Under the vampire Lord's protection-Chapter 166: A change of heart

As the sun finally kissed the southern hills, Silas had his sword around his hip, ready for one of two possible outcomes: either death or return with Arabella’s arm around his own.

However, and right as he reached the main doors of the manor, the vampire was intercepted by none other than his mother.

Lady Persephone descended the stairs with much grace, her eyes lingering on his sword.

"How long has it been since the last I’ve seen of that sword around your hip?" she stopped on the first or... Last step from her perspective.

"Long enough," was all that he said, "I must go. He-"

"The moon has barely risen and Cynric would die before passing the opportunity of a duel with you," she stated firmly.

"Had it been under different circumstances, I would’ve agreed," Silas never turned around to face his mother.

"Does he want her that badly then?" the vampiress’ feet finally touched the ground floor, "Lord Ambrogio knows what’s so special about this girl,"

She’d whispered those last words under her breath, but it was their meaning that finally made Silas look in her direction.

"Well, she sure is special, but I can’t fathom this level of interest. Does it go beyond her mortality? Tell me," she elaborated upon reading his features.

"Perhaps you should ask her yourself when I bring her back,"

With that, he gripped the doorknob to leave. But, and once again, his mother didn’t seem too keen on letting him through that door.

"She is out of our reach, Silas," her voice blared through the foyer, "She wasn’t taken from our property or any neutral land and thus we owe her nothing,"

He kept his gaze in front of himself, waiting for the rest of her speech to come as Silas knew there was more of it, and right he was!

"Unless it is not about what we owe her, but about what you think only you owe her," she half asked in a lower tone.

"Pick whichever answer makes you feel at ease, mother, but do not attempt to hold me back,"

"Hold you back?" she chuckled, "No, that isn’t my style. That would have been your father’s,"

On the portrait behind her, Emeric’s golden eyes bathed in the amber light as if reflecting the truth in her words.

"What is it you seek then?"

His icy tone never made her flinch, "Don’t go alone because he won’t be,"

"And who do you volunteer for such a task?" he almost chuckled, "I realize I may not come back. I wouldn’t risk putting anyone else in that position,"

"I volunteer," the stomping that had come from afar only revealed Allegra’s figure, rushing down the stairs.

"So do I!" Katherine’s voice rang second behind her sister’s.

"Absolutely not!" it was the first time he’d allowed his timbre to rise.

Had the list of volunteers not involved Katherine, Silas would have agreed to take Allegra along without a fuss, but her older sister could not be trusted, not after what he’d witnessed of her the previous day.

"I shall take the guards outside, and...," he trailed off momentarily, "The bodies of the human assailants have been collected. They are on their way. I estimate their arrival time to be no later than an hour from now. I’d like you to oversee that, please,"

Those were his last words before practically storming through the door and slamming it shut behind himself.

He kept his word and took two of the guards along with him. Much to his relief, unlike his mother, they executed his orders and asked no questions.

Closer to their borders Cynric’s guards stood. All looking ready for a battle that was never theirs to take part of.

"I am surprised you have the guts to show your face,"

It was a familiar, feminine voice that addressed him. Sure enough, his ears did not betray him as Ayyra came up from behind one of her bigger pack members.

Silas kept to himself in reply. He never gave taunting much thought before, why should it matter then?

Not to mention, Ayyura was not his opponent to begin with and thus all efforts spent on her would have been a waste.

She seemed to think differently. In fact, all of her facial features reflected the exact opposite of Silas’ expression.

All crumpled into a twist, her body language indicated eagerness to launch at him, but before anyone could ponder that thought, the deepest voice among the lot made itself heard.

"Stand back," Cynric did not particularly bark the order. He more so stated it in a calm manner, "He’d rip that thrashing tongue out of your mouth in less than no time,"

Ayyura did not protest and stepped back from Silas. fгeewёbnoѵel_cσm

Cynric did not come empty handed, but it was the realization of what or more correctly who he carried that struck Silas rigid in his spot.

Cradled in his arms like a princess was the very conscious figure of Arabella. Admittedly abashed, but clearly unharmed nonetheless.

Her scent had grown weaker, nearly overshadowed by his due to their close proximity.

The way his hands wrapped under her arm and around her thigh panged him at the core.

"Have you finally cracked then?" Cynric’s eyes followed the vampire’s hand which gravitated closer to his sword, "Do let me know if that is the case. I’d love to celebrate,"

Without another word, the Alpha settled Arabella back on her feet.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"You seek meaning behind everything, don’t you?" Cynric sort of sneered, "Live a little," he added before addressing Arabella, "Well, go on then," he ushered at Silas with his chin, "If you keep looking at me like that, I might just think that you’ve changed your mind and wish to stay with me,"

Although stunned, Arabella’s feet were still responsive, taking very slow steps away from the Alpha as though expecting him to take his words back and announce it was all nothing but a cruel joke.

Upon looking at the other wolf people surrounding them however, the look of disbelief that mingled with vexation prompted the young woman to speed up the pace and rush to Silas’ side.

"You are still welcome to visit," Cynric’s eyes were strictly on Arabella at those words, "You three," he then pointed between Silas and the Guards, "Not so much,"

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