11 MINE

Its been a week since the attack, even after surviving this ordeal. The threat that rogues posed still loomed over us. The breach in the pack security had rattled everyone to their core. It was a common fact that rogues never travelled in packs, neither did they attack populated areas, but the recent event had proven everyone wrong. Rogues were adapting and skillfully planning their moves.

Their unforeseeable actions were proving troublesome to predict. To think of a solution to this predicament. The World Council was to be convened in a week. But for me, the situation was proving to be even worse. Mum was in full-on defence mode and our house was starting to resemble a fortress, while I was placed on house arrest.

If my health had allowed, I would have launched a prison break by now, but, alas! I was still recuperating, my injuries were healed, but my essence was still recovering. The attack had forced me to face my weaknesses. All my life, I had heard about rogues and their brutality, but ever since I witnessed it; I was beginning to understand the threat they posed.

Rogues weren't just made-up villains in our society; they were real and very lethal, but despite all this, my mind was occupied by Aaron. Ever since he confessed his feelings to me, all I could think about was him. We had yet to talk after our last meeting, Which was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of my mother before I could even utter my reply. I wanted to meet him so desperately that it was killing me.

‘’What are you thinking about?’’ Layla’s words brought me out of my musings.

I replied with a sigh, ‘’Nothing really.’’

She sat down on my bed near me.‘’Liar! you have spent the whole week in a daze, you know mum’s starting to think that the attack might have traumatized you. Come on now tell me what’s wrong?’’ She asked incessantly.

‘’It’s just that a lot has happened, I am having trouble processing it all. Layla, can I ask you for a favour?’’

‘’Sure, anything for you.’’

‘’Teach me offensive magic. I don't want to feel that helpless ever again. The stuff they teach at the academy is not helping me and frankly, I doubt, I will be able to learn anything there.’’

She replied,‘’ I was kind of expecting this you have never been one of those people who are afraid to face their shortcomings. I will help you but you have to promise that would be careful with your magic. I don’t want you to damage your essence again.’’

‘’One more thing, dad wants to take you to the council meeting with us. So, prepare yourself.’’

‘’What! Why?’’

‘’ Well, what do you think would happen after the attack? They are not letting you do as please anymore, my dear sister you are going as dad’s sentry.’’

‘’Sentry!? I can barely even stand straight! You don’t expect me to play bodyguard, do you? And what about you?”

‘’Me? Everyone knows I am the next head of the family. It’s you, no one knows about. Besides, until you prove yourself this position is going to be just for show.’’

‘’Yeah, but why go through all that trouble?’’

‘’Elena, the council is made of powerful people. It’s normal for a council member to be accompanied by their scion and don’t worry, I will be there alongside you. ’’

The week passed in a flash, during this time, I focused on learning my very first offensive spell. But the trouble was that my magic would deplete too quickly, after a single spell. Thanks to my now weakened essence. During this time, I didn't attend any classes at the academy, which gave me ample time to practice and learn the basics of offensive magic and like this, the aforementioned day came.

‘’Elena, are you sure that you are okay to go? You know you don't have to. Your dad will understand,’’ mum gently recommended.

I reassured her, ‘’No, mum. I am fine, besides I want to go.’’

‘’Sarah dear, don't worry, its just a meeting, she is not going to battle,’’ dad gently comforted mother. ‘’Yes, you are right, just be careful on your way.’’

The location of the council meetings was supposed to be a secret. No one, other than the council members and their scions were privy to the location. I always presumed the meeting took place in someone’s summer house or mansion, but I was proven wrong when, we reached an abandoned, dilapidated building, in the middle of nowhere.

Dad led us inside the building and upon entering, what I saw amazed me.

We were in a large hall built with obsidian tiles, chandeliers were lighting the hallways, sculptures of warriors were located at every turn, the door was a portal. No wonder, no one knew where the council meeting took place.

‘’Wow! So that's where the taxpayers’ money goes.’’

‘’Lena!’’ dad chided.

‘’Okay, I won’t say anything.’’

After walking a few steps and passing a series of rooms, we were faced with a giant wooden door, leading to the meeting chamber, where the meeting was supposed to take place, but as I was about to take the next step, I was overcome with a sudden feeling of restlessness. My heart violently thrummed in my chest, I placed my hand on my chest to calm my self, but to no avail. Upon noticing my distressed state, Layla stopped to check up on me.

‘’Lena, what happened? Are you okay?’’

‘’I don’t feel too good. I was fine seconds ago. anyways let’s go inside, I will be fine in a few minutes.”

‘’Are you sure?’’

‘’Yes, don’t worry.’’

I begrudgingly entered the room, alongside Layla. Dad had already stepped inside and was busy talking to someone. Upon entering the room, the first thing to greet my eyes was a giant round table, which was surrounded by council members and their scions. I found Aaron standing with Darius, he noticed my gaze and turned towards me, with exuberance clearly visible on his face and yet, even seeing him, did not absolve the restlessness that I felt.

If anything the uncomfortable feeling had intensified tenfold and then it happened.

His words entered my ears and my world came to a halt.

‘’Mine.’’

I found him standing alongside his family, near the table and as our eyes met. everything I felt intensified. I felt every nerve, every atom in my body awaken. My heart felt as if it was being pulled out of my chest and then the realization dawned on me.

'Mate. He was my mate, I belonged to him. No! No! That’s wrong. I like Aaron.'

‘Aaron’, My gaze went in his direction, anxiousness visible on his face. His expression showed that he knew that I had just found my mate.

'No... No! I can’t.'

The force of the bond was forcing me to submit and accept him but I couldn't. My reluctance to accept the bond was met with punishment. Pain wracked my body and I fell forward on my knees. as if, gravity was going to swallow me whole. I was having trouble breathing, now everyone’s eyes were on me, Dad and Layla were saying something to me that I couldn’t discern, the pain kept intensifying and then I passed out, yet again.