Marked by the Alphas Chapter 173

Axel POV

“It’s okay,” Kane whispers, pulling Elara onto his lap and cradling her against his chest. “Just say it. We’ll be okay.”

“I have a terrible feeling about this,” I mind link him, making eye contact over Elara’s head.

“Neither do I,” he replies. “But I bet you it’s Mason’s fault that she’s in this condition.”

“You might have a different opinion once I’m done talking,” she sniffs, pulling herself together, and taking a deep breath before telling us everything.

As she tells us what happened, I know she is not leaving out a single detail, nor does she bla Mason for her participation. I know, because no person in their right mind would admit to such an act if it were not the truth.

“I’m so, so sorry,” she whispers, her voice hoarse from the tears. “I don’t understand it, I don’t have an excuse, and I ...”

“Elara, it’s okay,” Kane replies, kissing the top of her head. She looks at him in surprise.

“You ... you’re not mad?” She asks.

“Not at you, love,” I say, stroking her hair. I am trembling with anger, but I keep my composure.

“But I participated,” she protests. “You have no idea what a relief it is that you’re not mad at , but I am not innocent.”

“You’re right,” I smile sadly. “But we don’t think it was by choice.”

When Kane told about his suspicions last night, I did not want to believe him. Not because I do not think Mason is incapable of it, but because I was truly hoping he was finally on our side.

But now ... now I want to burn shit. I do not care how Mason spins it; until evidence proves otherwise, I wholeheartedly believe that he killed Rhiannon and is sohow poisoning or manipulating Elara.

If Elara was in love with Mason, she would not have told us what happened. She would have had a dirty, sneaky affair with him. Like Alice. But Elara is guilt-ridden and devastated. She is not a willing participant.

“You shouldn’t make excuses for ,” she shakes her head. “I could’ve said no.”

“We don’t think so,” Kane sighs, looking at .

“We have no proof,” I say softly, lovingly stroking her hair. “But we think Mason’s sohow manipulating you.”

“And Braden agrees,” Kane adds. “We think he’s spiking your drinks, but we don’t know with what. So, in the anti, don’t drink anything he hands to you, okay?”

“Are you serious?” Elara’s eyes widen.

“It’s the only logical explanation,” I say. “Mason has been negative and aggressive all the ti. Then, suddenly, he changes his tune, serves us drinks, and here we are. And the fact that it happened a second ti after he gave you tea and water, confirms our suspicions.”

“I ... I can’t believe it,” she breathes, stunned.

“That motherfucker,” she growls, looking at us with blazing eyes when her confusion turns into anger. “He tells he loves , begs to run away with him, and then he drugs ! I’m going to kill him.”

“Shh, Elara,” I whisper. “We need proof before we accuse him.”

“I don’t need proof,” she hisses. “I’ll kill just for the sake of it.”

“Love, be logical,” Kane says. “We must know how he’s doing it and with what. If he’s using a potion, there could be side effects, and we want you safe more than we want him dead.”

“Well, then we can write off his murder as a side effect,” she snaps. “I want to ... ah, my head.”

“Okay, that’s enough,” Kane says, laying her down. “We’re all going to bed now. We have a big night ahead, and you can’t fight with a migraine.”

“But I’m angry,” she pouts. “I don’t think I could sleep right now.”

“We’ll give you a massage,” I say, taking her foot in my hand and starting to rub.

“Yes, please,” she sighs, throwing an arm over her eyes.

“Goddess, you’re spoiled,” Kane teases, picking up her other foot.

“That I am,” she grins. “But that’s no excuse for you to stop.”

Elara POV

It is already late afternoon when I wake up. I am completely relaxed, and I have my amazing mates to thank for it. I cannot believe I have slept most of the day. My mind is foggy, but at least I got rid of that dreadful headache.

I get out of bed, run through the shower, dress and follow the sounds of children laughing to the living room. Axel, Kane and Mason are playing with them under the watchful eye of Gabriela. And it amazes that they can push their feelings for Mason aside, because when I look at him, I see red. That fucker! He killed Rhiannon and is drugging . And to think I gave him the benefit of the doubt. I advocated for him. I fought for him to beco a part of our circle for the sake of the twins.

“Hey,” Mason says when he sees . “How are you feeling?”

“Better, thank you,” I smile stiffly. If my mates can tolerate him, so can I.

“Can I get you sothing to eat or drink?” Mason offers.

“No, thank you,” I say quickly, and sit between Kane and Axel. “I’ll have sothing later.”

“If you need sothing, I’ll get it,” Axel offers.

“Or I can get it myself,” I grin, looking at him.

“I’m back,” Braden announces, entering the room.

“Back?” I frown, looking at him. “I thought you were resting in the basent?”

“I was, sleepy head,” he grins, falling onto a couch. “I also went hunting, drained a deer and filled up the truck for tonight.”

“You were a busy boy,” I grin.

“I also visited Constantine,” he says stoically.

“Are you insane?” I gasp. “You could’ve been caught.”

“I used my invisibility power,” he says, raising his hands defensively. “I had to see what we’re working with.”

“And?” Kane asks, raising his eyebrows.

“And we have our work cut out for us,” he sighs.