ELODIE
My eyes rounded as I stared at him. His hair was longer than usual, and it poured over his face. I could barely breathe as I held his gaze. I could feel tears filling my eyes.
Although I have tried to deny my feelings for him, They came rushing back as soon as I saw him. I still love this man. I loved him, and I have missed him so much.
All these years of asking for him had been fruitless, but he was in front of me now, and I wasn't going to let him leave.
“What are you doing here?!” He demanded it, his hard voice pulling me out of my trance.
“Tedros,” I called out, my hand reaching out to stroke his face.
He flinched, his eyes widening, before he pulled away. I felt my heart clench. I reminded myself that we were nothing but friends when we separated. I was expecting him to rise and perhaps walk away, but he did none of them. He just pinned me down, staring at me like I was a snack.
“What?” I managed to ask a question.
“You look different.” He blurted it out, surprising me.
“Different?” I asked, trying to see if I heard him well.
I felt nothing different from my previous self. I didn’t understand what he was talking about.
“Your eyes are more pronounced, and your eye color looks darker,” he responded.
“Yeah, thanks, I guess.”
I was expecting him to get up now, but he didn’t; he just kept staring at me.
“When did you wake up?” He asked.
“Are we seriously going to talk about that this way?” I questioned him, knowing fully well what he was talking about. Annoyance was laced around my voice as I spoke; the first thing he did was remind me of the day I badly wanted to forget.
It seems like I have forgotten how annoying Tedros can sometimes be. He shook his head, his eyes darting.
“I can’t stand up.” He muttered.
I peered at him, trying to make sense of the situation. “You can’t? Didn’t you just shove me and pin me down?”
“Yeah, the thing is.” His ears turned around, and I knew him so well to understand that he was embarrassed.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Well, I am naked, and if I stand up, you are going to see something you shouldn’t.”
My face heated up immediately. How could he say such a thing so freely? I realized that he had been naked all this time while at the same time pinning me down. I glanced down to see that his chest was bare. I was so focused on looking at his face that I didn't notice.
I pushed my body up, my head connecting with his in the process.
“Ouch!” he groaned.
I seized the opportunity, closing my eyes. I got up from the ground and turned around. I could tell that my face was flushed. “I have turned around and put on some clothes.”
I felt him step closer to me, and I felt my heart beating fast. It took every ounce of strength for me not to turn around and watch that body of his. My face fell as I tried to put my thoughts in check, but it wasn’t happening.
“Did you really think the clothes here are going to fit me?” He whispered in my ear, causing me to flinch.
I was about to jump and turn around to face him, but he placed his hand on my shoulder and forced me to face the other side.
“Remember not to peek, Ducky.”
While staying in place, I heard the movements behind me and the sounds of clothes ripping. I tried not to look back, but after a few minutes, I couldn't hold it anymore. I glanced over my shoulder; he was backing me, and he had a cloth on his waist. He was tying both sides together.
His back was bare, and I could see the tattoos that were drawn all over them. His muscles were still in place, and his biceps were as good as I could remember. If it hasn't gotten even better,
He was about to turn around to look at me, but I turned my gaze away. I waited for a while until there wasn't any sound of clothes ripping.
“I am done.” He informed me.
I turned around to look at him. He had ripped off the clothes and formed a cloth that he tied around himself.
“You still haven’t told me what you are doing here.” He said.
I picked up the torch and my gun, and I glanced at him. “Hunting.”
His eyes widened at the sight of the gun. “You weren’t going to use that on me, were you?”
“I was,” I replied. “Too bad I recognized you.”
“Do you hunt your kind?” he asked as I dug the gun into my pocket.
“Yes and no," I responded.
“And what’s that supposed to mean?” he snapped.
“Don’t you dare snap at me!” I retorted. I wasn't going to let some half-naked man clad in torn clothes try to control me and make me answer his questions. “Aren’t you the one who went through a premature transformation, Alpha Tedros?”
He was quiet for a while before he folded his arm. “Alpha? It had been years since I heard anyone call me that.”
I ignored his words. “You will have to go with me to the doctor.”
He snorted immediately as the words left my lips. “A doctor? When was the last time I visited one? Don’t worry, I will pass.”
He began walking the other way, and I felt a sting in my heart. He was leaving. I couldn’t let him leave; if he did, when was I going to see him again?
“Tedros? We have to check what stage your sickness is at. It’s really important.” I said this as I ran after him.
He glanced over his shoulder. “It doesn’t matter; I don’t care about the illness or what it does, but there is no way I am going to the hospital again.”
“What if it isn’t a hospital?” I asked.
I don’t know why I was worrying about a grown man who was acting like a kid and putting his life on the edge for his stupid needs and wants. He was about to reply when a bullet was shot his way. Before he could move aside, it hit his upper arm, and it was then that I recognized what it was.
A tranquilizer.
ELODIEAs soon as the tranquilizer hit Tedros, he spun around and shielded me with his body. I was more than surprised when he reacted that way. “You have to run as soon as I am done counting,” he muttered.I guess he didn’t know what he was hit with. “Tedros?'' I could feel him fighting the tranquilizer. “It’s alright; they are my men.”He glanced back to look at the men; they were staring back at him. Lucas, on the other hand, was staring at me, his expression asking if one tranquilizer was enough to hold down Tedros. “They have guns, Ducky.”“Drop your guns,” I ordered, my voice rising. “He is a friend; don't attack him.” They all dropped their weapons with their gaze focused on me. Lucas's brows arched, and he stared at me like I had just said nonsense. His expression asked, When did I get to keep friends?“See, they listened to me,” I told Tedros. “You can stop fighting the tranquilizer now.” I couldn't believe that he threw himself to cover me from their attacks. “It's even
“What's going on here?” I asked.Both heads turned to look at me, and the nurse rushed over to me. “Ms. Campbell, he had been like that since morning.” My eyes met Tedros, and he had a betrayed look on his face. He stared at me like I had just betrayed him. Well, I betrayed him just because I took him to the hospital to check his body.“You better hide your men.” Tedros piped. “Because if you don't and I find the one who shot me with a tranquilizer, I am going to kill him.”“No, you won’t,” I responded, turning my gaze to the nurse. “Go on. I will take it from here.”The nurse nodded before leaving us. Tedros folded his arms and stared at me as I walked over to his bed. I could feel that he had something to say to me.“Say it,” I muttered.He crooked his head to the side, his eyes squinting. “Everyone here seems to be listening to you.”I placed the lunch box on the bed and grabbed the little table that was meant for patients. I placed it on the bed in front of him and unlocked the
TEDROSI was pulling over the car to the garage of my house, which I had long abandoned. I glanced around the place; it was quite neat. I killed the engine and got out of the car. I stared at the keys in my hand.I can’t believe that she made me go with one of her cars as I was getting ready to leave. I was clad in a white shirt and black pants; she gave them to me and offered to bring me lunch and dinner.Also, she did that after I rejected her offer of marriage. I knew she had always been caring and had taken care of me a lot, but marriage. Hah! I still can’t believe that she would propose to someone like me.She was way out of my league.She was pretty, rich, and powerful, with tons of people by her side. She built an empire in three years, while I only wasted away.Her words rang in my head: “Marry me.”I was taken aback for a moment and thought that she was joking, but it turned out that she wasn’t. I walked to my front porch, even though I had rejected her offer. She never react
TEDROSSitting on the couch next to the fireplace, I glanced around the house. I had entered her house earlier but hadn't been in the room we were in now. It resembled a secret hideout, complete with a kitchen, a cinema, and a bedroom. From my seat, I could see every other part of the space. Curiosity filled me as I wondered if this was her secret place and why she had brought me here.Ducky stood by the small kitchen, her back facing me, as she prepared the coffee. The dim lighting reflected off her dark hair, and I noticed she still held her head high like a princess.She had been like that, always excluding confidence wherever she went, and that was the one thing that I liked about her. "I'm done," she announced, turning to face me."Okay," I replied, looking away since she had caught me staring."Here's your coffee," she said, appearing next to me with a steaming mug.I took it from her, murmuring thanks. She nodded before taking a seat opposite me, raising her mug to her lips.
ELODIEI stood nervously in front of the familiar door, holding a box of food mixed with the necessary pills for Tedros. It had been three years since I'd last visited his apartment—the same one he'd shared with his late mate. My heart pounded as I heard the voices of his family drifting through the door."Did you just say marriage?" his mother asked, her voice laced with shock. "You left, and suddenly you're getting married?"I hesitated, my hand hovering over the doorbell. I knew they would react this way to the marriage, but I didn't expect to hear it firsthand."Who are you getting married to, anyway?" Cole chimed in, his tone harsh. "It's a surprise that anyone would want you after everything you've done. I wonder what terrible taste she has."I winced at Cole's words, fighting the urge to burst in and defend myself."You're all overreacting," Tedros said defensively. "I'm getting married tomorrow at 9 a.m."A heavy silence hung in the air, leaving me on edge."Then who is she?"
ELODIEThe Vinters fell silent as soon as I finished speaking. Cole had the most expressive reaction, his jaw dropping in shock."You're not joking, are you?" Belle inquired, her voice tinged with disbelief.Shaking my head, I replied. “I am not; I am dead serious.” Yet Belle didn’t seem to believe me; she leaned in closer to me, peering at me. “We are really getting married, and you all are invited.”“Hmm. You don’t seem to be lying.” Belle said this before pulling back and leaning against the sofa. “So, you both are getting married, huh?”“Yes, we are.” I clarified once more. Mrs. Vinters opened her mouth to speak but hesitated, sighing instead. "I won't get in your way if you want to marry my son. However, I am curious to know what made you want to marry him. I have no idea how you managed to convince him, but I must remind you that, although he agreed to marry you, he has another person in his heart."I held her gaze steadily. Of course, I knew about Tedros's late wife before I ma
ELODIE“I can't believe you are getting married.” Lucas yelled as he pushed the door open and walked in.I could see him through the mirror as the makeup artist did my makeup. He had a huge look of disbelief on his face, and some time later I saw something else—hurt.“You are getting married to that man you just met.” He alleged, standing next to me. “You know his condition, don't you? You know what he is capable of, yet you are willing to get married to him.” I know where he was getting at; Lucas and the doctor were the only ones who knew about Tedros' condition apart from me. “Lucas. I didn't just meet him; I have known him since I was a little girl.” I corrected him. “And yes, I am getting married to him." I was already in my wedding gown and had only thirty minutes left before the wedding commenced.“You are walking me down the aisle, you know?” I glanced at him, but that only got me a scolding from the makeup artist. “Me, walking you down the aisle?" He asked. “That's not pos
TEDROS“What the fuck are you doing here?” Cole exclaimed as soon as he saw me. He jumped off his office chair, his eyes wide with disbelief, and hurried in front of me. “Shouldn’t you be with your wife or something? This should be your honeymoon. You should be preparing for your honeymoon, or rather, making kids.”I felt a knot tighten in my stomach at the mention of having a kid. I tried to hide my discomfort, but my jaw clenched involuntarily. Having kids was off my list; I never wanted them, not anymore. Ducky hadn’t said anything about planning a honeymoon, and I wasn’t interested in that either. She must have headed to work by now or might be hanging out with that dude who walked her down the aisle—the dude who shot me with a tranquilizer.“Isn’t this the last day of the loan?” I asked, steering the conversation away from my personal life.Cole rolled his eyes dramatically. “Yes, it is. We told you about that yesterday. You said you were going to help but came back saying you we
ELODIEGlancing at Tedros, I could see he was curious about that. Why had I mentioned it in the first place? Now, I have to talk about it.I was pissed that he had ignored my texts and calls; however, there was still a sense of relief in me. I was glad his look-alike hadn’t shown up when I was alone in the elevator.Also, I was yet to learn what was wrong with me.“I have been counting all the girls you dated,” I answered. “It doesn’t matter; you’ve heard my final answer, and since you weren’t with your phone, I’ll let it slide.”I rose to my feet and headed for the bathroom. “I’ll go shower,” I said but paused halfway. “There are no clothes to change into if I shower.”“You can wear my jacket. It has buttons,” he suggested. “You’re short, so it’ll probably stop at your knees or mid-thigh.”I glared at him for calling me short. “Alright. It would be best if you took off the jacket now. I have to go.”“Alright.”Tedros took off his jacket, and I took it from him before heading for the
TEDROSLeaning my back against the wall next to the elevator, I sighed. Ducky was probably asleep by now. She must have thought about it like I asked her to.Her words couldn’t stop ringing in my head.“It’s because I love you, dumbass!”Dang it.How could that be possible?To be honest, Ducky and I were nothing alike. She got good grades in school, became the top student in all her classes, won all sorts of competitions, and even became the school president.She always shines bright everywhere she goes. She’s a role model for several students. Why the heck did she notice me of all people? An average student who barely passes his math exams.Come to think of it, our paths were nothing alike. She was on the academic path and super intelligent, while I, on the other hand, was on the sports path.I did quite well in sports and won tons of awards too.I had always thought she would go for a more academic guy and not someone like me who couldn’t solve quizzes with her or enjoy the same boo
ELODIETedros' eyes were wide in disbelief as he stared at me. I had just laid out my feelings for him, yet all he could do was look at me like I had said something shocking.“I’m telling the truth,” I insisted. “I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember, but you’ve never seen me as anything more than a friend! Even now, we’re married, yet you still treat me as just a friend.”Tedros shook his head, trying to snap out of it. “Are you serious?”“Believe me or not, I don’t care. But I’m not going to let you kill yourself!” I growled.He slowly raised his hand, placing it on mine, which was gripping his collar, and gently pulled it down. “I think you’re confused, Ducky,” he murmured. “Why on earth would you love a man like me? You could love anyone in the world, yet you chose me.”As I opened my mouth to respond, he placed a finger on my lips to silence me. His expression was unreadable.“Think it through carefully. Consider what you really want. Do you want to keep me alive, or do y
ELODIETedros's gaze held mine, a serious look on his face. Had he just asked if I was seeing something no one else could? How could he have traced it back to two months ago?“Am I wrong?” he asked. “What is it that you’ve been keeping from me for the past months?” He paused. “It was the same when you came here, too, right? The vase cut on your forehead wasn’t you, was it? It was them. Isn’t that right?”He knew. He already knew. There was no need to hide it anymore.“That’s right,” I replied. “I can see what other people can’t.”His eyes widened for a second, then slowly turned into a frown.“What do you see?” he asked. “Why don’t you fight back when you see it? Why do you keep letting it hurt you?!”“Because I can’t fight back.”“Why is that?!” he demanded.“It’s way too strong for me!” I answered. “It’s way too strong for me.”“Did you try?” he asked.The question made me pause. Come to think of it, I hadn’t tried fighting the look-alike whenever he appeared.The first time he grab
ELODIEWas she just my imagination? But the ice cream was so real—I could see it. I held up the ice cream for Tedros to see.“Are you seeing the ice cream in my hand?” I questioned. “You can see it, right?”His eyes trailed to my hand, and for a second, my heart skipped a beat. If he didn’t see the ice cream, how many other things had I been imagining?Fear ripped through me. What the heck was wrong with me? I had seen that girl, listened to her, spoken to her, and even touched her. There was no way I could have imagined her.“Yes. I can see it,” Tedros confirmed. “You’re holding the same ice cream I bought you, except I never asked a kid to give it to you.”I felt the blood drain from my face.“Did you see the little girl when you got to the car?” I asked.He shook his head. “Nope.”No?“She was standing next to the window,” I mumbled. “In a pink dress with two braided ponytails?”He shook his head again.“How could you not see her?” I asked, my voice trembling.The cup of ice cream
ELODIEThe culprit had been caught, yet I couldn’t bring myself to ask who it was. The guilt of finding my mate and being married was eating me up. I hadn’t thought much about it, but was I going to have to reject one of them? I shook my head to snap out of it. I was good at hiding my emotions, and I wasn’t going to let them show.“Who was the culprit?” I asked.Even though the culprit was behind the rogue attack, I had been the one to run on the broken glass and jump out the window like that. His look-alike was the one who made me get injured. There was no way I could tell him that, though. I’d let him believe it was the rogue who got me into that condition.Besides, one rogue broke my head and made the glass pierce even deeper.“Are you alright?” Tedros asked.I looked away. “I’m fine. My injuries have healed on their own.” I turned back to him. “Don’t you think I’ve needed medical attention too much? I must be worrying everyone.”He reached out to stroke my head. “We might be worri
TEDROSWalking out of the cell with Jeremy and Mom, I rubbed my temples. That was stressful. I hadn’t gotten enough sleep for days, and dealing with that made my head throb.I wondered how Ducky was doing. Has she woken up yet? I wanted her to wake up, but I wanted her to wake up with me there.“I always knew she was trouble,” Mom said. “She had always been troubled since she was a little girl. Thank goodness she never ended up as my daughter-in-law.”Jeremy groaned. “That’s right. I disliked her too.”I had banished her from the pack, but I still needed to consult the elder of the wolf clan and bring the situation to them. Although Ducky could give her the punishment she wants, another pack could take in Jessica.All I wanted to propose to the elders was to make sure that Jessica never gets into another pack. If that happened, she was still going to be able to come close to Ducky, which I don’t want.“I will have to get an appointment with the elders,” I told Mom and Jeremy. “I will
TEDROS“What the hell?” Jeremy questioned. “The rogue is your mate and happened to be the leader of the rogue attack?! Does that mean you asked her to attack our pack?” he growled.I could sense the anger in his voice as he growled. They had told me nothing about Mira being the person who had led the other rogues to our pack.Jessica said nothing but took the antidote from her mate and gulped down all of the contents.She held her neck and began coughing vigorously. It took several seconds for her to stop coughing.Jeremy wasted no time; he grabbed her, lifted her by the collar, and slammed her against the cell.“Did you ask your mate to attack this pack?” Jeremy demanded. “I heard two rogues broke into the house to find the Luna. They wouldn't have gone there if no one from the pack hadn't told them.”Jessica held Jeremy's hand and tried to stop him from holding her up.“It isn't a coincidence that you had a fight with her the day before and got embarrassed instead,” Jeremy continued
TEDROSMy gaze turned to Jessica, who looked stunned for a moment before tears began rolling down her cheeks.“I think someone is trying to frame me,” Jessica cried. “Why would a rogue that attacked my pack claim to know me when I don’t even know her? She’s been lying all along, and now she’s trying to lie again.”Jessica looked like she was telling the truth, but there was no way I was going to buy her words.“Do you know her?” I asked the rogue.“Yes,” the rogue confirmed. “We’ve spoken to each other tons of times. She knows me too, but she’s pretending not to.”The whole situation was confusing. Jessica claimed she didn’t know the wolf and the she-wolf said she knew Jessica well.I had no idea who to believe—Jessica, whom I knew, or the rogue who was staring at Jessica with a determined look on her face. I could tell something was going on between them that Jessica didn’t want to talk about.“Stop lying!” Jessica snarled. “Just shut the fuck up and stop lying about me.”I stared at