Enslaved To The Alphas-Chapter 196: The Sacrifice

"What sacrifice?" the large wolf asked slowly.

"Emira would not want me to tell you." The wolf Emira pouted.

Lancelot stared at the large innocent eyes in front of him. He leaned in, rubbing his head against her hand as he coaxed, "Hmm. But I think you know better. You trust us more than Emira does..."

The wolf Emira nodded and closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth from the large wolf as she almost purred and snuggled closer, "Hmm. There are things that Emira doesn’t know. Our mother passed away before she could tell her, and only a few things were left for me to learn..." His voice trailed off and she closed her eyes in contentment. This was good. She felt so safe...

"Tell me..." Lancelot urged, but the wolf Emira’s only shook her head. She raised her head and then gave him a mysterious smile before shaking her head and pouting, "I want to see the others first..."

Lancelot let out a snort. He should have known. This little thing was definitely mischievous when she wanted something. He could already guess it...

"But they are quite far away..." he tried.

"They are right outside the door. I know it." Emira snorted at him... With a sigh, he closed his eyes and summoned his brothers who had been waiting right outside the cottage.

A moment later, two more large black wolves padded into the room. Their steps were quiet but heavy enough to make the air shift.

Emira watched them curiously, her eyes widening a little. She extended her hand without hesitation. The wolf with the grey eyes stepped forward first, lowering his head and bumping it gently against her palm. The gesture made her giggle softly, her fingers sliding through his dark fur as she leaned forward and plafully tugged at his fur... "Zen."

The other wolf, the one with golden eyes, stood frozen where he was. He did not move closer. He only stared at her, like something inside him had locked in place.

Emira stepped off the bed carefully as her eyes landed on him.... Slowly she walked toward Kael. When she reached him, she lowered herself to her knees right in front of him.

Kael didn’t breathe.

Then she leaned forward and rubbed her face against his fur, a simple, warm gesture that made the large black wolf’s entire body almost soften. His legs almost buckled under him. It was as if he melted at her feet, unable to hold himself steady under the weight of her touch.

His fur twitched, and a low sound escaped him as if the large wolf couldn’t hold back. Emira felt it against her cheek, warm and steady, and her lips curved slightly as she rubbed her face against him again.

She pulled back slowly, her hands still resting on his fur. For a moment she simply looked at him. Then her eyes lowered to the floor, and she shifted her weight before sitting down carefully.

She sat right there on the ground, letting the coolness soak into her legs as she leaned closer to Kael.

Kael lowered himself immediately, stretching out so she could rest her head against him. He pressed his side to her shoulder, a silent offer, and Emira accepted it without hesitation. She leaned her head against his thick fur, letting out a quiet breath as the warmth from his body wrapped around her.

Zen, who had been standing close slowly circled around her and settled himself on her right side close enough that his body brushed against her arm. Emira smiled faintly and reached out, her fingers brushing through the soft fur near his neck. Zen nudged her hand gently and then rested his head beside her hip.

Lancelot looked at his two younger brothers and snorted. Ingrates! They did not even ask what place he wanted by her side. He approached from the left and lay down with a soft thud, curling slightly so her body curved around Emira’s side.

For the first time in a long time, Emira didn’t feel like she needed to run or hide and felt safe. The last time she had felt it was when they were inside mother...

She closed her eyes in contentment then, sinking deeper into the warmth around her. Her breathing slowed, her body relaxed, and for a moment it seemed like she would drift off completely. Her head even tilted slightly against Kael’s fur.

But a gentle nudge pressed against her arm, jolting her back before sleep could claim her.

Her eyes fluttered open to find Zen leaning over her, his grey eyes fixed on her face with clear impatience. The wolf Emira smiled and rubbed his head lazily, her fingers dragging through his fur as she murmured, "No wonder Emira is always calling you a dog. You never let go when you have something stuck between your teeth..."

Zen let out a sharp, offended growl at that, and she giggled openly. His tail swished once in irritation, and he bumped her again, this time more deliberately. The movement only made her laugh harder.

From her left, Lancelot huffed before speaking, his tone calm but firm. "Since it concerns our future, of course we have to know..."

The wolf Emira sighed, her shoulders loosening as she closed her eyes again, gathering herself. When she opened them, the playful spark had dimmed, replaced by something quieter and almost painful. It made all three of them stiffen.

"Okay then..." she began slowly. "What do you know of Evan Aldren?"

The reaction was instant. All three wolves stiffened around her. Kael’s muscles went rigid beneath her head. Zen’s ears shot upward and Lancelot’s froze.

"We had already guessed," Lancelot said quietly, "but hearing you say it doesn’t bring comfort."

The wolf Emira nodded faintly. "It shouldn’t."

Zen shifted closer, his voice low. "Only that he is the last of the Aldren line. He is one of the fiercest warriors... and one of the biggest enemies of the Dark Master, it seems because his people killed his mate." He paused then... Or is there something more to it?"