End Of The Games

The announcement declaring the end of the element games was a welcome one. We are finally at liberty to leave the island, and thankfully it came just when I was quickly growing weary of my surroundings. 

The scenery of Alaric's island itself was enviable, but it quickly grows old when you have so many elites together in one place. It makes for the most uncomfortable arrangement I have been subjected to, and I have spent nights on the run in the woods.

The tension that dawned over the island since Alaric's display of power has not let up even in the slightest, and I don't think it ever will. Even I am still shocked whenever I think of how easily he changed the fate of a renowned Alpha without the slightest protest.

Now, no one dared even explore too far for fear of incurring Alaric's wrath and those that did explore, steered clear of the beach house. Not that I mind the privacy, but I have also been affected. I have not stepped out of the beach house as much as I would have liked to because Alaric watches me like a hawk whenever he is here and when he is not, Cedric dutifully takes on that responsibility.

For some reason, Alaric seems to believe he put me in danger. He says he should never have asked me to accompany him to the games. I have repeatedly reminded him that it was my decision to go with him, and it was he who had been attacked, not me. More than that, I am perfectly fine and I am certain I would have been even if the attack had come for me...none of these satisfied Alaric.

With how watchful he has become of me, stepping out of the beach house would mean him or Cedric accompanying me and I knew it would be cruel of me to take closer to the elites the very source of their terror.

In the times Alaric was not watching me, he kept himself busy interrogating the fire elemental who attacked me, though Cedric told me they have not gotten much out of him yet.

Cedric says there is inarguable evidence that links him to the fire in the woods and he also says it was an assassination attempt on Alaric's life, it still bothers me to know that fire had not been a natural disaster. With another trail to follow, I am completely in the clear and no longer a person of interest simply because of my element.

As for the fire at the DA's mansion, I have decided to stop running from it and face whatever comes, if it gets to that. But so far, neither Mikos nor Lana have approached me or made any accusations.

I cannot help but suspect they are too terrified of Alaric to bring it up. But I know it will not stay buried for long. One way or the other, I will have to answer for Alpha Rich's death.

"They ranked fifth after the points were accumulated. They previously ranked seventh so it can be considered an advancement." Cedric is saying to me, whilst cracking an egg into a pan.

It is still early in the day and we are set to leave for the silver tower by noon. The results for the element games are finally out. Of the rankings of the fifty packs in the country, the Everdale attained the rank of the fifth strongest pack, compared to their previous rank of seventh.

"If Alpha Mikos had not lost the points from the final stage..." I trail off, unsure how to convey my thoughts properly.

"If he was not disqualified from the final stage, he is certain to have gained the highest or second highest points." Cedric confirms. "If those points were added to the points they already accumulated as a pack, Everdale would be in the top two."

"Top two in the country... for an entire cycle." I murmur, shaking my head slightly. I cannot help wondering just how much more evil that title would help them cover up.

"Sounds horrifying right? For an unscrupulous pack like Everdale, fifth rank is concerning enough as it is...but top two would make Everdale untouchable. At least that was avoided... just like you hoped." Cedric chipped in meaningfully.

It is hard not to wonder if Alaric intentionally fulfilled my wish, he also heard my words in the car ride to the arena. Could that be the reason he took such extreme measures and got so angry? Or am I just overthinking things?

The thought doesn't seem quite right to me and so I do not entertain it any further. Instead, I return my attention to Cedric who watches my expression with a knowing smile, like he can tell the thought I just entertained.

He slid a plate of scrambled eggs across the island to me and I took it, taking slow bites of the food.

"You seem to be eating less than two days ago. Are you certain you feel alright? Any discomfort?" Cedric asked, eyeing my slow eating motions.

"I..." Before I can respond, the swivel chair I'm sitting on spins around and I'm staring directly into Alaric's worried eyes.

When he arrived, I cannot say. But he studies my face and then his eyes scans me from head to toe. I wonder if he is going to turn me over to check behind me and raise my arms as well.

He reaches for my abdomen and I lean away from his touch, my brows furrowing in confusion.

"What are you doing?" I ask Alaric in astonishment.

He fixes me with a withering glare. "Don't move away from my touch."

"Well then, don't act strange." I reply with a shake of my head.

"You are my woman and you're carrying my child." Alaric says directly. "How is this strange?"

"Our child." I grumble beneath my breath. "And I'm not..."

I don't get to complete my words when Alaric leans in and shuts me up with a peck.

"I think that's my cue to excuse myself." Cedric murmurs, clearing his throat awkwardly. He slips away and I glare at Alaric, lifting a hand to my lips.

"Don't do that!" I hiss.

"Do what?" Alaric asks me, tilting his head to the side like he has no idea what I'm talking about.

"Don't...do things that...you shouldn't be doing!" I say helplessly.

"Things I shouldn't be doing? What are those things?" He still feigns ignorance.

"I..." I heave a sigh and get off the chair, brushing past Alaric but he grabs hold of my hand.

"Come with me." He says and I frown as he begins leading the way.

"Where are we going?" I ask in bafflement.

"To get some food in you." He replies simply