I chase William down the hall with my Betas behind me."William, stop making me run." I laugh and follow him; as I round the corner, he is standing waiting."Could you have just not run at all? Instead of making me follow you all this way.""People would have heard. What do you want, Elara?""What are Kellan and Darius doing?"He glances around briefly before looking back at me. "After all the information about their father that has come out recently, they are focusing on ways to fix their image.""That's a lie." He's lying. Kellan would just say if that was it. "They are getting my wolf, right?" he grasps my arm and pulls me into a room and closes it."Don't speak of it.""What?" I don't get it."No one can find out. The king and prince have cut themselves off from everyone, so no one knows what they are doing. No one can know. Only a few of us do.""So they are getting my wolf?" Is that what he's saying?I watch as he nods. "Don't discuss it, Elara. All you need to do is wait for Ma
I wake up with arms wrapped around my body. Turning, I see Kellan."You've been busy." He nods, smiling at me. He looks worn out."We need to discuss some things today. So have breakfast with the others, then meet me and Darius." He leans forward, his lips pressing against mine."You look like you need sleep.""I'm fine, don't worry about me. I'm going to go get sorted and find Darius. I snuck away, and I'm not meant to be here."Laughing, I shake my head. "You're breaking the rules again?""They are made to be. He thinks I'm asleep in my room, just shh." Laughing at him, I lean forward and kiss him. His hands grasp me and pull me closer to him.I push my body closer to his, hearing him groan before he pushes me away. "No!"Pouting, I sulk, and he chuckles. Leaning forward, he begins to kiss me. My hand tangles into his hair."Enjoy your breakfast. See you soon." His words are mumbled against my lips before he climbs off the bed and walks out. I want to sulk that he's gone already. I
I was grateful when I heard that Astrid had decided that the garden party needed a marquee. Walking out, I look around; the snow has stopped falling.It's still deep, though, but Astrid had clearly thought of that and made sure multiple pathways were cleared, making it easier to walk through.While the marquee is there and it is big, there are a lot of tables and seating around the garden as well."I shall see you out there." Sage hugs me and walks to Beta Tony. Astrid planned this perfectly. We all walk in with someone. She, of course, is walking in with Darius."I'm here to replace you, Yori." Kellan pushes past him."You're meant to be spending time with others, Kellan." He plans to stay with me at my event and Sage's. He shouldn't be with me at this one."I'm simply walking you into the event. You can push me away after we get there, agree?" He smirks at me and I fail and laugh."I won't push you away, and can you stop calling me an alien? I heard you before." I narrow my eyes at
Kellan calling me alien wakes me. I almost want to punch him, but I don't. Sitting up, I look at him."Is it time?""Yes. Get dressed. I will wait outside for you." He walks out, and I rush to get myself ready. I'm not sure how this morning will go, but I'm hopeful.Walking out after getting ready, Kellan is waiting. I walk down with him, and he guides me around to the cars. I still don't know how they get past the angry mob.They must, though, as Kellan has left a few times."You are to stay with Beta William and Yori until we give the word." Darius looks at me."Fine. I'm happy to follow the order." I will, as I don't want them at risk. Getting in the car, I sit and begin to feel nervous and scared. It's not so much about getting caught but the thought of actually having my wolf back.A short while later, the cars stop, and I watch everyone get out and go into the building. Even from here, I can feel it. My body is itching to run towards it."Don't." I turn to William, my eyes going
My body is burning, and strong waves of pain continue to paralyse me. Every time I'm ready to fight against it, I hear Kellan in my mind telling me to relax and another voice. One I've never heard before. It feels like I've been in this hell for hours or even days. Every time the wave of pain stops, I feel hopeful it's ended, but the burning still continues, and soon after, another wave of pain. My body is exhausted, and the burning slowly disappears. "Elara?" Kellan's words seep into my mind. "Open your eyes, please." Slowly, I open them. "How do you feel?" I turn, hearing Maze. "What happened?" Something did. "I can't remember anything after stepping into that room." "I was right, you're an alien." Kellan's words have me groaning. "You're different, and so is your wolf. You never needed me or magic. I will give you some space. Come find me when she's awake properly." I hear the door closing. "What happened?" "No one knows. Maze tried using magic, but it didn't seem to work.
Walking to where the event is being held, Kellan walks further away from me. I stare at him, confused."Ahm." Turning, I look at Darius. "Don't, ignore your feelings, focus on the event. We need to welcome people, explain what the plan is and such." I nod, and we walk towards William. Darius seems to be keeping space between us.I listen to him welcoming everyone, and then I explain how the event will work. While talking about it, keeps me focused, everything is building inside of me.I announce the categories and explain how winners will get trophies and such. Darius then steps in and announces the three top ones will be given paid scholarships from him.He hadn't told me about that prior to this. We walk around briefly before he guides me to sit down. I'm sat at the opposite side of the table to Kellan, between us on each side is Beta Yori and Ash.Anyone would think he's scared of me. I laugh slightly and turn my chair to watch the events. Sage is sitting with her family. It's nice
Kellan walks towards us now that everyone has left. The other contestants have gone inside, except for Sage."Okay, I'm going to speak to Maze. Maybe she has a plan to figure this out. Tomorrow is Sage's event, so..." He stops and looks at us. "I'm not sure the plan for that, keep you like this, or let you shift, I'm not sure. So, Kellan stay with her, let her shift, and see it helps her focus more after." He walks off, and Sage smiles.She hugs me and steps back. "I shall leave you two to it.""Okay, so maybe Darius is right, maybe shifting will focus your mind. Maybe it won't. Maybe it will make things worse. For now, though, shift and let your wolf have a bit of time in control. Not full control.""I don't know how." I can't remember ever doing it. How do I shift?"Close your eyes, focus on Winter, feel her." I turn to look at him."You know her name?""Zeus, my wolf, said it. Stop getting distracted, focus."Nodding, I close my eyes and focus on my wolf, my body shifts and I stand
I hear Kellan whispering at me and slowly wake up."Now, before you let your mind run away with stuff, you need to eat. So breakfast."I won't even argue. I'm actually starving."You're not having breakfast with the others. Not until we talk and figure this out.""Figure what out?""Just get ready. Yori is outside and will bring you down." Smiling at me, he walks out. Getting up and ready, I walked out. Yori stood smiling at me."I'm to escort you to breakfast." He begins to walk, and I follow."What needs figuring out, Yori?" He will know."Just some things. I'm sure you can wait like thirty seconds." I laugh and nod. He's right. I can.Walking into the room, I sit down. Darius looks at me. "Are you okay?""Yes, I just need to wake up fully." I slept in. Normally, I have at least half an hour to get ready, but not today."Okay, well, everyone is going to know you have your wolf. Yesterday, you didn't get close, and everyone was too focused on their own family and packs to realise." K