The Accused Mate

Chapter 7: The Breaking Point

Elias' POV

"She is poison, Elias. She needs to be eliminated."

That was my mother, Luna Ingrid. She had so much hate for Amara. 

"Mom," I called. 

"No…enough. She hurt you. She killed your mate. No one toys with my son's emotions," my mother continued. 

I listened to my mother, and realized I had done worse to Amara. "Mom…" I called again. 

"No, your fiancée's funeral is tonight. Both the packs are coming. They need answers and I want one too," she said. 

"Will you just let me talk?" I asked, looking at her. 

She sighed, and breathed out. "Fine. What is it?" She asked. 

"I think there must have been something wrong. Amara is my mate," I confessed. 

She looked at me like I had grown horns. "Have you gone mad? Didn't you reject her in front of everyone?" She asked, and slammed her hand on the table. 

"Yes, mom. I know," I answered. 

"Then, why are you going back on your word? You asked to accept Kamla and I did. She's a stronger, better Luna than Amara would ever be," Mom said. 

"Yes," I answered. "But she always did something wrong to me. I can't think straight mom. The bond is killing me."

"That's not possible," Mom whispered. 

"Well, it is," I said and cleared my throat. "I went to Celeste."

Mom looked livid. She was always terrified of Celeste even when she knew she would be of help.

"That witch!" Mom yelled. "Why would you ever meet her?"

"Because!" I yelled back. "I am sick and tired of the conflicting voices in my head. I lost my fiancée but it doesn't really feel right. I feel like I am possessed!"

"You're not," mom answered, lowering her voice. "You're angry. And it's okay to be angry." 

I looked away, and placed my hands on my hips. 

"I know how to end this," mom breathed. "Gaius!" She yelled and the guard walked in. 

"Yes, Luna," he answered. 

I stared at my mom in disbelief, wondering what she was up to. "Bring Amara here."

"What?" I asked, surprised. 

"I'm going to help get rid of her once and for all," Mom responded, and turned back to the guard. 

"Bring her!" She ordered and the guard nodded, hurrying off. 

"Mom…" I called, and she smiled. 

************

The door opened before I could reject any other word my mom was saying and a pair of hands dragged her in. 

Amara groaned as she reached the floor and my mom sipped her tea. 

"You can leave," Mom ordered the guards and they left. 

Mom looked at me, and sipped her tea. "She's here now. You can kill her and send back her body to her father. I bet he'll be grateful."

I watched Amara clutch something in her hand, and when she noticed, she moved it behind her. 

I didn't act, but watched her. The pain in my heart grew as she panted. 

"Kill her," Mom ordered. I froze, watching Amara pant. "What are you waiting for?"

"No," I responded. 

"Why not? You want revenge. Here's your chance," Mom continued. 

I grew angrier. She had no right to command me. "I said no."

My fingers folded into a fist and my knuckles cracked. 

"Why are you hesitating?!" She said, Her voice was laced with disapproval. 

I couldn't understand why she was more angry at Amara than I was. 

"The pack senses it. They won't obey a leader who hesitates," Mom warned.

I didn't take my eyes off Amara's. "I am not hesitating. Why are you so focused on this?"

"Because she killed my daughter in law!" Mom yelled. 

"I promised her father I wouldn't kill her until I had evidence," I answered. 

"What more bloody evidence do you need?" Mom asked. 

I couldn't take it anymore and I snapped. "That's enough, Mom!"

She blinked, and fell back in her chair. She grabbed her cup and sipped her tea. "You're the Alpha. Slip, and you fall. Finish it before it's too late."

I fought to nod, though something far inside of me cringed in agony at the order.

She looked at me for a little longer, and then she spun on her heel and left the room. I had the room to myself again. 

Amara watched me, as I walked to the drawer and pulled out a gun. 

Her eyes widened, and she held tightly to her dress as I pointed the weapon at her. 

"Elias," she whispered. 

I stepped forward, clicking the gun and placed my finger on the trigger.

All I had to do was pull the trigger. That's all.

I repeated the words in my head, and flashes of Kamla smiling at me, slowly turned into Amara. 

If I had control over my grip, it was slipping. Rapid bursts of air were groaning from my mouth. My heart pounded in my ears.

"Kill her!" The order rang in my mind. "Finish it now or never."

But there was a voice, one that I had fought hard for all these years, that suddenly rose up.

You dare not!

A snarl scratched its way through my mind, filled with raw rage. My wolf was louder than ever, yanking at my core.

She's ours. Our mate.

The words sent a violent shudder through me. The gun coming down in my hand quivered. My knuckles were white. My wolf growled again, crudely tearing through my head, demanding control.

My hand shook. I gritted my teeth, physically blocking my instincts from pulling.

No. I couldn't let this happen. I couldn't give in.

My finger pressed against the trigger and I fired. 

The shot tore out, booming in the silence of the room. Amara let out a sharp cry, falling back. The bullet struck the table behind her, sending spokes of wooden shrapnel across the floor.

She cowered, arms wrapped around herself, breathing fitful breaths. She wasn't the only one trembling.

My chest heaved as a sharp pain lashed through me, even worse than before. I pressed a hand to my chest, gasping, but to no avail. It felt like my insides were cracking open, spilling a deep, aching need into all my nerves.

You nearly hurt her. My very wolf's voice was furious, vibrating through my bones. 

You idiot!

I shrank away, blinking hard back in place. With Amara, it felt like the pain had been easing down bit by bit.

Being away from Amara made it worse.

It felt hard to breathe and I dropped to my knees. I got closer to her and the pain eased off my chest. 

She flinched as I got closer to her. But she didn't move.

She sat there, watching me wait. My eyes traced her face and down to her lips. 

My body called for her and my wolf snarled once more. "Mate!"

I didn't hesitate anymore, and reached for her. My hand touched her soft face and I shuddered as the spark went through my body. She drew in a breath and closed her eyes. 

I tangled my fingers in the back of her neck and pulled her forward. 

My face inched forward, and without thinking, I kissed her.