You should thank Elpis for that.

Hemera's POV.

I wasn't really sure of what I was doing. I am not even sure if it will work but what do I have to lose?

I am sure Elpis wasn't sure my plan would work but I had to give it a try. I didn't want to go and confront them. That would be stupid and that might make them hurt Karla or even worse, do something unthinkable. So, I had to be smart. Start from a place they would never think I would go.

I woke up the next morning and Elpis wasn't there. after his response, I wasn't sure if he would go. I didn't want to ask the maids where he went. I didn't want it to look like we were fighting and raising gossip around the castle.

As usual, Kai was being mean. I wanted him on my side. He had something I wanted, his love and his trust. He asked me to swing the sword while he watched. It was the same thing we did yesterday.

"I saw you riding with Elpis yesterday." He announced. It seemed he wanted to start an argument. 

I stopped, "And so?" I asked him.

'Keep striking." He instructed. 

I took a deep breath and continued. When will he stop this tough-boy act? 

"And so?" I asked again.

"What exactly do you want from my brother?"

"Well, he is my husband…"

"But he is not your mate." He interrupted me. "Crane came here the other day. I heard you both had I thing. Isn't he your mate?"

I stopped and stabbed the ground with the sword. I was out of breath but I really wanted to hear what he had to say and I wanted to make things clear since he had his doubts.

"There is nothing between Crane and I." I made it clear.

"But there was."

"Yes, but not anymore."

"Then why did he come here?"

"I don't know!" I yelled.

"And how am I supposed to believe that?!" he yelled back.

Both of us were gasping for air. He was right, how is he supposed to believe me when I didn't even tell Elpis that Crane came?

"Believe what you want to," I said and went back to striking. I watched him storm out. It seems he didn't get what he wanted and I also didn't feel like training anymore.

The castle was really lonely. Back when I was a maid, I had people to talk to. Karla and I always talked and had fun. Sometimes we made fun of Lydia and we would always imagine if things go wrong and Eliot didn't marry her after all. It would have been funny. She always bragged about how she was chosen and how everyone should bow to her if they wanted to survive in Crescent Moon. It was kind of funny but everyone sucked up to her, even the highest she-wolves. it was really pathetic of them. 

But Karla always stood up to her. She never talked back, that is never her way but she always does something to ruin Lydia's day. Like on time when she poured water on Lydia's path and she fell on her butt. It was so funny that everyone laughed. Lydia knew it was Karla but she didn't have proof.

As much as I do miss her, I do worry about her too. She is all alone in the castle with no one to talk to and I am sure now that Lydia is finally the Luna, she will make her life miserable. I just wish there was a way I could bring her here to stay with me but I knew that was impossible. Eliot will never set her free; at least not with her alive but I am working on a plan. I promised Karla I would get her out of there and I will not fail her. She needs to be free and I suspect that she is just like me; stolen from her real family.

I went to the library and returned the books I read. I picked up a few books and went to my room. I had to know as much as I could about the werewolf history and everything else I could before I faced Eliot again. I stayed in the garden there was a lot of fresh air there and it felt very nice. Karla and I could never get this kind of air in our small room.

I heard a knock on the door. I wondered who it could be. I told the maids I would not be having lunch and I wanted to be left alone. I know it is not Kai because he hates seeing my face for now or could it be Elpis?

The thought of me seeing Elpis again made me happy. He left without telling me for days now and I don't know where he went to. He didn't even drop a note which was kind of weird. 

I hurried to the door and opened the door, expecting to see Elpis but I saw someone else. Someone I didn't expect to see. I didn't understand what was happening. I pinched myself to know if I was dreaming but I wasn't. She is here.

"Karla," I said with a huge smile on my face.

I hugged her so much I was sure she couldn't breathe.

"How are you here?" I asked as I let go.

"You should thank Alpha Elpis for that. I don't know how he did it, but Eliot let me go."

What? How did he do it? What did he tell Eliot that made him give up one of his captives to his mortal enemy again?