Iris I turn to Cassie, who is crying. I know what she did; what I can’t understand is why. Why would she betray Elina? She’s always bragged she was her best friend. She was always protective, so why would she do it. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry—Iris, I didn’t know… “ she says shaking while sobbing. I’m so mad. I don’t want to look at her right now, but I need to hear her reasons. “Why would you do this?” “I…” She begins, but before she can finish, a furious Xavier interjects. “ She’s sleeping with Keira; that asshole found out and blackmailed her.” My eyes go wide as I put the pieces together. My shock turns to anger. She did all of this to protect her relationship with Keira. “So Keira, your girlfriend?! Why would you hide it? El and I hate her, but we would have supported you because we love you. Just like she supported my relationship with Jackson. "I'm sorry, I’m so sorry. I wish I could take it back.”Cassie whispers, sobbing. I’m still mad, but I hate to see her like this, so I
Fifteen minutes later, I arrive at the house. Her smell lingers in the air causing Silas to whine. Xavier, We’ll find her. I shift to the door, my eye catching ring that she gave me—the vision of her smile that night at my party to into my head. I smile for a second, my heart full. When the light of a car pulling up pulls me from that lovely image. The car pulls past me and parks. As I approach, they all get out of the car.“What’s she doing here? I growl when I see Cassie is also with them.”“It’s her love potion, so we’ll need her.” I frown, not liking that she’s here. I head up the steps and press the doorbell. After a couple of minutes, the door opens.“Xavier, what are you— I’m afraid El is out.”“We know. We need to talk to Mrs.Sutherland.”“Noime?” He furrows his brows and looks at the others standing by my side.“El is in trouble, Mr.Sutherland. We need to find her.”“What kind of trouble?”“Let’s go inside first,” Raina says. He looks at all of us and nods his head slowly.“Ri
EricIsolde lies on the ground unmoving as Elina or who used to be Elina, examines her surroundings. Content with what she sees, she twirls and smiles.“Oh, to be alive again, what to do first? World domination? Revenge on Noime and the council? Oh, the choices are endless.” Elina, or whoever is in her body, says.“How dare you, witch?!” father shouts, interrupting her, celebrating as he glares at her; his anger is palpable. However, this person does not seem to care, and instead of turning to face him. She conjures a mirror out of thin air and stares at herself.“Not bad. I get to be seventeen again.” She says as she examines her face.“Look at me, witch!!” Father screams, but she still doesn’t acknowledge him.“I should do something with this hair, though.”GrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrFather growls loud as he shifts into his wolf, Rock. He runs full speed towards her. Is he going to attack her? Even if the soul isn’t Elina, this is still her body. That wolf would murder me if anything were to h
XavierWe race through the woods with Zeus behind us. We’re ten minutes away from Rivk territory. We need to get there. I know her mother released that witch, but now that means that even if she deals with them, we will have an angry two-hundred-plus-year-old witch to suppress.“Run faster!” I shout.“I’m moving as fast as I can.” She says. We growl as we continue our sprint. I sniff the air, suddenly picking up the scent of another wolf.“Keep your eyes sharp. I smell—”“My brother.” She stops. I slow down and come to a stop as well. Elliot? Why is Elliot here? Zeus“Elliot! Get out of here now!” A black, yellow-eyed wolf runs out. We slow down as Zeus shifts back to human, and Elliot follows.“What are you doing?”“I want to save Elina.”“It would help if you more stayed home. This isn’t a game. It’s dangerous; you could get hurt.”“I know that. I’m not a child Amelia.”“You want me to treat you like an adult, yet you do stupid stuff like this.” Zeus growl.“Why is it stupid to save
Xavier“El….” I mumble as I hold her against me while my heart pounds.“El, wake up! You promised me to forget. El, come on, please.” I press my lips on her forehead, praying that she wakes up, but she still doesn’t move.“Let me have a look,” Noime says., I glance at her mother and nod, placing El on the ground. She closes her eyes and presses her fingers to Elina’s temple.“Mate.” Silas whimpers.“*she’ll be fine. She has to be.” I Mindlink Silas. He has been frantic since I pulled Elina from the water, and if I’m being honest, so have I. I know she’s trapped inside there with Minerva, and I’m out here unable to do anything.“I can’t reach her,” Noime says, pulling me from my anxious thoughts.“What? There must be something you can do.” I say. She sighs and looks at Elina.“There’s a barrier. Minerva must have put it up to keep me out.” If Minerva has that much control, what’s happening to E1?“El’s still in there, right?” I ask.“She is.” I breathe a sigh of relief, but before I can
“I thought for a moment that brat had somehow cloned herself, but to find out it’s my sister. How fortunate, although I seem to have forgotten your face, don’t hold it against me, sister. It’s been so long since you killed me. Even longer since we were teens.”“How could you do this? How could you place a curse on our bloodline? Have you learned nothing from your past mistakes?”“Yes, my dear sister. I learned how to survive. Was I supposed to let you end my life?”“That was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but you were out of control. Xyl didn’t love you. He would never.”"Don’t mention that dog to me!” She growls, her eyes turning a fiery red.“He used me to increase his pack’s influence; then he tossed me away for some wolf. Some virginal girl who could never love him like him I did.”“You were always meant to be the pack’s witch. You were the one who carelessly fell in love.”“Yes, my singular flaw. I fell in love with a fool. But we can’t all be emotionless like you. How did yo
“You have to make it out of here alive first.” She raises her hand with a fireball in it.“And I don’t plan on that happening.” She says before she throws it at me.“reflect,” I shout, reaching out my hand and sending it back to her. She sends a series on lighting my way. I try to block them, but one hits me in the chest. I clutch it as the pain rips through me.“You were never my match.” She says, sending another series that all hit me at once. I cry in pain, failing to the ground.“It’s a shame you are this weak..” she says as she walks up to me and stands over me. I groan in pain, trying to pull myself off the ground, but my body won’t move. She points her hands down at me, ready to blast me away, but before she can fire, I teleport a short distance away, finally recalling the spell. I slump against a tree, trying to heal the hand that took the most hit.“No matter how many times you run. I will always find you.” She teleports before me with a grin. I once again teleport, but the di
Xavier15 minutes priorI watch Elina run down the steps, my heart aching to be with her and hoping she finds that door quickly.Boom!A loud crash pulls my attention back to the front of the house.“Are you ready?” Silas gives me a mental nod. I take a deep breath a shift into my wolf.Boom!Something flies through the house towards us. We jump and dodge it in time.“Come here and finish this, girl,” Minerva shouts.“Let’s go.” We sprint towards the window, jump through and land on the ground. She pauses with a powerful blast in her hand when she sees us. Then she laughs before throwing it. We dodge it quickly, so it becomes a game for the next minute of escaping. She throws a blast that hits us on our rear leg. We yelp and whimper as the pain hits us.“We have to get up. It hasn’t been long enough. El…” Our body lifts off the ground. We struggle to break free, but she’s too strong.“Goodbye, Dog.” She says before a bright white blast aimed at us.“I’m sorry, El.” We close our eyes be
I remove my teeth from El’s neck and howl as our connection deepens. I feel everything she’s feeling: shock, confusion, love, and pain. It’s minor, but I hate that she is in pain because of me. I bit her before the full moon, and though it’s frowned upon, the effects are usually just mild pain and prolonged sleep. “AHHH.” El cries out, and simultaneously pain surges through me suddenly. I growl and shift back into my human form, pulling her into my arms. “El,” I call out to her, but her eyes are closed as her body shakes. I can feel the pain coursing through her. Silas claws against my being, trying to get out. Stop it, I command. There is nothing you can do. What’s wrong with her? “I don’t—-” “AHHHH,” she cries out again. “Troy!” “Yes, Alpha.” “Get Dr. Dyer, now!” Twenty minutes later, I’m pacing before the room as Dr. Dyer examines El. I can feel she is no longer in pain, but I can’t help from feeling like this is my fault. I shouldn’t have bitten her before it was time,
“What? Dad!” I shout, angrily. I was wondering why he wanted to see him so badly. Of course, he would make such a desperate request since he has no faith I can succeed him on my own.“Tess, this is for your own good.”“I’m not some charity case, Dad. I told you I could handle this on my own. I don’t need anyone and certainly not him!”I glare at Xavier, who is still in shock.“I don’t know how much longer I have. With his protection, I know you will be okay.” He reaches out to touch me but I turn away from him.“I don’t need his protection. I’m strong. Stronger than you think I am. I will—”“Wayne!” Xavier shouts followed by a large thud.I spin and find my father on the ground twisting in pain.“Dad!” I say as I run to his side.“What’s wrong with him? Is this related to his illness?”Xavier asks.“I don’t know he’s only ever coughed up a little blood before. Dad! What’s wrong?! Tell me what’s wrong?” He grits his teeth as blood leaks from the corner of his lips.“He needs a doctor—-Se
ElinaSilas stops and backs away slightly, but he keeps his guard up as he stands between me and the man. I look at the man who is still on the ground. His hair is a little shorter than it was a couple of days ago, but from the scar across his left eyebrow to his ocean blue eyes, and even the exhaustion he wears. I know it’s him. I watch as he rises to his feet slowly.“Are you alright?” I ask.He nods his head. “I am just a little sleep-deprived. I’m sorry if I scared you.” He takes a step toward me but stops in his track as Silas bares his teeth, warning him to stay back.“Silas, it’s okay. I think we can trust him.” I say.I do not know him, but I think if he wanted to hurt me, he wouldn’t have saved me from getting hit that day.“She’s right, Xavier. I am only here to talk. I will not hurt her.” The man says.I stare at him, stunned, as Silas growls at the mention of Xavier’s name. How does he know him? Who is he? Were my instincts wrong, and he was sent by Titus? I take two steps
Elina.The morning passes by pretty quickly and soon enough; it was time for lunch. I stand on the staircase waiting for Xavier and the girls. I’m glad Cass and I are back on good terms. It was hard being mad at her. Even if it was only for a day.“Elina.” I spin as Eric comes walking up to me. I figure he would come back to school soon. I wondered how I would feel when I see him again. If I would be angry or feel betrayed. However, what I feel now is indifference. Perhaps because, unlike Cass, he was a stranger to me before all this. Plus, after being stabbed by my grandmother, nothing else really surprises me.“You’re not here to kidnap me again, are you?” I joke as he approaches me.Not getting the joke, his face grows stern. “I’m really sorry.”“Which part? Poising me with your blood or trying to resurrect my dead great-grandmother in my body?”“Both. El, I’m really sorry. About everything. I don’t know how to make it up to you, but I promise I will. On my mate’s honor. I will.”“
IrisI awake to the heavy feeling of his hand across my body. I groan as I remove it and sit up, staring down at his sleeping face. Why did I let him sleep here last night? I am done with him. This relationship is pointless. He won’t choose me as his mate, and that is something that will never change. I need to move on. I have my whole life ahead of me. College next fall away from this town and him. That’s what I need: a fresh start, but this town was supposed to be Raina’s and I fresh start. A change to forget the horrible memory of our parent’s death, but now she’s off chasing ghosts and I’m in love with my teacher.My eyes drift to him sleeping peacefully and I can’t help thinking of all the times we fell asleep in each other arms. I hate to admit it, but I miss him. His smile, his touch, the feel of his skin against mine. I raise my hand, suddenly feeling the urge to touch him, when his eyes snap open. My hand pauses mid-air.“You act cold, but I know you miss me.” He says as he g
I walk out of the shower and head into my room. I towel dry my hair and pull on shorts and a t-shirt, then sit on the bed. After leaving Uncle Alavic, I spent the day training, determined to get better. I need to be stronger now that he’s leaving in two days. I need to become the leader he wants me to be.My phone buzzes and I grab it, hoping it’s Elina. I’ve been calling her all day, but she’s been ignoring me.I flip it over and see a text message from KeiraWe need to talk. Why would I need to talk to her? I frown and throw my phone down, depressed that it isn’t El. I sigh. I guess I’ll have to wait until school tomorrow to talk to her. Right now, I should try to get some rest. I pull back the covers and slip under, turning off the lamp. I close my eyes and try to sleep, but all I can think about is Uncle leaving and if I’m ready to be the Alpha without him guiding me? I toss and turn for hours until I give up and sit up in the bed. I need to clear my head. Maybe going for a run w
XavierTwenty minutes ago“Elina!” I shout as she falls to the ground.I rush to her side and pull her into my arms.“Elina!” I shake her, but she won’t budge. Her eyes are closed, and there is a small trickle of blood coming from one nostril.‘Mate’ Silas whines as he scratches to break free. I grit my teeth and push him back.“Stop it. You can’t help her.” He whimpers as I scoop El up in my arms.“Don’t worry, she will be fine.” I turn to head to the door when Noime shouts.“Mom!” I spin as Dad’s wolf is thrown across the room. He crashes into the wall and falls to the ground.“Dad!” I shout as I hurry to his side, with El still in my arms.“Mom!” she shouts. I spin as El's grandmother rises from the ground.“Mom!”Boom! A large burst of power erupts from her, pushing Noime and me back and shattering every glass in the room. I duck, shielding myself and El, who suddenly starts panting.“El,” I call as her breathing gets heavier.‘What’s wrong with her?’ Silas asks as I watch her che
ElinaI keep my grip on Xavier as he steers the bike down the road. My thoughts return to the man who had just saved me. His exhausted eyes were ablaze with rage. I’m not sure what he meant when he said he’d see me again. I’m hoping he’s not another enemy to contend with. Titus and his pack will be hard enough to deal with.“If he then we will face him together,” Xavier says through our mindlink.It still feels weird when his voice pops into my head, but it also makes me feel closer to him. I wrap my arms around him and lay my head on his back.“Together,” I murmur, closing my eyes for a brief rest.“El,” The sound of Xavier’s voice stirs me from sleep. I slowly open my eyes and realize we’re not moving anymore. I release Xavier and sit lean back, realizing we’re in Cass’ driveway.“You fell asleep. I guess we got a little rest after last night.” He says as he gently massages my hands that are still wrapped around him. I lean forward and press my face against his back, inhaling him.“
XavierI rub my temples as I listen to the reports of the latest news about what’s happening in our territory. I’ve been in this meeting since 10 and now it’s around noon and I’m ready for this to end. I glance down at the ring on my finger and smile. Maybe I should escape to El's room. I’m sure it would be more fun than this.“What are we going to do about the rogues?” Gris, one of the elders, asks, pulling me from my thoughts.“What rogues?” I glance up at my uncle, confused.“We had some rogues move in on the river in the last week.”“Why didn’t I know about this?”“You were.” He pauses. “I should have informed you, alpha. We’ve been monitoring them while you were—away. They seem harmless.” He says