Guardian Of The Betas Heir

19 - A dream or reality?

Michael

My father steps forward, placing a firm hand on Elenor’s head. “You all know how this works by now.” He says, his voice carrying the weight of authority.

“Get on with it.” Thane snaps, to which my father rolls his eyes. My dad knows that his cousin is short-tempered, and he doesn’t let it get to him like most would.

I take a deep breath, my heart racing as I reach out to clasp the other side of Elenor’s face and my father’s hand in the other. The warmth of my father’s touch grounds me as Luke lays his hand on the back of Elenor’s head, and together, we delve into Elenor’s mind while the rest of the room watches the images my father projects like a movie on the big screen.

The world around us fades, replaced by a vision of Elenor standing in the same spot she is now, only facing the door. In front of her stands a tall and broad-shouldered man with hair as dark as the midnight sky and eyes that gleamed like polished onyx. His smile is cold, and something about him sends a shiver down my spine. This is no friendly face; this is the face of a predator. And Elenor, in this vision, is trembling with fear.

I see myself and the rest of my family right where they were before this started. Everything looks the same, though it’s easy to see this is a dream.

I hear myself ask with a low growl, ‘Who is this?’

‘Nobody,’ Elenor says with panic in her voice.

‘Oh, but I assure you, I am very much a ‘somebody,’’ The guy smirks. ‘I am Elenor’s... former betrothed. And I’ve come to bring her back to her rightful place.’

“What the fuc.k?” I whisper, my grip tightening on my dad’s hand.

“This isn’t possible.” Luke ponders. “Elenor cannot know this man.”

“Why not?” I ask. “Who is he?”

Before Luke can answer me, Elenor yells, ‘I am not your betrothed, you mental case! You’re just some bastard who kept me locked away and tested on me! How did you even find me? How are you here? Why is nobody doing anything?!’

The guy laughs. ‘I will always find you, Elenor. You may have hidden in Dragon Country, but I knew you were there. There is nowhere you can go where I won’t follow. As for why no one is doing anything... They do not care what happens to you, Elenor. Just like no one ever did.’

Even inside Elenor’s mind, I can feel her fear. It radiates off her like lava from a volcano. Everyone in Elenor’s mind seems to be frozen suddenly. I need to end this before something terrible happens.

‘It’s time for you to come home, Elenor.’

‘I’m not going anywhere with you!’

He steps forward, and I can feel Elenor’s heart rate skyrocket. ‘You cannot escape me, Elenor.’

‘Y-You promised.’

‘What?’ The guy laughs. ‘That I would release you from our deal if you found your mate? That if you were marked, you were free of me? What mate would want you, Elenor? You’re nothing, you know that. No one could want you, let alone love you. Don’t ever kid yourself otherwise.’

Elenor swallows hard as a tear falls from her eye. The piece of shi.t is getting to her, and I want to kill him! I want to reach out and rip his head from his shoulders. As it is, I can do nothing but watch the scene play out in front of me.

‘I have a mate.’ Elenor mumbles.

The guy laughs loudly, head tipped back, the whole hog. ‘You may have a mate, but he doesn’t want you, Elenor. You’re alone with no one to care about you. You may have escaped the institution, but you cannot escape me. Come home to me, and everything will be well.’

Fuc.k, that damn institution!

The fear in Elenor’s eyes grows, and she takes a step back, her hand reaching out as if to ward off the threat. “No,” She murmurs, the word barely a breath. “I can’t. I won’t. Please, don’t take me back there.”

The man’s smile grows wider, more terrifying. “You don’t have a choice,” He says, his eyes flashing with power. “You are bound to me by ancient laws. It is your duty to fulfill your destiny.”

What the fuc.k is all this about?

Who the hell is this man?

I cannot get my head around what I’m seeing. I don’t know what’s real and what’s not! Clearly, this isn’t happening as we’re seeing it. But I can’t be sure it’s not what Elenor has either been through or it’s something she fears will happen.

I need to bring her out of this. I don’t know how the fuc.k I’m going to do that, but I must try. There is a lot for us to talk about. Thane could well send Elenor away because of what might come our way if she stays. I cannot let that happen.

As I watch the scene unfold, anger grips me. I want to protect this woman from harm. Not just because Von asked me to but because she means everything to my little girl. Elenor isn’t a bad person; I can feel it. She doesn’t deserve to be this afraid. I won’t let Thane throw her out of the pack either. Here is where Elenor will be safe, and I will make sure of it.

“Luke, can you help her?”

Luke’s expression grows grim as he focuses more intently on the vision. “This isn’t reality, it’s all in Elenor’s head. Why? The man you see is real. Marcus Trenton is a vile Demon. He has a hold on Elenor because he wants her back for the reasons he stated. We must find the source of this compulsion,” He murmurs. “It’s not just a mental link; it’s a command, one that even a strong-willed Demon like Elenor would struggle to resist.”

The scene grows more intense as Marcus reaches for Elenor, his hand outstretched, his intentions clear. The room around them seems to pulse with an unseen force, and I can feel my dad straining to stabilize the connection.

“We must end this,” My dad says, his voice a low growl. “Now.”

With a surge of power, Dad, Luke, and I combine our strengths, pushing back against the unknown force. The man in the vision staggers, his smile faltering.

‘What the hell?’ He mumbles to himself as if he can’t believe what’s happening. His eyes bore into Elenor’s. ‘You cannot escape me! You know this.’

‘I will never be yours!’ She screams.

‘No one will want you.’ He sneers. ‘The only way to be free of me is if you’re marked. Your mate doesn’t want you. No one wants you!’

“Bastard!” I yell while pushing with all my might.

The scene evaporates, Elenor’s eyes clear, the white fading back to their usual vibrant blue. Luke, Dad and I let go of Elenor, and she blinks, looking around the room in confusion before her gaze settles on me.

“What happened?” She asks, her voice shaking as if she doesn’t remember what we just went through. “Did you… Did you just see all of that?”

I nod. “We all did.”

Elenor looks around the room. Everyone is staring at her, and I notice the anger in Thane’s eyes. I sigh because he isn’t going to let this go easily. We’ll be having words sooner than I would like.

“Where’s he gone?” Elenor’s eyes widen. “I have to leave!”

I shake my head and pull her into my arms. “You’re okay,” I mumble while stroking the back of Elenor’s blonde hair.

She shakes in my arms, still terrified by what she just saw. “I’m so sorry. I promised no trouble, but it follows me everywhere.

“It’s okay, Elenor. I know you’re scared, but we’re going to figure this out. I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise.”

My family members look at each other, a mix of worry and determination etched on their faces. I don’t have to ask if they will help me keep Elenor safe because I know they will. I understand that this is only the beginning, that there is a storm brewing on the horizon, and we’ll need to stand together to face whatever comes next.

But for now, Elenor is safe, and that is all that matters.

‘We need to talk about this, Michael.’ Thane’s voice fills my head.

I look at him. ‘I know, but can it wait until tomorrow? Elenor is terrified, and I don’t think she could take anymore tonight.’

Lyric rubs Thane’s arm, but he doesn’t take his eyes off me. ‘I said no trouble, Michael. That Demon is dangerous, and if he wants Elenor, he won’t stop until he has her. You heard him. There’s only one way she’ll be free of him.’

If she’s marked.

I close my eyes momentarily. There has to be something I can do.

‘I think we both know what that is, Michael.’

‘Yes, Dante, but I’m not sure it’s the right thing.’