We're Even

>>Eli

The world spun in a blurry fog. My ears rang as I tried to get myself together and focus.

Tied up to a wooden uncomfortable chair, a moving light that hung low from the roof kept flickering because of the malfunction.

The odor of mold and fungus lingered in the unkempt place.

A groan escaped my lips when my senses stabilized.

I tried to focus when I came back to my senses but before I could actually see that I was in some sort of a warehouse, the sense of pain came back to me.

Ah... Fuck!!

I felt a stream of blood trickle down from the side of my head and the sound of footsteps made me look at the three who came and stood in front of me.

"This wasn't the deal." My head hurt like hell. These people had beaten the shit out of me.

"Oh?" Angeli looked at me with a smug face, "It was."

I couldn't see them clearly because my left eye was swollen, "I don't remember agreeing to this." My throat was extremely dry and I knew if I could, I would drink my own blood at the moment.

"You did," Harry came over, "You said you'd compensate us for what you did in return for us not naming you to the police or anyone else." He grabbed my hair and pulled my head back violently, making me wince but I didn't let it show, "This is the compensation we want."

I gulped down the bare bit of saliva I had in my mouth, "One of you is missing," I smirked.

"Horis is too much of a sweetheart," Wendy looked at me with a sly smile, "But don't worry, We did his fill too."

Oh yea, they made sure to do the fill of some fifth ghost as well.

"His fill?" I tried to focus but everything was blurry, "I'm sure he didn't want this."

"But he needs to be compensated," Harry threw my head down and moved away. Blood saliva leaked out of my mouth when my teeth grazed against my injured gums. I was still dizzy and I have no idea how long I was here.

"All this happened only because you attacked us for that abnormal." Angeli had a clear spite in her voice.

"I just knocked you all out." I raised my head and tried to look at her, "You were all being bullies." I gave her a blood-filled toothy smirk, "He's mine to bully."

"You kept us on sleeping drugs for days in the name of recovery." Wendy retorted, "All for what?"

"You're a sucker for that female-looking male." Harry scoffed, "What? Don't tell me you're into him."

"Well," I raised my head backward, "I like him."

Angeli laughed and no lies, she sounded like a maniac, "So you're gay?" She snorted, "Or did that fag Mael seduce you?" She smirked.

I smiled back, "Of course he did, he's better looking than you, you ugly bitch." My words ticked her off and she immediately drew her claws out to attack me. A twisted expression overcame her face and she attacked.

"Stop!" Harry stopped her right before she clawed my eyes out, "You might end up killing him."

"What?" She glared at me, her eyes glowing yellow, "Does he suck your dick for you? Like a little slut he is."

"No need to be jealous," I didn't let it faze me, "You could never even be a fuck buddy to me."

She growled viciously at me, it made my ears ring.

"Back off," Harry controlled his partner, "We got what we wanted." He calmed Angeli down, "Let's leave."

"Already?" I whined, "No plans of actually killing me?"

Wendy rolled her eyes and walked out of the place first while Harry spoke, "With this," They all began to leave, "We'll call it even." The sound of their footsteps leaving made me relax and the world that spun around me finally stopped.

Harry was the last one out and after he left, he closed the door behind him. Leaving me in the dark room where I was barely holding onto my consciousness.

I let out a weak sigh

"Fuck," It was a feeble whisper.

I can't believe I thought I might make it without violence. My sight began to be consumed by darkness and the crippling headache began to fade in the distance. I should have foreseen this coming. There wasn't anything I could give them since they are all members of the elite society. None of them lack anything.

I let out a trembling breath.

But at least with this, they'll keep their mouths shut.

We're even with this.

***

>>Mael

I went back to the dorm after attending classes as usual. I wanted to talk to Killian but he's been on leave for three days now and hasn't been picking up his phone either.

I unlocked my door and went in wondering if there's anything I can do to find Eli. No one's contacting the police because everything thinks he might have gone somewhere on his own and he technically did too.

I let out an exasperated sigh and dropped my bag on the floor when a sudden voice scared the shit out of me.

"Why?" A head barely poked up from the triple seater sofa, "Tough day?" It made me jump but then I recognized the voice.

"Eli?" I was baffled.

Where the hell did he come from?

For a moment, I just stood there in a daze as he lay back down, "Arggh," He let out a groan, "Yep." He spoke softly, "That's me,"

...

My thoughts scattered but what was the point of thinking now? So, I stomped my way over to the couch to say something and to let my frustration out on him but the moment I stood in front of him as he lay on the couch I froze.

A lot of him was covered in bandages.

"What...?" My eyes went wide when I saw how injured he was, "What happened?!" I kneeled down on the carpet and began to panic. His left eye had a patch on his and his head was bandaged too, "You look so tattered!!" My heart broke when I saw him like that. It was like someone had injured me.

The sting in my chest was so deep, for a moment it felt like someone stabbed my body through.

"Still better than how I was three days ago."

"What happened!?" I cupped his cheeks, "Who would do this!?" I felt my eyes sting as my emotions started building up.

"Oh," He smiled, "It's part of the deal."

"What deal!?" I paused, "Wait-" I remembered why he left in the first place, "With Harry's group?" I started getting angry, "They did this?"

"It was an equal exchange."

"What equal exchange!?" I cupped his face harder, "They almost killed you!!"

"But," He placed his hand on mine to loosen them, "At least I won't be getting expelled or to jail." He patted my hands, "This was the best solution."

"The best solution!?" I shook my head, "Clearly not!?"

"It was, we won't be having trouble in the future either."

"What makes you so sure?!"

"Because I have evidence of the assault. So anything goes wrong. I'll use it."

I paused.

I was really angry but I had no idea where to put my anger so I just let out a deep angry exhale, then I crashed my head on his chest.

"Ohhfff fuck!" He let out a pained sound, "Mael!"

"Sorry!" I immediately moved my head away but now my eyes were teary, "Did that hurt a lot!?" I looked at him as a tear slipped down my cheek.

"Well, just stay with me," He smiled softly, "And I'll be fine."

I nodded, "Okay," I've heard that werewolves heal a lot faster if their mate is close to them.

I slid down next to the sofa and placed my back against it as I sat on the sofa, "So?" I spoke up after a few seconds of silence, "What now?" I glanced back at him, "You did say you would tell me things."

"Well," He readjusted himself to be able to look at me, "How about we both tell our stories then?" He looked into my eyes, "I'll tell you how I know things, if you tell me your story."

I nodded, "Alright." This time I didn't even hesitate for some reason. I didn't have to think twice about it. And I wonder, is it because of the mate bond?

Because we're mates? Or simply because I trust him?