Chapter 3

Ella's POV

I was already back in my human form when I woke up.

The sunlight coming through the hole in the wall of the hut dazzled my eyes to the point that I had to blink repeatedly.

I cursed myself silently as I realized I was only wearing underwear now.

There's no way I'm going out like this. But, I can't stay inside this hut to hide either, because there will definitely be other werewolves who find me. If that happens, my problems will become even more complicated.

Alice tried to argue in my mind. "Maybe we can get out now and run to the forest, Ella."

I shook my head, still trying to think of how best to get out of this place without being noticed by the other werewolves.

Morning is the time when werewolves do their activities. And in our pack, all pack members take turns getting assigned to go around the entire pack's territory, before doing their training.

I was just about to stick my head out to check on the situation outside the hut, when a very familiar voice crashed through my eardrums.

"She's not at her house. I think she's still around," muttered a voice.

"Are you really sure?" replied another voice.

This was Black and Jaena's voice. There was no mistaking them. But, why are they here? Black and Jaena are in a different pack from me.

Black and Jaena are from Eclipse Pack, and their territory is quite far from mine. Their pack is near the mountains of Forks City.

I continued to listen to them while sitting curled up, taking a position to make my body look smaller and more camouflaged.

"Yes," Black replied sounding very confident.

I winced in annoyance. Even now when I heard Black's voice again, my ears grew hot and my chest filled with anger. The memory of Black kissing Jaena passionately on the lips was still clearly imprinted in my head.

Jaena replied, "We need to find Ella immediately and tell her to shut up, Black. I'm afraid she'll hold a grudge against us, and get us into big trouble."

"Calm down, Jaena. Ella won't do that. You're her best friend, she wouldn't go to such lengths just to destroy you."

I seethed even more as I listened to Black and Jaena's conversation.

Best friend, he said? Is there a best friend who takes her own best friend's lover? Of course there isn't.

I was getting furious. Hearing Black trying to calm Jaena down was sickening.

The sound of approaching steps snapped me out of my thoughts.

Damn, looks like Black knows I'm here. It's like he can smell my scent.

I'm trying not to send him any signals right now.

I kept praying to the Moon Goddess. Hoping Black doesn't see me here and leaves soon.

Things will get worse if Black sees me in this state. There are many wounds on my body and now I'm only wearing underwear.

"Black, Beta is calling you." Jaena's words made Black's footsteps stop.

"What's wrong?" Black sounded agitated.

"They say your brother Nigel is coming. You were told to welcome him."

"Arghhh ... damn it!" Black's voice turned angry. He slammed something into the ground causing a loud thud. Then, their clattering steps could be heard moving away.

I breathed a sigh of relief. The Moon Goddess had saved me. I prayed gratefully.

What did Jaena say? Nigel is back? That means Nigel's coronation will be held soon.

Although, Black and I have had a long relationship. But, I've never seen Nigel's face.

Nigel never came out of the house and was very private. Until a lot of bad rumors about him spread.

Many people said that Nigel was ugly, deformed, and cruel so he didn't dare to show his looks.

I didn't want to bother thinking about it, because my relationship with Black was over. So I have nothing to do with the Eclipse Pack that Nigel will lead.

What was now on my mind was how I could go to Nigel's coronation without my family and Black knowing.

The coronation will surely be grand and attended by many werewolves from various packs. Perhaps, I could find my mate there. Other werewolves would also use the moment to look for their mates.

Alice growled in agreement. "I would love it if you came to the Alpha Eclipse Pack coronation. We can look for our mint-scented mate there."

I nodded with my wolfish thoughts. "You're right, Alice. You're smart."

Alice howled proudly, earning my praise. I smiled at Alice's behavior.

However, before I thought about the plan to go to the coronation ceremony, I had to think about how to get out of the cottage first.

I had to get out quickly, and run into the forest before anyone saw me.

I gathered my remaining strength and shifted.

Alice giggled as we sneaked out of the cottage.

"Stop laughing, Alice. We'll get caught," I said softly to Alice, but didn't immediately stop her laughter.

Alice shook her head in amazement. "We're like suspects in a crime. We have to go sneaking around like this."

"Think of it that way, Alice," I replied lightly while rolling my eyes.

Alice's laughter subsided when we saw Beta and the rest of the pack walking towards us. We quickly ran and covered ourselves among the thriving plants, on the side of a large tree.

"How's this?" I hissed peeking out from between the plants. "Looks like they'll be around for a while."

And damn! They brought a bloodhound. It must have barked when it realized I was here.

Alice snorted. She then exclaimed, "There's a way over there, Ella." I cast my eyes in the direction Alice was pointing.

Among the plants where we were hiding, there was a path leading into the forest. Alice and I almost jumped out of our skins with excitement at finding a way out.

We immediately ran towards the path, but at a careful pace so that Beta and his group wouldn't notice us.

We made it to the center of the forest. We were very happy with the quiet atmosphere of the forest and the fresh scent of the trees. I took a deep breath of air and let it out slowly.

Alice asked me to look for food, because since yesterday not a single food had entered my mouth. I didn't even eat at Beta's birthday party. I was so sick of seeing Black and Jaena that I lost my appetite.

My stomach rumbled and Alice pranced happily when she saw a deer.

We walked slowly towards it, and with lightning speed we pounced on it. Our claws dug perfectly into the deer's body, tearing it apart. We devoured it instantly. There is nothing more delicious than fresh gazelle meat.

"Ah ..." I was satisfied. I patted my fully-filled stomach, and I wiped my mouth of blood.

Alice and I went to the river near the forest. It was hot today, and I needed to refresh myself by playing in the clear river water. Drowning my feet in it.

Arriving at the edge of the river. Alice sniffed something.

"Ella, this is the scent. Did he just leave here?" Alice asked muttering.

I sniffed along. It's true. This minty scent. Then, my gaze fell on the clothes that had washed up on the rocks by the river. This scent came from this shirt. Who left it?

I picked up the shirt carefully after looking around, making sure no one else was here.

I smelled the scent emanating from the shirt and closed my eyes. I caught a movement out of the corner of my eye. I quickly jumped into the river—no longer caring about the pain of my unhealed wound being exposed to the water—and left myself unseen when a man came.