Chapter 19: Elias

I jumped back to my feet quickly and snarled with as much of my pure wolf hatred I could at the two of them. Who’s watching Freya if you’re both here?

Wow, Oliver looked to Andre, I guess we really messed up leaving the future of our pack completely alone in that house with no one to watch her.

Andre nodded and answered back sarcastically, we’re absolute idiots it would seem. Then he turned back to me with an eye roll, Rose and her are talking so just relax okay. We’re going to have a serious talk now.

That is if you can catch us. Oliver laughed and darted off to the left as Andre took to the right.

Seriously? I yelled back to both of them, we’re not kids anymore this is ridiculous!

That’s when Andre came at me once more from the side crashing into me. He didn’t send me flying back since I was ready but he knew he hit me right where that monster had left its mark hours ago.

Run, I growled and gave him a three second head start.

They met back up together at the edge of the water looking to take a stand. They both knew a few of my weaknesses and they had played into them far too well. I didn’t like being attacked, I hated being ganged up on, and once I saw my target I would not stop.

They waited until the very last second nearly too late to avoid me and darted out of the way sending me crashing into the water. I was in up to my chest glaring back at them with my teeth barred. If their objective was to see how pissed off I could get then mission accomplished.

You’re not rejecting her! Oliver called from back at the tree line. We both prefer her to you so if you reject her we’ll kick you from the pack.

I’m completely with Oliver on this one, Andre laughed, not just because she owns my house and a good portion of the pack territory.

No one had told her that hopefully. The Wallace family were original settlors of the area and most of their assets lied in investments and property. The Wallace Estate was so much more than just this place.

It was a fun game betting how long it would take for you two to get together officially, Oliver was daring to come closer now, no one was ever betting against you. So can you please just cut the shit and talk to her without the threat of violence?

You think I’m the problem! I howled. She’s the one who doesn’t like me, she’s the one who wants it to end. She’s got a convincing argument too.

She likes you. Andre shrugged, she’s scared clearly. That doesn’t change the fact she’s attracted to you.

Attraction doesn’t save lives and doesn’t make relationships. I grumbled looking down. Her reasons outweigh whatever I believe so just drop it.

What are her reasons? Andre tossed back stomping toward me. They were both so close to the water now I could have leaped forward and pinned them both.

I shook my head not wanting to betray her vulnerability. If she wanted anyone else to know she would have said something.

I heard a rumor around the pack, Oliver spoke but his attention was on Andre as if deliberately leaving me out of their conversation. Argent family have Chloe really set to launch an all out campaign after she turns eighteen. Maybe even forcing her to change early to seem more appealing to you.

Can’t force someone to change before they’re ready. I grumbled climbing back to the shore shaking off as much of the water onto them as possible.

You were forced. Andre commented quickly and in hushed tones.

Let me rephrase, I snapped back getting right into his face. It is against my orders to force someone to change before they are ready. If anyone even tries to learn how to do it I’ll fucking kill them myself. I don’t care who it is.

Consider me warned, Andre laughed shortly. That doesn’t fix your problem though. The pack all saw how she reacted to Chloe. She can’t keep dancing around the line like that. They will rally against her especially for the Argents.

I nodded. However. Now that I was behind them and their guard was done. I lunged forward targeting Andre first as he hit me twice. It sent him far back into the lake and I turned my attention next to Oliver.

He took off quickly following the water’s edge. It wasn't nearly quickly enough though as I came up beside him and nudged him into a muddy patch causing him to slide to a stop.

Neither of you would ever allow anything to happen to her.

Ugh! Oliver coughed trying desperately to spit the mud out of his mouth, it tastes like worms!

Andre managed to paddle back to the shore and shook off the water as best he could. Well played sir. He laughed and joined us at the mud pit. You know we’d never let anything happen to her. We just need you two to stop eye fucking and start fuck fucking.

I sighed and it was enough for my guard to once again be let down as they both came at me. Oliver pulling my tail and Andre ramming into my chest just under my neck pulling me into the mud pit. You assholes! I shouted.

Oliver took the chance to get on my back making sure to force me down into the mud. I’m not helping you get laid, but our one goal out here was to make you pick a direction and follow it.

Andre laughed loudly and jumped voluntarily into the mud sliding to the side, your direction is not allowed to be rejection either.

You two expect me to fight you in the damn mud over this? I grumbled and threw Oliver off my back causing him to splash down on his side. I’m telling you right now it’s more complicated than what you think.

Maybe, Andre shrugged and I saw them both starting to square off to me. To their credit flanking me was their best option. Tell us how complicated and maybe we can help.

Help? I barked. He was my target first. I turned toward him and leaped forward finding once again Oliver had my tail causing me to fall face first into the mud. Get off me! I reached back taking a swipe at his face but Andre jumped on top of me causing me to roll onto my back.

Tell us what’s going on! Andre barked. She’s sealed up tight, like a fucking safe. You on the other hand-

I tossed back to my feet and lunged toward Oliver causing him to throw backward and just as expected Andre attacked quickly. I had to take the hit and go down. Andre used it as an opportunity though and dashed away toward the trees and I sprinted after him. It’s between me and her. I called.

Seems like you two need to talk then! Andre laughed and when I finally caught back up to him I realized why. He had brought me back to the house. Sitting on the back porch with a blanket wrapped around her was Freya being handed some hot beverage by Rose as the two of them continued talking.

“Oh speak of the devil,” Rose smiled and got to her feet. “You boys have looked cleaner.”

The mud was starting to dry on my fur causing it to tug slightly when I moved and I glared over at Andre. You asshole.

He laughed and shrugged just as Oliver burst through the trees.

“I’m getting the hose.” Rose sighed and skipped off the step.

Freya didn’t say anything, she just looked at me and I could tell she was debating whether or not to kick me out again.

Awkward… Oliver whispered leaning into Andre.

She doesn’t want me here. I snapped around delivering a warning bite towards them. Just then the hose was turned on me with a powerful jet stream to my face.

“You calm down. She’s not kicking you out again.” Rose then turned back to Freya. “Anything to say?”

“Not with you all here.” she rolled her eyes.

“Fair enough.” Rose shrugged and tossed the hose onto the ground. “Oliver, Andre, upstairs to the showers, and clean up after yourselves! Then you can eat dinner.” Her attention turned back to me with a scowl, “I know you’re the reason they’re muddied up. Clean yourself off out here!”

I wanted to stick my tongue out at her. The reason we were muddied up was because they were acting like children.

Waiting until everyone else was back inside, Freya jumped onto the grass and picked up the hose, “Need help?”

I nodded.

“I’m sorry for how I acted and saying you didn’t care.” she mumbled. “They think I’m over reacting-”

You’re not. I interrupted, If you told them the truth they might not think it.

Telling them the truth means they would be learning I killed my parents. I can’t do that to them.

You didn’t kill them. I rolled my eyes and caught the hose once more in my face. Can you aim better?

She laughed lightly and moved closer, “Sorry. You saying I didn’t kill them isn’t really convincing you know. Also doesn’t change the fact-”

You don’t have to say it. I sighed. I’m done with trying to get you to accept me. You’re right. I’ve ruined your life enough.

“You can’t reject me though.” She sighed.

I can’t? I laughed forcing myself to not shake. I felt it twitching down my spine but I knew shaking now meant she was going to be covered.

“Rose explained it to me.” She nodded and I guess she realized my reflex as she stopped hosing me down and backed away so I could shake everything off only for her to once again continue, “If you reject me then that girl is going to try to take my place. Also, if you reject me the pack would turn on me. She listed out a bunch of reasons I guess so it’s not just one reason you can’t.”

I nodded. Even if I’d reject you, I’d protect you. I did irreparable damage to your life and happiness. I can’t just drop you without something in return.

“The damage was there before you.” She sighed but then backed up, “I mean it’s not just what you did. My father was banished from this pack and the family was nearly wiped out because he wanted to be with my mom. She had told him everything, that’s what Rose said, but they still wanted to be together. I just don’t get how she could love him so much that she’d just throw her life away like that. You’re willing to do the same thing and I’m just caught wondering why am I the only one that’s different in all of this? Why can’t I feel the same way you all do?”

The hose died down as I turned back feeling her struggle against the tears.

“Why did she want to die? Why did he want to leave this place? I’m not worth it!”

Not worth it? I turned back and walked up to her. Who said you weren’t worth it?

She shrugged.

I’m telling you right now. If you want me to reject you I will. I will say it and you’ll be free from the pack. I promise I’ll protect you, help you get back on your feet, I’ll find somewhere safe for you to live because you are absolutely worth it.

She collapsed to the ground onto her knees and I rested my head on her lap daring to bridge that gap that had grown between us.

You’re not just worth it. I sighed, you deserve it.