Chapter 3: Emotions & a Storm

The sky turned black before dinner. Clouds rolled in thick and heavy, swallowing the moon. Rain whispered against the windows, soft at first, then louder and louder, until it sounded like the whole forest was crying.

Elias hated storms; not because of the sound, not because of the dark but because of the memories they carried. Loud, wet, broken memories that clawed at the inside of his skull.

He sat in his chair, silent as always. But his fingers tapped the armrest.

One, two. One, two. Tap. Tap.

“Bring me tea,” Elias said suddenly.

Jace looked up from folding a towel. 

“It’s raining hard,” one of the maids said.

“He asked for me,” Jace replied, already standing. Once Jace came back, he knocked once before entering.

The fire was low. Elias sat by the window, his body a shadow in the candlelight.

“Tea, Sir” Jace whispered, placing it down beside him.

He turned to leave, but Elias said, “Don’t.”

Jace froze in place.

“I don’t want to be alone right now.”

Jace sat on the floor near the fire, his hands in his lap. He didn’t know what to say so he said nothing. After a long silence, Elias spoke again.

“Why don’t you fear me like the others?”

Jace glanced up. “I’m not sure. Sir”

There was another pause, then...

“I can hear your heartbeat when you’re near,” Elias said. “It’s different from everyone else’s. Quieter. Calmer.”

 Jace wondered. His heart always felt like it was going to cut in half but Elias says other wise. He searched his brain to find an answer. 

“Maybe I trust you, Sir” Jace said softly.

The fire crackled while the rain hammered harder. Elias stood and walked over, slowly. He sat beside Jace, lowering himself until their arms almost touched. They both sat just listening to the storm. 

Then...CRACK!...thunder split the sky in half. Without thinking, Jace jumped straight into Elias. His hands gripped Elias’s arm, his chest pressed to Elias’s side. Elias froze, so did Jace.

“I’m...” Jace stammered, looking up to him. “I didn’t mean...”

But Elias wasn’t listening. His mind was gone. All he could feel was warmth, Jace’s scent and his breath. Suddenly, Elias jerked his hand back, breathing hard.

Jace blinked at him. “Are you... alright?”

“No,” Elias muttered, standing too quickly. “Leave. Now.”

“But Sir....”

“Get out!”

Jace fled, confused and scared that he might have offended the Alpha once again.

The next morning, Elias didn’t summon him, which never happened before. But a message came.

“Deliver this to the old posthouse past the stream,” Gavin told Jace, handing him a sealed letter. “Quickly. Before noon.”

Jace hesitated. “Alone?”

“Yes. You’ll be fine. It’s just across the border.”

Jace left with the letter tucked close, while the rain was now drizzling. The woods were wet and quiet, and the sky still gray.

He didn’t expect to meet anyone on the path but he did. Three wolves from another pack stood in his way. They looked stronger, bigger and older. 

“Hey, look at this,” one said, sneering. “Isn’t this the Alpha Elias new lapdog?”

Jace said nothing. He knew his place as it was drilled into him for years. He was no match for them. He just knew he was in trouble. But as he scanned the area, he couldn't find someone to beg for help.

“You think you’re special now?” another asked, grabbing his arm, almost piercing into skin.

“Ah!Ah!" Jace cried out in pain. "Let me go,” He said firmly, but not loudly.

“You smell weak. Like someone who doesn't belong near an Alpha.” One pushed him to the floor with his leg.  Another laughed.

Jace hit the ground and the letter fell into the mud. His lip was cut on the side, blood rolling down from it and his shoulder ached.

But what they didn’t know was that Elias felt it. He was in his study sitting still, whem suddenly he felt some's emotions; pain, and fear. It took a while to figure it out. When he realized it was Jace's; Elias’s eyes flew open.

"Where is Jace? He opened his door violently, roaring. 

All the maids trembled in fear as they searched for him. Elias didn’t wait or think of putting on his coat, he ran outside directly towards those emotions, towards his scent. He didn't bother dodging the trees, he went through them. The closer he got, the stronger the emotions and scent.

The wolves didn’t see him coming. He wasn’t shifted, but it didn’t matter. He was extremely strong in human form. 

Elias moved like a bulldozer. He rushed and grabbed the first by the collar and slammed him into a tree. The tree broke at that point, blood spilling on his face.

"Oh Shit!" The second tried to run but Elias caught his two arms and twisted it until it snapped.

Jace watched this scene unfold, scared.  He had never seen Elias like this before.  He looked exactly like the stories and rumors.

The third froze, trembling. Elias walked towards him, making him kneel begging. Elias stood, his eyes not able to see him desperately plead. Elias chuckled. He had a smirk on his face, maybe that of a psychopath. He kicked the wolf in the stomach, blood splashed all over Elias from his mouth. But he didn't stop. 

"How..." He kicked.

"Dare..." He kicked again.

"You...YOU!..." He kicked again.

"touch..." He kicked again.

"Him..." He gave the final kick. 

Elias left him, then walked until he stepped over Jace, shielding him without looking down.

“If you ever come near what’s mine again,” Elias growled, voice low and venomous, “you won’t live to regret it.”

The forest was silent, the wolves fled in pain with the little strength they had. 

Elias knelt, looking at Jace. For the first time since Jace arrived...Elias looked terrifying, and cold. Jace was breathing fast in panic and fear. He shifted slightly away from Elias. Elias still continued, he reached his hand out slowly and when he touched Jace, he was gentle. He lifted him easily, as if he weighed nothing.

Jace tried to speak, stammering, but Elias shook his head. “Don’t. Not now.”

He carried him all the way back. At the mansion, warriors and servants watched with wide eyes, gasping.

“Who gave him the errand?” Elias snapped.

Gavin stepped forward. “I did."

"What?" Elias turned towards Gavin's voice. "You what?"

Gavin could see and feel the anger running through Elias. It was never a good thing when Elias got angry. 

" I didn’t think.” Gavin tried to speak.

“You didn’t think,” Elias roared. “He is under my protection now. Nobody can send him anywhere without my word.”

“Elias...”

“Not even you.” Elias was very angry.

"Get out of my sight...NOW!" Elias yelled. Gavin obeyed immediately.

Elias turned, still holding Jace close. He said to everyone, “If any harm comes to him again, you’ll answer to me.”

He didn’t wait for a reply. He vanished into Jace room, the door slamming behind him.

Later, Jace lay in the bed Elias had placed him in. A maid came in, treated his wounds and bandaged him.

Elias sat nearby, silent, his hands shaking for the first time in years.

His wolf howled softly behind his ribs and said it's first words....

Ours.

And Elias didn’t deny it. He agreed but he needed to be sure Jace was on the same page.