Chapter 2
Elijah POV
When the darkness dispersed, the images of my chamber materialized before me. It wasn't the same as in my waking hours. The room's esthetics had been transformed – the paint, the furnishings, everything had been altered. And the ambiance had shifted too. The once cold and solitary space was now imbued with affection and a serene atmosphere. I didn't understand at first. why was I here, and why did it feel like I wasn't alone.
I tried to sit up but I couldn't move. I didn't have control over my body, but something told me it was okay...
My body rolled to its side like it had a mind of its own. The sunlight spilling through the curtains, made my vision hazy for a moment. when my vision came in to focus, the shape of a silhouette came into view.
Her body was still as beams of sunlight danced along her skin. Making my eyes wander over every dip, and curve of her body.
Her dark raven hair spilling over her shoulder and down on to the pillows
My breath hitched when her birthmark peeked out from under her hair. My heart ached at the site. I knew this was just a dream but it still hurt when I was torn from them.
The need to reach out and hold her close to me was so strong, that my body moved without question. I didn't fight this dream. If anything, I wanted to embrace it, the need growing within me like wildfire.
As my arms wrapped around her, and immediately pulled her close to me. Never wanting this dream to end. My lips danced along the length of her shoulder. Making her purrs of pleasure echo out throughout the room like a sweet melody.
Her moans were quiet at first, but I wasn't done, not even close. I wanted all of her. I wanted to worship her body, bringing her pleasure over and over.
Tucking her under me. I stopped for a moment while our eyes connected. Her beautiful hazel eyes, so full of love and desire, made my heart race. she reached out her hand and touched my cheek, i closed my eyes briefly while i lean in to her hand for a moment feeling the desire tingle through mybody. I continue on, leaning down and placing kisses along her neck, and traveling all the way down to the peaks of her breast. My actions eliciting urgent moans from her and arousing me intensely....
My hands wandered the length of her body, one finding its way to her core, where my fingers danced in between her delicate folds, making her moan out for more. Our eyes met again and a feeling of deja-vu tingled at the back of my mind.
Our passion growing. I wanted nothing more than to give her everything she's ever wanted. I continued massaging every inch of her, making her teeter on the edge. I could feel her about to fall into sweet bliss when I was suddenly ripped away.
BEEEEEPP!!!!! BEEEPPP!!!! Smash!!!!
My fist came down on my alarm clock like Thor's hammer, smashing it to pieces.
I just lay there, staring up at the same old ceiling, while tears of despair rolled down my face. It's not fair she was right here in my arms, but at the same time, she wasn't.
Odin whimpered in the back of my head. He missed our mate just as much as I did. I look over at our childhood picture on my nightstand, the weekend barbecue before the fires. The last day I seen her.....
My hatred for this bed grew, even more, with each passing day I was alone.The loneliness and coldness were inescapable, with no remedy in sight.. The dreams were somewhat of a relief, but they didn't make the cold go away. If anything, it made it harder to deal with.
Feeling the tug in my mind, I opened a mind-link to Gram's voice ringing throughout my head. "Are you awake in there?"
"Yes, unfortunately. Why?" I groaned,
"Another Dream?" Gram asked even though he knew the answer to that question. "yeah...." I whisper. Tears threatened to fall again as I answered his question. Looking at my phone, i see its already 5am. I groaned again knowing i have to get up.
" Do you want me to leave you?" Gram's voice sounded like he was unsure of what waters he was treading on. I shook my head and told him I was up.
"Good! Cause I'm outside your door. So open sesame." Gram's Laughter rang out from outside my door. Chuckling at his childishness, I got up and open the door.
"Don't You know it's rude to keep your guest waiting?" his laughter was deep and hearty after he spoke. Gram always knew how to lighten up anyone's mood. I closed the door and followed him in, as I walk passed him, he paused and pointed to my bedside floor.
"What happened to the clock?" Gram asked while eyeing the broken pieces on the floor.
"It took me away from my piece of heaven," I said with a smirk on my face, Gram just shook his head at me, he knew what I meant.
" Well, at least it wasn't me who woke you up. I might have been in for a bad headache if that happened." Gram's statement only made me laugh at him. I stepped into my closet to change, while listening to him rant on about what was on today's agenda, like I didn't already know. "You know dad feels like he should come with us, to help things go smoothly at the meeting." Gram spoke. Even though we weren't blood, I still considered him my brother. My family took him in when we were young. they found him on the outskirts of the forest where he was beaten to the point of death. since then we have had eachothers backs.
I sighed "I know but i think its best he stays here to help look over the pack while we are gone."
"He seems really uneasy about us resigning this treaty. I wounder why." Gram spoke concern written in is voice.
Feeling another knock in my mind, I opened the link with my gamma Gunnar, who was informing me that the car was ready to go. groaning again I told him that we'd be down in a moment, I cut the link off and walked out of my closet just in time to catch Gram dipping into the bar that sat just adjacent to the fireplace. Clearing my throat, he turned around to face me with a big grin on his face. " What?" "Someone has to drink it before it goes to waste." Gram's grin only grew wider as he finished his glass. Rolling my eyes at him," You know why I don't drink."
I sighed, looking down at my alarm clock which was now in pieces, Gram's steps grew closer to me, he placed his hand on my shoulder... "I know bud...I know.." Gram whispered. He was trying to comfort me but it wasn't going to erase the pain I felt inside... taking a deep breath in, I turned and head out of the room, walking down to the car.
Gram followed close behind me with another glass in his hand... his early drinking was no surprise. He has always been that way...
Walking past my office i hear my dad call out. "Hey son wait up a second."
I paused for a moment so he could catch up with us. "Are you heading out now?" My father asked. "Yes i just want to get this over and done with. We have bigger issues on our hands." I say as i turn away and head down the stairs. " Are you sure you don't want me to come with you son." He asks as he follows close behind me, "yes dad we will be fine. I have gone over the treaty a billion times." I spoke when Gram pitched his two cents in, "yeah pops we got this, no need to worry." My dad looks over at Gram with an eye brow raised when he sees his glass. "Are you just going to use the old treaty?" He asks, "yeah, its a good treaty deal. Why?" I ask him. My father sighs "I think it needs to be more strict, they are up to something, i can feel something is off with them." His words concerned me when his expression changed, "I will make an assessment when i get there dad, don't worry. If I sense something off i will adjust the deal. Okay?" I say trying to ease any worries he might have.
when we reached the car, Gram stops to hand one of the omegas the empty glass and informed them about the mess in my room that needed to be picked up. My dad looks at Gram and then back at me. "Another Dream?" He says with concern written all over his face. "Yeah." I answer with a sigh and look up to the sky, pushing back any tears that threatens to fall. The morning sky was beautiful this morning with the clouds tainted with colors of pink and purple-reds. My father places his hand on my shoulder, "Are you sure you don't want me to come along?" He asks again, I take a breath in, "yeah ill be okay, besides someone needs to look over the pack while I'm gone." He just sighs and nods, letting me go, I yell for Gram to get into the car so we can leave. hopping in the car, I wave out the window to my father.
The car ride to the airport was quiet as I pondered over the dreams that I'd been having. They say when you are close to your mate or when you are about to meet them, you will dream of them, but it didn't seem possible, since she was lost to the fires so long ago.
Gram let me have my quiet time to think things over on the car ride. When we reached the airport, Gram got out to talk with the pilot to make sure we were good to go, while I went ahead and boarded the plane.
Taking my seat at the back of the plane where the table was set for us to have breakfast and to go over the treaty one last time. Odin began to get restless in the back of my head like something was bothering him. When i tried to ask he just shook he head and disappeared further in to my head. It must be the dreams getting to him, i wondered, when Gram entered the plane, walking straight back to where I was seated.
He plopped down in his seat, "All right what's for breakfast? I'm starving."
"Oh I don't know maybe it's vegetables with a side of vegetable smoothie." I chuckled, knowing he hated vegetables even though he still ate some of them, he would much prefer an all-meat salad if that was even possible.
Gram glared at me and pointed his steak knife at me. "You best be joking or I'm going to take that meaty arm of yours for my breakfast." I laughed at him while I raised my hands in the air as a sign of surrender. As the flight attendant places his plate in front of him, eyeballing his plate of steak and eggs for a moment before looking back up at me, "Alright your safe for now but next time you ever joke about taking my steak it will be your arm."
" I would never," I say with a smirk.
He just gave me the stink eye before tearing into his steak. I just chuckle at him. Picking at my food, I pondered over my father's words. What could they be up to?
When breakfast was finished and cleared, we started going over the treaty for the rest of the plane ride. Something about my father's words had me on edge. "Could they really be up to something?" Gram said while he looked over the paperwork, "I'm not sure, maybe we are missing something." I say flipping through the pages in my hand. "We will have to ask dad more about it when we get back, I have a feeling we might be over looking something." Gram say as he puts the papers on the table.
The time flew quickly and before we knew it we were landing inland near Lochaber. Derek's pack was located just north of the main town. his pack was tucked in the mountain range so it was going to be a uphill drive to get there. Gram got off the plane before me to make sure the cars were ready, as I gathered up the treaty paperwork. Something felt off with this pack, this treaty didn't feel right, and Odin hasn't sat still since we left. Was this the right move?
We get into the cars that were prepared for us and leave the airport.
I sighed with contentment, staring out the car window. Gram chuckles. "what's so funny?" I say, leaning my head against the back of my seat. "You act as if you'd rather be doing something else." He laughs," "I hate dealing with other alphas. You know this. They're always so full of themselves and are power-hunger assholes." I scoffed. Although alpha Derek was much weaker than I was, he was still annoying. we hadn't even met in person yet, we'd only talked over the phone, but he was still ignorant. It was no wonder why his business was going downhill.
Gram looks at me and shakes his head. "Are you sure you want to re-instate the treaty with them? They're small, so they won't be able to challenge us.", I sighed, knowing he was right, but to risk losing an eye on them when they have had some dealings that were questionable at best... Especially when I haven't found out why the fires happened. I shake my head... He saw the pain of the past on my face.
Clearing his throat. " You know you might be able to find a mate here." I groaned. " You know that will never happen. I lost her to the fire 12 years ago. Besides, no one will ever compare to her. She was my everything." I whispered, I just stare out the window, reminiscing when he was about to speak up again but was immediately cut off, by us pulling up to the front gate. one of my men stepped out of the car to speak with one of the guards standing guard. Looking down at my phone. The time reading 7:30am. Gram looks out the window and points past the gate. "What the hell kind of pack is this?" He says. I looked out the window where he is pointing to see nothing but run-down trailer homes and a sad looking town square.
when they were done with their conversion, the gates swung open and we made our way up to the pack house. Passing the run-down homes and the town square where the was closed stores and dying foliage. Although this pack was small, their alpha put a lot of money into his home rather than his pack and it showed.... the pack house was a small white mansion with pink flowers in front and light pink shudders on the windows. 'Tacky' was all I could think. when the car came to a stop. We stepped out of the car, Gram scuffs "i thought dad was joking when he said they don't care for their pack much." I was about to speak when I caught a whiff of cinnamon and fall leaves in the wind, a scent I haven't smelled for years. "Mate?" Odin whispers in my head making me stop in my tracks. " It's impossible she was lost to the fires?" I whispered...Looking towards an open window on the side of the house.
"We don't know that, we never found her body. It could be her." Odin had a good point but I wasn't about to get my hopes up. I didn't want to be in pain again when it wasn't her...
"what's wrong Elijah?" Gram's question suddenly pulled me from my thoughts. shaking my head I continued walking up to the front door. "let's get this over with. I want to be home tonight."...
Gram does not question me, he just follows me to the front door. Before Gram knocks on the door, he whispers to me. "Don't you think its strange we haven't seen many pack members?" I give him a look, letting him know we will talk about it later. When he knocks on the door and Heather the pack Luna opens the door and welcomes us in, "welcome Lord Elijah and Beta Gram"., Heather says in a perky voice.
"Thank you, we are here to see Derek." Gram greets her as we walk in, but she to just ignores him and pushes her daughter in front of me.
"May I introduce you to my daughter Annabelle.". I take a step back, to keep my distance from her. I didn't say a word to her but my face said it all. Gram noticed my look and acted fast. As he stepped in between us. " We are here to see Derek. Now which way to the office? We have very important business to discuss and my lord doesn't like to be kept waiting." He huffs. Heather glared at him for a moment before looking at me with a smile "ah yes I apologize this way." ... I walked past her daughter not caring to even glance her way, I didn't want to be matched up with anyone. I just wanted to get this over with so we can leave when we are done, she leads us over to the elevator.. "can't we just take the stairs?" Gram questioned as he pointed to the staircase. Heather was about to speak when I began heading up the stairs, Gram hot on my heels. Heather cleared her throat and followed us up.
Whiles tension was thick in the air, I couldn't help but think back to the smell I encountered outside. Could she be here? When we reached the top of the stairs, we could hear yelling coming from the office. Heather steps in front of us and spoke "this way." She motions down the hall, when a younger man flings open the door and stormed down the hall past us to the stairs. I just shook my head and followed Heather down to the office where Derek was sitting in his chair rubbing the bridge of his nose.
Finally noticing us, he immediately stood to welcome us in, offering us a seat across from him.
He waved off Heather and his daughter, who I didn't notice, was following us like a lost puppy. Rolling my eyes at her puppy-like actions, I took my seat across from Derek,
" She looks ridiculous!... as if she would be good enough for us..." Odin spits, making me chuckle internally.
"Shall we get down to business? Would you fellas like a drink?" Derek's fake smile made me want to roll my eyes again, but I just nodded to him. Derek reaches across his desk and pushes a button.
Gram placed the papers down on the desk. "The treaty details are in this packet. We will go over the details to confirm we are on the same page." Gram spoke his tone more serious than normal. we were in the middle of discussing the terms of the agreement. When a familiar scent reached my senses again, but this time it was stronger than before. my eyes darted for the door where it seemed to be strongest. A young woman with long black wavy hair walked into the room. She's not short, but shorter than I am. She was more on the thinner side, possibly because they were starving her. The thought made me want to rip Derek to shreds.
Her beautiful hazel eyes met my own and I swear I'd seen them before. "Mate!" Odin began howling in my head with excitement and joy, jumping around like a puppy. She froze in place when our eyes meet, I moved quickly on my feet to get to her side. My hand found its way around her waist. Pulling her in closer to me "Mate." the word came out like a whisper, but I wanted to scream it to the world. She turned the cutest shades of red I've ever seen.
Our moment was interrupted by Derek's laughter behind us. "You're joking right?.. She is nothing but a filthy maid" as soon as his words left his mouth, a growl echoed from me. I wanted to rip him apart, "to think he is treating her like some piece of dirt I will have his head for this!" Odin growled in my head, displeased with his words I turned to him. "you will do well to treat my mate with respect if you want the treaty with your pitiful pack to continue!" another growl escaped my lips, letting him know I meant business.
Alpha Derek seemed to heed my words, lowering his head, "Yes my lord."
Turning my attention back to my beautiful mate, "what's your name beautiful."....." Raven..Raven Grey sir.." she quietly whispered.
"She's scared, why?" Odin questioned her shyness. While my eyes lingered on her shoulder, the one I knew the mark should be on.
And as plain as day the top of the mark peered over her shoulder at me. "It's her!!!" Odin howled in my head. Making me smile.
"Gram. Take her out of the office and wait for me in the hall. I won't be long." I cut the mind-link with Gram and with a blink of an eye he was by my side, "Will you come with me please miss?", Gram's voice was low as he tried not to startle her.
Seeing the state she was in, we both knew this was going to be a difficult situation.
Her body was skinny like she hadn't eaten in months, she was quiet and skittish like they beat her into submission.
I was furious at the state that she was in not only because she was my mate but also because no one should be treated in such a manner.
She does not move an inch when Gram talks to her. So I place my hand gently on her face and rube her cheek "he's my beta you will be safe with him I promise. Go on, I will be there shortly." I whisper to her. She nods and turns to follow Gram out of the office. I turned back my attention to Derek when Gram and Raven left the office., although I wonder if she remembered me from the past.
" Let's get this over with. I want to be home with my mate before dark" I growl, shocked by my words. Derek speaks in a low tone, "you can't just take her. She is the only help I have in the house." I let out a growl " You should be lucky I don't rip this pack to shreds just because of the state she's in!"
He jumps at my threat and squirms in his chair, scared that I might kill him right on the spot.
I stand in front of this pathetic excuse of an alpha looking down at the treaty papers that I have read inside and out. I know every inch of the treaty my father made with this man years ago, but it seems too easy for his pack to lose on what they can and cannot do, "I'm going to refine this treaty and I will email you the new one on Monday. You will sign it and send it back to me or I will be back to reduce your pack to ashes, do you understand?" I growled.
" You have my word, Lord Elijah " he trembles out, baring his neck to me.
As I turn to leave, he stands to ask "what about her? What am I supposed to do without help around the house?" I growled at his ignorance. Turning to him, throwing a wad of cash at him, just to shut him the hell up.
I turned to storm out of the office. When I opened the door to see that my beta had Annabelle pinned to the wall, her wrist in his hand. Turning my gaze to my mate, who had a bright red mark across her face. All I could see was red at that moment. Odin steps forward and makes himself known with the most hellish growl I've ever heard before.