The Alpha’s Tainted B***d Chapter 33

Harper

“I could come with you,” I said to Elias as we walked back the rest of the way to the pack house. Elias smiled at me.

“Could you?” he asked. “I would love you to come with me, but you have so much to do here.” I didn’t like it but he was right. The idea of being separated from Elias, even for a short time, made my stomach turn. We had been everywhere together for the last six months and I couldn’t imagine not seeing him every day. But I knew I couldn’t leave. I needed to help with preparing Brianna. I wanted to spend time with Louise, and support her while she dealt with what happened. Plus the quicker we were able to get the seal fixed once and for all, then the quicker Louise and the rest of the pack were out of danger. Elias going to see his parents on his own would help speed that along. We could be ready to do whatever we needed to do by the time he returned. Still, the uneasy feeling remained.

We saw Marcus and Lily walking out of the pack house just as we reached the steps. Lily was dressed in a pretty white dress and she had a fresh mark on her neck.

“Wow, they don’t mess around,” Elias whispered to me. I chuckled in response. It did seem awfully quick for them to have completed the bond so quickly, but I knew all too well how powerful the bond could be. I had begged Colton to complete it on our first night together. Of course he went the other way and rejected me, but I couldn’t forget the absolute need to be mated. I only resisted it so long with Elias because of what happened with Colton. And It was nice to hear some happy news for once. Goddess knew we needed some happy thoughts.

“Hey you two,” I called, and they both looked up. Marcus grinned his goofy grin and pulled Lily over to meet us.

“Hey,” he said, pulling Lily closer to him. “I heard there was a meeting earlier. Sorry I missed it.”

“It’s all good,” I said, “We can catch you up.”

“Plus, looks like you were busy yourself,” Elias said and playfully punched Marcus on the arm. Marcus got all sheepish and then looked down at Lily with complete adoration in his eyes.

“Sorry man, should we have waited?” He asked and Lily frowned.

“Why would we need to wait?” she asked and then frowned at me. I shook my head and smiled.

“No, of course not,” I said. “We both understand the pull of the mate bond.” I saw something cross Lily’s face before she turned to face Elias.

“Don’t worry baby brother,” she said with a bright smile, “I will look after him for you. Who knew that when you excitedly talked about Marcus all them years ago that it was my mate you were friends with. Like you were keeping him safe for me.” Elias smiled and hugged his sister.

“Well, I am sure we can keep him safe together,” he said with a laugh and Lily frowned again.

“Together?” she asked. “What do you mean?” Elias narrowed his eyebrows in confusion but Marcus laughed.

“Lily beautiful, I told you I am still Elias’ and Harper’s Gamma,” he said and Lily’s frown deepened.

“But I want to settle down, I haven’t had a home for so long,” she whined and Marcus pulled her into a hug.

“I told you baby, I have my duties,” Marcus said and then kissed her on the nose. “I’m sure we can talk about it later.” The look on Lily’s face told me that there would be rather lengthy discussions about it later.

“So you visited the scrote then?” Marcus asked, changing the subject. I glanced at Elias and then back at Marcus.

“We have just been to see him,” I said.

“What did he say?” Lily asked, she had an almost urgent look on her face.

“Nothing,” I said as I shook my head. “He had to be sedated after, well…” I glanced at Elias.

“After I, or my demon half, went a little psycho on him,” he said and Marcus’ eyes widened.

“Seriously?” he asked and Elias nodded.

“Yeah, I have been having trouble controlling him of late,” he said and then looked at Lily, who was staring off into the woods.

“Which is why I have decided to take a trip,” he said, “To see our parents.” Lily looked at him sharply.

“Why?” she asked.

“Because I need answers as to what I am, and it has to come from one of our parents.” Elias hesitated a bit, “Maybe you should come with me,” he said and Lily looked horrified.

“To see them?” she asked and Elias nodded.

“Yeah, they should know that you are alive,” Elias said. Lily shook her head.

“Please Elias, not yet,” she said, shaking her head. “I have so much to process with everything, I’m not sure I can deal with mum and her overbearing nature right now. Please hold off for a little while before telling them.” Elias glanced at me and I shrugged. I thought it was strange that Lily didn’t want her parents to know that she was alive, but did I have room to talk? I avoided mine for ten years. Elias looked back at Lily and smiled.

“Okay,” he said. “But we have to tell them soon. You don’t know the pain they went through when we found what we thought was your body.”

“Oh yeah, because it was such a picnic for me,” Lily snapped. Elias’ eyes widened slightly at her reaction.

“Nobody thinks that you had it easy,” I said in Elias’ defence and Lily turned a glare on me.

“This is a family matter, it has nothing to do with you,” she replied.

“Whoa,” I said, “I was just trying to help.”

“Well, no one needs the almighty Harper’s help right now,” she snapped, “And from what I heard you would just f**k everything up, anyway.” I was speechless. Which apparently was a good thing because Lily chose that moment to turn on her heel and storm off into the woods.

“Erm…” Marcus said, rubbing his neck. “I think she is still dealing with everything. I should go make sure she is okay.” Elias nodded as he looked at the direction his sister went. I could tell he was angry through the bond.

“Yeah, that might be a good idea,” he said. “But come and see me in the next couple of hours. I want to talk to you before I go.”

“You don’t want me to come with you?” Marcus asked, although he looked relieved. Elias shook his head.

“No, I want you to protect Harper,” he said.

“I can protect myself,” I said stubbornly, and Elias smiled.

“I know baby, but I would feel better if you had Marcus as backup,” he said. I rolled my eyes but smiled back.

“I would much rather stick around as well,” Marcus said. “I don’t want to leave Lily so soon.” I nodded.

“Okay, I don’t like you going alone though,” I said and Elias nodded.

“I promise I will take the utmost care,” he said and pulled me into a hug. He leaned down and pushed his lips against mine. I accepted them willingly and wrapped my arms around his neck.

“And that would be my sign to leave,” Marcus said with a fake gagging. “I’ll swing by to see you after I have calmed my own mate down, if you know what I mean.” Elias pulled away from the k**s and screwed his face up.

“What?” I asked.

“I just didn’t want the image of Marcus with my sister, that’s all,” he said.

“Yeah it’s not like I haven’t had to hear you two going at it,” Marcus called as he walked into the woods. Elias faked his own gagging as I laughed. For a second it felt like the normal banter of the group. I missed it. I really hoped that we would get back to it soon.