Chapter 301: Blank Space On Purpose
[GREYSON]
"Hey… are you alright?" Elodie's voice interrupted Malika's train of thought. She had seen Mbali walk out furiously and that was also how she knew that things hadn't exactly gone well between the sisters.
She wanted to say she understood but this was one that even she couldn't find a way between. Elodie knew that betrayal ruined hearts and beliefs and she didn't want to be the one who encouraged it.
Mbali was well within her right to feel betrayed and angry, and the only person who could fix that relationship was Malika. And maybe that was also why Elodie was here, to keep the woman she loved sane.
They could figure out the best way to face this, but until then they would have to wait it out. Elodie was patient and she knew her mate needed her. It didn't matter that there were no labels yet, she just needed to make sure her Malika was alright.
"Oh, you're here," Malika said as she got up and made her way to the woman she had chosen. Her mind was fuzzy with pain and she couldn't think straight. So, when she let herself go into Elodie's waiting arms, Malika hoped for comfort.
She had never been one to lean on someone else and it was strange for her too, given the only time she ever got a hug was when she was siphoning pain. But this time, here with Elodie, she wasn't siphoning pain.
She was letting herself be free and letting Elodie in. She was letting the woman she loved hold her and be there for her and for someone who knew nothing of affection, Malika was doing really well at the moment.
"I'm here, love. It will be okay," Elodie soothed as she gently rubbed Malika's back.
"I couldn't get her to stay with me even for a few minutes. She thinks I betrayed her… how should I explain to her that I only ever loved one person my entire life and that it was just her?" Malika whined softly as she stayed in Elodie's arms.
Elodie knew she had to comfort Malila, but then she was a protector who always comforted people. All of this was strange to the both of them.
One was a warrior who only ever let her guard down when it came to Hawi, and the other was a protector whose heart was shattered because of choices she had made in the hope that she wouldn't abandon the one she loved.
It was like they were both in a pickle with the only difference being that Malika was hurting and Elodie wasn't sure how the fuck she could comfort her. Maybe they would find their central point right?
From the infirmary, Mbali went to see her Lycans. Zane was worried for her, but he couldn't say a word about it because he wasn't sure how she would take it really. He knew that this wasn't the best of times for the sisters but he hoped they would make up.
The Jabali sisters were undoubtedly the second-most powerful sisters in the realm, given their history and all that they had achieved individually over the years, not to mention the blood trails that always followed them.
They were invincible blood sisters, of course after Hawi and Elodie. But then the only difference was that Hawi and Elodie were best friends turned sisters and not related by blood, not that it mattered to the both of them anyway.
"How are you guys doing?" Mbali asked as she looked at them. They looked so worn out, which was expected seeing what they did gown though. Mbali wanted to let them know that all would be okay, but this time, even she wasn't sure about that,
Tragedy had struck Greyson and her sister had fixed it, but then it seemed like they needed to be more alert with every minute that passed. Things were never going to be the same and with the shadow warlocks still out there it would be a hassle for them all.
"We're fine. The pain we were all feeling has subsided thanks to the protectors. We didn't expect the grief would be that intense and if you would let us, we wish to remain here and help Greyson out.
"The shadow warlocks will try to make use of their vulnerability now that Alpha Awuor and Alpha Rukiya are not around to defend them or say anything about it. They will need people who can fight.
"We weren't at our best earlier but right now, we can do anything that is needed. It doesn't matter what happens along the way because our energies were replenished along with everyone else. That's why the protectors took the worst hit," Zane explained.
This wasn't easy for Mbali, but he also knew that Mbali was loyal to the greater good.
She would always want to make sure that the people they were protecting felt safe and if the Lycans being here was the only way for Gruesome to be at peace at the moment, then she wouldn't stop them.
After all, they needed to be here so Ruru wouldn't be distracted.
That was a long gamble, seeing as Adolf was also dead and he was Rukiya's best friend, but then considering the circumstances they currently were in, there wasn't much to be questioned or much that they could take pride in and that was okay.
"That is okay. As long as every one of you is alright, then you don't have to worry. As for staying here in Greyson, I have no choice but to let you. The grief of the Greyson wolves was alright and expected, but something heightened it to that extent.
"It was abnormally high if eleven of the strongest protectors came and fixed it to make it all better without staying conscious the whole time. There can only ever be one explanation for that and it's the Shadow Warlocks.
"Those bastards are still roaming around even with Razia dead and Atticus in holding. So that can only mean that their mission is going to go forward no matter how many of them are taken out. Which makes them a little too dangerous for Hawi.
"I will go back to Sicario and liaise with Hawi, but I will certainly come back for you. It doesn't matter how long it takes because as long as you're here in Greyson, there will always be a need for me to come over. I hope you don't get discouraged along the way.
"We need to be at our best to keep the white wolf safe," Mbali said and they all just nodded in agreement. Their world had begun growing large and they had to be ready to accommodate whoever they needed to.
They had to be ready for insane assignments and things that they wouldn't do on their normal days. It didn't matter, just like how Mbali had said, because time was something that seemed to lose meaning whenever they were around Hawi.
The mission was way too important and they had to make sure they succeeded because that was the only way towards peace and for them to finally live as one big family, the one they had always wanted before they joined the fight.
"And you… are you alright?" Zane asked. He had tried to think about the things that Mbali was going through and frankly, he wasn't sure he understood.
One thing was certain though their enforcer was angry that if someone pissed her off right now, she would take their heads off. That was something that they couldn't put past her, especially with the kind of anger she had walked out with.
"It doesn't matter at the moment. I need to get going. Remember if you need me, you must call me. I don't need a repeat of what happened here. You guys are my family and I will show up for you.
"I would hate to come home to any of you not being there, so please, take care of yourselves and no matter what comes your way, if you think you can't handle it without me, call me.
"If I can't come to you, I will send help, no matter where I am at, alright?" Mbali said earnestly. She knew the Lycans were right to worry about her but at the moment, she couldn't handle the pressure of being the center of attention.
The Lycans knew she had things that she kept secret and they had reported that, they just had to respect that Malika, the great protector, was a Jabali sister too. It just didn't make any sense and raised more questions than there were possible answers.
This was insanity at its peak and they couldn't deny it.
"Yes, enforcer," the Lycans agreed before they bowed and walked away from Mbali when Hudhayfah came to them. They knew the old healer would want a word with Mbali and they hoped that he wouldn't cause her pain because then they would have problems with the whaler.
"You're leaving…" Hudhayfah stated and Mbali looked at him like he had no eyes to see what she was doing, there was nothing for her here in Grayson and he wasn't about to play the heartbroken sister.
She hated emotions but the longer she found herself near Malika, the quicker her walls came done as her sister managed to find a way to fuck her up.
Mbali didn't want that for herself. She knew it was a toxic habit and was well aware that if she gave in, she would have to deal with worse. And she wasn't ready for that, not just yet.
"Well yeah. I was coming to say goodbye after meeting with my Lycans but then here you are. I guess I don't have to stay around anymore right? I have to leave for Sicario," Mbali said, looking everywhere but at Hudhayfah.
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