Chapter 182: Either You Do It… Or I Will
[JER]
"The warlock who saved me?" Malika asked meekly as she held on tighter to Jer. She needed more information and for the looks of it, he would give it to her regardless. He wanted to gain her trust and make her feel like this was just some phase of their lives.
"Yes. But she is just one of the seven. They told me to give them Rukiya in exchange for protecting you and keeping you safe, and I will do just that. No one will ever hurt you baby, not even Awuor," Jer said confidently and Malika nodded in understanding.
She wasn't sure what Jer meant by the seven but she would ask later on, when she was weak or apparently weak. But for now, she needed a distraction, especially with Hawi almost approving the letter that Mbali was to send to them.
"I wish there would be no war," Malika whispered against Jer's chest. She knew she was wishing for the impossible but what else could she do when right now she was Jer's meek wife?
She was supposed to be scared and so far she was doing so well keeping up the act. It was a matter of time before she proved herself to be the greatest actress of all time, given she was a key factor in the war itself.
"It will end soon, my love. It will. I won't let anyone hurt you again," Jer said as he pulled from the hug and walked Malika to their bedroom.
Malika had long cleared the smell of sex in the room and Elodie had reprogrammed the camera in this room, so there wasn't much to be seen.
If anything, anyone on the other side of the cameras was seeing a different feed. but then no one was there anyway. Given everyone was hidden away and only the warriors were out there collecting the bodies of their friends.
"Husband…" Malika began, as she looked at Jer.
"What is it, love?"
"Why does she hate me so much?" Malika asked and Jer looked taken aback. He hadn't been expecting this, but then a part of him already knew he could always avoid the subject.
At some point in the day, she would have to answer her properly. This was not just about him anymore but about the girl in his arms, the woman who had given up everything for him and for Sicario to have a reputation.
This was about her too, the weak girl from Clarkson who was promised power and peace. All she had seen was war and more war. There was no way for them to deal with this.
"What?" Jer asked, as if to try and buy himself more time, but then what was the point? Everyone had made it clear that they tolerated Malika s their Luna because Sicario needed a Luna.
They were being nice to her because she was what their Alpha had decided on, and they didn't have an option. They don't have the voice to condemn her or even tell her to leave because otherwise, they would have sent her away themselves.
This wasn't just about peace and love anymore. This was about the chaos that came with Jeremiah and whether he would face it and deal with it instead of deflecting and seeking the help of people who were no good to them or the realm in its entirety.
"Your ex-mate. She came. I saw her. Why does she hate me so much? Why doesn't she want me here?" Malika asked as she faked her tears.
She didn't want to show them this early, but then as it was Jer was already aware that his wife was mentally broken and there was more that he would have to do to make her believe that Sicario was safe and even more that her 'parents' were safer in Clarkson.
This was a long battle and she would milk the water it took.
"No baby, she doesn't hate you. She would never," Jer said, even though he felt like he was a fool for trying to convince a woman who had been hurt by the same woman he was saying wasn't a problem.
The woman had come to war and he was still defending her? Oh, but Malika was mad at that idea. No wonder Jer was a terrible mate for Hawi.
This man didn't know the first thing about love, but was that true or was Malika just a little too bored in Beijing in Sicario and wanted to go on and spar with Mbali or even make fun of Hawi and Rukiya?
"Then why did she just stand and watch while her friend took my child and womb away?" Malika asked meekly, her voice going so soft and almost mute as she stared at her nonexistent tummy as if that was supposed to make the women show up.
She knew this was a low blow, even for her but then she had to do what needed to be done. Jeremiah Warner was the devil's accomplice and they needed to find who the fucking seven were otherwise they would never get to the bottom of all this.
"Malika—" Jer said, as he tried to explain but what would he do to make it all better?
His wife was traumatized and still hurting from the emptiness that came with that fact. It was like a part of her had been taken out and she would never get it back. Would Jer give his Malika the closure she needed?
Would he ever be enough for her even if he had to score all the limits of humanity?
"You're defending the woman who took my child, husband. She took our child and your hero, the next Sicario Alpha. She was a critical part of our family. I can't even bear kids for you, so what use am I to you?
"She did it before the Sicario wolves, which means they know that I am not able to give the pack an heir, so what use am I to a pack of strong wolves if I can't even do a thing as simple as carrying your pupils?" Malika asked frailty as she scooted away from Jer and onto the bed.
She hated this, and frankly, she felt for the personality she was acting as. If someone ever took her womb like that, Malika would go on a murder spree, but then again, no one would ever be able to touch her.
She was powerful and insane not to mention she was one of the best protectors in the realm. Still, the idea gave her goosebumps. She was tempted to ask Mbali where she had gotten that idea because damn, it was fucking so many people up.
"No, baby. I am not defending her. I didn't know she would come. I didn't even know that Ruiya would come here. I didn't know and that makes it even hard, because everyone has been dependent on me, and I don't know what the fuck I am to do!
"What should I tell you, huh? That I will find her and try to kill her for you? That I will strangle the life out of her? That I will avenge you?" Jer asked frustratedly
"Yes!!! She took something from me, so you must take something from her. You heard of Rukiya? She called your ex her mate. That has to be something!!" Malika shouted seeing as Jer was raising his voice at her.
"It's not that easy!"
"If you won't do it, then I will."