Chapter 10

Ella’s POV

Blinking in surprise, I try to figure how the hell I have heard that voice.

Narrowing my eyes at him, I wait for him to respond. But his blank face doesn’t reveal anything.

His expressionless face makes me question myself have I really heard that voice, or is it’s just my imagination. I would have asked Blaze, but her attention is directed towards Prune in case he attacks us.

Blaze and I work as a team. If I am focusing on one thing, her focus will be on another. Out of two of us, she is the vigilant one. She always keeps an eye out for threats and danger and alerts me on time.

“Emerson, have the background check on all the rescued completed?” He questions the person whom I just figured is Lord Emerson.

“Yes, Superior.” He gives a curt nod.

“Have they been moved to examination quarters?” Prune asks with a hint of accusation.

“Yes.” Emerson stares ahead without meeting his eyes.

“All of them?” He narrows his eyes at Emerson.

Keep his gaze fixed ahead, Emerson stays silent. However, I notice his throat working as he swallows.

“Emerson.” Dried Prune’s annoying voice forces me to exhale a deep breath so that I don’t snap his neck.

“Who gave you the permission to place her in the personal chamber?” His demeaning tone gives rise to dark emotions inside me.

My eyes shift to Emerson, whose jaw is ticking in anger. I know he wants to respond to him, but it seems like he is bound because of his position.

But I don’t have any such obligation. He has already earned a position on my hate list, and I am certainly not too fond of the way he was talking to him. It almost felt like he disrespected me.

“Are you disrespecting your Superior by not following the orders?” He raises his voice when he doesn’t get any response from Emerson. “Have you forgotten your place?”

“If you want to be respected, then learn to respect others.” Clenching my hands into fists, I turn to him, “Talk to him with respect.”

I can sense Lord Emerson stiffens, but I don’t pay much attention as I keep my eyes trained on Prune.

“Don’t teach me, girl, whom I should respect or not.” Prune cheek muscle twitches while his eyes show nothing but hatred. “People like him need to remember their place so that they never go against the order of Superior.”

“People like you should be stripped of every title because you don’t deserve any respect.” My gaze turns icy while dark emotions begin to encase my chest.

“You are just a she-wolf, and you have dared to talk in front of me?” Half of his body shifts into his wolf as he growls.

My palms begin to tingle with warmth as unintentionally I call my powers, wanting to make him suffer.

The Alpha blood in me wants to tear him apart for using this tone on me. While the darkness inside me is just want to entertain myself with some bloodshed.

“And you will just be a mess of blood and flesh if you don’t watch your tone.” A low warning growl emits from me as I slam my hand on the mahogany table, cracking it from between.

He takes a step back in surprise, clearly underestimating me. But then a ferocious growl passes through his lips as he gets ready to lunge at me.

Blaze shakes her fur and gets in an attacking position in my mind, ready to shift if required.

“Stop.” Emerson suddenly stands in front of me, blocking the view of that fucker, “She is no match of yours.” He slightly turns his head to glance at me.

My glare shifts to him, but when my eyes lock with his instead of disrespect, I find pride in them.

“Am I right?” I catch a flicker of amusement in his otherwise impassive eyes, causing me to roll my eyes, attempting to stay mad.

“Damn, right.” Prune nods his head curtly, “I will not insult myself by fighting with her. She is just a spoiled girl, so that I will forgive her.”

He glances at me cautiously, trying to hide the hint of fear behind his anger.

“Thank him.” Stepping beside Emerson, I jerk my thumb in his direction, “He just saved you from humiliation.” I grin at Prune, showing him my sharp canines that are ready to separate his flesh from his bones.

Closing his eyes, he looks heavenward while shaking his head. After a moment, he opens his eyes and looks at me with an annoyed expression.

“We need answers, so cooperate with us.” He pointedly looks at me, “This is important for everyone’s safety. How did you figure where the kidnappers were?”

“I have let them abduct me from my pack so that I can find who was behind these kidnappings and what’s their intention,” I answer him honestly because I know when to annoy someone and when I need to be serious.

“Why didn’t Emmet’s magic affect you?” Tilting his head slightly to the side, he waits for me to answer. I still feel that somewhere he thinks that I am lying.

“Because I am immune to spells.” I give him the half-truth because I can’t share that I am born with a gift with everyone.

“It’s impossible.” He narrows his eyes at me in disbelief.

“It is possible if you are strong, especially if you have strong mental barriers to fight off the spells.” Crossing my arms, I shrug nonchalantly.

Distrust is still present in his eyes, but he doesn’t say anything.

“She is right. Even I have heard powerful mental barriers can lessen the effect of spells.” Another guy speaks who has come in with Emerson.

“Hello, I am Ambrose.” A polite yet wary smile graces his lips as he extends his hand in my direction. His gaze is calculative and sharp.

“Ella Whitmore.” Shaking his hand, I study him carefully. His expressions are guarded; it is too early for me to decide if he is a trustable person or not.

“By any chance, are you related to Elder Donovon and Elder Ivory?” Tilting his head slightly to the side, he looks at me questioningly.

“I am their eldest daughter.” My voice fills with pride as I answer him.

“But how do you know my parents?” Now it is my time to question him.

“We have met quite a few times during the council meetings.” He chuckles in a humorless way. “They don’t seem like they are a big fan of us.”

It is strange because mom and dad get along with everyone just fine. Even if they don’t like someone, they never make it evident.

However, they never hide their dislike towards...

Realization draws on me as my eyes move from Ambrose’s face to Prune, and lastly, they settle on Emerson.

“No way.” I shake my head while looking around, “You all are freaking guardians.”

Lord, Superior, these arrogant aristocratic creatures...why I haven’t figured this before!

This is great, just great!

Since the moment they have found out who I am, everyone has been wearing a different expression, everyone but Emerson. He is still carrying that stoic expression while his gaze is also not revealing anything.

On the other hand, Ambrose looks slightly cautious, and there is something else in his eyes which I can't decipher. However, Prune’s gaze has turned hostile even more than before, as if I have stepped on his tiny tail.

Emerson’s lack of acknowledgment is bothering me. To be honest, his nonchalant expression is irritating. I mean dude, you can’t be that expressionless.

Just a slight smile, a tiny little tilt of your lips. It is not that difficult, right?

As if he has heard me, he glances at me with a slightly raised eyebrow, instantly causing me to look away and stare at the wall behind him.

Chewing the inside of my cheeks, I try to keep embarrassment away from my face. But when I peek a glance at him again and find him still staring at me, I curse myself internally for not having confidence like Elena.

That girl hardly gets embarrassed. Mom says her wolf’s traits are strong in Elena, especially the shamelessness ones.

“By tomorrow, I need a detailed report on all the rescued werewolves before handing them over to their respective packs.” Prune glances at Ambrose, “Move her to examination quarters as well. We need to question her-”

“She is not going anywhere.” Emerson cuts off Prune.

Even though he was rebelling against his order, but Emerson kept his gaze fixed at the ground.

“Have you forgotten what the consequences of going against the order of your Superior are? Or do I have to remind you again?” Prune clenches his jaws in anger.

Emerson stays silent, but his silence speaks that he is not backing down.

“Superior, I will question her myself. Please, just let me handle this my way.” Ambrose quickly steps forwards, trying to disperse the tension.

He looks at Ambrose, his jaws clenching while he contemplates his words. Then after a moment, he nods his head reluctantly.

“Listen, girl; you can’t leave this ground until you have not been cleared.” He turns to me, talking to me as if I am some nuisance, “I don’t have anything against you, but I have to do all this to make sure everyone is safe. It is our duty as Guardians to maintain the peace in every pack and eliminate every threat for the safety of our people. We don’t know, but Emmet may have tainted someone’s mind and chosen them as his ally. He might be dead, but the evil never dies.”

Even though I don't trust this rotten hotdog, but I am aware the Guardians take their duty seriously. So I know he is trying to make sure that everyone is safe.

“Don’t worry, and I will not go anywhere without informing you.” My words hold sincerity even though I wouldn’t say I like the way he looks at me suspiciously.

Prune doesn’t look happy with my reply and opens his mouth to object, but I silence him with a raise of my hand.

“However, I will help you guys in treating all the people who have been affected by Emmet and his black magic,” I add, ending the discussion.

Everyone deserves to be free of curses, and if I can help someone by freeing them from their curse, then I will help them.

"Now, the meeting is over. So, you may all return to your work." I smirk, meeting everyone’s gaze while ignoring Prune's red face, which looks like he is ready to explode, as I walk outside the room.

When I hear some footsteps following me, I turn to find Emerson following me silently.

My surprised gaze flickers to him a few times while he keeps his gaze ahead.

I can’t help but notice how he walks one step behind me, allowing me to lead him. While at the same time rigidness of his posture and his determined steps promise that he will protect me.

Keep an eye out for another update. Why? Because I have been writing for six hours straight. Yay, go me! 😜