Mother?

We leave the clinic and there is a bit of silence between us. I am unsure how to act, a bit embarrassed at how I did, but curious of who Violet was to him. Did he date any others? Is he flirting with anyone other than me right now? Jealousy isn't a good look on me at all, but wolves are territorial when they find someone they like. 

I go to speak, but Rhory catches me off guard. "I am not seeing Violet anymore. I dated her for a bit, but our personalities don't mesh well." He looks uncomfortable, but gives me a gentle smile. "I have been looking for someone for a bit, but haven't really had much luck." 

Vesper rumbles, clearly thinking of what he is saying. 

"That is normal to date around..." I shuffle nervously, not really sure if that came out right. "You are just my first." 

Rhory looks a bit confused, giving me a glance like 'really?' and it makes me so embarrassed. I might be a bit of a pervert, but that is to be expected with wolves - all they want to do half the time is mate with anything that smells remotely good. 

'That's not true,' Vesper pouts, listening in on my thoughts. 

"I haven't had much interest in boys during school, nor have they in me. I am a bit of an introverted bookworm." I giggle, making fun of myself. 

"You are a cute bookworm, Elesi." Rhory gives me a sly wink, being flirty. 

I can't help but blush, oh boy. Vesper is purring, please calm yourself. "And you are not too bad yourself, but I rather not have to deal with any jealous females you may have lurking around - drama of that kind is not fun." 

He raises his hands in a defensive manner. "Promise. No crazy ex's promise. Violet was the only female I have been seeing as of late, and I called that off a few weeks back." 

"Soooooo to get off topic of Violet and dating, but did the curses talk make any sense to you?" I peer at him curiously, and he appears to be worried about this topic. 

"The body you found was cursed by powerful magics, which is strange...and alarming."

Rhory hums, moving closer to me and looks around - guarding me. "The night of the bonfire something broke the border's barrier. At first they thought it was rogue, but it didn't smell right. Something was off...then Alpha Rainer said he smelled magic." 

"Smell magic? He can do that?" I look at Rhory confused, never have heard of such a thing. 

"Strong Alpha's have special abilities, ones that help them protect the pack that a normal wolf does not. We have not fought witches since times past, and we do not hold any grudges nor ill will with any of those locally. The Alpha knows a coven that he trusts and has called them to come investigate with us to see just what is the extent of the threat..." Rhory looks at me, clearly trying to show no fear. 

"Witches? Magic? Curses..." I mumbles to myself, thinking of all that is being revealed. "I never really thought about things other than what's in my books. There isn't much information on witches in the library, but there are a few books on Vampires. I have a bit of an interest in the other races..." 

"The books in the library are probably pretty basic." Rhory chews on his lower lip. "I could see if I can find you something with more detail, BUT you have to PROMISE not to let anyone see it or know you have it." 

My eyes light up, excited. "I promise!"

As we round the corner a strange smell hits me, like sage and lemons - odd mix. I pause, looking around. "Do you smell that?" 

Rhory lifts his nose, taking a few sniffs before looking towards the woods. "I don't smell anything odd. What is it?" 

Vesper seems anxious, a low growl coming from her as I grab Rhory's hand tightly. "What is wrong, Elsi?" He looks down at me, now on high alert. 

"Rhory? I am going to say something that is going to sound VERY strange, but I think my Mother is in the woods." I look up at him, now filled with fear. 

"Your Mother?" He looks down at me confused. 

"She is dead...died years ago." I respond to him, seeing this now click his mind. 

His eyes narrow, looking out at the woods, letting out a low growl as he seems to pick up on whatever I am. 

'BOOM!' An explosion? The crashing noise echoes from the woods and all is quiet for a moment. "Stay here, Elesi. Go inside and shelter. Something is wrong." His eyes glaze over as he mind links, looking back down at me with concern. "It's going to be okay." 

Vesper growls at the woods, watching it as Rhory takes off and shifts - his wolf form quickly vanishing. 'I don't like this.' 

I don't like this either, but something is clearly going on. Did one of the large trees fall? Did our barrier get broken? Magic? Are witches attacking? I can hear people behind me locking up the hospital. Go inside? Chase after him? I want to know what that smell was. 

Fuck it. I start to run towards the woods, allowing Vesper to guide me. 'Follow the smell.'

I can hear howls in the distance, an alarm going off within the warriors - soon the Beta and Alpha would join in. I didn't have long to chase the smell, to pin it down. I noticed quickly though, I was running away from the howls. Was there more than just this out here? When did the territory become so dangerous? 

I come into a clearing and there she is - Mother. I freeze, and feel like I am in my nightmare. 

She turns to look at me and that is when I realize - she isn't alive, but undead. I have read about vampires, but this wasn't that. Her corpse was disgusting. I don't know how I didn't smell the stench of death till now. 

The creature hisses loudly, turning to run at me and I am unable to move. Vesper growls loudly in my mind, trying to snap me out of it. 'RUN!'

I turn on my heels and begin to run, trying to keep my distance between the creature and myself. What the fuck was going on? Was my Mother a zombie? But those don't run - or even exist! Or do they?

I feel like I am running forever before I fall and look behind me. I hear nothing - nor smell her. Vesper growls slowly. 'It's gone.'