(Lina's POV)
On my second morning in the homeland, I woke up in a completely different mindset than the previous one. Daniel and I felt like we were finally in a good place- despite the whole mate issue, and well, the fact that he's a werewolf.
At least we were on better terms than before. I needed that for us. To have some semblance of pleasantry so I could have some closure after I left here for good.
Considering our history, I didn't want to leave things unresolved like before. This time when we parted ways, it would be complete and mutual.
I stretched over the threadbare sheets and the lighter than air mattress. Man, was I going to miss sleeping in a bed like this.
Yesterday Daniel had sent me off to my room with David accompanying me and he has left me saying that the council had made their decision. It couldn't be anything good considering what I had heard, but I was ready to face whatever they threw at me.
Daniel's strength and resolve gave me hope. I was ready to finally get out of this place and back to my world which only had humans. The drama of one species is more than enough for me to handle anyway, I don't want anymore politics.
My bedroom door suddenly bursts open and David stomps in, his face set in a grim line- except that's not what surprises me. Daniel is hot on his heels and yanks him back by the arm the moment they reach the living area,
'Don't you dare interfere in something that's none of your business.' Daniel hisses, his voice so cold that I can barley recognize it.
David wrenches himself out of his grip.
'None of my business! Fuck you, asshole.' He explodes, getting up in Daniel's face in challenge.
They stand like that for a tense minute before I break the silence.
I can't take this anymore.
'Will someone tell me what the hell is going on?'
Daniel moves his head just slightly in my direction but doesn't speak to me- his words are directed at David,
'Be. Quiet.' He grits out.
'The council wants you dead.' David throws back, looking at me instead of his brother. I nod, this isn't anything new, so why is there such an issue?
Suddenly my eyes track Daniel's stiff posture and his refusal to look at me. His eyes flash with guilt as they stay downward, towards the floor.
Why does he look guilty?
Bile rises in my throat and I try to calm down.
'Wait..but you said it'll be okay-,'
'They want you dead, effective immediately and have asked you to present yourself in an hour.' Daniel finally looks at me, yet he still refuses to meet my eye.
My image of him becomes blurry with the haze of tears and I blink rapidly, trying to stop the droplets that start to run down my cheeks. My fear is so strong that it makes me nauseous.
David watches me and suddenly lunges at Daniel and has him in a choke hold before I can so much as gasp. He slammed him against the wall and yells,
'You useless bastard.'
Daniel pushes a palm over his chest but doesn't fight back as David begins to squeeze his neck.
A physical dispute is one thing between brothers, but a fight with the alpha is considered high treason unless one follows through with the whole thing.
I rush to David and try to pull him back but he doesn't budge. He's like a rock now- nothing is getting through to him, and I watch in horror as Daniel starts to turn blue.
Suddenly another presence registers in the room and a beautiful woman places her hand over David's shoulder and commands in an even, cool tone.
'Let him go, darling.'
He does. Instantly. Like the woman put a spell on him.
He pulls back and gathers the woman in his embrace, while Daniel slides off from the wall and rubs his neck- revealing two hand marks on it.
'Thanks, Irina.' Daniel whispers in a scratched voice.
She nods solemnly and whispers something in David's ear while leading him aside. Gradually, their conversation becomes heated and louder but David eventually calms down and after giving me a quick nod, he leaves the room- slamming the door behind him.
Daniel looks at her and says,
'Would you help her get ready?'
'Of course.'
He kisses her on the cheek and turns to leave.
'Wait, what's going to happen to me?'
My voice is so shaky, I'm surprised that I manage to say anything at all.
Daniel pauses for just a second before giving me a final verdict- without bothering to even turn around.
'Just get ready and be there. The council has spoken- and there's not much we can do agasint it.'