I feel my cheeks heating with a blush, but I roll my eyes when the sub-alphas continue to make silly jokes about Elias barely being around this week.
He’d been spending all his time with me, and as mates, we’d naturally been mating. It’s no secret, but it’s still funny to hear them joke and push his buttons. Seeing them in a calmer element is a strange thing, since every other time I saw the alphas together with their leader, he was calling the shots and commanding respect while chastising them about me.
Now that they appear more accepting of me as the luna, Elias seems to have eased up and become more comfortable around them once again. Even Brooks, who Elias almost fought in the market the other day, is back to being one of Elias’s closestallies as he enters the pack den, bringing the gadget along with him.
He set it down on the coffee table and took a seat, allowing Thane to stand up as he proceeded to explain what the device was for.
“This little gadget is a capacitor, and we’ve built it in a way that’s strong enough to retain some of Aurora’s magic. Once it holds enough of her power, we can plug it in and lure the demon over when it feels her magic being wielded in a way that’s meant to draw it out,” Thane explains, meeting my eyes.
“The only issue we have is that none of us can impair the demon, as we’ve seen with Alpha Elias’s attempts,” Thane sighs.
“The most we can do is surround the demon so it doesn’t get away. We’ll trap it,” Brooks suggests, and Elias gulps before nodding is head as he turns to me to continue explaining the plan.
“You will have to appear eventually and blast the demon with everything you have,” Elias says glumly, a look of worry gripping his furrowed brows as he stares at me.
I give him a reassuring smile as I press a hand on his arm and nod my understanding before turning to the others. “If I charge up the retainer with my powers now, I’ll need some time to rest and build up the charge again.”
Dawson nods. “The capacitor can hold your power for twenty-four hours. Is that enough time?”
Rising to my feet, I begin pulling up my sleeves and focusing my narrowed eyes on the gadget that the alphas constructed to catch the demon dg and put an end to its reign of destruction and death.
“Twenty-four hours is more than enough time.” I glance back at Elias, giving him a knowing nod to let him know that we’re not sleeping tonight. His eyes glow with the faith he has in me, and the encouragement is exactly what I need to hold the retainer between my palms and follow Thane’s instructions.
I close my eyes and focus all of my energy on the device in my hands, feeling the majestic magic powers flowing from the core of my being and into my palms, the sizzling sound of electricity protruding from my fingers as my magic charges the gadget. As a retainer, it holds my energy and doesn’t crack, and when I feel like I’ve put enough power into lighting up an entire building, I open my eyes and see the cube glowing in my hands.
Dawson opens up a metal suitcase and nods in a gesture for me to place the capacitor inside. When I do, I feel a snap in my connection to the gadget, knowing that I successfully placed all my magical powers in it.
Sighing with the exhaustion that washes over me, my body grows limp and threatens to cave in, but Elias is at my side in no time, swiftly capturing me in his arms when I become drowsy. I hear his firm voice calling out instructions to the sub-Alphas, again leading with dominance that he uses every time he needs to protect me or ensure that my well-being is taken care of.
He eventually scoops me into his arms and carries me through town toward his private cabin, where I’ll be able to recharge for the next twenty-four hours.
***
I sit huddled next to Rissa on the sofa as we watch Elias slice the blade across his palm before swiping his blood across the front door.
“That should do it,” he says as he turns around and scans the room, counting every other spot he’s marked with his blood.
He thought it would be a good idea to shield the house from my scent since the demon is after me for my mystical powers. Though I’ll be hiding out here while the alphas execute the plan near the pack den, I’ll be close enough to move in once Elias sends me a mind link when they have the demon dog trapped. I have Rissa to keep me company in the meantime.
“Your scent isn’t traceable,” he continues. “I’ve checked with the others. The capacitor is set up near the pack den, so when it’s turned on, the demon will suspect that you’re on the field, wielding your powers.” Elias takes a composed breath, his eyes full of the weight of his stresses. “When we have it cornered, we’ll surround it, and I’ll send you the signal.”
I nod slowly, peeling myself from the sofa and rushing into Elias’s arms just as he opens them. His warm embrace is both soothing and empowering, and he holds on a little longer, not seeming like he wants to let go.
A chord is struck deep within my chest, my heart pattering to the beat of his own heart as they align for a brief moment, allowing me to feel the intensity of his care and concern for me. When he pulls back, he stares deeply into my eyes and reminds me that he’s the only man who sees me for who and what I truly am, and he believes in me. I lean in on my tiptoes, pressing my lips to his for a toe-curling kiss that lunges after he’s pulled away.
“Be safe out there,” I plead, knowing that this is just a matter of timing, and I’m strong enough to defeat the demon if we execute this plan. Still, I need my mate to be safe, so we can reunite when everything is said and done.
Elias nods as he leans in to press a drawn-out kiss on my forehead before reminding me about the steps of the plan and how much faith he has in me. It pains me to watch him leave the cabin, knowing that he’ll be out there without me. My only consolation is that he has the help of his subordinates, and his guards are posted all around the town’s borders, with the pack members visiting the market so that no one is left alone at home.
As a dreadfully cold shiver passes through my spine, I drag my feet back to the sofa, wringing my trembling hands together. Rissa folds her hand over mine, and a wave of ease washes over me. At least I have her.
“We’re taking our positions behind the pack den now,”Elias’s mind link comes to inform me about their movements. Rissa hears it too and gives my hand a reassuring squeeze.
“The capacitor is being turned on,”comes Elias’s second update, and I nod at Rissa.
“This is it,” I whisper tersely, a build-up of anticipation shuddering through me. She holds my hand tightly in hers, and for some reason, I’m able to get a grip on the anxiety and worries I’ve been feeling.
I know I shouldn’t be so worried, my gut churning with a strange panic that shouldn’t be there. The alphas had worked tirelessly to put this plan together, not leaving any stone unturned. I hadn’t realized that the Alphas of Snehvolk could be so tech-savvy, since the pack is run according to ancient rules and structures, as if we’re not a part of human society. It turns out that when the situation calls for it, the alphas are set on doing everything they possibly can to protect their pack.
