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Chapter 5
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2023-03-08 06:12:57Related chapters
Echoes of the Pack Chapter 6
Wind whistled in my ears, carrying the scent of rain in the air. As it tugged at my clothing, I felt the electric energy in the atmosphere dance on my fingertips. Birds flapped their wings and sought refuge in the trees. What would it be like to have such freedom, only limited by the direction of the wind? "We're heading out," a hand rested on my shoulder. I nodded, "Alright." "After work, Ahren's mom is coming over," my mom hugged me tightly. "You and Azura, always so different." "Please, don't say that," my dad interrupted as he picked up their bags. I embraced my mom, but said nothing. "Take care," I said as I grabbed a bag to help with their departure. Their destination was work. What would it be like if they were me? Free to leave without anything tying them down, not even family. I sighed and returned to the house, feeling low. They seemed to be leaving more frequently, and I couldn't help but wonder if it was due to their business or if they simply didn't enjoy having ch
Last Updated : 2023-03-08Echoes of the Pack Chapter 7
"Alora." "Azura," I mumble as I turn over and open my eyes. It's chilly. The tip of my nose feels numb, and my breath moistens my lips. As I wake up and realize I'm not in bed, I scramble to my feet. I'm in a forested area, and I reach out to touch wet leaves and branches, which feel frigid beneath my fingers. Somewhere deep in the woods, a voice calls my name. "Azura?" Silence. The pine trees remain silent. I push up onto my hands and knees and glance back. I'm not far from our house, just a mile into the dense forest behind our home. Moonlight bathes everything around me, casting a brightness akin to daylight. It's almost blinding, so I shield my eyes and scan the area, trying to figure out the way home. A loud snap sounds from behind me. Birds scatter as the bushes rustle. I squeeze my eyes shut and press my palms into the ground. I have an urge to remain as still as possible, as though I could hide my head under my arms and pretend I'm somewhere else entirely, somewhere not
Last Updated : 2023-03-08Echoes of the Pack Chapter 8
The black wolf, its eyes locked onto me, lays its head in my lap, and I'm paralyzed by fear. Suddenly, the wolf stiffens, its gaze drawn to the forest. I follow its gaze and find myself in an open space, unfamiliar to me. In the distance, I spot the mountains that are also visible from my home. "What are you looking at?" I mutter, briefly considering the presence of the other wolf. But it's not the wolf; it's a woman. With olive skin and loose, dark hair flowing in the wind, her golden-green eyes hold an intense, almost otherworldly quality. She focuses that intense gaze on the wolf. "Is she close?" She murmurs softly. The agitated wolf howls, startling me, and the woman takes a step back. Yet, the wolf doesn't seem to bother her much. She surveys the open space. "It will be her time. The same as her sister's." As I attempt to distance myself from the wolf, it whines and follows me closely. Its large form brushes against me, nearly toppling me over. I hug myself and close my eyes,
Last Updated : 2023-03-08Echoes of the Pack Chapter 9
I've finally finished reading the books Dorothy gave me, which were initially intended for my sister, Azura. The content of these books doesn't seem unusual to me. The only one related to alternative medicine is the herbology book; the rest are primarily plant catalogs and care guides. I've returned all the books and now find myself sitting in Azura's room, staring at her bookshelf. It's filled with her favorite romance and fantasy novels. My sister was an avid theater enthusiast, and her shelves were packed with plays and musicals. However, there's nothing about plants, magic, or herbs. She never mentioned the box she left for me or the journal I found. My phone rings, and I see Detective Dristan's name on the caller ID. I let it ring. Since the day I met Lucien and Laurel in the nursery, Detective Dristan informed my parents that Azura's room was no longer considered a crime scene, suggesting that murder was no longer the suspected cause of death. I'm angry at him. I never returne
Last Updated : 2023-03-08Echoes of the Pack Chapter 10
As we enter, my heart races. The inside is hot and humid, dimly lit, and teeming with people. I scan the faces – a few familiar, but Lucien's isn't among them. "Here comes the birthday girl!" Ahren announces, and the crowd turns, erupting into cheers that startle me. Ahren hands me a beer, and I'm engulfed in a sea of revelers. Many seem inebriated as they pat my back and offer birthday wishes. I smile at the ones I recognize, then wiggle my way out of the throng. Ahren places a hand on my waist and twirls me around. "Where are you off to?" he asks. "Oh my god, Ahren! Are you drunk?" I gaze at him in disbelief. I push him, but he keeps grinning and responds, "You brought me here, you idiot!" "Alora, don't be so nervous. I've only had three." He laughs, and his breath carries another scent. He brushes my bangs away. "What's this?" I inquire as he reaches for my shirt. Glancing down, I notice the tooth necklace is gone. I gently move his hand and fix it back. "Nothing, just somethi
Last Updated : 2023-03-08Echoes of the Pack Chapter 11
After Ahren's words chase me, I pivot and sprint away. "No, Alora! I wasn't thinking!" I navigate through the inebriated teens dancing and the blaring music, making it difficult to hear my own heavy breaths. I'm overwhelmed, torn between wanting to scream or cry. Ahren has always been my friend, so his kiss feels wrong. Despite the fact that he and Azura never had anything romantic, it doesn't alleviate the guilt I now carry. Upon opening the patio door, a rush of frigid winter air invades, chilling my lungs. There's a 40-yard stretch before the dense, dark forest looms. I lean against the wooden railing of the patio deck, attempting to stave off the buttery sensation in my head induced by the alcohol. My wrist stings as if on fire, prompting a hiss from me. I grasp it and scratch my arm where my bracelet rests. Looking down, I notice ice forming on the railing, enough to nudge me toward the decision to head home. Nobody there is in a state to drive, and I can't turn to Ahren. Howe
Last Updated : 2023-03-08Echoes of the Pack Chapter 12
I think it's a smart idea to check Azura's piano a few hours after the party. She might not have hidden anything in her room, but she could have stashed things elsewhere. I discover a notebook beneath the piano's lid, tucked amidst the strings so it doesn't obstruct the keys. It's the perfect lead. Azura has meticulously documented her notes from Dorothy's books on the pages, filling the journal from beginning to end. It even includes the locations of the plants she wrote about in her journal. Yet, as I peruse the notebook for the umpteenth time, I can't help but feel like this isn't everything. She would have needed more than one journal. I still don't know what she did with the plants after she located them. This journal only informs her which plants she requires, why she requires them, and where to find them. Dorothy mentioned having a garden, but it remained elusive to everyone. If Azura delved into magic, she would have noted how and why she selected these plants. The initial
Last Updated : 2023-03-14Echoes 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 : 2023-03-14
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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
