Marked by the Alphas Chapter 125

Elara POV

“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Kane whispers, holding back from walking towards Malachi. “He could be lying about being your grandfather.”

“He could be,” I reply softly. “But Braden wouldn’t. He confird Malachi’s identity.”

Kane reluctantly lets go of , and I walk with Malachi to the edge of the enchantnt line. He turns to look at , taking in from head to toe.

“You look so much like your mother,” he says nostalgically.

I look down at myself. I am still wearing the sa rumpled oversized t-shirt and cardigan from two days ago, plus so cargo pants. I feel like a ss, but the complint still makes smile.

“Not as much as my sister does,” I reply.

It is true, they share the sa eye colour and heavy freckles across their noses. Suddenly, it hits why Malachi looks so familiar: his eyes are the sa green as Mother’s and Selena’s. The sa green that Stella’s eyes are slowly morphing into.

I take a closer look at him. It really is hard to believe that this man, who looks so young and full of life, is not only my grandfather, but also an ancient, probably hundreds of years old.

“I know,” he says, the corner of his mouth quirking up in a devious smile. “I’ve been keeping an eye on them for a long ti now. And on you, too.”

I look at him and raise my eyebrows. I do not know whether to find this comforting or creepy. There is sothing trustworthy about his face, but I also get the feeling that this is a power of his: winning people over with his charms.

“I’ve been sending Braden out to check on them every day now that the Council has called away your dad and left your mother and sister vulnerable,” he continues. “Don’t worry, though. They’re not working on the hybrid project.”

I breathe out a sigh of relief. When Mother said Father had been called away on a secret project, it made sick to think they might be working with the n who were kidnapping and killing she-wolves like us. I am more than happy to hear they are not.

“So, does that an you knew that my sister was eting with Orion?” I ask.

“Yes,” he confirms. “And I know you followed them to that bar. Not a very wise decision, Elara. If he slled you or even got a glimpse of you ... well, we might never have t like this.”

My face scrunches in thought. If he is so all-knowing and all-powerful, then why does he not do sothing about Orion? Then Kane and I would not have had to sneak around like spies.

“You’re an ancient vampire, right?” I ask, crossing my arms. “Doesn’t that an you have so kind of undead superpowers or sothing? Why don’t you just kill Orion yourself?”

“Quite frankly, I hadn’t considered it worthwhile before,” he replies, shrugging. “He only kidnapped hybrids who were of shifter descent. But then he set his sights on you and Stella ... and that’s when things got personal.”

I turn to look at the cabin and see Kane standing on the porch, holding Stella. Axel and Mason are wearing clothes again, and they are by his side, keeping a watchful eye on . Braden is two steps away from them, but he is also looking our way.

The scene warms my heart, and I smile softly. All these strong, powerful n are here to protect and my baby.

“And besides,” Malachi continues, and I turn back to him. “When I kill Orion - and I do intend to one day soon - then the treaty is broken, and another war will break out. We vampires must be ready before that happens.”

Another war? What the hell kind of treaty did these people sign that every second move can trigger a war? It seems so unfair that even once we deal with Orion, it still might not be over.

“Wait,” I hold up my hand, my mind racing. “You said vampires must be ready before that happens. Does that an Mother knows you’re here?”

“Oh, sweet child,” he chuckles humourlessly, and I look at him confused.

“Your mother doesn’t know who I am anymore,” Malachi explains. “When she had the spell cast on herself to conceal her vampire side, she forgot who her family was.”

“Oh, yeah, that,” I mutter, feeling like an idiot for asking. How could I be so stupid as to forget? I was lucky – or unlucky, it remains to be seen – to regain my mories.

“Her mother died when she was young,” he sighs, looking out over the forest, a sad smile on his face. “And it took away the pain she felt after her death, but it also ant that she no longer knew who I was. Obviously, she knows I exist, but she will not recognise if I pass her on the street.”

“That must’ve been so hard,” I say sympathetically. I saw the toll it took on Mother to let go. “To lose your wife and your daughter.”

“I lived for centuries,” he sighs. “And I loved more people than I can count, but she was one of the hardest to let go.”

“Have you ever loved more than one at a ti?” I ask curiously.

He raises his eyebrow, then turns to look back at the cabin again as if he knows exactly why I am asking.

“Of course I have,” he replies, holding my gaze with his bright, green eyes. “And if you want my advice, follow your heart. Love is many things, but hardly ever easy. You have two mates; it’s going to be worse for you.”

“So, uhm ... do you know about Mason?” I ask sheepishly.

“Of course, I do,” he replies sympathetically. “And you made the right decision. He is carrying decades of anger and resentnt, and experience has taught that if he cannot learn to let it go, he will choose to act on it. Harming you and Stella.”

“Thanks for the advice,” I smile. “We should get back before the wolves get restless.”