Chapter 5 Five

Alexander's POV

I didn't waste a second. The moment the call ended, I turned on my heel and strode swiftly into the packhouse, Darren and Ray following behind me.

We entered the elevator, tension heavy in the air. No one spoke as we climbed up. When the doors opened, I stepped out first, my steps long and urgent as we made our way to my room where Eliana had been resting.

I pushed open the door.

The moment it swung in, my eyes locked onto her.

My mate knelt on the bed, holding a knife. Her hands trembled, but her stance was defensive. Her eyes were wild with panic. She was pointing the blade directly at Laura and Mike, who stood at a safe distance.

"Don't come closer!" she warned sharply, her voice hoarse but strong. "I'm serious. I will use this!"

She must've grabbed the knife from the dresser earlier. She wasn't going to let them take her, she probably felt we were trying to trick her.

She would find a way to escape from us, she didn't care how genuine and innocent we looked, it could all still be a trick. She wasn't letting her guard down, not even for a second.

I stepped in. "Laura. Mike. Out."

Laura hesitated, but one glance from me sent her scurrying toward the door, and Mike followed.

Now it was only me, Ray, and Darren.

I took a cautious step forward. "My love, please. Put the knife down."

Her glare shifted to me instantly. "Why am I here? You..." she pointed the knife toward me now... "you're one of them. One of the people after me!"

I raised both hands slightly in front of me, my voice calm and measured. "You're safe now."

But she wasn't listening. Her eyes were darting around the room. Her breathing was uneven, her grip still tight.

Then her gaze snapped back to me, more focused this time. Her eyes widened a little as she took me in fully.

The blue eyes!

Memories flooded her...the forest, Titus, his growl, her fear, and then... those blue eyes appearing right before everything went black.

Her lips parted, and she whispered, "It's you. You're the one who killed him."

I nodded slowly. "He hurt you. I was trying to save you."

But she wasn't convinced, her brows furrowed. "And what makes you think I believe that? How do I know you didn't just kill him so you could take me instead?"

I softened my expression and took another slow step. "I would never hurt you, my love."

From behind, Ray gave a nervous glance. "Alex..." he warned in a low voice, watching Eliana's grip on the knife. "Maybe don't move too close. She still has that thing."

But I didn't stop. I took another step, then another. My voice dropped, deep and gentle. "I promise. You don't have to be scared of me."

And in one swift move faster than her eyes could follow, I closed the distance between us. My hand reached for her wrist. Gently, but firmly, I held it, guiding the knife down and out of her grip. It fell to the floor with a dull clatter, sliding across the polished wood.

She froze, her breath catching.

I looked into her eyes, my voice low. "I'd never hurt you. Ever."

She was staring up at me now. Up close, my features must've looked even more intense...my strong jaw, my dark hair falling slightly over my forehead, the way I looked at her like she was the only thing that mattered.

I was tall and broad, radiating strength but not danger. I was striking, godlike.

I lowered myself, sitting in front of her on the plush king-sized bed.

She didn't move, just stared. I felt her thunder in her chest.

As we sat there, eyes locked, the silence between us spoke louder than any words. My eyes roamed her face slowly, like I was trying to memorize every single detail.

The fair curve of her cheeks, the tremble in her lashes, the uncertainty flickering in her hazel eyes.

My hand gently reached for her tangled auburn hair, still messy and stained from the horrors of the forest. And yet... she was stunning.

I had no idea why that man from earlier was after her or what kind of trouble she must be in. I knew that whatever it was, I would do everything to protect her and keep her safe.

I had finally found her after all these years, and I wasn't going to let her slip right through my fingers.

Eliana's POV.

I found myself unable to look away. There was something about his touch, something in his gaze that made my pulse quicken not from fear this time, but something far more confusing.

But this wasn't the time. How could I feel this now? When danger still loomed?

I couldn't give in, I couldn't stay here. Everything could go wrong, she's always wanted to avoid trouble, that was the reason my mother and she left their pack to become rogues in the first place.

The more people that knew about me, the more danger I would face.

Suddenly, my body jolted.

I gasped, yelping in pain as it stabbed through my limbs. Mu hands shot up to grip my head as it throbbed violently.

My entire demeanor changed in a flash. "What's wrong?" he asked, my voice sharp with concern.

I shook her head, trembling. "Please," I whispered, "please let me go... it's not safe if I stay here."

He gripped my shoulders gently to steady me. "You're not going anywhere," I said firmly. "I won't let you go back out there and risk your life again."

"I..." I tried to speak, but the pain struck again, deeper this time. A sharp burn bloomed in my chest and raced through my veins. I arched, trembling.

And then suddenly, my eyes switched colours and flowed. From those hazel eyes to a familiar deep, vibrant, blood red!

Ray took a step back. "What the hell?"

Darren's mouth fell open. "Oh my gosh..."

The room froze.

And then...