Bewitching The Alpha King

Chapter 18

Elise took a few deep breaths and wiped off the perspiration on her forehead after her training at the Royal Warrior Academy. Her father wasn't kidding when he said that the trainer there turn someone into a pulp by making them do cardio.

"There you go," said one of the trainers from the academy as he handed her a bottle of water, "You're getting better at this. Well, you were actually pretty good at combat, to begin with," The trainer said, grinning at her.

Elise smiled at him, "Thank you. I couldn't have done this without your guidance" She said humbly, unscrewing her water bottle absentmindedly.

The trainer showed her a thumbs-up, "Keep growing, you will do wonders" He said before walking away from there but not before praising Ezra as well.

"Well, that's kind of satisfying" She grinned, looking to her right at her brother who was watching her with a proud smile on his face before taking a few gulps of water from that bottle, "I wish you can be with me here as long as I am staying here, Ezra," She said, the smile on her face faltering into a frown as she screwed the lid of the bottle securely.

A week has passed since Ezra and she came to the castle. Just like he had promised to her, he made her feel comfortable at the castle. He was always with her and today, he has to return to the Red Pride.

Alpha Christian and Luna Tessa called every day and told her that they missed her tremendously. She could have asked Alpha Christian to let Ezra stay for one more week but she would too selfish if she did that.

Elise knows that Ezra is the future Alpha of The Red Pride and that meant he has responsibilities there and he cannot stay here even if he wanted to.

"I wish that too, sister," Ezra said, patting her back lightly before the two of them started to walk side by side towards the castle again, "But you know that I can't do that. I have to go back to the pack. Sort out everything there before stepping as the new Alpha" He reminded her about his upcoming investiture as the new Alpha of The Red Pride.

Ezra is fit enough to be an Alpha in Alpha Christian's eyes so that he had decided to step down as the Alpha of the Red Pride and officially introduce his son as the new Alpha on Ezra's twenty-first birthday.

Elise nodded her head at her brother in agreement, "I am so proud of you brother. You will make an excellent Alpha. I am sure of it" She praised her brother making him blush a little.

"Thank you, Elise," Ezra said, scratching the back of his neck, "I wish you can be there for the ritual" He added making her bit on her lower lip in uncertainty.

She sighed after a few seconds, "I'll see what I can do" Elise told her brother. Maybe she could ask the King to let her visit her family on Ezra's birthday."Please promise me you won't annoy Eleanor. You're going to treat her nicely since the moment you step into the Red Pride again" She narrowed her eyes on her brother, waving her index finger as if she was scolding him.

Ezra looked away from her. It wasn't like he hated Eleanor. Of course, he loved her in his own way but her attitude towards Elise angered him. It always has and it always will if she doesn't change her perception of Elise.

"Ezra..." Elise said his name in a warning when he hesitated to give his word, "Come on, be nice to her. At least for my sake" She pleaded, grabbing his arm to stop him from walking so he would look at her in the eye.

Ezra couldn't resist her plea. He slumped his shoulders and looked away from her, "Ugh, fine" He agreed reluctantly,

"She is really a pain in the ass, though" Ezra complained like a toddler.

Elise chuckled, letting go of his arm, "I am sure she won't be that anymore. After all, I was the reason she was acting that way in the first place. Since I won't be going back to the Red Pride anytime soon, she would be the sweetest sister ever" She said everything in a breath, the words tumbling out from her mouth fluidly as the two of them started walking again.

Ezra didn't make any comments on what she said. He knew deep down Elise felt hurt that Eleanor is harsh with her but Elise tried her hardest to not let that show for the sake of her parents. She didn't want them to punish Eleanor and she didn't want them to feel sad or worry about their relationship.

"It is going to be different without you there" Ezra sighed, "I will miss you" He admitted to her making her stop waking again.

Elise blinked back the tears that were threatening to roll down on her cheek at any moment, "Don't make me cry now. I plan on doing that when you get in the car and leave later tonight" She said after taking a few deep breaths so her voice wouldn't c***k.

But it was a vain attempt really because her voice did end up cracking towards the end of her sentence.

The two didn't exchange any words after that as they eventually reached the castle. Ezra has already packed his things to leave the castle so Elise and he decided to spend their remaining time together in the garden.

Both of them sat down on the grass and Elise rested her head on her brother's shoulder. Her heart felt really heavy to let her brother go. Who would be here for her when her brother leaves this place? He was the one who made her stay feel better at the castle until now.

"Ezra, I-" Elise started but then stopped herself from finishing the sentence.

"Yes?" Ezra asked her, "Do you have anything to say to me? Is something bothering you?" Ezra glanced at his sister worriedly.

"No" Elise denied quickly. She didn't have to tell him about how the King has eyes for her. The King was probably over it anyway.

"Nothing" She shook her head, still leaning onto his shoulder. Ezra has always looked up to the king and Elise was afraid if telling him about that would affect that.

Ezra sighed, "I will be good to Eleanor if that's what you're worried about," He said after a few seconds of silence.

Elise could only afford to smile, "She is going to love having you around without me" Elise stated, her voice was stoic of any emotion but on the inside, she was craving for Eleanor's affection too. Ezra only nodded at his sister in answer, agreeing to her before looking to the front at the flowers, appreciating their beauty.

Due to some reasons, they had an evening training today at the Royal Warriors Academy so Murray and she moved her power training session to the morning just for today.

Elise was glad about that because now she could spend some private time with her brother. Even though they didn't exchange many words, his presence itself made her feel better.

"We probably should go back in," Ezra said after another ten minutes or so. Elise stiffened and lifted her head from his shoulder to look at him in question, "I have to leave..." He reminded her.

"Okay," She nodded her head at him, cleverly avoiding his eyes as she sprang to her feet, "You said you have to meet the King before you leave, right?" Elise asked her brother when he was standing on his toes again.

Ezra nodded again, "Yeah, I have to thank him for letting me stay before I leave," He said, stepping towards the castle, "He didn't have the reason to suggest me to tag along with you for a week but he was thoughtful enough for that" He smiled.

Elise didn't say anything to that. For the past week, she has been avoiding the king like a plague. If he goes to the left, she would go to the right. Most of the time she was busy with her training and practice so it was easier for her. She will only see him during their meals together.

Elise didn't fail to notice how the King's eyes soften visibly whenever he looked at her. How he always had something to say to her. Her heart tugged inside of her whenever he took the opportunity to praise her for her achievements and for the way she looks every time over a meal.

It was becoming a habit really. She was starting to crave compliments from the King and she was slightly ashamed of it.

Elise and Ezra went to Ezra's room first to fetch his bag before going down to the enclosed living area where the king would be watching documentaries there at this time.

Ezra knocked on the door and only pushed the door open when the king granted him to go in, "Good evening, your highness" He said, entering the living area with his sister closely behind him.

The king looked away from the TV screen to look up at the two of them and smiled, "Good evening to you too, Ezra" He greeted them warmly. His blue eyes flickered down at the bag Ezra was holding before he looked up at Elise who looked a little troubled.

Arthur stood up from the couch he was sitting and shoved both of his hands into the pockets of his trousers, "I guess you're leaving now" He said, looking at Ezra, "Murray must have already arranged the flight for you" Arthur continued.

"Yes, your highness" Ezra nodded, "Beta Murray told me that he would be here to fetch me at six" He informed the King.

Arthur's eyes strayed to Elise, "Your sister seems a little upset with you departure. Would you like to stay here a little longer if she isn't comfortable around here yet?" The King suggested, making both Elise and Ezra's eyes widen in surprise.

Ezra and Elise exchanged a meaningful glance before Ezra answer answered the king, "Although that is a tempting offer, I am afraid I have to decline, your highness. I have responsibilities back in my pack and I have to attend them" Ezra smiled at the King, "And I am sure my sister would do good without me here" He continued, putting an arm around Elise's shoulder and pulling her close to him.

"Okay then. I hoped your stay here and I hope you learned a few things from the Royal Warrior Academy as well" Arthur smiled. He had grown a soft spot for the young lad. Mainly because Ezra would do anything for Elise, "Although, what your father has taught you both is more than enough actually" He added cheerfully making Ezra grin at him.

"Thank you, your highness. Coming from you means a lot to me. My father would be thrilled to hear this" Ezra said, "Please take care of my sister when I am gone" He added, glancing at his sister who didn't utter even a word out until now.

Arthur looked at Elise and nodded his head,

"I will" He promised Ezra, "Don't worry, she is in safe hands" Arthur assured the older brother with a reassuring smile.

Ezra nodded at the king and at the same time, someone knocked on the door again. All of them looked towards the door and found Murray standing there, "Are you ready to leave, Ezra?" Murray asked after bowing his head in greeting at the king.

"Yeah" Ezra nodded his head at Murray before looking at his sister, "It's time for me to go," He said softly, smiling sadly at her.

Elise flung herself to him, her arms going around his body as she pulled him into a tight hug, "I am going to miss you, Ezra. I love you. Always" She sobbed against his chest, unable to control her tears as her heart squeezed painfully against her chest.

Ezra stiffened, "There, there," He said, running his free hand up and down her back to comfort her, "Where is the strong, young, fierce sister of mine?" He asked, pushing her away gently to look at her face.

Elise brushed her tears away, "She isn't fierce if she is not with you" She sniffled. She knew the king was watching her and she knew that she should be embarrassed for making herself look like a crybaby but she didn't care. At least, not now.

Ezra sighed, "I will visit you and I promise I will call you every day," He said. That's what he can do to make her feel better.

It took Elise a few moments to rearrange her features and get herself together, "You better" She said, looking up at him, "I will be waiting for your call every day" She smiled sadly, releasing her brother fully from her embrace.

Ezra reached out to mess with her hair a little, "Bye sister, I love you" He said before looking at the king, "Thank you, your highness. For everything. Please excuse me to leave" He bowed his head to the king and waited for the king to grant him permission to walk away from there.

"You may go now, Ezra. I wish you a safe journey" The king said, his eyes flickering towards Elise worriedly.

Ezra nodded his head at the king before walking away from there, following behind Murray, leaving Elise with the King.

Arthur crossed the distance between Elise in a few steps and watched the tears rolling down on her cheeks like torrents. Without thinking much about it, he pulled her into a warm, comforting hug and held her as she cried.

Elise was of course baffled by the sudden gesture but she didn't push him away. Something about his embrace comforted her. She doesn't know what it is yet but she welcomed that feeling with open arms.