(Author’s POV)
"Please, Myra, pleaseeeeeeee~~~~~ give one more chance. I beg you," Elio nearly sobbed, bruised and broken ntally.
Myra’s conscience was ready to take a nosedive. Elio was~ ... in a way~ ... ~her first love. The one she had fallen for. The one that had made her heart dance for the first ti. The one she had kissed~ .... willingly. Even sitting and talking about trivial things with him was comforting. He had always been kind and empathetic towards her.
But now, seeing his six foot five self, looking small and crumbling, was crushing her soul. She could feel his agony, his anguish, his tornt deep within her chest. The harrowing pain struck her like a lit matchstick. Before she could give him any answer, she clutched her chest and started coughing badly.
Shaking off his painful state, Elio snapped out and regained composure. He was instantly by Myra’s side, holding her shoulder with one hand while the other one patted her back soothingly.
Though his gentle patting made the coughing stop, the vice like ache was clasping at her chest. She felt as if her lungs were on fire. She heaved and gasped for air vulnerably, her eyes bloodshot.
Elio held her face close and murmured, "Myra~ .... listen to . Breathe with . Inhale~~~~~ .... Exhale~~~~~ .... Breathe in~ ... breathe out. Yeah, yes. Just like this. You are doing well ~.... That’s it~ .... Yeah~ ... breathe in, breathe out~ ...."
Following his rhythm and guidance, Myra’s breath eased, her pain started to subside, little by little. Elio carefully hugged her, soft and delicate. He kept on stroking her back and mumbled, "You are alright, you are fine."
They remained in this position for quite a while. Myra finally relaxed, but whatever strength was left in her had taken a toll. She whispered, "I want to rest."
Elio helped her lie in bed, like she was a fragile doll. He stroked her head, "You can sleep now. I will keep a watch over you."
Myra nodded faintly as she felt her eyes getting heavier, diving into a deep slumber.
Elio gazed at her in quiet repose, her slightly colorless and haggard face. His mind was a chaotic ss. He grunted, reprimanding Leo, ’Do you have any idea what could have happened to her? She already doesn’t like that I’m a werewolf, and you gave her a panic attack.’
Leo growled inside, ’I know I was wrong. But~ ... but, I was just hurt~ .... by our mate’s rejecting words. You were in pain too, Eli. I couldn’t control myself.’
’Whatever the reason. Neither you nor I can hurt her. Mate or not. She is the one I chose to be with. And one way or another, I will make her choose , willingly,’ Elio replied, his words determined while his hand moved from her head to her collarbone. He traced the angry red marks left by Alaric as he bit his lower lip.
He then held her hand in his, raising it, as he placed a knight’s kiss on the ring finger.
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The sound of her alarm buzzed, making Myra rumble, waking her up. She swiped it off her eyes, still shut. As she tried to roll to her side, her body felt achingly heavy and lethargic. She groaned a bit, opening her eyes slowly, steadily.
The morning chorus of birds filled her room. The sun’s bright rays penetrated, lighting it up from the ajar window. Myra’s eyes darted as she looked around, but there was no sign of Elio’s presence. She then saw a piece of paper stuck beneath the side table lamp. She reached for it and saw it was sothing Elio had left. It read, "Although your fever has subsided, you still need rest. Take a day off. And about~ ... what happened last night. I am sorry. But~ ... whatever I told you, I ant it."
The neat and clean writing projected the flashback of the events that happened last night. She and Brave shared a heartfelt conversation in the garden. She and Alaric were behind the closed doors of her bathroom, in each other’s snaking embrace. And the emotional turmoil she encountered with Elio all flooded her mory one by one.
Her brows knitted as she felt a sudden, searing pain shooting through her head. It was quick but vanished within a few seconds. When she was back to her calm self, she muttered to herself, "Though I have forgiven them. I should not get involved with them romantically. It will not only ruin but will also leave a dent in their brotherly relationship. I should keep my distance from all of them, mate or not. Firstly, I need to clear out with Brave and tell him my answer."
_________________________
"Sir, everything has been prepared as per your command," Chris told Jacob. "Soon, the Clan leaders will start arriving at the mansion."
Jacob nodded without glancing at his secretary. His eyes stayed on the rising sun and the partly cloudy sky. He was in his robe, his hand clasped on his back as he mumbled, "Secretary Shadow, what do you think about my decision to hold a clan eting today of all day? Have any piece of advice on how to handle all those grumpy vamps?"
"My lord, how can I, just a re secretary, give any piece of advice to a wise king like you?" Chris spoke, his head lowered.
Jacob looked back at him, eyeing him up and down. He then strode in his direction, his steps languid yet authoritative. He stood right in front of Chris, fixing him with a chilling gaze. Placing a hand on his shoulder, he said, "Since when have you been talking in this tone when there are only two of us? Since I woke up, you seem different."
Chris flinched at his remark. His hands clenched at his sides. He quickly composed himself before answering, "Sir, of course. Seeing you bedridden and in so much pain, I have reflected on myself. Your near death incident has changed my worldview on a lot of things." He t Jacob’s sharp gaze with confidence.
After a long silence, Jacob gave a subtle nod. He then comnted, as his lips curled up, "Figures, you have been through a lot, Shadow.
Chris smiled, adding, "After today, you should take things easily. I will make sure to book a long, relaxing vacation for you. So that you can recuperate better."
"How thoughtful of you," Jacob patted Chris’s shoulder and walked away.
To Be Continued . . . . . . .
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