ELARA POV
"We are a secret group who are trying. We are doing everything and anything possible to rescue the one king who can finally change the werewolf realm."
"It has been a year since he was captured, and his brother is doing everything and anything possible to make sure everybody forgets about him."
"We can't make a move because of his brother," she said as I felt confused.
"Kael never told me he had a brother who was his enemy."
I decided to push past it and slammed my hands on the door harshly.
"Open the door," I said again angrily as she pushed it open so easily.
I almost reacted to it, but I immediately composed myself and walked out.
"Do something before it is too late. I can't destroy myself over a matter I cannot solve alone," I said and then went back out to the main lobby, only to see Raya rushing out.
She saw me and immediately stopped, pointing at me, confused.
"Aren't you supposed to have left already?" she said to me as I rushed to think of any idea or excuse so they wouldn't suspect I had been talking to someone. The wolves had been smart enough to take me to a side where the CCTV cameras could not reach.
"I am. I forgot something," I said as she still had a strange frown on her face.
"You forgot something at the back of the company?" she asked.
Clearly, she had seen me come through the back door.
"No, I actually made a mistake. I was in a hurry. My attention was on my phone. I didn't even notice I had gone through the back door. I'm sorry," I said.
I quickly pretended like I was rushing out when she called me back.
Walking toward me, she muttered, "Something is wrong with Kael. We don't know if he's sick or anything. We can't treat him properly. You know how he is. If you can help us."
"I was actually on my way out to find somebody who could help us. Someone who knows more about this. He's closer to you. Try to talk to him," she said as I plastered a smile on my face.
But deep within me, I was so, so tired of everything.
"Why do you think that because he gave me one kiss means we are close? And besides, my shift is over. I wouldn't like to work overtime. I have important things to do," I said seriously.
"You really want me to believe that you have something going on at home?" she asked as I stayed quiet.
"At least I have a life of my own. Besides, I have to take care of myself too. If he's sick, then call whoever you want to call, whatever doctor you need, and let them treat him. Don't force me to do double shifts. You know how he reacts to me. What if he pushes me away? What if he lashes out at me?" I said, trying to find every reason to avoid going back to Kael.
"I don't think I have the right heart or mind for this. To continue pretending like I care so deeply for him, like I love him, when I don't even have any feeling close to that."
"But I saw you on camera. You seemed to be seeking his comfort. The way you knelt down, the way he placed his hand on your shoulder."
"You saw everything. Since you left, he has not been himself. He refused to respond to anything. He refused to take his medication."
"Medication, nothing. We cannot sedate him because he is fighting it. We cannot do anything. Do something now," she said.
I held my hand out as she gave me no chance to walk away.
"What if I go there and I don't change anything? What are you going to compensate me with?" I said, trying to make clear I would not stay without something in return.
"Fine, we would give you extra salary. We'll compensate you properly," she said.
I nodded, moving my hand from her grasp as I stormed off, taking the elevator back to the lab.
I stood in front of the door, and I could already hear him shouting.
They were torturing him again.
I clutched my chest, trying to calm myself down.
Whenever I heard his screams and the sounds of his torture, it always sent me into a panic, and I didn't want that anymore.
I opened the door to see the guards electrocuting him again.
I shouted angrily, fighting to hold back the tears.
"Stop it. Do you want him to die? He is sick, for God's sake, and you are still electrocuting him," I said angrily as they scoffed and stepped away from him.
His legs were the only part of his body that had shifted.
I was scared to move forward since this was the first time he was only chained by the leg.
I looked back at them.
"Why did you not put him back in his proper restraints?" I said, but not one of them bothered to answer me.
One of them muttered, "You think you can tame him? Fine, do it when he is not fully chained."
They said it and left me alone with Kael.
He was sitting there weakly, looking at me, not saying anything.
"Why are you pretending to be sick?" I said as he laughed.
"I am not pretending. I don't know what happened. Whenever you leave my presence, I find it hard to cope," he said.
"No, you don't. You just want me to come back here so you can keep taunting me and keep trying to prove to me that there is some connection between us," I said as he stood up.
Instantly, I felt a slight tremor of alarm, but I couldn't run.
I wouldn't want him to think I was scared of him.
Whenever he was not fully chained, I couldn't even bring myself to get close to him.
He pulled me by my waist and held me, our eyes fixed on each other.
I could feel his breath against mine.
For someone who had been chained down and tortured, he actually had a pleasant scent. Even his breath was not what I expected.
"Kael, stop it. The camera is watching, and I am only here again because Raya saw what you did," I said as he rolled his eyes.
"I don't know what's wrong with me. I think I like you," he stuttered.