Chapter 154: Chapter 154
Axel POV
Kane and I are sitting with the children on the floor, watching them play with big, wooden blocks. They mostly pick it up, stick it in their mouths, drool over it and drop it again.
“Look at that,” Kane whispers urgently, pointing towards Stella. “She’s stacking the blocks.”
“Well, I’ll be damned,” I mutter, looking at her in awe. “Isn’t it a little early for her to be doing that?”
“How the hell should I know?” Kane shrugs. “But she’s doing it, and the twins aren’t.”
“Do you think she’s going to be an architect or a builder?” I chuckle.
“Let’s just hope it means she’ll be good in math,” Kane laughs.
“Then she must take after Elara, because you suck at math,” I tease, and playfully shove him against the shoulder.
The front door opens, and Mason and Elara enter the room. Mason is carrying a heap of bags, and a thunder cloud is looming over his head.
“Did something happen?” I mind link Elara.
“Not really,” she replies. “We had a disagreement on where we stand as a couple, and now he’s being emotional about it.”
“You should give him one of your tampons,” Kane smirks. “It might help.”
“I can see that you’re talking about me,” Mason growls. “Stop it.”
“Nah, man, it’s nothing like that,” I try to soothe his mood. “We’re talking about Stella, look at what she’s doing.”
“Nice,” Mason scoffs. “Rub it in that my kids are slow.”
Elara POV
I close my eyes, inhale deeply, and count to ten. It is absolutely exhausting to tend to Mason when he is moping like this. From the moment I met him, he did this. When he does not get his way, he becomes aggressive and moody. Why have I not seen this before?
“Mason, let’s unpack the groceries before it’s nap time for them,” I say, exhausted right into my soul.
Mason follows me, and I concentrate on calming my emotions before I turn to him.
“I’m sorry,” he mumbles as he puts the bags down on the counter. “I didn’t mean to snap at them. It’s just irritating when you’re talking about me in front of me.”
“Sit down,” I say softly, pointing to the chair opposite me as I take a seat. I wait until he obeys and looks at me.
“Do you realise how often you apologise to me?” I ask softly.
“I’m not a perfect person,” he shrugs. “And I never claimed to be.”
“Nobody’s perfect,” I reply stiffly, irritated by his answer. It is like talking to a brick wall. “And that’s not the point. We asked you to be part of our pack, and still, you fight us at every turn. We can’t keep doing this. At one point or another, we must find a way to co-exist.”
“Elara,” he reaches for my hands, but I pull away, and he bows his head.
“Do you have any idea how hard this is for me?” He mutters, before looking at me with pleading eyes. “All I want is you and Stella. But you’re with them. You picked them, and I must sit in the corner and smile as if all is well in the world. I want to run into the hills and hide until my heart is healed. But I can’t, because they have my kids and you’re in trouble. I’m doing my best, even if you can’t see it.”
“You’re right,” I smile weakly. “I don’t know how you feel, and I’m sorry you’re hurting. But that’s not the reason for your brooding mood. It’s because I told Quinn we’re only friends.”
“Okay, fine,” he huffs, his eyes turning dark with anger. “You shouldn’t have done that. Now, she’ll have questions about why, and how and what the fuck else. It would’ve been easier and less complicated if you left things the way it was.”
“Easier for whom? You? I’m not going to lie to spare your feelings,” I argue. “I would’ve told her my real name if it had endangered all of us. But this is a rogue town. There are no loyalties. Someone is going to say something, and then we have the Council at the front door.”
“We were happy,” he insists. “You and I were happy here, and we would’ve still been if we ...”
“Stop it,” I cut him short. “You don’t want to go down that path. You don’t want to take a trip down memory lane, because you’ll lose. Deal with your feelings, please.”
“Sorry to interrupt,” Kane says as he enters the kitchen. “But we should talk.”
“I need a run,” Mason grunts, kicking off his shoes and taking off his shirt before he leaves through the back door.
“Did I say something?” Kane frowns, pointing to Mason.
“No,” I sigh. “I did. What’s up?”
“We need you to summon Braden and Malachi,” he says, sitting down. “We cannot hide any longer and need help.”
“Okay,” I nod. “I’ll do it tonight. Any other plans?”
“Plenty,” he replies and informs me of everything.
“I’m on board,” I smile. “And I think I can help a little. I bumped into an old friend today, and she invited me to her birthday party on Friday. Mason and I can go and ask people to help.”
“I don’t know,” Kane frowns, scratching the back of his neck. “That could be dangerous. Axel and I don’t have friends around here.”
“The rogues might hate you,” I say, reaching over and taking his hand. “But they hate the council more. Plus, if Mason asks them, they’ll do it. If they know he’s on your side, they’ll come around.”
“And you think Mason’s on our side?” Kane raises his eyebrows.
“Not really,” I admit, exhaling deeply. “But leave him to me. I’ll convince him.”
“Please don’t tell me you’re going to sleep with him?” Kane looks at me pleadingly.
“I’m not planning to,” I smile, stroking his cheek. “But it wouldn’t kill me to be nicer and more patient with him.”
