Chapter 158: Chapter 158
Elara POV
Quinn and I are sitting on the swing chair, each with a fruity cocktail in hand, under the tree.
“It still feels surreal,” she smiles sadly, looking at me. “Having you here. When you disappeared ... I was worried.”
“I’m sorry, Quinn,” I take her. “I should’ve told you, but things happened so fast, and I didn’t think. I have no excuse.”
“It’s okay,” she replies. “You’re safe, and that’s all that matters now. And you’re back, which is good, especially now that the treaty has been broken. Stillwood will be the safest place.”
“The treaty has been broken?” I gasp, playing dumb. I need all the information I can get.
“Oh, dear,” her eyes widen. “You don’t know? Of course, you don’t. You were safely tucked in a love bubble.”
“First of all, there was no love bubble,” I set her straight.
“Why?” She grins wickedly. “Is Mason lacking in the uh... underwear department?”
“Quinn!” I playfully slap her shoulder. “It’s not like that. Besides, if he is, I wouldn’t know. We never got that far.”
“Really?” She looks at me, surprised. “But you two were so googly-eyed and touching and stuff.”
“I don’t love him,” I admit softly. “And sleeping with him would’ve given him false hope. It’s better this way.”
“So ...” she wiggles her eyebrows. “Does that mean Asher stands a chance?”
“No,” I shake my head adamantly. “I’m not interested in a partner.”
“You can easily get any man you want,” she pouts. “You’re young, and pretty ...”
“And not interested,” I finish her sentence. “Tell me about the treaty. What’s happening?”
“We don’t know much,” she sighs. “Our intel comes up short because Constantine is under lockdown. All we know is that another supernatural entity has killed Orion, and that broke the treaty. The Council is on high alert and has called in reinforcements. The weirdest part of all, nobody knows where the alphas are. There are reports of them being hidden by the Council, but I also heard they fled, and nobody knows where they are.”
“Wow,” I say softly, biting my tongue to spill the truth.
“If you ask me, the Council is hiding them,” Quinn continues. “I mean, they must protect their alphas, right? Also, the alphas’ High Guards and their mate are locked up in the dungeons.”
Cocktail sprays from my mouth and through my nose, and I start coughing uncontrollably.
“Are you okay?” Quinn asks, petting me on the back.
“Yeah ... yes,” I cough, leaning forward, and wiping my face with my hand.
“Here,” Quinn hands me a napkin. “This will help.”
“Thanks,” I clear my throat, accepting the napkin and wiping my face.
“Are you telling me Mindy and her mates are locked up?” I ask as cold tendrils curl around my heart.
“You know them?” Quinn frowns, confused.
“I met them at the gathering with Asher,” I reply, relieved that I have an honest explanation. I was so shocked about the news that the words blurted out before I could control myself. “Mindy was very friendly and introduced herself. I can’t believe she’s locked up. The poor thing. She’s so nice.”
“That’s the council for you,” Quinn snorts. “Ruthless bastards. Count yourself lucky that you’re a rogue, Katie. Living under the Council’s rule is inhumane.”
“I can’t believe it,” I mutter more to myself than anyone else. Kane and Axel are right, we must act. And fast.
“Anyway, at one point, we thought Mason killed him,” she continues. “He’s been threatening to do so for years. And your disappearance and Orion’s death were too much of a coincidence.”
“Well, I can assure you Mason didn’t kill him,” I say firmly, relieved that it is the truth. “Besides, if he did, the treaty wouldn’t have been broken.”
“You’re right,” she smiles.
“And speaking of,” she motions to the house. “You might be over Mason, but he sure isn’t over you.”
I look towards the house and see Mason and Asher talking. Mason looks my way, smiles and lifts his beer in a salute.
“I know,” I exhale deeply, looking away.
Mason POV
It is a dagger in my heart when Elara looks away, and it fuels my determination to get rid of my brothers once and for all. She will always choose them for as long as they are alive.
“I can’t believe you two are over,” Asher says softly. “What happened?”
“My brothers,” I grunt, taking a sip from my beer. I cannot tell Asher the whole truth, but he needs to be on my side. “They saw her and seduced her.”
“Those bastards,” Asher huffs. “You know, I always thought you were a little oversensitive about your brothers, but now I see. They wouldn’t rest until they had taken everything from you.”
“That’s why I need your help,” I say urgently. “Katie is under their spell, or something. I don’t know how to explain it, but she believes everything they tell her. She’s convinced they’re the good guys and the victims in all of this. I can’t go to the Council myself. If Katie finds out, she’ll hate me, and I will lose her forever. But if somebody else does ...”
“Then you’re innocent and there to comfort her,” Asher nods. “You don’t have to explain anymore, Mason. They must be stopped, and I have your back.”
“Thank you, man,” I say, grateful, patting him on the back.
“We’ll need to strategise,” Asher continues. “I can’t waltz into Constantine; I will be killed on the spot.”
“I know,” I nod in agreement. “But after spending time there, I got a good feel of the layout. I know which borders are understaffed.”
“That was before the Council called for reinforcements,” Asher reasons. “We tried to get in, but there isn’t an inch which isn’t guarded.”
“Okay,” I nod slowly, and then it hits me.
“A transmogrifying potion,” I say excitedly. “I know a witch who will give it to me. You can cross the border like you belong there. Promise, I’ve seen it work.”
“And the witch can be trusted?” He frowns.
“Yup,” I grin victoriously. “I have a few loose ends to tie up and arrangements to get into place. I’m working on it, and it should be done by tomorrow night. Just keep your phone on and expect my call.”
