Chapter 105

Ella looked up to see the questioning gaze of both Derek and Valen

She took a deep breath, looking down at her hands on her laps.

“Sandra mentioned… that I’m not related to their family in any way” she finally said, her voice quiet but steady.

Derek exhaled as he took his seat. “Why am I not surprised?” he muttered, rubbing his temple.

“Did she tell you anything about your biological parents?” Valen asked softly.

Ella shook her head. “She didn’t. Said something about her father dropping me off with her mother and asking her to run away with me and Sandra and to keep me safe”

Silence fell in the room as everyone was lost in their own thoughts.

Ella swallowed, forcing a bitter smile “Now I know she’s not my biological mother, I can actually understand why she treated me like trash all these years. I guess… she blames me for the death of her husband” Ella said.

Derek leaned forward, taking her hands in his. His grip was firm, reassuring. “No one should be comfortable with being treated like trash Ella, it wasn’t your fault, you were just a baby. And besides you must have been so important for him to go to such length to have saved you. Just look at what happened during the plague-you saved a lot of lives.”

“Yes,” Valen added. “Never look down on yourself. At least for one, you are very much important to me” Valen said.

Ella rolled her eyes at his dramatic tone.

Derek scoffed “Must you put it that way?” he asked, feigning irritation.

“How else was I supposed to say it? I’m only being sincere, “Valens said with a smirk.

Derek crossed his arms “Well… she means so much to me too”

Ella chuckled seeing both of them act like teenage boys.

‘You see, I told you.’ Lila said from within

“Thank you Lila,’ Ella responded inwardly.

‘Don’t ever imagine you’re alone, you have me and our two mates’ Lila said

‘I know’

Derek cleared his throat “So what happens next?” he asked.

Just then, his phone rang, he glanced at the caller ID and excused himself. “I need to take this,” he said and stepped out.

As soon as Derek stepped out, Valen walked closer to Ella and held her hands.

“How are you feeling?” Valen asked softly, his voice filled with compassion.

“I’m fine Valen,” Ella responded, smiling faintly.

“Are you really sure Ella?” He asked, his voice laced with so much concern. His eyes searched hers, the intensity of his gaze making her heartbeat quicken.

The tension in the room increased as they both stared at each other, their gaze saying lots of things.

Slowly their faces drew closer until their lips met and they were locked in an intense kiss.

Valen deepened the kiss, placing a hand behind her neck and bringing their bodies closer.

Ella placed her hands behind his neck drawing him in. All her bad emotions at that moment seemed to be forgotten. She lost herself in the warmth of his embrace, in the way his lips moved against hers-gentle yet desperate, like he had been holding back for too long.

After what seemed like an eternity, Valen broke the kiss placing his head against Ella’s as she smiled at him.

“When you smile, my world is upright” Valen whispered compassionately as his fingers rubbed against Ella’s lips.

Just then Derek cleared his throat.

Ella and Valen immediately looked up, putting some distance between them.

They had been so engrossed in each other, they never noticed Derek come in.

The Atmosphere became so awkward.

“Uhm… I think I need to catch some air” Ella mumbled, breaking off the silence, before quickly running out of the room.

Derek and Valen were left alone in the room.

Silence filled the room as they both didn’t know what to say.

Valen cleared his throat standing up. “I need to take care of some things in my study” and then, without another word, he walked out, leaving Derek alone..

A cold smile tugged at the corner of Derek’s lips.

***

“She’s awake my lord” a man said bowing respectfully.

Sebastian let out a puff of smoke from his cigarette, his eyes cold.

“Good,” he said, tapping the ashes off the end. Any other news?”

“None seriously my lord, just that security has been tightened, I was able to walk out unsuspiciously because of my disguise and Lord Valen…”

Sebastian growled, cutting him off. The title attached to Valen pissed him off-he alone deserves that title.

“I’m…I’m sorry My lord. V..Valen had tightened the security around her, no one can easily get close to her” the young man vibrated in fear.

Sebastian inhaled deeply and let out some strings of smoke, his eyes darkening as he leaned back.

“That’s predictable,” he said.

Knowing Valen for a long time, he knew Valen would do anything to protect this woman, even if it comes down to sacrificing his life.

“She would be your end dear brother” Sebastian muttered, a cold smile appearing at the corner of his lips.

His attention drifted back to the messenger still bowed before him.

“Keep your eyes and ears open on what’s going on there and don’t fail to report to him if you notice anything out of other” “Yes, My lord” The messenger responded.

“You may leave,” Sebastian ordered.

The messenger stood up and sprinted, not daring to meet Sebastian’s gaze.

“See what your mistake had cost me” Sebastian said as soon as the messenger had left.

Out of the shadows, Sandra stepped out.

“You’re lucky she’s awake” Sebastian said flatly.

“But how’s that possible?” Sandra asked, clenching her fist, seething in anger.

Sebastian got angry and like the speed of light, he was beside her, his hands on her neck as he lifted her off her feet.

Sandra struggled, hitting his hands, but his hands were as strong as iron. Unmovable.

“Wrong question,” Sebastian said, his dark eyes dangerous. “If you try to pull this kind of stunt again, you won’t have a second chance.”

He threw her to the ground as he continued.

“Ella is mine, only I can determine her end, as for now, she’s very much important to me, I still have need for her and you can only remain by my side if you clearly understand this”

“Am I understood?!” Sebastian barked

Sandra nodded her head in fear, still clutching her almost strangled neck as she gasped for air.

Sebastian squatted down, until he was on the same level with Sandra who was still on the ground.

“Good girl” he said, patting her cheek as he took back the murderous aura he had earlier unleashed. Sandra pressed her lips into a tight line. Knowing better than to challenge him.

“Heard your husband is on the run?”

Sandra stared at him without saying anything.

Sebastian reached out, gripping her chin between his fingers, forcing her to look at him.

“Now, there’s something you must do for me”