Clovers End - 18. The Agreement

James P.O.V

I'm worried about him. His mind seems occupied, distant. I see it in his face, the way he looks at me. He may be able to outwardly conceal it but his eyes, those beautifully rich pools of burnt honey hide nothing. Each flutter of his lashes, every passing glance comes with it's own hidden story. They speak a thousand unspoken words, each one cryptic, different from the last, yet I can somewhat gauge the meaning behind them. I lock our gaze once more before exiting the room, closing the door gently behind me. It shuts with a click. I'm shoved into the wall, pinned down by Rachel's arm

"Explain," she commands, her eyes gleam a fiery orange.

"Maybe I was a bit too quick to judge" she apologizes, shifting her gaze to the floor. She shyly passes a glance at me, a little too embarrassed to meet my eyes. It looks like she's trying to say something, perhaps a stifled apology. I've known her for a while. She is a very proud person and it's difficult for her to admit when she misjudged a situation. I understand.

“You were just trying to protect him. I don’t blame you. It did look a little suspicious" I assert. In her mind, this is probably her way of making up for the feeling of guilt she harbored when her sister left, a way to make amends for feeling like she wasn't there for her by being there for him.

"A little" she chuckles “Alex was screaming and you were butt naked. What did you expect me to assume?”

"That's fair. So, are we good?" I ask poking her side.

"Yes,"she muses throwing a playful punch at me.

"Now go put on some clothes, before I consider hitting you again. Humans aren't as accustomed to such... freeness... " she scolds, gesturing at my lower half.

"I understand what you're saying Kara but you can't be so impetuous. They just arrived. You know yourself that we aren't governed by such strict laws" Izakeal's voice rings throughout the house as he slams his fists against the stained wood tabletop. I watch in fearful amusement as the scene unveils before me.

"Weakness has no place here. If we do not stick to a regulated way of doing things, it could mean the end of our people" Kara yells back. They both stand up, forcing their seats backwards, hands firmly placed against the smooth surface.

"They're our people too," he says in a pleading tone, furrowing his bushy grey eyebrows.

"What have I gotten myself into" I whisper tentatively messaging my temples. Elder Kara and Izak often agreed on most things but when it came to execution and ethics they were polar opposites, at least in there older years. From what I recall, Elder Kara was not always this way.

"Izakeal do not force my hand!!!" she exclaims " I will not have a repeat of last time. " Shocked that the words came out of her mouth, she gasps, clasping her hands to her lips.

"Last time? Kara is this what it's about? "he questions, looking at her with great empathy. His expression softens. "You need to stop blaming yourself. How things transpired is not your fault. There's no need to feel guilty." he asserts.

"Who's fault is it that Diana is dead? Who's fault is it that she got pregnant with that half breed? How do you expect me to feel?" she pleas. I feel a spark of anger hearing those words. Yet, I force myself to breathe evenly in an attempt to maintain my composure.

"Halfbreed? I don't know who you are fooling Kara, but I can tell you care for the boy even if you won't admit it to yourself. He already reminds you a lot of her, doesn't he? Now I'll ask you again. Don't you think you'll achieve a similar result by sending away her son?" he flamboyantly gestures at her.

"You're wrong. I'm only looking out for our village. I want nothing to do with him. How can you be so sure that we're not making a grave mistake by just allowing him to stay here? He may have the divine blood running through his veins but that doesn't mean he possesses the potential to utilise it. He is not a pure wolf!" she retorts.

"That's quite enough. The two of you are leaders in the village, yet you bicker like children." Elder Nephritis's voice booms as she walks into the room, fashionably late as usual. Everyone stands as she walks over and takes a seat. She passes me a knowing apologetic glance and gestures for everyone to sit. The atmosphere in the room feels stifling. The added tension thickens the air with an unpleasant heat, so much so that it creates a sensation of congestion, making it difficult to breathe.

“Alex shows the same potential as any Goddess Descendant.” Nephritis states, breaking the disconcerting silence.

"How can you be sure?" Kara questions.

"Earlier today the boy unintentionally willed his power forth.”

“It wasn't just ordinary mana?” Izakeal questions

“No. The residue of his power is different in nature from that produced by conjurer related magic, similar in feeling to descendants before him," she explains.

"Now are there any other questions?” Nephritis asks, preparing to leave.

"Just a moment Neph. While it is good news that he may be able to develop talents, where does this leave himself and James with regards to the mating ritual?" Izakeal interrupts. Shoot, I had completely forgotten about that and by the looks of it so did the elder. if I remember, the mating ritual is use to bond the descendant and the guardian together. In most cases it's used to help the descendants abilities fully manifest. It's an age old tradition that has lasted centuries. To a degree, it ensures the protection of our future.

She ponders for a second "We'll have it first thing in the evening."

"Elder Nephritis. Isn't that too soon?" I ask, a little flabbergasted. Normally, alphas are meant to observe pack meetings. Their only contribution being their attendance and ear but I feel that the situation is different in the sense that no other alpha is present.

"I trust you know the severity of the situation. It's best that we get this done as soon as possible," she explains

"Elder. We haven't known each other that long." I respond

"What are you getting at Alpha?" she queries.

"While the Guardian is destined to always love and protect the descendant, the descendant doesn't inherit such feelings. What I'm asking is for some more time to get him to feel something for me too." I politely state.

"Surely you can't be considering this proposal Nephritis?" Kara cries, clearly outraged by my proposition.

"Enough Kara." she stares angrily at the defeated woman " I understand both your concerns but it's too risky to wait. The Clovers are unpredictable, they could attack at any minute. That being said, the boy did experience some recent traumas and its not my intention to further dishearten him. Against my better judgement I will allow it, but the minute we get word of the clovers movements, we shall hold the ceremony. It is thus in your best interests to make use of the time you have as effectively as possible. Understood?"

"But Nephritis..." Izakeal protests he says looking from me to the other elder. It's evident that he shares similar feelings to me. I shake my head slowly letting him know that it's okay.

"Yes. Thank you, Elder ." I smile in response. It's not what I was hoping for but it is better than anything I could have expected. To be honest, I never thought it'd happen under these conditions let alone without either of our complete consents. I think I'm beginning to understand what Diana was going through. Maybe if I had been more perceptive... no that was in the past. Alex is my future now. My hope is that he'd understand that I'd never force my mate to do anything he or she didn't want to do. Right now it's out of our control. He's already been through so much. It's not fair. I'll make sure the Colvers pay.

"Meeting adjourned." the elder commands as she exits the room. As the other Elders begin to take their leave, the tension dissipates. I sigh in relief, finding it easier to breathe albeit the heaviness that still rests in my chest from the burden with which Alex and I must both share. Shortly, I take my leave as well.