I stood frozen, my eyes fixed on the storm brewing before me. My mother's face was a twisted mask of anger, her eyes blazing with a fire that made my heart race. Daniel trailed behind her, his expression a mix of concern and confusion.As they approached, the air seemed to vibrate with tension. I felt Chase's presence behind me, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the chaos unfolding before us."How dare you come near my daughter?" my mother spat, her voice venomous. She lunged at Chase, but I instinctively stepped between them, my hands raised in a futile attempt to placate her."Mum, stop!" I pleaded, my voice shaking. Her gaze snapped to mine, a whirlwind of emotions swirling in her eyes. For a moment, I saw a glimmer of the mother I once knew, but it was quickly extinguished by her anger."What are you doing here, Elodie?" she hissed, her words dripping with malice. Chase intervened before I could respond."Meredith, please calm down and listen—""I'm not talking to you, imposte
Three weeks had passed since that fateful night. Three weeks since Chase had pushed me away, his eyes cold and distant. Three weeks since my world had shattered into a million pieces.I stood in my bedroom, surrounded by half-packed suitcases and memories. My mother's voice echoed from downstairs, a constant reminder of my impending departure."Elodie, come down! We need to finalize the travel arrangements."I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm brewing inside me. In 24 hours, I'd be on a plane to Tokyo, bound for my aunt's house. A "temporary" solution, my mother called it. A chance for me to "reflect" on my actions.But I knew the truth. I was being exiled.I made my way downstairs, my feet heavy with resignation. My mother stood by the kitchen counter, her eyes still flashing with anger. The same look that had been in her eyes since the night I came back to the house with my head bowed."Elodie, I've booked your flight for tomorrow morning. You'll be staying with Aunt Yumi
_Chase’s POV_I settled into my seat, the soft leather enveloping me as I gazed out the window. The cityscape below grew smaller, fading into the distance as the plane lifted off.My mind wasn't on the view, though. It was consumed by the news that had shattered my world.Alex was gone.My best friend, my brother, my beta, my partner in every sense of the word.The memory of his laughter, his smile, his unwavering loyalty – it all flooded my mind, threatening to drown me.I'd received the call that night, just as Elodie was standing before me, her eyes full of love and concern.I'd pushed her away, unable to process the emotions swirling inside me.Guilt, anger, grief – they'd all tangled together, forming a toxic knot in my chest.His death has knocked me off balance and threatened to tear down everything I ever thought I knew. I hadn’t grieved as hard as I’d done in the past three weeks, and each time it dawned on me that I wouldn’t hear his silly jokes anymore, my world was ripped
I slowly opened my eyes, grogginess clouding my mind. Where was I? The last thing I remembered was walking into the airplane bathroom, and then....Chase.His eyes had been blazing with an out-worldly color, his face twisted in a snarl. He had these inhuman claws had been wrapped around that man’s throat.I sat up, my head spinning. I wasn't on the plane anymore. I was in a luxurious hotel room.Chase sat across from me, his eyes fixed intently on mine. My heart tugged painfully at how breathtaking he looked, reminding me of the void he had created in my heart after pulling it out of my chest and repeatedly stomping on it.He had dark circles around his eyes like he hadn’t slept for days, and his hair was disheveled like he had no care for it, and despite myself, despite the pain I felt, I wanted to wrap my arms around him."Elodie, what were you doing on my jet?" he asked, his voice low and guarded.I rubbed my temples, trying to piece together the events.My head spun. What were the
_Chase’s POV_I caught Elodie as she collapsed, her body limp in my arms. I held her close, feeling her erratic heartbeat against my chest. My own heart was racing, filled with worry and fear."Elodie," I whispered, my voice shaking. I scooped her up, cradling her in my arms, and strode back to the hotel room. The city lights blurred around me, a kaleidoscope of colors that seemed to mock my despair.As I laid her on the bed, I couldn't help but think about the look of horror in her eyes. "You're a monster," she'd said. The words cut deep, but I knew I deserved them. I'd kept my true nature hidden, afraid of losing her. Now, I'd lost her trust, maybe forever.I sat beside her, gently brushing her hair back. She was so fragile, so human. And I'd dragged her into my world, a world of darkness and danger. The weight of my responsibility crushed me.Elodie's face, pale and exhausted, haunted me. I'd seen the fear in her eyes, the revulsion. How could I expect her to understand? To accept
As I stared at Chase's hand, wrapped around mine, a flutter danced in my chest. His touch sent shivers down my spine, but not fear. Not this time. A spark of curiosity ignited within me, illuminating the dark corners of my mind where doubts and uncertainty lurked.But I pushed it all down.I looked up at Chase, and our eyes met in a silent understanding. The same piercing gaze that had captivated me from the start now held a deeper significance. I saw the same man I'd fallen for – the same strong jawline, the same chiseled features. But now, I knew his secret."I'm scared, Chase," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. The words trembled on my lips, vulnerable and exposed.Chase's grip tightened, his fingers intertwining with mine. "I know," he whispered back, his breath caressing my skin. "But I'll never hurt you." His promise was a lifeline, thrown into the turbulent sea of my emotions.I wanted to believe him. I wanted to trust him. To trust that the monster he'd revealed was
Chase's eyes widened, his face pale, as if I'd uttered a death sentence. "Elodie, no," he whispered, his voice laced with desperation. "You can't stay with me."I stood firm, my resolve strengthened by our shared moments. I knew what I wanted. I wanted him, and I couldn’t even imagine a life where he wasn’t there."Why not? Or don’t you want me?" I asked, my voice steady.“Fuck, no!” He refuted with wide eyes. Chase's hands grasped my shoulders, his touch burning with urgency, and his eyes softened. "You're human, Elodie. You're vulnerable. My world is full of dangers, and I won't risk losing you."His words painted a vivid picture of the perils that lurked in the shadows, but I refused to back down. "I've seen the dangers, Chase. I've faced them with you. And I'd rather die by your side than live without you."My heart pounded with each word, but I knew this was what I wanted as well as I knew my name.Chase's face contorted, his eyes pleading. "Don't say that. You don't understand—"
_Chase’s POV_As I woke to Elodie's gentle breathing, her body nestled against mine, a sense of serenity washed over me. Our naked bodies flushed as one, our legs tangled, our hearts still beating in sync, like two rhythms harmonizing in perfect symphony. I smiled, feeling the weight of my worries slowly lifting, like the morning fog burning off under the warm sun.Last night had been more than just love-making – it was a promise. A promise to protect her, to love her, and to keep her safe from any danger that lurked in my world. And I would stop at nothing to honor that vow, to shield her from harm, and to make her feel cherished and adored.As I gazed at Elodie's serene face, my wolf stirred, content and calm, its fierce protectiveness temporarily lulled to sleep. For the first time in years, I felt whole, like the fractured pieces of my soul had finally merged into a cohesive whole. She had accepted me, flaws and all, and I knew I'd spend eternity making her happy, ensuring her smi