Betrayal and the Fires of Anger

Chapter 16:

The tension in the air was thick as Kaelion, the Wolf Prince, strode toward Elira. His eyes locked on hers, and without a word, he grabbed her wrist, pulling her away from Zareth, who stood frozen for a brief moment, his gaze burning with anger.

"Let go of me, Kaelion!" Elira hissed, her pulse racing as she tried to pull away from him. She had hoped for peace, but the last thing she wanted now was to be dragged back to the Wolf Kingdom.

Kaelion's jaw clenched as his grip tightened. "No," he growled, his tone filled with a cold fury. "You are coming with me whether you like it or not."

Elira, her heart pounding in her chest, tried to fight back, but Kaelion's strength was overwhelming. Zareth, his emotions a storm of fury, moved to intervene, his hands curling into fists. But before he could make a move, the Wolf Prince's men arrived, surrounding them, and Kaelion's voice rang out with authority.

"Take her back to the kingdom. Now."

Elira was powerless as she was dragged away from Zareth, her gaze filled with sorrow. She looked back one last time at the Dragon King, seeing the anger and pain in his eyes. But it was already too late. Kaelion had won.

As they left the Dragon Kingdom, Zareth fell to his knees, his heart heavy with the sting of defeat. His body was battered, and his anger was only growing. His breath was ragged, and the wounds from the battle began to take their toll on him. His men rushed to his side, but the pain, both physical and emotional, was overwhelming. The man who had once been in control of his destiny now found himself slipping into unconsciousness.

Elira was thrust into a grand hall, the familiar, yet unwelcome surroundings of the Wolf Kingdom closing in around her. The castle walls seemed to press against her as if the very air was conspiring to suffocate her. Her anger simmered, but her heart felt heavy, torn by everything that had happened.

Her uncle, aunt, and cousin had arrived shortly after her, their eyes full of judgment and pity, yet Elira felt nothing but resentment toward them. They had never been her family in the way she had hoped. Now, they too were pawns in Kaelion's game. The Wolf Prince had betrayed her trust, using her as a pawn to further his battle against Zareth.

As she walked through the grand hall, she couldn't stop the bitterness rising within her. Her steps were hesitant, her thoughts clouded with rage and pain. She wanted to scream, to curse Kaelion for what he had done, for pulling her back here as if she were nothing more than a possession to be claimed.

Her emotions were a whirlwind of confusion, betrayal, and anger. But she didn't want to show weakness, not now, not when her soul felt like it was being torn in two.

When her family came to check on her, concern in their eyes, Elira didn't speak to them. She couldn't bring herself to.

"Are you okay, Elira?" her aunt asked, trying to sound sympathetic.

Elira turned her back, her voice cold as ice. "I'm not okay, and I don't want your pity."

Kaelion entered, his footsteps heavy with purpose. His expression was unreadable, but Elira could sense the frustration and anger radiating from him. Without a word, he approached her, his presence looming over her like a storm.

"Why are you still angry?" Kaelion's voice was low, his patience wearing thin.

Elira glared at him, refusing to look at him directly. "Because you used me. You manipulated me, Kaelion. You betrayed me to fight your war. I'm not a prize to be won!"

Kaelion's face twisted with irritation. "You're mine, Elira. I don't need to win you, I just need to keep you. And I will."

Before Elira could respond, he grabbed her roughly by the arm, pulling her toward him. His grip was tight, and the suddenness of his movement took her breath away.

"Look at me when I'm speaking to you," he ordered, his voice filled with anger.

"I don't want to look at you," she spat back, her face twisted in fury.

Kaelion's eyes darkened, and he stepped closer, his body almost pressed against hers. His anger was palpable, a force she could almost taste in the air.

"You will look at me, Elira," he growled. "I've had enough of your defiance."

Without warning, he pressed her roughly against the wall, his body crowding hers. His face was inches from hers, his hot breath mingling with hers as he spoke through gritted teeth. "You think you can defy me? You think I'll let you go? You are mine, and you'll learn your place."

Elira's heart raced in her chest, her body tense as she struggled against him. But she was no match for his strength. The fire of his rage was burning brighter than ever, and the sheer force of his anger made her blood run cold.

Her eyes filled with defiance, but her voice was shaky as she replied, "I don't belong to you. I never will."

Kaelion's face twisted with a combination of anger and desire, his eyes blazing with fury. His hands tightened on her arms as he spoke again, each word heavy with menace. "You will learn, Elira. You will."

Meanwhile, back at the Dragon Kingdom, Zareth had been treated by his men. His injuries were grave, but the pain was far worse than the physical. His thoughts were consumed with Elira. He had failed her, lost her to the Wolf Prince. As his men worked quickly to stabilize him, Zareth's mind was in turmoil, replaying the scene again and again in his head.

The Dragon King's chest heaved with each breath, his eyes fluttering closed as the darkness began to take over. But in his heart, a fire still burned for Elira. His kingdom, his pride, and his love for her would not let him rest. This war was far from over.