Chapter 33

Emerald P.O.V

We were standing at the entrance of Baruna mountains, same place where I stood with my friends a month ago to escape my fate. But the same fate brought me here with the person I was running from. Night approach us fast than we thought and entering in the night is like inviting death to our front door.

"We will continue our journey tomorrow" Chase stated looking at those beautiful mountains. They are too alluring, too peaceful, they call people towards them but I know what lies there- danger, blood and death. "Can't argue on this " Caleb said shuddering and quickly stood beside Kat. I chuckled, why can't they confess their love to each other already.

My cousin and my best friend- what a great match

"We should collect woods to keep us warm for tonight" Will said looking around him, "Why do we need woods, we have Em to keep us warm with her fire power" instantly Kat reply came then she realize her mistake forgetting that I have lost my powers. She looked at me grimacing when she saw my face fell, I tried to smile back then walked away from there. I tried to calm my heartbeat which have pick up instantly, my hands were trembling. I took long breaths to control my emotions.

"Everything will be just fine, she didn't mean that" I murmured to myself to ease the turmoil of emotions. I clenched my fist to stop them from shaking, suddenly a hand came and took my clenched fist in both of his hands. They stopped shaking as soon as his touch register in my mind and the little sparks I was feeling from the mate bond. I didn't pull away from him knowing well that I need him more than anything. He is the one who can instantly calm me and get a rise from me at the same time. "What are you doing here?" I asked my voice shaky, I didn't hear his reply so I looked at him, he was looking directly at me, for the first time I saw little concern on his face, but it was gone as quickly as it came. "Why do you always act like a cry baby" he said annoyed, I quickly snatched my hand away and glare at him "I wasn't crying" I growled, a smile appear on his face "Well that's good because the real danger is there and I don't want to handle a weeping mate" he mocked me pointing to the mountains, I scoffed "Yeah right" I snapped but there was a smile on my face. He let me out of my saddened state without even me knowing even if his method was bad. I appreciate that about him

"When I get my powers back, then I want a dual between us so I will beat your sorry ass" I said playfully, I want to see what are the boundaries of his powers. His face darkened suddenly, I furrowed my eyebrow in confusion,"What happened?" I asked, he shook his head and throw a smirk at me "We will see about that".

***

We were sitting in a circle with fire burning in the center. Thousands of stars scattered in the dark sky giving us a beautiful view. "Alright Guys, we don't know what will happen tomorrow, so for once lets be civil with each other" Alex said sitting cris crossed, I nodded along, he is right. This is the last time we are all together, our future is unknown.

"I agree" Kat said

"I consent" Caleb said as well after Kat, I snicker when Kat punched him on the shoulder and he yelped in pain, we only say 'I consent' when we are about to marry each other. "I was only joking" he yelled when she didn't stop her assault. Chase looked at me quirking his brows, I just shrugged my shoulder in response.

"Okay, lets play a game" I said cutting their bickering, every one stopped and stared at me.

"We should play truth or dare or in this case truth or truth" I said remembering Kyle and I used to play that game a lot when I was in Terra. Everyone wore confused expression so I explained the rules to them.

"This is the best you can come up with" Annalise said bluntly scrunching her nose in disgust, I opened my mouth to tell her off but some one else beat me to it. "It is good game to pass the time, I don't see any problem in that" Will said staring at her with blank expression, I frowned and looked between them. She growled lowly but didn't say anything further.

Wow, their relationship is blooming quickly (or not).

I grab my dagger from the pocket and put it in middle to spin, whoever get the sharp edge will have to answer the question truthfully. Alyssa spelled our circle, if someone lie they will feel the electric current in small amount letting us know that the person is lying. "Alright, I will go first" Alex said enthusiastically, he spin the dagger, everybody looks towards it and suddenly it stopped in front of Caleb and the opposite end was on Alyssa. I looked at Alyssa waiting for her question. She squirm under every one gaze, Cal huffed "Ask pretty girl".

"What should I ask?" she said in low voice and looked at me, I gave her reassuring smile. It's just a game to pass the time. She took a long breath and "Do you ever been in love?" she asked after a while, my eyes widened at this question and I chocked a little, Caleb merely raised his eyebrow

"Nope, I have never been in love" he replied smoothly and when we saw no electric current passing, we were sure he was telling the truth. I quickly looked towards Kat, she has a blank expression and she looked fine but I know better. "Alright" Alyssa said quickly and spin the dagger. At last, dagger stop in front of Annalise, Alex was sitting opposite of her. He was cracking his knuckles like he was waiting for this exact moment.

"When are you going to leave my brother as you have found your soul mate" he asked with innocent expression but his eyes were twinkling with mischief. She glared at Alex and looked at Chase for response, I looked at him as well, I am curious to know the answer. His face was blank "I want to hear it too Anna" he said, his feature smooth. Annalise expression darken even more. "I don't want to play this shitty game anymore" she growled and stood up from her seat trying to get out of the circle. I sighed, I thought she will reply to it but I heard her yelp and she sat on her seat again. I frowned, why didn't she go. "You have spelled this circle" she growled at Alyssa to which Alyssa cowered a little but Alex put a hand on her shoulder "It was all my idea, you can not just leave this in the middle" he stare at her, his expression hardened, she looked at Chase for help. "Its the rule of the game, just answer the damn question and get away with it" he said bored with the situation but I can read his eyes clearly, he was curious. "Okay, you want an answer I will give it to you, I don't know what will happen after that but I am sure I am not leaving Chase any time soon" she said smugly, her eyes on me, I just stare back without backing down, does she want to irk me, she didn't feel any pain indicating she was telling the truth.

Yeah well she can keep him.

I broke my gaze and looked towards Will, his fist was clenched and he was glowering. Oh, he started having feeling for her. This game is turning for the worst. Alex gave a lopsided smirk, nodded and spin the dagger again, this time it stopped in front of Will and the person who was sitting opposite of him was Kat. She smirked evilly and looked at me, I shook my head stopping her to ask that question I don't need answer for but she just ignored me.

"Do you Love Emerald!" she asked or more like stated. I closed my eyes grimly while Caleb spit the water he was drinking because I can hear him making choking noises. I opened my eyes when I still didn't hear his reply, he was looking at me with tenderness "I am in love with you for as long as I can remember" he said sincerely, my eyes widened in shock, my mouth open and close on his own accord. Kat was smiling satisfied with the reply. We waited for a few second for the current to pass but when it didn't pass, I was sure he was telling the truth, just then I heard a thunderous growl coming from Chase himself and he stood up from his seat. "Say it again I dare you" he said calmly, his voice icy and his eyes were pitch black. I stood up from the circle as well as every one. "Did you see me stutter" Will retorted back, Chase started making his way towards him, his jaw clenched in anger. I tried to reach them and broke the circle, next thing I register in my mind of feeling pain and passing out.

***

"Is she fine?"

"This is all your fault"

"She is weak and you still put her in this stupid situation"

"It was him who started it"

"She is my mate, MINE" I heard a growl, I shifted a little in my sleep "Stop making noises Ryan and get out of my chamber" I murmured trying to go back to sleep again, I heard chuckling near me.

"Who the hell is RYAN?" a deadly calm voice said, all my sleep got out of the window instantly when I feel chills running down my spine. I groaned and slowly opened my eyes remembering I am not in my home, I am here in Baruna mountains. Everyone was hovering over me like a hawk. "Did you guys ever hear about personal space?" I said pressing my lips firmly together, they all quickly scrambled away except for one person. I yawned stretching my body and looked around me, we were still at the entrance of Baruna but I can see sun rising. I have slept whole night. Wow. "What happened?" I asked, my voice hoarse from the sleep, "Who is Ryan?" Chase said, his bulging arms folding in front of his chest, I raised my eyebrow. Why is he asking about my brother?

"Why do you want to know?" I asked staring at him with raised eyebrow, he growled lowly "Because I want to know the person name my mate was whispering in her sleep" he responded staring back at me. I scrunched my face in confusion "Why does it matter?" I said and turn to my friends looking at Will particularly. He looked fine just tired that means Chase didn't beat him up. I sighed in relief and stood up from the make shift bed of leaves they made for me, it was comfortable to sleep. I wanted to lay down some more but we don't have enough time to rest.

"Its matter because you are my mate" he growled stalking towards me, I scoffed "I am not, we had a deal and I won my freedom fair and square" I glared at him, my friends standing beside me, Kat put her arm on my shoulder to give me support. He glared back at me, "You are mine and I don't care about a fucking deal" he snarled, veins popping on his forehead, his eyes getting darker, I looked towards Annalise, she was standing there frozen, tears in her eyes.

"Then what am I to you?" She said wiping her tears away and walking in between us, her voice held anger and pain. Chase snapped his head towards her and looked at her broken face.

This girl is ready to leave her mate for Chase and here he is acting like an animal.

His expression morphed into blank one and he looked at her "You have found your mate, your life is with him" he said gazing at her, my heart skip a bit. Why is he doing this, why is he throwing his perfect relationship away. I heard sob coming from Annalise "But I only want you" she said crying, her fist clenched in pain. "No, you don't, you already want your mate, its written all over your face" he replied without any emotions.

"But does he want me?" she asked in small voice lowering her head, I felt the guilt in the pit of my stomach. Will is denying this bond because he thinks that he is in love with me. He is crazy for leaving his mate just for some infatuation which I can't return. I stared at Will, his fists were clenched and he was staring at his mate.

Every one was deadly silent listening to the conversation. I was shocked, that I am being the barrier in some one's life.

"Annalise" I said walking to her, trying to put my arm on her shoulder for comfort, she quickly jerked it away and glared at me with hatred. "This is all your fault, We were happy before you came in our life" she snapped pointing a finger at me. I frowned "Listen to me" I tried again but she cut me off "No, you listen to me, First you took Chase away and now my soul mate, you are a real slut, always whoring around" she said bitterly, I just stood their letting her lash her anger out on me. She is in pain and if she feel helpful by saying bad about me then I don't mind. "First Chase then Alex then William now who - Caleb or maybe the person whom you were moaning the name in your sleep" she accused me, I growled with the false accusation, I don't care what she talk about me but getting my family in between is unacceptable. "Shut the fuck up" I said lowly with dangerous edge, she smirked, her tears still falling out of her eyes.

"That's enough Annalise" Chase voice boomed.

Then she started clapping "Look, your savior came for your aid, you can't even take care of your self, I hope we don't find the gem, I hope you died in those haunted mountains" she said.

In instant, my palm connected to her cheek, the sound booming in the morning loudly. "First of all, I have never came in between you and Chase, he literally kidnapped me for God sake" I yelled at her, she was glaring at me, one hand on her right cheek. "Alex is my friend I am not hitting on him , Will and I grew up together, he is my best friend and we can die for each other, if he fell in love with me, its not my mistake nor it was his, he didn't know he will find a bitchy mate and for all of your information Ryan is my brother and don't you dare say shit about my family" I growled, her expression changed into disbelieve but she was still staring at me with frown.

"I don't need any one to save me, I am capable enough to save every one and about finding gem, no one forced you to come here, it was all your decision" I said scoffed and turned around from her.

"Let's go, we don't have time, we can find the Gem on our own without their help" I said standing in front of my friend.

Enough is enough, they think we are dependent on them, we are not!

"You are not going anywhere without me" Chase said walking towards me, his steps making loud noise on the ground. "Annalise, if you want to go back to the Kingdom, you are free to make your decisions, I have already talked to the soldiers they will meet you half way, you won't find any problem there" he said to her without looking at her.

"And Emerald is my good friend, people like you stain the friendship like that" Alex said icily and walked towards us followed by Alyssa. I looked at Will, its his decision to make if he want to be with us or go back to her mate.

He looked at Annalise frowning and turned around "I am not breaking my bond with my family just because I found my mate" he said with determination but I can sense pain in his words. I sighed, we started walking in the Baruna mountains leaving Annalise behind.

Annalise is toxic for him.