I stood there, dumbfounded as I slowly processed Abel’s declaration. I only had a few seconds before all hell broke loose.
“Are you f****** kidding me? HER? She’s your MATE?!” Paris yelled, forgetting she was in the presence of Elders as she stared at me in disgust.
“Paris. Calm down,” Phebe said, stepping in front of her as she attempted to approach me.
The elders weren’t any better, the sound of their raised voices bickering was just as loud as Paris’s screeching accusations.
I felt myself backing up instinctively, putting distance between me and the chaos when I felt Abel’s hand swallow mine as he gripped my hand tightly and pulled me away with him.
I let him drag me away, watching Sarai and Phebe try to hold Paris back as Elder Jacob attempted to control the Elders.
I felt myself stop moving as Abel stopped moving. I turned to look at him, finding nothing but intensity simmering behind his light eyes, earnest and raw.