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Chapter 12
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2023-03-14 12:24:19Related chapters
Echoes of the Pack Chapter 13
Before everything goes quiet, you can hear gunshots and howling. Now that the wolf is gone, the police are all around me. I remember the two officers who came to my house before, with their guns drawn and their eyes wide. I know I don't have my gun anymore. When the wolf bit me, I must have dropped it... "Alora," Detective Dristan says. I startle and look up at him. He's on his knees in front of me, just beyond the mugwort barrier. "Alora, are you okay?" he asks. "He came to my home," I speak rapidly and disjointedly, not sounding like myself, almost as if I'm inebriated and unable to string a coherent sentence together. "I...He..." "Take my hand," he says, standing up and extending his hand. "You're safe now." I'm uncertain. This is where I should stay. Azura instructed me to do so. The only place the wolf seems unable to breach is where the mugwort grows. Why would I leave if it's the only thing keeping him away? "We're all here now, Alora," Detective Dristan assures me. "He wo
Last Updated : 2023-03-14Echoes of the Pack Chapter 14
"Here's everything you need to know about the town's history. Is this for a school project?" Anne-Marie, the town's sole librarian, places three books on the table beside me. I've been poring over a book about medicinal plants, but it's not yielding much. I've had a fascination with and knowledge of plants since I was a child, so nothing here surprises me. I know everything there is to know about herbology. I'm missing something. Even though Azura was researching herbs, her notebook seems to be about something different. I flash a smile as I open one of the books and reply, "It's for research." The book contains a list of the families that founded the town and the businesses that have been established since. Only two remain: the post office and Barnaby's, a pub situated on the corner of the central square. "Well, if you need any assistance, you know where to find me. Send my regards to Dorothy the next time you see her. I've missed our monthly bridge gatherings the last few times."
Last Updated : 2023-03-14Echoes of the Pack Chapter 15
The door slams loudly, and my mother flinches. She comes over to me and hugs me tightly. Unlike her, my father is furious with me and has stormed out of the house after lecturing me. There are numerous reasons for his anger, namely the fact that I didn't stay at home after the hospital and the fact that I had to go to the hospital in the first place. In his opinion, all I had done was conjure up the attack and had been attacked by a stray dog or wild coyote. Despite the policemen who have stated in the report that they had seen a massive wolf attacking me, he refuses to believe any of it. Especially about the man in the house. It amazes me that someone can be so closed-minded and blatantly ignore the facts. "He was very worried about you," my mother pulled away. She picks up my bandaged arm and examines it once more, "I know how difficult he's been since Azura died, but he's doing his best. He's lost many family members in tragic ways like this, Alora, so this is a lot for him." I
Last Updated : 2023-10-22Echoes of the Pack Chapter 16
I rise when the curtain falls, and Zaven playfully winks as we disperse backstage, followed by the thunderous applause from the audience. It's the second-to-last night of Giselle, and we've just finished the final act. Zaven groans, "I need pizza," as we head toward the dressing rooms. "Wanna grab some after we're done here?" I watch the lead actors rush to the lobby to meet their fans. I had hoped to be Giselle in my winter show, but I missed too much and my understudy took my place. Still, I'm thankful I could participate as an ensemble member. "Hello," Zaven waves a hand in front of me. "Pizza!" I grin, "Yeah, sure. Invite the others!" "Duh!" He chuckles and disappears into his dressing room. I close the door behind me and change out of my costume with the other ensemble girls. They're all singing a song from My Fair Lady. Most of them are sophomores and juniors, with only one other senior like me. Most seniors have transferred to dance academies to pursue a ballet career. I
Last Updated : 2023-10-22Echoes of the Pack Chapter 17
I think about it as I pour soda into the cups. When I fill Zaven's cup, I notice someone leaning against the counter beside me. It's Kiana. "Surprising to see you here," I'm still not accustomed to hearing that strong Irish accent. There aren't many European immigrants in El Nido, mostly their descendants. "I live here," I say with a laugh. She takes one of the drinks as she sees me struggling to carry all three. "Are you guys here for business?" "We just finished, actually," She looks for an empty table with me. "We're heading out tonight, but we were hungry." "Are you at our docks?" I haven't been there all week since my parents are briefly in town, so I haven't seen the registry. "No, we drove this time," She chuckles. "Why don't your friends join us?" "We're good," Lucien suddenly appears behind me. He and Kiana stare at each other for a while. The tension between them is uncomfortable, and I shuffle uncomfortably. "It's okay," I try to grab his hand, but he pulls away. Unde
Last Updated : 2023-10-22Echoes of the Pack Chapter 18
He is facing away from me, bent over a bloody body. His shoulders are hunched, and he screams as if breaking. I cover my ears, but his agony remains in my mind. "Save him." I turn to find a petite woman looking at me. She's covered in freckles, framed by white-blond hair, and has piercing blue eyes. Tears stream down her face as she gazes at the injured man. Her bottom lip trembles, and she breathes in sharply. "It's not his fault," she whispers, her hands resting on her swollen belly. I blink, and she vanishes. She reappears next to the man, who cradles a newborn in his arms, soothing the crying baby. A sandy-colored wolf emerges from the bushes, approaching the man without hesitation. She sniffs the baby before licking the man's hands and wagging her tail. Soft whines escape her, and he embraces her, placing the baby on the ground for her to see. The wolf lies down, curling around the swaddled infant, resting her head on the man's lap. He places a hand on her head, and they shar
Last Updated : 2023-10-22Echoes of the Pack Chapter 19
We arrive at the Old Road Diner shortly after parking. It's located alongside a tree-lined road, next to a gas station, and serves as a popular stop for travelers along the Palawan coastline. I used to come here frequently to find Azura studying in the corner booth by the jukebox. Typically, we would end up having dinner here and chatting until the diner closed. Azura didn't express it, but I could tell she disliked being at home; it felt too empty with just the two of us in those echoing hallways. Lucien's voice, calling my name, interrupts my reminiscence. He gently guides me to the counter, but I pull away, suggesting we sit at one of the tables instead. I take a window booth, and he sits across from me, wearing an amused smile. He admits, "Sorry, I just wanted to talk to you in private." I respond, "It's okay." Lucien then orders coffee with two sugars and no cream, while I request hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows – Azura's favorite treat. The waitress, named Ke
Last Updated : 2023-10-22Echoes of the Pack Chapter 20
"What was it about?" "Our history project was about researching our family's origins. We wanted to explore how long our families had been living in this town and trace it back as far as possible," he says, his gaze fixed on my hands. "I already knew about my family because it's impossible not to when you know you'll be shifting by the time you turn fourteen. But what I didn't know was that Azura's, and yours, was just as closely connected." He takes my hand and turns it over, saying, "Azura discovered that while your father's family came from South Carolina, there was a branch of them that settled here on the West Coast at the same time as my family. It was actually the same date. It seemed like they had moved together. Your father's grandfather later moved back to South Carolina-" "Yeah... my dad mentioned that was why he moved out here with my mom," I run my thumb over his wrist. His pulse is steady, and he's telling the truth. "The land my house is on has been in the family for a
Last Updated : 2023-10-22
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Echoes of the Pack Epilogue
She has his gaze. Orion's gaze. That same, sickening yellow pierces me as I meet her eyes. But she simply watches me. This woman who stands above me seems so familiar...yet I don't know her at all.All I know is her name. Kaltain.She and I look nothing alike, so I know that she isn't a reincarnation of Iphigenia's soul. She is one of Cecily's daughters. She is also one of Orion's.She extends her hand and they're webbed with black veins, like her skin is rotting or crumbling away like ashes of a burnt log. Flames dance off her fingertips like her nails are candlewicks. I flinch away and she tilts her head."You're newer than I thought," Her voice is deep and wispy. Those sharp eyes scrape over me in mild interest. And finally, a twisted, crooked grin takes over her face, "You and I will have much to talk about, Alora. Much to work on in the coming years.""Alora," I whisper, "You know who I am-""Of course. I have known about you long before you knew of me. We share more than just bl
Echoes of the Pack Chapter 141
"Congrats," I wave as the couple walks out of the clinic."Thanks, Alora," The pregnant female smiles back at me before taking her mate's hand."Hey Alora!" Addison comes running up beside me. Kiana and Eamonn are next to her.Eamonn sprints into me and wraps his arms around my legs, "Alora! Hey, nene."Addison looks at me with hopeful eyes, "Can you play with us?""What are you playing?""I was going to show Addison how to throw a rugby ball!" Eamonn bounces up and down, "Please come! I want to show you too!""He's really good," Kiana squeezes him tightly in her arms, "Taught by the best, obviously.""Yeah, Mac," Eamonn teases her."You little shite! Who do you think taught Mac, huh?" She grows quiet and glances up at me. I don't smile back at her and she cringes."I have a couple more things I need to do. But when I'm done, I'll come out for a little," I smile at the two pups. They cheer and run off together, but Kiana lingers, "Kiana...'m not angry with you so please stop looking”
Echoes of the Pack Chapter 140
Maybe I'm a lot more like Zemira than I have ever been willing to admit. It's a thought that crosses my mind as I watch Hendrick sleeping quietly in front of me. He's here...but I feel nothing. I'm callous, just like she was. The difference is that she craved Orion's love... only crave Hendrick in the most basic and primal ways. The Heat has completely lifted any fog or doubts I had over my feelings for him. I care for him deeply but not in the ways I had before.My trust and faith in what we had has been completely shattered.Which is why this can't go on.I crawl over him, rousing him from his sleep, and brush my fingers through his hair. He grins lazily and encircles my waist with his hands. Our kiss is slow and easy. But it doesn't feel right...out of place like a piano key that was tuned incorrectly."I need to go," I whisper against his lips and tug lightly on the ends of his spiky hair.He blinks, "Where?""I need to check on Kiana-she texted me just now and asked for me to go
Echoes of the Pack Chapter 139
I jolt upright at the sound of a loud bang. Immediately, I scramble for my athame and sprint towards the bedroom door. A large, black silhouette in the hallway has me snarling lowly."Alora, it's me!" Hendrick whispers before I can lob it at him."Wha-Hendrick, what the hell are you doing?" I lower the knife and tiptoe past Jayden's room. I can hear neither her nor Olivia breathing softly. They must be sleeping at Olivia's tonight. "I could have hurt you.”"Sorry-I just needed to go for a run," He slips out of his boots and sets them out on the porch. He gives my thigh a pat as he walks by me, "Sometimes, I feel like this apartment is going to suffocate me."I understand how he feels....ever since my Heat had come into full swing, being near him was almost unbearable. We could barely be in the same room alone for more than a few minutes without one of us having to stop the other from doing something stupid."We're nearly done," I lean against the sliding door and watch the Moon hang a
Echoes of the Pack Chapter 138
I keel over for a moment, hands on my knees and breathing deep. Nancy lays a hand on my back but she lets go when I smile at her. Throughout the day, my body periodically has cramped up like most of the females.The time for the pack's seasonal Heat has begun, and so have the fights between females too. Avianna has gone back to help Abrego with its Heat, which means that Nancy and I are left to deal with the waves of injuries and fights.After a long day, I sprawl out on the couch in the apartment and kick off my shoes. Jayden is out for the evening to meet Olivia's family- something I know she's really nervous about. I send her a quick text of encouragement.As I set my phone down, the door opens. Hendrick walks inside but doesn't make it a foot inside before he freezes. Our eyes lock onto one another. "Mi reina," His voice is deeper nowadays, and I can't believe how much he has changed in just a short amount of time. It makes me hope that he actually has changed....but I can't belie
Echoes of the Pack Chapter 137
"You can't go in there-”I push the meeting room doors with both hands. It's only Mac and Kiana inside, leaning over the center table and setting up a computer. Gracie is behind me with her eyes popping out of here skull."Lass? What is it?""Where's Kennedy?" I look around the room but he's not here. He was though-his scent is fresh here!""Right behind you."I turn around. He's not smiling but he's not unfriendly either. But Hendrick's words haunt me almost as much as the spirits that stalk my every move. Packs like Solari and Ameku take advantage of their connections to The Order to gain advantage over everyone else.Are you using me?I want to believe that he isn't. I've never felt that Kennedy has ulterior motives for helping me. But he also hid Orion's attacks on this pack from me. And he neglected to tell me the tension that existed between the Lycans and the Werewolves. He never lied...he just never told me the truth.His head tilts so innocently when I look away from him. Both
Echoes of the Pack Chapter 136
"I don't think this is a good idea, Alora."Jayden sets up a pillow for me as I set up my scrying bowl. We're in the backroom of Nancy's clinic, who was kind enough to not ask any questions. I, however, have plenty of questions to ask-all of which are in desperate need of answering."I have to find him, Jayden," I crush the last of the lupine I brought with me from Palawan. "Remind me to ask Avianna to bring some Kinkaid's Lupine next time she's-""Okay, but Alora-""You're not going to talk me out of it," I understand her concerns. Truth be told, I'm trembling in fear. Nothing good ever came out of seeking him...but I don't have much of a choice. Every other lead or clue I've had isn't panning out right now. "Stand outside the door. Make sure no one comes in...""Fine, but I don't think we should be doing this-I don't care if Kennedy knows-""What does Kennedy know about?" Hendrick walks into the backroom but stops the moment he takes in the scene in the room. Jayden holding a chest
Echoes of the Pack Chapter 135
What am I doing?I mix the two potions together in the scrying bowl. To my pleasure, they light up in a green mixture the moment they mix together. I yip in delight and clap my hands. At least I'm not messing up entirely on thisThe same cannot be said in regard to how I'm dealing with the personal feelings towards two certain men in my life. Again, I ask, what am I doing?Quickly, I pop a couple of the crystals I have been using lately into the green potion. It's supposed to help cleanse crystals and other tools quicker than just placing them in the sunlight, moonlight, and running water.Lying back on the wooden floor, I stare at the white, wooden paneling on the ceiling above. Today has been quiet and left me a lot of time to focus on practicing all that I had learnt from Avianna and Nancy.It's also given me a lot of time to reflect on my own feelings. I still can't forget the way Jayden glared at me when she saw Kennedy and I together in the hospital...and I can't get either Hend
Echoes of the Pack Chapter 134
"I can do it," I say as Hendrick tries pick me up from the car. Despite the mending ribs, I'm not tired. I feel strong and have to keep reminding myself to take it slowly."Just be careful," He steps back to give me some room, but not much. His eyes keep darting around at the Solari Wolves that have come over to see how I'm doing.He doesn't expect me to put my hand on his arm, "Hendrick, it's alright..."Just as I took him by surprise, he returns the favor by pushing me up against the car. I'm wide-eyed and stiff as a board when he cups my face. He searches my face but I'm not sure for what. Maybe he's still paranoid about any injuries I have, or maybe it's the fact I'm alive and breathing. Whatever his reasons, I can't fill my lungs up with a sufficient amount of air to keep from becoming lightheaded.His face is so close to my own. His lips brush against the corner of my mouth...and just when I think he's going to kiss me, he pulls away. My mind is buzzing while he pushes my hair f
