ROTTEN LOVE - Chapter 39: Chapter 39

His face is stoic. Seems like my presence does nothing to him while my heart beats hard against my chest.
I check him out. He has clean clothes. His skin was white but plump.
He has been feeding.
I sigh in relief. He is healthy.
He smirks at me. I almost burst. Finally, we are together. Everyone. Marisa, me, Maddox, and Jason like it's meant to be.
I hear a growl and hard hands claim my waist. Zain's words to Maddox barely register.
Maddox schools his expressions. Except, there is a slight tick near his jaw. He is pissed. Not that he will ever admit it. I can tell though.
I part my gaze from Maddox for the first time since laying eyes on him and look at Zain.
He, on the other hand, intends to let everyone know what he is feeling. His brows scrunched in the center. His blue eyes were darker. His lips are in a firm line and his posture has tensed.
He is angry and he wants everyone to comprehend not to fuck with him. Me ogling Maddox probably does not help his temper.
I don't let Maddox answer. I respond to Zain.
"I was only checking on him," I reply, referencing Maddox's eyes.
They have transitioned, yet he seems to be in control.
"Don't worry, amica mea. It's me," he answers. His voice was smooth.
He runs his eyes along my body and I blush at the blatant staring. There is something different in his attitude.
He has called me amica mea since I can remember, but his tone changed. Before, he would say it in an endearing way. Now, when he said it, it sounds lush. It sounds real which I know can't be right.
He drew the line first. Then, I remade the line after finding Zain. I notified him. So why am I getting mixed messages?
On instinct, I retreat against Zain. Things have changed and I want Maddox to understand.
My relationship with Zain has stabilized and I can't turn back time. I hear a rumble, then a kiss on the side of my head. My actions calm Zain.
"Hello, nice to see you too brother. Great to know you aren't dead," we snap our heads at Marisa who waves her hand in an obnoxious side-to-side motion.
Maddox rolls his eyes but gives her his attention. He places his hands behind his back, "Why am I not surprised that the separation has not instilled manners in you?"
Maddox scrutinizes her. He belittles her often. It doesn't come from a bad place. He wants her to be perfect, to be better. So, he believes in tough love.
The only unfortunate part is that it gets to Marisa. All she hears is criticism and I don't blame her.
She has been worried for him. We both have. She is upset that she wasn't his first thought. It seemed like he didn't even give her any thought.
He wasn't looking for her. It rubbed her the wrong way. Hence, the response.
I see her face become cold. She is shielding herself. Maddox does not realize it's his upbringing that has made Marisa such a predator.
To most, she will have no feelings, no care, no morals, and no limitations. She rips into people because that's how she copes. I'm glad that I'm not her enemy and one of the few who gets to see her charming side.
She scoffs, "At least, I got a clue during our time apart." She gets closer to him, and releases a whisper, "Your precious Helena has mated the dog."
I tense at the sound of my name. Maddox scowls and gives Marisa a stair down. I clear my throat trying to loosen the tension.
I see two figures emerge beside Maddox and his posture becomes even more rigid. The first one I recognize as Emmett. His eyes instantly are glued on Marisa.
She gives him a smile that doesn't meet the eyes but the way she starts to move her hands gives me the indication that she is nervous. He elicits nerves from her.
The other man is unknown. He has blond hair and hazel eyes that lock on me. His posture is relaxed but I can tell this man is series business. Someone not to mess with.
His aura is strong and dark. It makes me uncomfortable.
Emmett extends his hand and Marisa hesitantly places hers in his. "My night has brightened with your presence. Come. I'll show you to your seat, little bird."
He starts to guide her. As they make their way, I see someone come from behind me.
Adam follows several steps behind them along with two of Zain's men. They remain standing on guard many feet away directly behind her chair.
It does not go unnoticed the stare Emmett gives Adam when returning to his own seat. Marisa will have to be more careful around him if she intends to keep Adam at her side.
Then, the blond man bows before me and offers his hand. Zain tightens his hold and Maddox practically snarls at the suggestion.
"Please, Miss Thorn, I'll show you to yours." He eyes me.
Maddox places his body between the man's hand and me. "Charles." He only states the name. A warning. The man, Charles, smiles.
He was trying to get on Maddox's nerves and I don't appreciate it. I would respond but it was my mate who spoke.
"The only one escorting Helena anywhere is me," he walks ahead of Maddox and shoves Charles to the side.
I look back to see Maddox staring Charles down. He breaks eye contact to glimpse my way. I give him a hesitant smile before continuing to move forward with Zain.
I see my brother and Maddie two seats down from Emmett. I couldn't wait.
I leave Zain's side to run around the table. When I get to Jason, I leap into his arms and wrap my arms around him. He hugs me tight and lifts me slightly off the floor.
He sniffs my hair and I bury my head in his neck. My lungs feel full for the first time in a long time.
Jason and I aren't so affectionate towards one another. We love to tease each other but there is nothing funny about this moment. We were born together. We were meant to face this world together.
I took him for granted. Despite his servitude to Maddox or Zain's authority, Jason stood up to both at one point for me. He puts me first before any of them.
He places me back down and I release his neck. I lay my hands on his face and scrutinize every detail. I turn him from side to side.
He grabs my hands and brings them down. "I'm fine," he reassures.
I keep staring him down, trying to convince myself. "Did they hurt you?" My voice slightly quivers.
His face becomes series. His eyes dim with anger. "Not me," I see his eyes drift to the female embraced in Zain's arms. Maddie.
I understood. They used her to get to him. There is nothing more damaging than seeing a loved one get hurt and knowing your the reason. I see the torment in his eyes. He blames himself.
It burns me from the inside out. The fact that these people made him feel so low and hurt his mate all for some unknown cause. No cause is justifiable.
Zain lets go of Maddie and she eyes me. I make the first move. "I'm glad you are well."
She raises her eyebrow at me, "Those bloodsuckers tried to break me but a wolf watches over her pack." She eyes Jason. She is acknowledging his new role in her life.
She continues, "You would do well to remember that during this dinner."
Jason leaves my side and places his hand on the small of her back. Zain walks to me and stares at the table. He checks that his wolves are all around the room.
We have eyes on us but do not care. We will take our time. It's bad enough we came based on their request. They will wait till we are done.
Zain eyes Maddie again, calling her name. She glares at him, "This dinner is because of her and her bloodsuckers, brother. Thought I should remind her where her loyalties should lie."
"Babe, that's not fair," Jason whispers, kissing the side of her head.
Her shoulders slightly loosen but the tension does not go away. She looks at my brother with tender eyes. "What's not fair is seeing you fault yourself because of these bastards?"
She shifts to me. Her eyes blazing with furry, "I can take any insult. Their hits healed. I do not care what they throw at me but what pisses me off is seeing my mate blame himself, being coerced into playing their games. I protect my pack. He protects his pack. Will you?"
My heart drops at the pang in her voice. I hear the pain in it but it never quivers. She is hurt. Despite not saying it, this stay has changed her.
Her question is something I have been trying to answer. Marisa and Maddox were my 'pack.' How can I evict them simply because they don't fit into theirs?
I look into her eyes. She searches for an answer.
A voice speaks behind, "Helena." I don't have to turn to know who it is.
The voice is authoritative but silky.
Maddox.
The conversation will have to continue later.
I glimpse behind us and make eye contact with Maddox. He gives me a nod confirming it's time to sit. I grab Zain's hand and move to our seats.
"That's what I thought," Maddie lowly whispers and I try my best not to flinch.
We sit next to Marisa with me in between Zain and her. In front of us are Emmet, Charles, and Maddox in that order. Jason sits next to Maddox and Maddie is beside him.
"Let's begin," a vamp at the head of the table booms. This must be Arthur. Marisa has gone into detail about him.
Waiters come through the doors with cover plates. All of which place the food down at the same time and uncover. The plate has a steak drizzled in sauce with mashed potatoes and green vegetables.
If I wasn't surrounded by people who hate me, then this meal would be the bomb. Since I am, I pay it no mind.
I sigh loudly, "Considering that the majority, do not eat... well, meat... I do not understand this farce. We were summoned so please go on with it." I eye Arthur down.
He gives me a smirk that has my insides turning. There is something rotten about him.
"What a shame to not feast. Lord Malfatto selected the dinner menu. We were told these were your favorites," Arthur announces.
I glimpse at Maddox. It makes sense why the food looks so appetizing. I wouldn't even describe this plate as my top food but they are, if I think about it.
He noticed even when I didn't. It scares me.
I grab Zain's hand under the table. Not sure why I did but I need a reminder of him.
At his touch, I gain a better footing. "My taste isn't what is in discussion."
Arthur huffs a laugh looking down on the table before bringing his gaze back up at me. "My dear, your taste is the very reason for this meeting."
I see a face of confusion on Maddie and Jason. Maddox remains quiet but he observes Arthur with such importance. They are all unaware.
I repeat, "my taste?"
"Yes, you see Helena, Lord Malfatto made a grave mistake trying to unify Lady Malfatto and the wolf at your side. Unfortunately, we had to take the actions we did but he had to learn a lesson."
"Kidnapping my brother and killing my witches seems more like a punishment towards me," I say, my voice with a strong tone.
Jason stands up abruptly. The chair scoots back. He slams his fist on the table. I see the pain in his eyes as he searches mine for confirmation.
Maddox's face becomes more grave. The tic becomes more present and his eyes focus deadly on Arthur.
Their reactions give it away. They had no idea. Had I known, I would have shared the news more delicately.
Looking at my brother's reaction reminds me of how much of a failure I am. I search his eyes for forgiveness. He breathes deeply and sits down. He wasn't asking for an apology.
Maddie places a hand over his arm. Then looks at me with an eyebrow raised. I can almost hear her say, "I told you so."
"I was told my people were left alive," Maddox states.
Charles intercepts, "They were. The witches aren't yours. Your vamps were left with life... now, if they remained with it, that's a question Lady Malfatto can answer."
Marisa glares at him.
Could be my lack of eye contact or Marisa's initial response, but Maddox does not need an elaboration. He knows it's bad and that's all he needs to create more hatred in him.
Arthur resumes, "Lord Maddox do you see the destruction you caused? This could have been avoided had you stayed in your place. Know that your sister's torment, your bonded's guilt, and your lover's pain are an outcome of your actions."
This is what they do. They want to hurt him by hurting us. They want him to blame himself.
I can see Zain lose his composure the more they emphasize my importance in Maddox's life.
I speak, "The sheer devotion this group has to one another will not be broken with your tricks. Maddox and Marisa will always be our lord and lady."
I eye Jason and he nods in agreement before continuing, "Had you given it some time, you would have also learned that Alpha Zain is my mate. There was no need for these actions. Maddox's plan would have never come into effect. You killed your kin for a pointless lesson."
"This brings me to my next point. Lord Malfatto's punishment has been executed and done. The next matter in hand comes with you," Arthur stares at me.
"Me," I ask.
"Helena, what if I told you that you can free Lord Malfatto from his contribution? What if we extend an olive branch with the remainder of your witches in Vales, guarantee their safety? We would even go as far as to create a pact with your mate's pack. Would you do what we request?" He raises an eyebrow at me.
I have no words. Everything he proposes sounds too good to be true. I would do anything for the things he proposes. For everyone's safety. He knows it.
"What do you want from me?" I hesitantly ask.
"Quite simple my dear. As I said, we want you. We want you for Lord Malfatto. You will be his wife and our salvation," he eyes me with a devilish smile.