Chapter 15
Ella Whitmore
A gasp tore through my throat the moment my eyes opened to the mess in my room.
My clothes littered the floor, shredded, my phone's pieces all over the floor.
I stiffened, my heart dropping inside my stomach.
I rolled out of the bed, my body almost shaking as I bent down to pick the pieces of phone together.
Did someone break in to steal from me? How did this happen?
"Oh, no… My phone…" my voice cracked, tears blurring my vision. I have so many important documents in it.
My eyes flicked to the mirror, and my body stilled.
YOU DARE COME CLOSE TO THE ALPHA? YOU'RE DOOMED.
Cold shivers ran down my spine as I crashed to the floor.
No, this wasn't a theft case… Whoever the person is, came here deliberately.
My nails dug into the floor as I trembled. How the fuck did I not know that someone came into my room? If the person had come to take my life, then I wouldn't have still been aware. Perhaps I would've woken up to myself dead.
Three days ago was Elena almost choking life out of me, and this today? Who knows what will happen tomorrow or even in five minutes time?
I need to get out of here. It doesn't matter if I feel that pain again. I'm sure that I will be fine.
With that in mind, I grabbed my car keys, but just before I took a step, Kael walked in.
He paused, his eyes sweeping over the room. His jaw tightened as his eyes flicked back to me.
"I need to leave, Kael…" I said, my voice almost shaky.
"I need to get out of here…"
"No… You're not leaving," he said as he walked in fully.
I scoffed, "what?"
"I can't let you leave, Ella,"
My throat tightened, chest burning with anger.
"I almost died a few days ago, and last night, someone broke into my room. I wasn't even aware of it. They were so good at it that I didn't notice it until this morning…"
"And you want me to stay back here?"
"Ella…" he tried to touch me, but I backed away.
"You know what? I'm done with bullshit!" Then I stormed out of the room, walking as fast as my legs could carry me.
My legs stilled as I stepped out of Kael's apartment. A few werewolves were hanging around… their eyes on me. They looked like they knew something.
One of them even smirked at me.
I hurried to the gate quietly. My car was still parked in the same spot.
Thank God!
I reached for the handle in a bid to pull it open, but the handle broke in my hand.
Then I noticed the scratches on my car… The tyres had been deflated.
My legs trembled before giving in, and I crashed to the floor, tears blurring my vision.
I'm trapped here.
But then, I didn't give up. I stood up to my feet. It doesn't matter how many miles I have to walk, as long as I get out of here.
I made up my mind. I'm going back to my house.
One… two… three steps, and my legs stilled. A familiar sharp pain exploding through my chest.
Fuck this mate bond shit!
I tried to move, but couldn't. My chest contracted so tightly, I couldn't breath.
I managed to turn around, but paused as Kael appeared in front of me.
The pain faded quickly, as if it was never even there.
"I need to leave, Kael… You need to get me out of here. They're going to kill me," I begged in tears, holding him tightly.
He moved his hand to my face, gently wiping my tears as he whispered, "I will protect you… I promise,"
I backed away, shaking my head, "No… I just want to leave,"
He sighed, closing the distance between us.
I stepped back.
"Ella, you can't leave, alright? You're safer here,"
Colours drained from my face, my lips parted, but no words came out.
"You're my mate, and letting you go now will only endanger your life,"
"Wh…what do you mean?" I asked, once I managed to get my voice back.
"I have way too many enemies in neighbouring Packs. I can only protect you if you're here by my side…" he reached for my hand, gently squeezing it, eyes fixed on me.
"You might not last another twenty-four hours if you step out of this Pack," he added.
"Bullshit!" I snapped, taking a step back, "you're saying this so you can keep me stuck here, right?"
"I am not staying here with you any longer, and that's final!" Then I turned to leave, but he grabbed my hand, his grip firm yet gentle on me.
His eyes flashed gold as I caught his gaze.
"Let me go!" I tried to yank his hand off, but his grip remained firm on me.
"I won't let anyone harm my mate," he said firmly, "I'm not letting you go,"
I scoffed, my voice cracking angrily, "are you taking me as a prisoner here then?"
"Ella…" he called, breathless.
"Answer me!"
He lifted me in his arms, and said, "if that is what it takes to keep you safe,"
My breath caught in my throat, fingers fisting on his chest.
Without another word, Kael headed back to his house.
In a split second, we were in his room.
He carefully lowered me to the bed, then squatted before me.
Silence thickened between us, lingering for a moment before he spoke.
"Ella…" he called softly, eyes locked on me.
"You should move in here with me,"
I stiffened, my eyes widening.
Hell no! I can't.
"Wh…why?" I stuttered, looking away.
I heard him laugh even though it was faint, but I only caught a small smile on his face that faded almost immediately.
He stood, his face hardening, "that's the only way I'll be able to watch over you properly,"
That doesn't sound bad. I mean, if I really do not have a choice but to stay here, then I need to be protected at all times.
But wait… There's no way I'm sharing the bed with him, right?
"You can take the bed. I'll sleep over there," he said casually, as if he read my mind.
My eyes flicked to the long red sofa across from the bed…