The Alpha and His Two Mates

Ch.12 Elizabeth

Ch.12 Elizabeth

We eventually made our way back to the party and everyone seemed much livelier no doubt due to some help from alcohol.

“There you are!” Sarah said rushing to me. “Do you see that count over there? He’s invited me to go to the front garden with him! Isn’t he handsome?” She gushed. “Oh how did you like your dress do I have taste or what?” She said changing the subject and taking me in.

“Yes you do it’s perfect thank you.” I told her with a smile. She was shivering and I could see the goosebumps on her arms. “Here take my coat.” I said grabbing it from my nearby chair. It was more of a cape that matched the dress but it would help keep her warm.

“Thanks, how do I look I am going to go try and seduce a count?!” She said as she adjusted her dress.

“You look beautiful he’d be a fool to turn you down.” I assured her. She smiled and was off just as fast as she had come. The lights were dimmed, and the music changed to a more romantic tune.

Jacob offered his hand in that charming way of his and I took it once more. It was the first slow dance of the evening and the couples started to make their way over to the dance floor. Thomas and Kenna were one of the first on the floor followed by Justin who had invited Aylee out to dance. We made our way behind them, Jacob pulled me in and placed his hand around my waist.

Just as he placed his hand on my waist a thunderous growl tore through the crowd and music making everyone go silent. I turned to see Tristan watching us anger all over his face. Why was he so mad and where was Vivian? As my thoughts were racing, Vivian appeared and took his arm bringing him on the dance floor. The music changed to a choreographed dance everyone knew. I tried to focus on Jacob in front of me, but the dance had us shifting partners and soon I was in front of Justin.

“What the hell did you do to him?” Justin said in a hushed tone.

“I didn’t do anything to him. I haven’t talked to him in weeks.” I said frustrated.

“I’d steer clear from him, he is really mad, I can feel it.” Justin said trading me off to Thomas.

“Now what did you do?” Thomas asked in the same tone Justin had had.

“I really wish you two would stop asking me that, I have stayed away from him just like he asked me to.” I said.

“I honestly don’t know what has gotten into him. He’s been all over the place lately.” Thomas said and it was time for another switch.

“Hello again.” Jacob said placing a small kiss on my forehead. A low barely audible but menacing growl came from behind me.

“Elizabeth. Can I speak to you?” Tristan’s voice had me spinning around as if I had been caught in some unsavory act.

“Now?” I asked confused by his request.

“Now.” I could see him staring Jacob down, I felt him tense behind me. I gave his hand a squeeze. “I’ll be right back.” I placed a kiss on Jacob’s cheek to ease him and it seemed to work. He wasn’t nearly as tall as Tristan so it was easy to give him a quick peck.

Tristan moved aside to let me through and give one last glare at Jacob who was looking a little more smug. He came around me leading the way to the side of the castle that was away from the view of others.

I stayed silent as he stopped and turned to look at me anger all over his face.

“You need to stay away from Jacob.” He said in a low voice.

“Why?” I challenged, tired of the way he was acting. It was hard to stay focused on my indignation though when all I could smell was his intoxicating scent. The lights that adorned the castle were casting their light on him. I could see his chiseled jaw clench, and his blue eyes were full of anger.

“Because he’s no good for you.” He said simply as if that was the end of the conversation.

“Look I came here to warn you about the threat to you. I’ve done that and it seems I may have overstayed my welcome. Clearly my being here is upsetting you and that was never my intention. I think it’s best if I leave.” I said moving to leave but he put his hand on the wall behind me stopping me from leaving.

“No. You don’t have to leave.” He said sounding a bit softer than before.

“Clearly I do. Everything I do upsets you. You asked me to stay away from you and so I did, and now this, just because I am talking to Jacob. I can’t keep up with you!” I said exasperated. “What do you want from me?”

“Nothing. Just please stay?” There was a hint of desperation I couldn’t quite understand.

“Why?”

“I…I don’t want anything to happen to you. You’re safe here.” I could see the wheels turning in his head.

“I’ll be ok. I have a safe place I can go.”

He scoffed “With Jacob?”

“I don’t think that really matters.” I countered getting upset. Why was he doing this? I couldn’t understand how he kept me at arm’s length all the time but then refused to let me go.

“Elizabeth you can’t go…please stay.” He said looking down at the ground as if he couldn’t bring himself to look at me.

“Tristan I can’t. You have your family and your mate to focus on. There is no place for me here.” It was true I had to stop trying to hold on to what we had had. It was breaking my heart, the thought of leaving here once again, but I also couldn’t keep watching him with someone else. Soon they would get married and have children, I couldn’t keep torturing myself just to be near him. I moved around him to leave him but he caught my wrist and turned me back around to face him.

I could feel the heat of his body against me igniting every part that was touching him.

“Tristan...” I said breathless, but what could I say? He still had a hold on me no matter how much I tried to ignore it. He laced his other had around my neck to bring me closer to him our lips a breath away.

A blaring alarm tore through the night suddenly and we both snapped our heads up towards the alarm.

“WE’RE UNDER ATTACK!” Someone called out, I saw Tristan’s men all running to fight of the attack.