Chapter 24

Charlie woke up with a splitting headache, was he not supposed to feel relieved at least after taking a nap? He sighed and got out of the bed. How was he supposed to have peace when his wolf was so hungry and mad at him? He made his way into the bathroom to freshen up, he dared not think of calling for a maid in fear of Ariel popping out from nowhere.

When Charlie came out of the bathroom, his head was better, he had made sure to soak it in water, as if begging his wolf to calm down. Thankfully he was feeling refreshed, he donned a shirt and picked his armor and sword in place.

Earl was probably waiting for him in the courtyard, he recalled the duel they had arranged and made his way out of his room, the guards at the door bowed, Charlie nodded in acknowledgement.

When Charlie reached the courtyard, Earl was waiting there for him, he appeared to be in a very deep thought. Earl had his back to him, he was dressed in a simple shirt and trouser and shirt, his long back hair glistering and going with the wing.

Charlie thought Earl was very beautiful standing there, it was a wolf blood thing he shrugged.

"What worries you so?"

Earl turned around slowly, he looked at Charlie like he was not there for a few minutes before slowly coming back to reality, Charlie regarded him for a few minutes before shaking him slightly.

"Why are you so bothered? What's wrong?" He asked again.

"Kayel was here" Earl's voice was as calm as ever.

"Was he? You look like you saw a ghost" Charlie taunted.

Earl and Kayel never got along when they first met, probably because of his controlling and authoritative aura, Earl being used to always being in control and Kayel who was a born demon. When they first met, Charlie and Earl had been very surprised that there was such a thing as demons in the human world.

"Why do you doubt our existence when you are not even a normal human but you are on earth?" Kayel had said when he saw the look on Earl's face after rescuing them.

"I belong here, I am half human and anyhow you look at it, wolves exist and live on earth" Earl had shot back.

"Well, I am here and there's no changing that" Kayel had said in the calmest voice.

Charlie regarded Earl for a while, he looked disoriented. His face was twisted in a frown, he did not have his armor on and he held no sword.

"You look like you just had a bout of endless fun," Charlie winked, hoping to lighten the mood. "I would have thought you did if I didn't know otherwise"

"You are silly" Was all Earl said.

"How is the sleeping beauty?"

"She is no longer sleeping, she is awake now"

"Oh, that's good news. Too bad your nights of comfort are cover" Charlie laughed.

"I see you have regained the venom on your tongue, that sleep really did you good?"

Charlie laughed again, "Actually brother, I got more than sleep"

"Hm… I didn't know you have gotten back to carrying your women"

After thinking for a few minutes, Charlie decided not to tell Earl about Ariel just yet. He was just going to laugh or suggest she send her away if she was giving him trouble, for some strange reason Charlie did not want to send Ariel away, he wanted her to stay.

"Now that you mentioned it, I might as well get myself one" He said with a smirk plastered on his face.

Earl scoffed " I have better things to do with my time, if you will excuse me"

"Or maybe you have a more beautiful woman in your bed"

Earl sent him a devilish glare which had him laughing loud. He raised his hands in surrender and tried to feign a serious face but he failed and laughed again.

"Why are you here anyway?" Earl asked, annoyed.

"Oh I came to check on you, brother"

"How sweet, but unfortunately, I'm not your brother, I am your Alpha. In fact you have only one sister" It was an attempt to hurt Charlie who only continued laughing heartily.

"Ouch! That hurts" Charlie held his chest in a funny way.

Earl ignored him and turned away from him. Charlie came behind him again, this time with a more serious face.

"What did Kayel say?"

"The Witcher's wolf is missing"

"How? Charlie was really surprised, no one had ever seen the Witcher's wolf because she was always confined.

No one dared near his house for fear and most times Earl and Charlie communicated with him through Kayel, the Witcher's nephew. The Witcher's wolf was said to be his only daughter, no one knew how he had her but he protected her with his life.

"I am as confused as you are," Earl replied, thoughtfully looking into space.

"I'm sure he will figure that out, how about the portion?

"He will be coming over to spread it tomorrow"

"Better. What plans do you have for Nellie?" The look on Charlie's face was a professional one now.

"Same thing as before, I think the plan is slowly falling Into place because Kayel also said something else"

"What is that?"

"He said the Rogues were sent by Ina, specifically to kill Nellie"

Charlie's jaw dropped in shock "She will go to that length? Why would she do that?"

"Remember when she burnt a maid for admiring me? Ina can go to any length to protect anything she feels she owns, I expected this"

"But she left you! Does that count? Why would she want Nellie dead?"

"Or maybe she want me to have enough time mourning her, and with Nellie here, she feels I won't have that much time to feel her absence, either ways she just wants my life miserable"

Ina was selfish, no doubt but it was funny how far she could go.

"What do you intend to do now?

"Stick to the plan, keep Nellie here as long as possible"

"What if she decides she wants to go back to her pack?"

"She's my captive and I make sure she understand that, besides her life is under threats from her pack so that is to our advantage"

Charlie looked thoughtful for a while. "Does she know?"

"Know what?"

"About Ina"

"There is no need for that"

"Don't you think she deserves to know?" If you are going to keep her at least you should fill her in on the reasons"

Earl said nothing, he thought about it for a while and made to say something but changed his mind.

"I will try" was all he said.

"Well, let's get to work then" Charlie shrugged.

"What work?" Earl raised a brow, Charlie concluded it was a habit.

"You set up a duel, remember?, I'll appreciate a little blood shed if you don't mind." He winked at Earl, who only scoffed.

"You wish. I'll just go in and get my sword"

"Or you could send someone" Charlie called after Earl who was already walking away.

"I want to get it myself" Earl kept walking.

"Or you want to see your sleeping beauty"

Earl paused to glare at Charlie who was now laughing loudly.
•••••••••••••••••••

"How do you know he is your mate?" Nellie asked again.

She was still looking at Ariel in utter surprise, Ariel laughed at her again, she had not stopped laughing at Nellie ever since she informed her that Charlie was his mate.

"You look like you've seen a ghost, My Lady" Ariel said amidst laughter.

"Well? Talk already" Nellie urged impatiently.

"Let's just say I just know," Ariel smiled sheepishly.

"Or you are making up childish fantasies in your head and acting upon them, I totally understand"

Ariel laughed again, when she finally stopped Nellie was glaring at her.

"How do you know about childish fantasies?"

"I had them a lot when I was a child," Nellie simply replied.

"Oh. Well I am not a child, I am 28 years old My lady and I know what I am saying"

"Then what is this about?" Nellie said impatiently.

"You don't believe in finding a mate, do you?"

"I do. I just think not everyone lucky enough to get one"

"Well, that's bad. I on the other hand believe everyone can be lucky and I think we all have our respective mate" Ariel smiled again touching her lips like someone had just kissed her.

"And for some reason you think the Beta, Charlie is your mate?" Nellie could not contend with her laughter.

*I know he is, My Lady" Ariel's confidence confused Nellie.

"Just how did you know?" Nellie asked again.

"With time you will know, My Lady" Ariel's confident smile covered her face again.

Nellie decided not to ask further questions, she tried leaving the bed and ended up falling back on the bed.

"Becareful, My Lady" Ariel helped her up.

"Ariel you can call me Nellie when we are alone, we are friends now" She was already tired of the way Ariel addresses her with a title.

"You trust easily, My Lady," Ariel noted, her smile never leaving her face.

Nellie's chest felt heavy, for some reason she felt the words held more meaning that what Ariel had intended, Nellie just continued towards the bathroom struggling to hide her anger. Just a while ago Ariel had hugged her like a friend and just when she gave her the permission to address her as a friend she was complaining.

"There's no need to be offended, My lady. I did not mean that as an insult" Ariel said with a smile.

Right. Nellie had forgotten that Ariel could hear her thoughts.

"That's rude" She gave Ariel a stern look which had her pouting like a child.

"I am sorry, My Lady," Ariel begged.

"It's Nellie!"

"I'm sorry, Nellie"

"Go already" Nellie waved a hand dismissively.

"Are you sure you can manage on your own? I could help wash your hair" Ariel offered.

"Fine, I forgot I have been sleeping for two days" Nellie said with a politie smile which Ariel returned.

When Nellie finished her bath, Ariel helped Nellie dress. After dismissing Ariel and assuring hee she could walk on her own, Nellie decided she was going to pay Ma'am Dodda a visit in her chambers where she was resting.

Nellie wondered why Ariel was so confident about Charlie being her mate, Charlie did not look like someone who was ready to settle down anytime soon or be emotionally tied to anyone. Nellie shrugged, it was probably one of those fantasies most maids built in their head concerning their masters.

Ariel was indeed bold, the fact that she could hear Nellie's thoughts and she was not not as shy as she appeared was strange. Most maids were very timid and shy but Ariel was nothing like that. It was difficult for a wolf to do some things Nellie thought Arielcould do, once Ariel had told Nellie that Earl was coming into the room even before he was close and he came.

It really surprised Nellie but Ariel had dismissed it as a simple trick anyone could do or just her Intuition being sharp. Nellie tried to foresee simple things like what was happening in the next room but she couldn't.

As a wolf, she could read, hear people's thoughts and read minds but it was only when she wanted to because she found it rude to invade another person's privacy. All her senses were sharp but she felt Ariel's were sharper, Nellie shrugged and kept walking, Ariel was indeed gifted.

She opened Ma'am Dodda's door quietly, intending to surprise her. Ma'am Dodda was standing by the window, looking out with keen interest. She looked more lovely now, the few times Nellie had seen her it was on her sick bed. But now her wounds were healed and she was strong, she was even smiling at whatever she was looking at outside.

"Ma'am Dodda" Nellie called out gently.

"Nellie!" Ma'am Dodda engulfed her in a tight hug "I've missed you so much, Earl told me not to disturb you and I couldn't leave the room else I would have checked on you" Ma'am Dodda hugged her again.

"He told you that?" Nellie was surprised that Earl asked for her not to be disturbed.

"Yes darling, I'm glad you are okay now. Come"
Ma'am Dodda took her hand and led her to the window.

Outside, Earl and Charlie were swinging swords at each other, a young guard stood by watching with what appeared to be fear on his face. He would jump at each swing of the sword.

"What are they doing?" Nellie asked.

"Oh, they do that a lot. I guess he is training that young wolf"

Nellie nodded. "How do you feel now?" She asked with concern.

"Oh I am fine, I am totally okay now, how about you?" Ma'am Dodda touched her ankle where the wound had been.

"I'm completely healed now, I am glad you are okay" Nellie smiled.

Ma'am Dodda returned the smile "Do you miss home? Your pack, I am sorry you have to be tkept here against your will" Ma'am Dodda gave Nellie an apologetic look.

"I am alright here Ma'am, Earl is not that bad and the pack is good. I am sorry you got hurt because of me" Nellie returned the apologetic look.

"It's alright my dear, I am glad you are here" Ma'am Dodda smiled now.

They stood in silence for a while, watching the fight. The two men were good with their swords, Nellie observed. Earl, a fast striker, fast as lightning and Charlie, accurate as a fox. But in all, none of them could get the sword at each other.

"Nellie?" Ma'am Dodda took Nellie's hands in hers gently and held her gaze.

"Yes Ma'am" Nellie was surprised but she let Ma'am Dodda hold her hand.

"Please take care of Earl and be patient with him," Ma'am Dodda said gently.

Nellie was both shocked and bemused, just how was she supposed to take care of her captor, an Alpha?

"He is tough, but his heart needs warmth and I believe you can help him. I want him to be happy and I know I can trust you with that"

Now this was funny. How In hell was she supposed to look after him? Ma'am Dodda was probably just over thinking but the sincerity in her eyes touched Nellie's heart.

"I will" She nodded to be sure Ma'am Dodda had heard since she was looking at her like she could look past her soul.

"I am glad" The woman smiled and let go of Nellie's hands.

They watched the duel for a few more minutes before Nellie asked suddenly looked up

"Ma'am Dodda?"

"Yes, My dear"

"Why didn't your wounds heal after a few days?"

"Because I am not a wolf, I am human" Ma'am Dodda smiled.

Nellie was surprised, she was about to ask how that was possible when they heard a cry from outside the window, it came from the young guard who was watching the duel.

Outside, Earl was bleeding from a cut on his upper arm.

He had been wounded. Nellie felt her pulse race.