"Anger is like a flame blazing up and consuming our self-control, making us think, say, and do things that we probably regret later." Google / Eckhart TolleThe chapter is a little longer, and you will see why at the end! (AUTHOR)It took me a moment to fight through the blinding rage as I kicked the door open to Elijah's office. Miranda knelt between Elijah's legs as he sat in his office chair. Her hand laid softly on his chest, exposed due to a couple of buttons being loose. It seemed they both were gazing at each other before my abrupt arrival. My eyes took in the scene before me, and it was a damn miracle that I didn't explode.When Elijah heard the door break open, he immediately turned to the intrusion locking eyes with me. What felt like 5 minutes to me was a few seconds, and he was directly standing before me."Helena, this is not what it looks like." His hands were up in surrender.I pushed him back to get some space as he was entirely too close, and I was afraid of what I might do. I could see the tendrils of my hair lifting as if the air was swooshing around me, and the power coursing through my veins was undeniable. I could smell his fear and hers, and I was hungry."The hell it does, Elijah. It looks to me like you were in here with that wench," I pointed directly at Miranda, "Contemplating on taking her as a wife." My voice was incredulous as I stuck my finger in his hard chest. "Am I wrong, asshole?" I asked."Listen, Helena. I'm going to need you to calm down. I don't like the energy I feel coming off of you." He turned me around to look in the mirror, and my eyes were glowing silver, my hair was floating in mid-air, and my skin was glowing. "Your power is immense right now, and I don't want you to hurt anyone mistakenly." His calm façade seemed fake. It was almost like he was trying to convince himself rather than me.I turned slowly, thinking of how I could commit homicide on Elijah and Miranda. Within a split second, I was in front of Elijah with my nose slightly touching his. I had to concentrate hard on surpassing the tingles that erupted through my body because of the mate bond. My eyes locked with those ocean-blue orbs that I loved more than anything in this world, but as beautiful and enchanting as they were, my rage was more enticing at the moment."Hurt someone mistakenly? Believe me, Elijah, hurting you or her would not come by mistake. My intentions would be clear when I break her neck and perhaps castrate you." I cackled like a villain in a movie as my eyes darted between them.Elijah moved himself a few centimeters to the left, becoming a shield for Miranda, and that caused an inhuman growl to escape my lips."You need to calm down, Helena. You're not in control of yourself! You're letting these powers control you." He pleaded."How can you say that? How do you think I should react?" I yelled, "After everything that we have been through, you're willing to put it on the line for a psycho wolf that tried to kill me," I pointed at my chest, "Your mate!"His face looked impatient. "As I said, you have it all wrong, girl. If you would calm down a fucking minute and hear me out, you will see that."Maybe he was right; I was jumping to conclusions. Should I take the time to hear him out or suck the last breath out of Miranda?"Fine, you got five minutes before I eat that bitch." I huffed."When you came storming in here like your, the fucking Gestapo, I pushed Miranda away as she came to sit between my thighs. I had no intention of taking her ridiculous deal, and you should know that." He sighed, "After everything we have been through, do you think I could throw it all away so callously?""Why did you pause at her suggestion?" My tone was no less angry than the moment before.He paused as his shoulders slumped a tiny bit. "I am an Alpha, Helena. My pack's safety is always a priority, and my first instinct is to protect them, even if it means sacrificing my happiness in the process." He started walking towards me slowly as he gouged my reaction to him. When he finally reached me, his giant hands cupped my face. "But I would never sacrifice your happiness for anyone or anything. I wasn't kidding when I told you you are my everything, Helena." He said as he kissed the top of my head.Everything inside me seemed to calm down once his lips touched me immediately, and I was ashamed of how I acted. I looked back at the door and lowered my head into my hands."I can't pay to have your door fixed." I gave a muffled apology.He laughed, "Don't worry, love, I have destroyed more doors in this house than anyone could ever do." He pulled me into a hug sniffing my hair.A condescending laugh pierced the ear, making my head fly up to scold the tramp glaring at Elijah and me."All of this is so fucking lovely, Elijah, but let's not forget the big picture here. Without my father's pack, you cannot defend your precious mate, pack, or its lands. Your right about one thing, though. You are the pack leader, so their safety is on your head." Her already narrow eyes got narrower as she zeroed in on me. "And if Helena weren't being such a selfish bitch she would see that you marrying me is the most logical thing to do."What? Am I selfish? What in the world is she talking about? Isn't it selfish of her to want someone already meant for someone else?"Well, isn't that the pot calling the kettle black? Initially, I thought you were selfish, arrogant, and entitled before we met. In these past few weeks, I found that my observation was correct. What the hell is wrong with you, Miranda? Do you seriously think you don't need professional help?" I was genuinely concerned with the way that she was acting.She huffed, "I'm insane? Let me tell you something, trollop. I have known Elijah for almost 50 years and have been by his side for everything." She yelled, "This isn't just some promise made between families; he and I loved each other once upon a time. He is mine!"Now I understand. Like Connor, who loved someone and found their mate, she loved Elijah, and he had found his mate. Watching me with him must have been torture for her. No wonder he paused. He had to be thinking of their previous relationship."I get it, Miranda, but Elijah and I are together. And if you want to get technical, he was mine centuries before you tried to sink your paws into him. Just like you want to fight for him, don't think I won't either." I squared my shoulders.Hey, eyes turned calculating, and I must admit I was wary of what she would say." I wonder if you would say that if you knew the truth?" She questioned."Miranda, don't you fucking dare." Elijah's voice boomed.I moved close to Miranda blocking her view of Elijah. "What are you talking about, Miranda? The truth about what?" I sounded desperate."Your precious mate made a deal with the one man that wants you more than he does. If he were given resources for the pack, money to save his family's failing companies, and a seat on the Council, he would give up his mate when the time came." She triumphantly pointed her chin up.Right before I woke up, I remember that Cal did tell me to warn Elijah that their deal would soon be over. I would not think his deal would involve giving me up for worldly things in a million years. He who told me how much I meant to him would so easily give me up to a man that I'm positive he knew wanted something from me.I spun around, "Is this fucking true?" I tried to hold in my anger, but it was pointless.His hands came up again in defense. "Let me explain. There is more to that story than you think."One hand was around his neck before I could even stop myself. I was going to kill him, and I wanted to. I yearned to suck every last energy out of his body. As focused as I was on him, I could hear the movements of Miranda as she tried to attack me from behind. Without loosening my grip on Elijah, I caught her in mid-air, not so much as breaking my stare from his lying face."Bitch, you will have to try harder than that." I sneered, "I'm not going to kill you, but I am going to hurt you."I threw her body backward through the window. We were ten floors up, so I knew her fall would be hurtful. She might not have died, but damn, if she wouldn't be in pain. I glared at Elijah; the smell emanating from him was just too damn good. He deserved to die anyway, so why shouldn't I get a little happiness from his death. I inhaled his energy, which felt glorious and quite different from the witches. It was more fulfilling and tasted like my favorite cup of hot coffee on a rainy day."Stop it, Helena, please." He begged.Through the haze, I did hear him, and I wanted to stop, but he was just too tasty. I needed all of it, and I would go mad if I didn't get it. I felt a light breeze behind me, and I thought I should check it out, but I continued to breathe in Elijah's energy. It wasn't until I felt a hand on my shoulder that I stopped and turned around."Helena, if you do not stop, you will kill him." Cal's voice touched my mind's deepest part, causing me to drop Elijah immediately.I turned around, looking at his crumpled body on the floor and his back's fast rise and fall. I was seriously so mad that I was going to kill him. What is wrong with me? I am becoming a monster and behaving like I told others not to. I am genuinely a hypocrite. I started hyperventilating, and Cal's arms wrapped around my shaking body."You need to come with me. You're not going to be safe here now, and I will need to protect you from others and yourself. Please, come with me?" He stepped back with his outstretched hand."No, don't you dare leave me, Helena?" Elijah's voice was pained.I could see the desperation, worry, and love in his eyes, but Cal was right; I needed to get away. Elijah would be better off without me and free to protect his pack without this stupid bond hindering him. He could finally be with someone without the fear of the world and dying being an issue. As crazy as she was, Miranda would love him and supply him with the right kind of help.I felt a tear roll down my cheek. "Goodbye, Elijah," I said as I reached back and grabbed Cal's waiting hand. I stepped back as he steered me towards the swirling portal of wind. I was once bound to my mate, but no longer I shall be. Now I am bound to my redemption was the last thing I thought before the portal closed, taking me with it. Whew, I am finally done with this story....but I have more....there will be a sequel, and I also have a new story soon to be published called My Heart Is In Your Hands. I will upload a snippet in a few.I hope all is well, and I pray that you guys are excited for the rest of Elijah and Helena's story and reading my new book. See you soon! Oh, and the sequel to this story will be called...Bound To My Redemption. Someone had to guess that, right?