C14- Maybe it's a good thing

Elijah's POV.

I watch her quietly, my eyes taking in the sight of Vynessa. Her brunette curly hair sleeps around her face. Each curl a perfect spiral that begs to be touched. To be caressed.

Her pink lips are parted slightly, just enough for me to get a glimpse of her white front teeth. I'd never known something so carefree could be so inviting. It's like forbidden fruit with a promise.

I shift my gaze away, not liking my train of thought but also unable to take my eyes off her completely. So my eyes linger on the gentle curve of her cheek, finding that tanned glow under the soft light of the room just about perfect.

The delicate shape of her nose…

The soft swell of her lips.

I shut my eyes with a sigh. I shouldn't be focusing on her lips. There's simply no way that would end well for either of us.

Mother was right. All these years and her voice still sounds so unique in my head. I remember in mates class how she held my little hands promising my curious young mind that my mate would be just as beautiful as her. ‘Even more beautiful’ she added and I'd smiled back at her.

If only mother could see Vynessa, she's beautiful, captivating even. A true masterpiece of nature. But I'm not a naive 12-year-old anymore. Now I know mates are more of a curse than anything else. My parents early death being enough proof.

My eyes narrow as I look closer, my frown deepening. There are lines on her forehead, faint creases from stress. I watch how for the second time in two hours, her eyebrows furrowed slightly, even in her sleep. Whatever it is she'd seen before fainting is clearly still plaguing her dream.

Like a puppet on strings, my hand reaches out, instinctively drawn to the furrowed lines on her forehead. The sudden urge to smooth them away, to erase the worries that plague her, takes me by surprise. But I hesitate, my fingers hovering just above her skin.

Unavoidably I shift back, remembering the spark that shot through me when I'd touched her, the jolt of electricity that seemed to awaken something deep within. Something I know shouldn't be awakened. The first time it was, it led to the disaster I can never forgive myself for.

A cursed sense of possessiveness that overwhelmes me, restricting any rational reasoning I'm capable of making.

Finally I pull my hand back, my jaw clenched in determination. I need to stay away from her. I must resist the pull that draws me to her. The curse that hangs over me, the fate that awaits me if I give in to my desires... I must not let myself feel.

I've made the mistake of loving before I cannot afford to pay the price for folly twice.

Gently I rise from my crouched position, intent on leaving Vynessa to her rest. But in that exact moment, the door swings open and Klaus and Jet walk in. My betas, Klaus being the first and Jet the second. They move in perfect synchrony, their eyes briefly drift downward in a show of respect.

"Alpha King," they chorus in unison, their voices low and smooth as they bow their heads.

I nod curtly, my gaze already locked on Klaus. "What did she tell you when you showed her the video?" I demand, my voice quieter than I'd expected.

Klaus's gaze flicks to Vynessa, and for a moment, I see a flash of something in his eyes that looks almost like...affection.

But that's impossible.

Klaus is my most trusted beta, my friend. He would never betray me like that.

"She didn't say anything, Elijah." He reports, his voice neutral, but his eyes stay locked on her unconscious form. "She appeared to remember something, though."

I nod, despite the twist of discomfort in my chest.

"Thank you for helping to get her settled," I say, controlling my tone.

Klaus looks at me, his eyes meeting mine for a brief moment before he nods. "It's nothing, Elijah. I wouldn't mind keeping watch over her, either."

Equally shocked as I am by his words, Jet turns to Klaus, a hint of surprise in his voice. "That's surprising coming from you.” He says with his usual bright smile. “I mean, I've never seen you show interest in a human."

Klaus's gaze drifts back to Vynessa, his expression softening noticeably. "I guess she's different." He mutters.

Jet nods in agreement. "Yeah. She's our Alpha's mate after all. The goddess has a way of reserving the special ones for ‘em."

I catch the subtle tightening in Klaus's jaw, a quiet tension that he quickly suppresses. My instincts prick up as like an unwanted alarm, warning bells ring in my mind. Perhaps the curse is already taking effect, binding my pack in a cord of betrayal. Because If my own brother is starting to develop feelings for my mate...I have no idea what I would do.

“Alpha Elijah, we've gotten the idiot that ordered the kidnap of your mate.” Jet states and I nod. I'd expected them to get him sooner.

I turn to leave, not trusting myself to stay in the same room with Vynessa for another moment. Her scent is growing stronger, surrounding me like a spell. Frightenedly I can feel my senses responding to her presence, my body stirring with a hunger that I dare not pay attention to.

Perhaps I'm reading too much into this situation with Klaus.

As I walk out, I catch myself thinking that maybe it's a good thing Klaus appears to have taken an interest in Vynessa. At least this way, she'll be distracted from me if ever she senses the mate pull, and I'll be discouraged from pursuing her, from bringing destruction upon my pack a second time.

As my feet stride on the rugged hallway, I make a mental note to tell Klaus to quit using his siren call to influence her complacency. If she falls for him, so be it. But she must make that choice freely, without deception or coercion.

As I walk, my ears pick up on the subtle sounds of footsteps behind me. Klaus and Jet. Their movements are quiet and within a second, I sense them falling into place beside me, their presence a familiar comfort that stretches back centuries.