8 months ago…….in Trento"Forget about such feelings girl, guys like Josh only hang out with hot chicks like Diana." Kelvin wasn't helping issues by indirectly telling me I wasn't cool enough for Josh but he wasn't trying to paint it to my taste either. He was right, Josh was out of my league and I had no chance with him."You don't have to be so blunt you know," Clara glared at Kelvin "Gabriella is as beautiful as Diana, if not way more beautiful."I smiled at Clara who had my back ever since huge Harwy played a prank on me by pouring red sauce on my chair in grade five."No, Kelvin is right…I am not as classy as Diana. I shouldn't be way ahead of myself. Wishing for things that are out of my league." I closed the door on any possibility of being with Josh, severing every thread of hope."Nonsense," Lucy walked into the cafeteria with her tray of food. "You are as good for Josh as Kelvin is as good for Barbara.""Hey," Kelvin intercepted "I never mentioned anything about liking Barba
Present-day New Orleans…. "So you knew all along." It didn't seem like Lola was asking a question and I wasn't ready to speak about the past night.I tried to empty the books in my bag, ignoring the presence of Lola, but she stuck like a tattoo."Who have you told huh?" she pushed my shoulders."No one.." I said, already getting scared of what might happen." I always knew there was something about you," she spat "How you like butting in other people's business."I was in no condition to judge how she reacted, seeing that a lot had happened this past few weeks and just a few nights ago, she almost lost a pack member, an Alpha for that matter."I understand how you feel Lola…" I consoled "You don't!!" She yelled. "You don't know what fear or rejection feels like, you don't know what being different feels like." Maybe a flashback to my past would give Lola the feeling that she wasn't the only one who suffered rejection and fear because the past months had been nothing but excruciatin
My fingers trembled as I dialled my Dad's number for the umpteenth time. The relentless ringing echoed in my ears, each unanswered call deepening my anxiety. My heart pounded like a drum against my ribs, its rhythm echoing the unanswered questions that plagued my mind. Why had Dad gone to Trento, their former home, without telling me? Why was he avoiding my calls?A wave of frustration washed over me, momentarily drowning out my worries. I dropped my phone down on the table and decided to take things one step at a time. I would visit home and then I would speak with Dad.My thoughts drifted back to my recent conversation with Clara. She had gone on and on and on about how she thought Nico might be my soul mate. I had advised her that she shouldn't keep her hopes up, not even for me because the boy in question didn't think of me in that manner. She assured me that she knew true love when she saw one. It wasn't a conversation to debate because I didn't want to put my effort into it, I w
My stomach somersaulted as I rode the bus home to see Dad, my mind replaying the events of the past day. The kiss with Nico had been unexpected and electrifying. But instead of feeling joy, I had run away, consumed by shame and guilt. But amidst the guilt, there was an undeniable truth, my body had responded to Nico’s touch in a way I couldn’t ignore.I had always prided myself on being sensible, logical, and in control of my emotions, sometimes. But the kiss with Nico had shattered that carefully constructed deceptive appearance, revealing a raw, untamed desire within me.I remembered the way Nico’s lips had felt against mine, soft yet firm, sending shivers down my spine. His touch, his scent, and his very presence had ignited a fire within me, a fire that threatened to consume me.I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block out the memories, but they were relentless. I could still feel his hands on my waist pulling me closer, his breath warm against my cheek. And I could still hear his
"Who is she, Dad?" I asked him as we got onto the bus heading back to New Orleans."The woman back at the cemetery?" I nodded. "She is no one, just a person that likes meddling in other people's business. She does that to everybody. She is more like a mental case." He said dismissively.His eyes gave him away, his mouth and the rate of how his breath paced all gave him away. He said a lot of things about the woman but failed to mention the truth. I could tell he was lying. It was the way he stared into space as he looked out the window, it was the way he repeatedly shook his head and clenched his fist, it was the way he took deep breaths now and then and also avoided meeting my eyes.Something was bothering Dad, and it was here in Trento. I had recalled how he sent this same 'Elena' out from the house when people came to give their condolences. She had said something about me finding out something soon no matter how Dad tried to protect me.What was he trying to protect me from? Or ra
Dad? What do you know about werewolves?" I asked him again.He looked at me completely pale, unable to talk. He stood up and began to walk away."Is Elena one?" Dad froze at his steps.I knew I had hit a spot. It was clear that Dad was hiding something about the werewolves and Elena, and he didn't want to say anything about it."I told you to forget about her?" He sounded mad."How can I Dad? How can I? When the mention of her name or either werewolves makes your blood boil and sweat drip from your face. Who is Elena, Dad? And what do you know about werewolves?" My voice calmed.He closed the distance between us, his eyes meeting mine in a silent exchange. "Why are you so concerned about werewolves Ella? Have you met one?"The ground beneath my feet shifted with the force of his question, plunging me into a pit of confusion. Dad was smart, he must have figured there was a reason for my consistent inquiry on werewolves. But I wasn't going to let him read me or compel me into telling hi
The finishing touches fell into place as Ariana carefully applied the final stroke of lipstick to my lips. Her eyes, already sparkling with anticipation, met my gaze in the mirror. "You look absolutely stunning, Ella," Ariana breathed, her voice filled with awe.But my stomach churned with a different kind of excitement, a nervous flutter that had settled there ever since Michael had asked me to the ball. The grand ballroom, a place I had only ever dreamed of entering, loomed large in my imagination, filled with swirling gowns, elegant waltzes, and countless pairs of watchful eyes.Ariana, sensing my apprehension, placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Don't be nervous, Ella," she said, her voice warm and reassuring. "Just have fun. Michael is a great guy, and I know you'll have a magical night."Taking a deep breath, I tried to quell the butterflies in my stomach. I knew Ariana was right. This was a night to remember, a night to step outside my comfort zone and embrace the magic o
"Thank you for the dance, Ella," Micheal said.The song finally came to an end, and Michael bowed gallantly with a hopeful smile on his face.I forced a smile back. "It was my pleasure, Michael."I turned to leave, not resisting the urge to steal one last look at Nico.He was still watching me, his eyes filled with that same unspoken longing.A hush fell over the crowd. A flurry of activity rippled through the room as royal guards scurried to clear the dance floor, forming two distinct lines that carved a wide path through the heart of the gathering. Murmurs of anticipation rose like the tide, anticipation thick in the air.My heart pounded in her chest as I looked towards the cleared space, curiosity and apprehension swirling within me. It's the Royal Family," Ariana whispered, her voice barely audible over the hushed whispers. Ariana and Claire had somehow found their way back to where I was standing."Now this is how to make an entrance," Claire exclaimed in awe.A fanfare erupte