[SICARIO]
"I know," Malika said as she looked at her husband. He looked so sincere and she had to look like she cared about him.
Jer's declaration of love was no longer surprising because as much as that hadn't been the goal for Malika, she knew that the man was true to her. It was quite an unfortunate turn of events, but it was something that Malika would explore to the fullest.
She didn't care what happened to the man before her, as long as her mistress was okay. As long as Hawi was fine, nothing else would ever matter.
"Let's go, shall we? We can talk about everything else later, please, husband," Malika added and Jer stared at her softly. He had been used to her calling him husband and that was the motivation he needed to get ready for whatever was waiting out there.
Perhaps he was that insanely obsessed with her, or maybe he had seen her in pain and unconscious for weeks and he just wanted what was best for her.
However, would he accept it if she told her that he was the worst thing that could ever happen to any woman or man? Would he be pleased with that?
"I'm ready, my love. Come, let' go," Jer said excitedly as he held out his hand for Malika.
Letting out a sigh of relief, Malika let him hold her hand, but she made sure to look at him with eyes that reminded him that their little argument back there wasn't over.
"I'm so happy you woke up, baby," Jer said and Malika muted him. She could see him rambling and honesty, she wasn't interested.
Together, they walked from their house to where the other pack leaders had assembled. There was a lot of unrest, which was understandable since they hadn't expected Jer to be in such a state.
It was crazy and no matter how they looked at it, none of them was ready to face the reality that the Sicario alpha had probably gone bonkers.
The road there was empty, as warriors had managed to push their people back to the houses. It was bad enough that the alpha had decided to embarrass them on the very day that all the alphas had come to join them in mourning, but perhaps there was more to it, right?
"Husband, wait," Malika said right before they went in.
She looked like she had something to say, something that could determine whether they did this together or if it was even worth it. So many questions hung in the air as the silence took over where Malika and Jer were standing.
"What is it?" Jer asked worriedly, as he looked around to see if there was any reason for concern.
What the fuck was the man on?
Oh, but Malika was pissed off.
Anyone would think that Jer was simply moving on, that this was him embracing a new chapter in his life. But then to Malika, she hated this. She saw this as the cruelest thing that could have ever happened to Hawi and she wanted to avenge her mistress.
The man who had left her without so much as a goodbye, the man who had cast Hawi aside was also the same man who was professing his unconditional love for an assassin sent to groom him and snuff him out in the end.
'Wow. The fates must have really never been ready for Hawi, huh?' Malika sighed defeatedly as she felt a stray tear fall from her eyes. She couldn't understand how people changed that fast and she wasn't sure she wanted to be in that position.
At that moment, Malika wondered if all the people in Sicario were like Jer. She wondered if Elodie would cast her side too if she decided to accept the mate bond. Malika wondered if her bond with Elodie was something that she would have to let go too.
It was a cruel thought for her, but she couldn't help it.
It wasn't daily that she was hit with the rare truth that mortals were never to be trusted with anything. Well, werewolves lived for a thousand years at most, but still they were mortals compared to the protectors and that hurt a lot.
"No one deserves to see your tears, Malika. Not even me, my love," Jer said as he wiped Malika's tears that had fallen.
"No one deserves to see your tears, Malika. Not even me, my love," Jer said as he wiped Malika's tear that had fallen.
Of course, he wasn't sure what she was 'crying' about but goddamn, he didn't want to see it there. He liked her happy and he was hoping to make her the happiest woman to ever exist. What a promise, yeah?
"I'm sorry," Malika said, as Jer pulled her into a hug, though her apology was directed to Hawi, wherever she was.
No one deserved to go through what Hawi had gone through; so when Malika pulled away from the hug, and walked with Jer into the hall, their hands entwined, Malika swore to never let Hawi go.
She swore to always be her guardian and the one who protected her, not just because of her job description. But because Hawi deserved to be loved. She deserved to have someone in her corner, however terrible everything was for her at the moment.
And Malika was determined to be that shoulder that Hawi could rely on in any situation.
"Alpha Jer?" a voice greeted, interrupting the two love birds.