Elina
“Elina, Elina, it’s time to wake up.” I feel someone shake me.
“Elina.” I open my eyes—a woman with greying hair peers down at me. Who? My eyes open wide.
“Grandma.” I sit up, confused.
“Yes, child. Hurry and get up. I don’t know how much longer I have.”She reaches down and pulls me to my feet.
What is grandma doing here? I was with Xavier last night. I look around the room and realize it’s no longer a room. Instead, we’re in the middle of the forest. How did I get here? Is this a dream?
“You aren’t dreaming?” She says. Can she?
“No, I can’t read your mind, but I know that’s what you’re thinking. Now come along.”
She walks off, but I don’t move. This thing, whatever
Cassie and Istareat each other awkwardly. We've been best friends since I can remember, but what do you say to your best friend who betrayed you and nearly killed you as a result?“I’ll leave you two alone. Sweetie, I made breakfast. Cass, join her. I’m sure you’re hungry.”"I already ate," Cass says.“You can never eat too much. Well, you can. Don't listen to me. I'll leave you two to talk”“Thank you,Dad,”I say as I hug him before he heads downstairs. We watch him walk away before our eyes refocus on each other.“Are you okay?”"I’m just fine, now that I had my body drained of demon’s blood. I'm feeling amazing," I say."El, I know it won't mean much, but I'm sorry.""Sorry for what, exactly? For Poisoning me with Eriq's blood? Causing grandmother to stab me? Or are yo
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
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. Iām not sure what he meant when he said heād see me again. Iām hoping heās not another enemy to contend with. Titus and his pack will be hard enough to deal with.āIf he then we will face him together,ā 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.āTogether,ā I murmur, closing my eyes for a brief rest.āEl,ā The sound of Xavierās voice stirs me from sleep. I slowly open my eyes and realize weāre not moving anymore. I release Xavier and sit lean back, realizing weāre in Cassā driveway.āYou fell asleep. I guess we got a little rest after last night.ā 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.ā
XavierTwenty minutes agoāElina!ā I shout as she falls to the ground.I rush to her side and pull her into my arms.āElina!ā I shake her, but she wonāt budge. Her eyes are closed, and there is a small trickle of blood coming from one nostril.āMateā Silas whines as he scratches to break free. I grit my teeth and push him back.āStop it. You canāt help her.ā He whimpers as I scoop El up in my arms.āDonāt worry, she will be fine.ā I turn to head to the door when Noime shouts.āMom!ā I spin as Dadās wolf is thrown across the room. He crashes into the wall and falls to the ground.āDad!ā I shout as I hurry to his side, with El still in my arms.āMom!ā she shouts. I spin as El's grandmother rises from the ground.āMom!āBoom! 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.āEl,ā I call as her breathing gets heavier.āWhatās wrong with her?ā Silas asks as I watch her che
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 heās leaving in two days. I need to become the leader he wants me to be.My phone buzzes and I grab it, hoping itās Elina. Iāve been calling her all day, but sheās 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 isnāt El. I sigh. I guess Iāll 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 Iām 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
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 wonāt 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. Thatās what I need: a fresh start, but this town was supposed to be Rainaās and I fresh start. A change to forget the horrible memory of our parentās death, but now sheās off chasing ghosts and Iām in love with my teacher.My eyes drift to him sleeping peacefully and I canāt 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.āYou act cold, but I know you miss me.ā He says as he g
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. Iām glad Cass and I are back on good terms. It was hard being mad at her. Even if it was only for a day.āElina.ā 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.āYouāre not here to kidnap me again, are you?ā I joke as he approaches me.Not getting the joke, his face grows stern. āIām really sorry.āāWhich part? Poising me with your blood or trying to resurrect my dead great-grandmother in my body?āāBoth. El, Iām really sorry. About everything. I donāt know how to make it up to you, but I promise I will. On my mateās honor. I will.āā
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 itās him. I watch as he rises to his feet slowly.āAre you alright?ā I ask.He nods his head. āI am just a little sleep-deprived. Iām sorry if I scared you.ā He takes a step toward me but stops in his track as Silas bares his teeth, warning him to stay back.āSilas, itās okay. I think we can trust him.ā I say.I do not know him, but I think if he wanted to hurt me, he wouldnāt have saved me from getting hit that day.āSheās right, Xavier. I am only here to talk. I will not hurt her.ā The man says.I stare at him, stunned, as Silas growls at the mention of Xavierās name. How does he know him? Who is he? Were my instincts wrong, and he was sent by Titus? I take two steps
I remove my teeth from Elās neck and howl as our connection deepens. I feel everything sheās feeling: shock, confusion, love, and pain. Itās minor, but I hate that she is in pain because of me. I bit her before the full moon, and though itās frowned upon, the effects are usually just mild pain and prolonged sleep. āAHHH.ā El cries out, and simultaneously pain surges through me suddenly. I growl and shift back into my human form, pulling her into my arms. āEl,ā 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. Whatās wrong with her? āI donātā-ā āAHHHH,ā she cries out again. āTroy!ā āYes, Alpha.ā āGet Dr. Dyer, now!ā Twenty minutes later, Iām pacing before the room as Dr. Dyer examines El. I can feel she is no longer in pain, but I canāt help from feeling like this is my fault. I shouldnāt have bitten her before it was time,
āWhat? Dad!ā 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.āTess, this is for your own good.āāIām not some charity case, Dad. I told you I could handle this on my own. I donāt need anyone and certainly not him!āI glare at Xavier, who is still in shock.āI donāt know how much longer I have. With his protection, I know you will be okay.ā He reaches out to touch me but I turn away from him.āI donāt need his protection. Iām strong. Stronger than you think I am. I willāāāWayne!ā Xavier shouts followed by a large thud.I spin and find my father on the ground twisting in pain.āDad!ā I say as I run to his side.āWhatās wrong with him? Is this related to his illness?āXavier asks.āI donāt know heās only ever coughed up a little blood before. Dad! Whatās wrong?! Tell me whatās wrong?ā He grits his teeth as blood leaks from the corner of his lips.āHe needs a doctorā-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 itās him. I watch as he rises to his feet slowly.āAre you alright?ā I ask.He nods his head. āI am just a little sleep-deprived. Iām sorry if I scared you.ā He takes a step toward me but stops in his track as Silas bares his teeth, warning him to stay back.āSilas, itās okay. I think we can trust him.ā I say.I do not know him, but I think if he wanted to hurt me, he wouldnāt have saved me from getting hit that day.āSheās right, Xavier. I am only here to talk. I will not hurt her.ā The man says.I stare at him, stunned, as Silas growls at the mention of Xavierās 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. Iām glad Cass and I are back on good terms. It was hard being mad at her. Even if it was only for a day.āElina.ā 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.āYouāre not here to kidnap me again, are you?ā I joke as he approaches me.Not getting the joke, his face grows stern. āIām really sorry.āāWhich part? Poising me with your blood or trying to resurrect my dead great-grandmother in my body?āāBoth. El, Iām really sorry. About everything. I donāt know how to make it up to you, but I promise I will. On my mateās honor. I will.āā
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 wonāt 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. Thatās what I need: a fresh start, but this town was supposed to be Rainaās and I fresh start. A change to forget the horrible memory of our parentās death, but now sheās off chasing ghosts and Iām in love with my teacher.My eyes drift to him sleeping peacefully and I canāt 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.āYou act cold, but I know you miss me.ā 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 heās leaving in two days. I need to become the leader he wants me to be.My phone buzzes and I grab it, hoping itās Elina. Iāve been calling her all day, but sheās 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 isnāt El. I sigh. I guess Iāll 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 Iām 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 agoāElina!ā I shout as she falls to the ground.I rush to her side and pull her into my arms.āElina!ā I shake her, but she wonāt budge. Her eyes are closed, and there is a small trickle of blood coming from one nostril.āMateā Silas whines as he scratches to break free. I grit my teeth and push him back.āStop it. You canāt help her.ā He whimpers as I scoop El up in my arms.āDonāt worry, she will be fine.ā I turn to head to the door when Noime shouts.āMom!ā I spin as Dadās wolf is thrown across the room. He crashes into the wall and falls to the ground.āDad!ā I shout as I hurry to his side, with El still in my arms.āMom!ā she shouts. I spin as El's grandmother rises from the ground.āMom!āBoom! 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.āEl,ā I call as her breathing gets heavier.āWhatās wrong with her?ā 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. Iām not sure what he meant when he said heād see me again. Iām hoping heās not another enemy to contend with. Titus and his pack will be hard enough to deal with.āIf he then we will face him together,ā 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.āTogether,ā I murmur, closing my eyes for a brief rest.āEl,ā The sound of Xavierās voice stirs me from sleep. I slowly open my eyes and realize weāre not moving anymore. I release Xavier and sit lean back, realizing weāre in Cassā driveway.āYou fell asleep. I guess we got a little rest after last night.ā 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.ā
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