I exited my tent and immediately heard laughter. We were off to a good start for the day. Elias, Finn, and Annette were sitting together, drinking coffee. Annette was practically sitting in Elias's lap; somewhere in the middle of the night, she had ended up in his tent. As I made my way to the log, I felt eyes on me. Finn handed me a cup of coffee.
"Thanks, dude," I said.
He grinned back at me.
"So, what had you all bent out of shape last night over that Abby chick?" Elias asked.
"Nothing in particular. I was leaving the club, and she was crying. I noticed her lip was busted open."
"And that's all it was?" Elias raised an eyebrow.
"The Greenwood clan mentioned that she's Devin's mate."
"The head snack person?" I saw the shock on Elias's face.
I shrugged. "It seems so."
"And that means he's in love with her?" Finn asked.
"No, it means he wants her blood more than any other human."
"You're not Superman; you don't have any obligation to save her," Elias told me.
I swallowed hard. I knew his words were true; we were supposed to destroy the snake people, not protect the people they were targeting.
"But you know I won't allow him to hurt her."
"I had a feeling," he said, rolling his eyes.
"How can you be so cold-hearted? She's just a defenseless girl!"
He stood up from the log. "Because we have enough responsibility trying to destroy them."
"If we take out the leader, that will send a powerful message."
"Abel, you agreed to only take out the savage ones and the non-responsive ones. Isn't Devin part of that description?"
I let Elias's words sink in for a moment. I had agreed with Lane, but it wasn't technically part of the treaty.
"The treaty just states we couldn't kill any member of the clan, but I gave him my word that I wouldn't take out any responsive ones."
"You're going to break your word over this Abby chick?" Elias asked, his face reddening.
"I guess I am, I am the King, and I'll let you know what I decide."
Standing up, I walked in the other direction, realizing I didn't have any answers for anyone yet. I had just found out about Abby being Devin's mate yesterday. Not to mention, I hardly even knew Abby. Was she worth angering the Greenwood clan? I heard footsteps rushing behind me, and when I turned around, I saw Annette. She wore a half-smile.
"I think it was sweet that you stuck up for Abby last night."
"Apparently, your boyfriend doesn't feel the same," I replied.
Her gaze dropped to the ground. "Boyfriend? I haven't really thought of Elias with that title yet."
"You just make out with anyone, then?" I chuckled, finding some humor in the situation. I sensed that she was putting on a show or hiding her feelings for him, though I had no idea why.
She shook her head.
I gently rubbed her cheek with my hand. "I didn't think so."
"You know I liked you, but you didn't show much interest in me other than as your king."
I frowned. I could have been in a relationship with her, but I felt it wouldn't be right. She was correct; I was the king, and that made things inappropriate.
"Elias is better for you than I am."
She looked at me with wide eyes. "Why? Because you're the king?"
I sighed, feeling the air escape my lips. "It's safer that way."