Chapter 18

It had been a two days since Hardin interrogated Jack, nothing had changed since then. Hardin chooses his pack, he agrees with them and he always will, it's understandable. He's Alpha, and to him their opinions matter, it's what he has to do.

But this is what I have to do. I thought, not a flicker of regret hitting me as I open the huge front doors to the uninvited guests.

Elder Luka struggles to properly grip the male that fights against him, that is until the person hears the doors open and finally stills.

"Kalli?" He whispers, eyes wide with surprise. His familiar voice warms me.

I didn't flinch, I couldn't. My brother isn't on my side anymore, showing him weakness will only serve to make this harder.

"Sebastian." I greet with a blank face, even if it pains my heart to be cold, this is what I have to do.

"What the fuck is going on?" Seb growls, immediately assuming I've brought him here with the worst intentions.

"Why am I here?" He snaps, glaring at me with burning red eyes.

Moving closer, I gently brush his hair from his eyes, examining his unchanging features. All my life this is the face I trusted most, the smile, the kindness, I'm trusting him now more than ever.

"I need you to do something for me, Seb." I admit softly.

His eyes soften slightly, never one to remain angry with someone he loves. It makes me happy, knowing he does still love me, he's going to need to for what I'm about to ask.

"You couldn't have done this another way? Does your mate even know there's another Alpha on his land?" Seb sighs, his anger vanishing even though he's still irritated.

I give a small smile. "Elder Luka has given me permission, I don't care for Hardins anger."

"Unwise, even for you." The darkness that threatens me in his voice almost makes me flinch. Despite knowing he'd be furious with me, it's still not exactly comforting.

Turning to Hardin, I keep my back close to my brother, knowing my mate won't think twice about ripping Sebastians throat out. Even though Elder Luka is here as witness, Hardin won't care.

"I'll admit, I expected some kind of retaliation after my refusal to help, but not this." Hardins false chuckle has me on edge.

Even when he's angry, he's calm. Not today, no, he's absolutely livid. Don't flinch, Kalli. I soothe myself, forcing my body to remain stiff. A huge part of me wants to go to him and beg him for his forgiveness, but I couldn't do it. My friend is being tortured, I have to do something.

"You made your decision, for the welfare of you and your pack, I understand." I say, pausing.

"...I made a decision of my own, not for me, but for the people that I love." I state firmly, my voice sharp with finality. I won't let him change my mind, or deny me this, he cannot.

Grey eyes darken, glowering at me with utter fury. Not because of my sudden choice to step up, but because I've gone behind his back, bargained with an Elder, he's feeling more than a tad betrayed.

"Your brother isn't welcome on my land." Hardin sharply declares.

"Our." I correct.

The tension in the air is heavy, Hardin doesn't appreciate my attitude, or the fact that I'm standing against him instead of beside him.

"She is of Alpha blood, and she is your chosen mate, therefore Katalayha has just as much authority as you." Elder Luka informs Hardin.

Nothing he doesn't know, Hardin simply loathes that I went behind his back. He refused to help me, what did he really expect?

"What's going on?" Zed comes jogging out of the mansion, glancing over us with caution.

"I'm just welcoming my guest, right Hardin?" I flash a smile, one that so clearly shows how much I'm enjoying this. Being able to make a decision, and not be told no.

"Right." Hardin glares, silently telling me that this isn't the end of his temper.

"Great! We have something to take care of, you don't mind us borrowing your office, do you?" I ask, smirking as Hardins entire presence darkens.

Still, he can't deny me this, not in front of Elder Luka at least. I know I'm pushing him, and if I'm honest I'm thriving on his rage right now.

I didn't wait for his response, leading my brother inside the mansion and straight to Hardins most sacred space. Elder Luka shuts the oak doors, while Seb checks the attached bathroom is empty before we all sit.

"What exactly do you need me to do?" Seb straight asks, getting to business. I know he'll ask all his personal questions later.

I share a glance with the Elder, who gives me a small nod of encouragement.

"Do you remember Jackson?" I quiz.

Seb furrows his dark eyebrows in thought. "The kid that dad punched for helping you with your homework?"

Flashes of that day still make me feel guilty, we were barely teenagers when dad caught Jackson helping me after school. My father wasn't impressed.

"That's him." I nod, my tone a little icy.

"Mom threatened to kill him, unless I obeyed her every word." I explain simply.

Sebs eyebrows raise in curiosity. "You disobeyed her?" The surprise in his tone is expected, the only time I've ever fought against our mother is the night of my graduation.

"Not intentionally, the bond is stronger than I thought." I say quietly, frowning in thought.

"No, she wouldn't ask that of you, of anyone. It's impossible to deny the bond-"

"Not impossible." I admit, cutting him off. "It's not easy, but it's not impossible."

Elder Luka stares calmly at my brother, as if silently reading his thoughts even though he needs to touch him to do that. Seb knows what our mother is like, especially when it comes to me. He has no reason not to believe me.

"She's going to kill one of her own, to hurt me, to establish some control over me...over what I am." I tell him.

Sebs eyes flicker from Elder Luka and back to me, undecided on his decision. Our parents have always been good to him, I can't imagine what it must feel like to go against them.

"She will hit us twice as hard-"

"I know, and I'm willing to take the fire for us both, just please...Seb, help me save Jackson." The desperation in my voice isn't quiet.

I could see his resolve weakening, but his fear of her temper still remains. He's never witnessed her wrath, never felt it on his skin, I'm grateful for that.

"I'll help, I just...I've never faced her anger, Kalli...not like you." Seb says quietly, guilt thick in his voice.

I offer a small reassuring smile. His fear of our mother pains me, and even though I know in my heart that his punishment will be nothing compared to mine, I'll never allow her to cause him any pain.

"I won't let her hurt you." I promise, meaning it with every fibre of my being.

"Then it's settled, Sebastian will retrieve the boy from the house." Elder Luka finally speaks.

"They'll suspect something if I'm gone long." Seb says.

"Make some excuse, I'll be waiting at the edge of the east border. When you get him out, send him north." I tell Sebastian.

"Why north?" He frowns.

"Elder Luka will be there to bring him here, I'll cause a distraction beforehand." I say with a small smile.

Seb raises his eyebrows at me and the Elders grins.

"What kind of distraction?"

"A big one, enough to have all the guards on patrol leaving their posts." I say with a slight shrug.

"Sounds a little too easy if you ask me." He sighs.

"You're always invited to dinner on Friday night, they won't assume anything." I sigh. What if he's right? What if I'm making it sound so easy, and it isn't?

"Why can't you just get him?" Seb turns to Elder Luka, patronising his part in this.

"Your mother is intelligent, she will know that Katalayha set this up. It's best to keep as much heat off of you both as we possibly can." Is Lukas answer.

The real reason is because of who I am. As Alpha female, others will naturally assume I'm working with the Elders if they help me with such a small thing. Truth be told, the day I touched Elder Lukas hand upon leaving my graduation, I'd set this plan in motion. I knew my mother would ask something impossible of me, she's always liked to hurt me.

"Makes sense." Seb sighs, his eyes flickering back to me.

***

With Seb and Elder Luka long gone, Hardin doesn't take long to come barging in with his little temper.

The bang of the door as it slams behind him is what makes me jump slightly, having barely heard him come in. Expecting his utter fury, I turn to him, not meeting his gaze.

"You gave me no other choice-"

"Stop talking!" Hardin growls menacingly.

My heart freezes for a moment, that is until his rough fingers wrap around my throat, forcing me to meet his eyes. My entire body shivers, and I couldn't decide if it was good or bad.

I grab his wrist, trying to ease him off me a little. Hardin walks me backwards, forcing me against his desk, the wood bites into my skin but I say nothing. Heart pounding, I stare up into Hardins sinful glare with wide weary eyes.

"Do you have any idea how hard it is to stop myself from ripping your clothes off?" Hardin seethes through gritted teeth, eyes ablaze with hunger, anger.

I freeze, not entirely sure how I'm supposed to react right now. Does he want to hurt me?

"What?" I breathe, almost horrified. "Let go."

I push on his arm, trying to get him to ease up a little. I don't like the look on his face right now, the part of him that I know wants me. He wants to be rough, to punish me in some kind of twisted way.

Hardins grip on my throat vanishes not a second later, so abrupt that I gasp, expecting a slap that never comes. Hardins silence worries me, mostly because he's so angry and I have no idea what he's thinking.

"What is Jackson to you?" Hardin questions icily.

Flicking my eyes up, I stare for a moment. His expression is one I've never seen until now, like he is ready to rip heads off should I give a certain response.

"We're friends." I firmly say, frowning at Hardin. Does he assume I've been involved with Jackson romantically because I'm choosing to save him from my mother?

His expression softens slightly, just enough for me to notice. I'm surprised that he believes me, I didn't expect him to.

"If you're planning to put yourself in danger, I need to know." He tells me in a calmer tone, despite the low rumble of his beast within.

He wants to protect me.

"I'll be fine." I assure him, offering a slight smile. Will I?

Hardin stares at me for a long moment, his dark eyebrows creasing as his grey darken. I'd give my leg to know what he's thinking, sadly that means he'll be in my head too.

"This feels wrong, I should be with you on this." He murmurs.

I barely notice him closing the gap between us, his warmth wrapping around me like a blanket. Softening slightly, I reach and take his larger hand in mine, basking in the contact.

"I'm going to be fine, Elder Luka will be with me." I sigh lightly.

"Somehow that worries me more." Hardin frowns deeply. Rolling my eyes, I couldn't help but smile a little.

"Lets go eat, I'm starving." I grumble, already pulling away. Hardin follows me to the kitchen, where the chefs begin preparations for dinner.

"Alpha...Alpha." One of the men greet, glancing at me with uncertainty.

He's debating if Alpha is the right title for me, considering I'm female and he already has a Alpha. It's understandable, although Hardin responds with a glare due to the males hesitation.

"Kalli is fine." I respond with a slightly awkward smile. Technically I am Alpha Kalli, but the title is so foreign to me now that it doesn't feel right.

"Of course." The chef smiles, giving us a slight nod.

"What would you like to eat?" He asks, a familiar question. No matter how many times I refuse to allow them to cook for me, they keep persisting.

"Actually...Is it ok if I use the kitchen tonight?" I ask hopefully.

The chefs seem a tad surprised, but smile anyway. "No need to ask, Alp- Kalli, I can show you were everything is and then you can take it from there?"

I give a half smile. "That would be perfect, thank you."