. Aldric's greenhouse was almost big as the village of the Mae Coven. The glass building had flowers and plants everywhere. Not to mention, it was so warm. No wonder Ella chose to hide here when she was angry.

I turned to Aldric and nodded.

"Is she still mad?"

"Usually when we get mad at each other, it doesn't last very long."

"So both of you are just balls of anger."

He rolled his eyes and shook his head. "You're dramatic."

"I'm dramatic?" I demanded.

He grabbed my fingers anyway, not responding and pulled me so we could walk towards Ella.

"I'm here," I moved from behind a bush of roses and walked towards Ella, who was standing behind a bench. She had her arms crossed and when she looked at me, she scoffed angrily.

"I don't like you," Ella stated flatly. "But I'm going to try to not hate you."

"Well - what can I do to make you not hate me?"

"Did you ever use magic on Aldric?" Ella demanded. "Be honest."

"No," Elysia answered. "Unless you count healing spells to cure his wounds."

Ella narrowed her eyes at me. "That's how his scars from Avalon's fight got better so quickly. I knew even Alpha wolves couldn't heal that fast!"

I nodded, sheepishly, uncertain how to continue. Ella was barely a teen, but I had an urge to get some type of approval from her.

"You were yelling at my father about being a coward! Who do you think you are?"

This time, I turned to Aldric. I wasn't sure how well Ella knew that her father was a monster but to tell her when she was so young. . .felt wrong.

"If you don't want to tell her -" He said. "You don't have to."

Ella's eyes watched our interaction, calculating.

"Ask me something else," I muttered to Ella, looking away. "Please."

"Fine. So I'll just believe you're turning my brother away from our father."

I didn't respond but my fists grabbed the ends of her dress.

"I don't want to create a rift between anyone. I don't want you to hate Aldric. I don't want his pack to hate him. I don't even want his father to hate him. I understand enough to know that these are the people he loves."

Ella didn't respond this time.

I glared at her too and crossed my arms.

"What do you want then?" She asked. "Do you want to be the Luna of this pack because that won't happen? Do you want power? Do you want to turn Aldric against wolves? What do you want?"

I blinked.

"I don't want to be your Luna. I don't want power. I just want...to be with Aldric."

Ella stared at me, analyzed me.

"I know I'm just a kid but Aldric - do you truly believe what she's saying? How stupid do you think we are?"

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.

"You're a witch - you want to be with my brother - or do you plan to turn my brother away from his duties?"