Page 28 of His Impossible Elf Mate
In the weeks after the attack which nearly had Roan losing his life protecting the alpha female, the pack was understandably tense.
The Alpha Mate was far more subdued with his friend so badly injured. He was also hypervigilant over the safety of the children, often pushing himself to the brink of exhaustion before someone had to step in. Usually Blake or one of his brothers. Axel was especially good with the children and Kade. They had a unique bond which deepened over this time.
For myself, it was difficult to see Axel go through the stress of those weeks with so little to offer. My mother had allowed more elves to come to the pack with the stipulation that more were to work on the beta sickness and any potential link to our own fertility problem. This, of course, was all well and good, until the elves struggled with my current position. With Ívarr assuming the group lead, particularly when it came to the research, it made very little sense for the elves to come to me for advice. It caused more thana few raised eyebrows, which I explained away with information about my military service.
However, I was beginning to suspect the Alpha Pair knew I was more than I was letting on. If they had told Axel about their suspicions, he had not spoken of it. Perhaps he wanted me to come to him myself, or he just dismissed them as unimportant.
Each time I missed an opportunity to tell Axel the truth, my guilt grew. Especially since I no longer had Ívarr’s friendship to lean on. This was a terrible situation of my own making.
My friend had kept his distance since our heated discussion. Only speaking to me when it pertained to the research he was conducting or the safety of the elves and pack in our care. The gulf between us had grown so wide everyone had noticed it.
Teagan and Hakeem despaired over it. Often chiding us both, from what I could tell. We each had our pride, likely a family trait, and neither was budging, no matter how much our mutual friends cajoled us to apologize and move on from it.
One of us was going to have to say something. It would not be me.
I had just finished my regular rounds of the lands while Axel was busy with his duties. I would then go to the lab attached to the clinic and process tests, or do other busy work to lighten the load. We might not be friendly, but I would not leave my cousin with more work to do.
“Your Highness,” Ívarr rushed to meet me. My glare had him stepping back and performing a low bow. “Apologies, Teárlach, I had forgotten in my haste. It is urgent that I speak to you.”
His tone had me stopping the words that wanted to spew forth. “What is it?” My tone was still sharper than was polite. I tried to moderate it.
Ívarr looked visibly upset. A rare thing for him. The man usually wore a mask of indifference, rarely moved to deeper emotions. “The queen has asked for an update. There is talk of removing part of our force because of a lack of results.”
He fidgeted, which was alarming.
“What is it, my friend?” I used a gentle tone with him, more concerned at his demeanor than his words.
Bright eyes met mine, worry plain in their expression. “Parliament has discussed the female alpha. They are now seeing it as a sign the shifters are returning to a wilder time. They want us to fully withdraw from the pack.”
“Remove all our elves and the support we provide to the pack?” I asked, aghast. No, no, no, we could not.
“Everything. They believe your vision to be a farce…”
“Ívarr?”
“Word has gotten to them that you are in a relationship they deem inappropriate. Rumors are that they are considering a petition to the queen to remove you from Sweetwater.”
Leave Axel?
“No! I will not.”
“Teárlach, they may not give you a choice. They will send people for you and they will not care who they have to go through in order to take you home.” Ívarr wrung his hands.
“I will not stay. As soon as I can, I will return.” My magic wanted to tear free from me, something that had not happened since my childhood.
He was not finished. His eyes met mine, a single tear rolling down his pale cheek.
“Then they will destroy Sweetwater, so you have nothing to return to.”
“There must be something we can do,” Teagan said pleadingly. “I love it here in Sweetwater and don’t want to return home anytime soon, particularly since we are on the brink of a breakthrough.”
“You are?” I asked.
“You feel it too?” Ívarr said at the same time.
There was a hint of a smile as his eyes met mine.
We had joined the others at the research center to discuss the events in Abrocaelum and my potential return. Having the backing of my friends for my relationship with Axel was a balm to soothe frayed nerves. I could not bear the thought of leaving Axelbehind and he was not ready to leave his family. Not when they were struggling so badly.
