ELARA
Breakfast turned out to be splendid.
The maids, all covered in Wolf's masks, served me lots of meals like I was royalty.
It's the first time I'll be eating such a feast without having to pay for it. Why this special treatment towards me?
"Feeling okay, Elara?" Beta Boris asked me from behind.
I didn't even know that he was present. He left the dining room after bringing me in. Didn't know when he returned.
I hope he didn't see me eating because that'll be embarrassing.
"Yes, thank you, " I appreciated, facing Boris.
He hummed at me and said, "Feel free to explore the mansion, my lady. As Luna said, if you need anything, just let us know."
"I'll keep that in mind, " I said, carefully rising to my feet.
He soon leaves the dining room while I follow him from behind, but slowly.
My eyes lingered from one corner to another. I couldn't help but admire the beauty of this mansion.
But why am I here? I still haven't gotten an answer to my question.
"Even if I want to ask, who will answer me? " I asked, walking through a different part of the mansion.
Not too far, I noticed a man standing ahead with his back to me, gazing at a large picture of that sweet Luna from earlier.
"Maybe I should ask him. There's no crime in trying, " I decided, making my way to this fellow.
When I called his attention, my heart was swept away when the fellow turned around to face me.
It's Alpha Rayel!
His eyes fell on me when I halted at his front. What can I say?
I felt my heart beating fast, seeing that his eyes hadn't left me. How will those beautiful eyes leave me when I'm the one who calls his attention?
I have to say something.
But to utter a word became a problem.
My feelings for this Alpha began growing in my heart. I ended up blushing with a smile without uttering a single word.
This is embarrassing.
"Just pull yourself together," I encouraged myself.
Finally composing myself, I greeted Alpha Rayel with a Hi. But instead of a response, what I got from him left my heart pounding in fear.
He glared at me like I had done something wrong to offend him.
"Maybe he's angry about something. I don't know if I should still ask him or not."
But I need an answer to my question. I mean, I'm in a strange land far away from my home. All I want to know is where exactly I am and why I'm here.
Having no choice, I decided to proceed further with my question.
Before I could speak, Alpha Rayel said, "You are a guest and not a member of my home. Stop acting like this is your place. " He glared at me, walking past me coldly.
His action left my heart beating fast.
"Did I do something wrong?" I wondered, turning around, and watching him leave.
His tone of voice shook me deeply. I wasn't expecting such a response from him. It made me sad.
"I know this is not my home, that's why I'm asking for answers. He didn't have to be mean. " I sighed, walking ahead, trying to wipe out Alpha Rayel's angry tone from my mind.
.
A week after finding myself in a strange land, no one has given me an answer to my question.
I asked the masked maids for help in knowing where I was, but they all stayed quiet, ignoring me.
I also asked a few guards of the mansion who came into the building for one work or the other, but none of them paid any attention to me.
It's almost like I was invisible, even though they can see me.
This got me so fed up that I didn't know who else to ask anymore. It's almost like everyone is avoiding me or something.
Why is no one willing to help me out?
"Oh, Elara! " I heard Luna Hazel's voice from my right-hand side. She stood at the entrance of a room, waving at me to come over.
I hesitated at first, wondering if Alpha Rayel was there as well. This week, I've noticed his strange behavior towards me. It's almost like he hates me and it frightens me.
"Come dear. There's something I want to show you, " Luna Hazel said, stepping back into the room.
Having no choice, I joined her and found the room free of Alpha Rayel. That got me relieved.
"I have so many clothes here. Just got them today from the boutique," She shared, showing me all the beautiful dresses.
"These are for you, " She said, giving me the most beautiful dresses there.
"Oh wow, thank you, " I appreciated, feeling a spark in my heart.
"Anything for you my dear. Oh! Take these shoes as well. They will match well with all these attires, " She said, showing me all the shoes she got.
Her sweetness, her lovely nature... Why is she so nice to me?
Ever since I found myself here, Luna Hazel has been the only one who drew nearer to me, showing me so much love and care.
She's like my mother.
Maybe, just maybe, she can help me out here.
"Luna, " I called.
"Yes, Elara?" She answered, looking at me.
Knowing how sweet she was, I had no fear of holding back.
I asked, "Where am I?"
Her smile slowly faded away, staring at me with seriousness in her eyes.
"I've been asking everyone for a hint on where I am, but no one wants to tell me anything. You are more understanding. Can you please tell me where this place is? What pack is this? " I asked.
The one I thought would give me an answer, suddenly laughed and shoved my question aside.
"You are such a sweet girl, Elara. Oh yes! We'll be having a feast tonight. I'm the one cooking." She laughed.
Not her as well.
Why is everyone keeping me in the dark?
Why won't anyone tell me exactly where I am?
RAYELWhy this test, Goddess? Why are you doing this to me?The presence of Elara in my home is bringing nothing but pain to my heart.I find it hard to concentrate, knowing that the one the goddess has made my mate is in my home. She's also the one my Luna has chosen to be her breeder.Why this cruelty?Whenever I lay my eyes on Elara, I end up fantasizing about holding her in my arms. She's always on my mind and I hate it! With the promise I made to the goddess, my behavior towards Elara changed from Day one. When she approached me for heaven knows what, I managed to control myself, shoving her aside like a nobody. But when I left, I felt nothing but guilt in my heart. My wolf tried to persuade me to see and talk to her. But I refused."I can't allow the goddess to win. She's being cruel to my Luna for being barren. This is nothing but a test to prove my love for Hazel, " I told my wolf, depriving his desire for Elara.But the more I struggled with this issue, the more my love fo
ELARAI never expected this to happen. I was told that my room had been changed and came into this larger room.I never expected Alpha Rayel to show up and for the next scene to unfold between us.I'm still in shock.Alpha Rayel's words got me lost in his gaze. It's the first time he'll ever compliment my beauty. It made me feel pretty.When his lips took over mine, placing me underneath his strong body, I couldn't refuse him.My feelings got the best of me and I ended up allowing Alpha Rayel to make love to me.Every thrust he made, planted love and desire for him in my heart.He wouldn't let go, as he kept repeating the words 'I Love you' into my ears.I fell deeply for him. I accepted him into my heart.. By morning, I remained beside Alpha Rayel, feeling nothing but happiness. His arm was all over me, as he slept soundly right next to me."Goddess, is he the one? I can't help but feel a strong bond between Rayel and I. Is he my fated mate? " I asked the goddess, unable to deny t
~ Rayel’s POV I realized it had been a long time since I had seen Elara in the palace, and I missed her so much. While walking to the main hall for the morning assembly, I looked around to see if she was somewhere in the palace, most likely working or taking a stroll. I was heartbroken when I didn't see her, but I went on to attend the morning assembly. My thoughts were on her, and I was unable to concentrate on the meeting. I was relieved when the meeting ended, and I quickly walked out of the hall to my room. I was about to change clothes and go to her room to check on her, but Hazel entered my room. She approached me with a smile, and I returned her smile, but I was so hurt that I couldn't see Elara at the time. “Hello, my Luna,” I greeted Hazel with a hug and a forehead kiss. “How are you doing today?” I asked her. She replied to me that she was fine and then told me that she came to check up on me and to see if I had my breakfast yet. Hearing her talking about food made me re
~ Rayel’s POV I and Hazel stared at each other looking so confused about Elara’s whereabouts. We both paced around the room racking our brains on where she could be. One of the guards then came in to inform me that they were still unable to find Elara. “Take other guards and search outside the palace. Search the entire pack and bring Elara back home!” I yelled out. He scrambled out of the room and I watched him leave, my fists clenched in anxiety. I covered my mouth with one of my fists as I let out a small, yet heavy breath filled with fear and disturbance. I avoided looking at Hazel as I paced because I was scared and worried that she would see the emotions in my eyes. I risked a glance at her and saw that she also had an expression of worry on her face. One hand was placed on her flat belly and I felt a wave of guilt wash over me. Hazel had been nothing but kind and nice to Elara m, despite the fact that I had had to sleep with her for a child to call ours. And even after the nigh
Elara’s POV My heart was pounding with every step I took as I started running without turning back into the forest. The forest was too thick and I was so scared as I navigated throughout the entire place. My hand was on my belly the entire time, scared that my decision to run away from Alpha Rayel would do more harm than good to me and my baby. As I continued stumbling through the forest with no sense of where I was headed, unbidden images of Alpha Rayel played in my mind, from the moment I had first seen him to the utterly hurtful and cold look he had given me just mere hours after he had taken both my body and my heart. My eyes stung with unshed tears, I roughly swallowed the lump in the throat, knowing that I might never see him again and my baby might never meet his father. If only… I quickly and firmly shut the door on that thought. There is no point dwelling on what could never be, I caution myself. I knew that it was best that I accepted that I would have a mate who lov
~ Elara’s POV I groaned in pain as my stomach began to hurt badly and then I yelled out for help hoping someone would hear my cry and help me out. Groaning, I doubled over, the pain in my stomach twisting into a barbed fist. It wasn't a familiar ache, the kind that came with hunger, I was familiar with those. This was something else, a sharp, insistent demon clawing at my insides. I should not have been too hasty, I should have been careful and checked the fruits properly before eating, I thought to myself, still in pain. "Hello? Anyone there? Please, I need help," I managed to gasp out. At that point, I was no longer worried about Alpha Rayel or someone from his pack finding me. All I was worried about was pain gnawing my insides and the fear that something terrible could be happening to my baby. And it would be all my fault. I curled up, wrapping one arm around my belly and apologizing to my baby. I'm so sorry, sweetheart. Your mom did not mean to harm you on purpose. I'm so
~Rayel’s POV I was so scared that something bad might have happened to Elara when Beta Boris told me that the only place we have not searched was the Lake’s forest. Taking down the wild animals and the rogues in the Lake’s forest was not a problem for me but it had been a tradition in our pack not to always go to the forest without a tangible reason. Before the demise of my father, he had promised to tell me the reason behind that but he was unable to do so and also Boris explained to me that I shouldn’t let the member of the council know that I wasn’t aware of the situation or else they would make an issue out of it. There was a time that I even planned to wipe out the rogues and other things in the forest but I had a lot of resistance from the members of the council and I had no choice but to stay put and do nothing about the forest. Everyone stared at me waiting for me to give out the orders and I thought to myself that it was probably the best moment to take care of the forest an
Rayel's POV Beta Boris stared at me in consternation. I returned his gaze unflinchingly, but his steady gaze soon made me drop mine. I let out a heavy sigh and looked up towards the sky. I stared at the dark clouds, unable to push away my worry for Elara, despite the uncomfortable situation I was in. "Alpha Rayel?" He prompted, causing me to take my gaze off the sky and look back towards him. "Are you in love with Elara?" He asked again. I debated telling him the truth. I trusted Beta Boris with my life, he had been my Beta, supporting me right from the moment I was crowned as Alpha of the Silvercrest pack. We had just been teenagers, not ready for the huge responsibility when we received the news that our parents had died in a fatal car crash on the way to a council meeting. Even when a few territories wolves and members of the council had tried to take the throne, using the excuse of me being too young. Beta Boris' father had been my own dad's Beta when he had been alive and r
~ Rayel’s POVPanic clawed at me as Elara’s mental link flickered, replaced by a terrifying image,a dark cave.“She is in danger!” I yelled out. Every ounce of self-preservation melted away, replaced by an urge to protect her.The fragmented images Elara had sent were enough. Mountains, a cave entrance. It wasn't much, but it was all I had. Barking orders to Boris, I rallied my most trusted warriors. We rode with a desperate urgency, the rising sun painting the sky a bloody red that mirrored the turmoil within me.Hours bled into one another as we traversed treacherous terrain. Doubt gnawed at the edges of my determination. Had I reached in time? Then, a flicker of hope. A plume of smoke rising from a clearing in the distance.I felt energetic, so I urged my men forward. The scene that greeted me was a tableau of chaos. Elara, battered and bruised, was surrounded by Darach's men. Her defiance, even in her weakened state, ignited a fury within me hotter than any fire.Before I coul
~ Elara’s POVThe trek with Rufus towards my father's supposed location had been arduous. Days blurred into nights, the dense canopy offering scant sunlight. Rufus remained by my side, my keen senses constantly on alert. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the trees thinned, revealing a desolate mountain range.A shiver ran down my spine as I spotted a dark, gaping maw nestled at the base of the highest peak. It couldn't be. The cave. The one from my connection with my father.Fear warred with desperation. Taking a deep breath, I linked with my father once more. This time, raw, agonizing screams reached me.“ My father, It was him,” I told Rufus.Heart pounding a frantic tattoo against my ribs, I scrambled down the rocky slope, Rufus hot on my heels. The stench of damp earth and something metallic filled the air as we reached the cave entrance. A low growl rumbled from within, sending shivers down my spine.Ignoring the fear, I pushed past the ragged curtain concealing the entra
~ Rayel’s POV"What?!" The scream ripped from my throat, a guttural roar of fury. Ignoring the guards and the stunned look on Hazel's face, I lunged at Dolph. He may have been chained, but that wouldn't stop me. My fist connected with his jaw again, a satisfying blow that carried the weight of my wrath."How dare you!" My voice was a low growl, laced with a dangerous edge. "They're not pawns in your twisted games! You lay a single finger on them, and you'll regret the day you were born!""Rayel!" Hazel cried, her voice thick with hurt and betrayal. Clearly, the sight of me attacking her lover had shaken her.But before I could even process her reaction, she did something that sent a fresh wave of shock through me. Hazel, the woman I thought I knew, knelt beside the now-wincing Dolph and began to help him up. Her touch, gentle and concerned, was a stark contrast to the coldness she had shown me earlier. "Is Elara still alive?" Her voice, laced with a desperate urgency, was directed at
~ Rayel’s POVPushing myself off the bed, a newfound determination coursed through me. The anger might still simmer beneath the surface, but it was overshadowed by a fierce longing for Elara and my son. I wouldn't give up. I would find Elara and my son, no matter what it took.Just then, the door creaked open. It was Boris. Relief washed over me, maybe he had news about the retrieval team."Your Majesty," he announced, his voice a welcome sound in the tense silence. "I've done as you ordered. The guards are heading towards Alpha Dolph’s pack as we speak."I nodded curtly, a flicker of appreciation for his swiftness. But before Boris could launch into whatever he was about to say, I cut him off. Hazel's name was a raw nerve, and I couldn't bear to hear it right now. "Don't mention her," I rasped, my voice tight. "Just find Elara's stepfather. I need to talk to him."Boris's brow furrowed in confusion. "Elara's stepfather? What about him?" It was clear he didn't understand my plan, but
~ Rayel’s POVMy heart shattered into a million pieces. Years of love, devotion, poured down the drain. The woman I thought I knew, the woman I had built a future with was a stranger. The truth, a bitter pill coated in sugar, sat heavy in my gut."You... love someone else and have never loved me?" My voice barely rose above a whisper, the words scraping against my raw throat.Hazel scoffed, a sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Loved? Please, Rayel. It was never love. It was convenient. A way to pass the time." The coldness in her voice sent a fresh wave of nausea crashing over me."And now you want out?" I managed, the question laced with a desperate hope that maybe, just maybe, this was all a twisted joke.Hazel's smile returned, but this time it was devoid of warmth, a predatory glint flashing in her eyes. "Exactly. And wouldn't it be a grand gesture of your love to let me go quietly? A final act of selflessness before I return to the arms of someone who actually deserves me."
~ Rayel’s POV I was speechless, staring at Hazel. She wasn't making things easier. Hazel got up and walked closer to me, clearly frustrated."You're being such a jerk, Rayel! Why are you acting so mad? I told you I was pregnant, and you believed it even though you knew I can't have kids. Why are you getting mad at me now?” Hazel demanded, her voice laced with anger.Frustration bubbled over. "Seriously, Hazel? You can't even apologize?" I exclaimed.Hazel scoffed. "Why would I? I bent over backwards for you, remember? You should be thanking me, not throwing a tantrum."Her lack of regret made my blood boil. "That's unbelievable, Hazel! You don't get to play innocent here. Taking responsibility is grown-up stuff, and you're failing miserably! I hate it when people don’t take responsibility for their actions!” I said. The air hung heavy with accusation after Hazel's scoff. "Take responsibility for my actions!" she spat, her words dripping with misplaced blame. I managed a smile, thin
~ Rayel’s POVMy jaw clenched as I spotted the woman. She was heavily pregnant, her face pale with exhaustion. As soon as she saw me, her eyes widened and she immediately dropped to her knees."Who are you?!" I demanded, my voice firm but not angry.Her voice trembled as she stammered, "Y-Your Majesty... I'm..." Sweat beaded on her forehead despite the cool air.She took a shaky breath, finally calming down a bit. "My name is Ares," she revealed in a small voice."Ares," I repeated, trying to place the name. It didn't ring a bell. My gaze swept across the room again, taking in the changes. Gone was the bare and dusty space I remembered. Now, comfortable furniture filled the space, along with a surprising amount of good food stocked in a nearby cupboard. My eyebrows furrowed. "And why are you here, Ares?!”My tone was accusatory and it was clear I wanted answers.“Ares! Who exactly are you and what are you doing here?!” I asked again.“Luna Hazel… can explain… that,” she stammered.“Wh
~ Rayel’s POV A memory surfaced. My father had once mentioned a room that belonged to his grandfather. They hadn't gotten along, and after my grandfather's passing, my father had ordered the room sealed and untouched. This, I realized, was the very same room.The room's pristine condition was a stark contrast to the dust and neglect I had expected. Curiosity gnawed at me. I crept closer, reaching out to push on the doorknob. It wouldn't budge, it was locked. But from the inside!Confused, I rapped on the door. "Hello? Is anyone there?"A woman's voice, laced with surprise, echoed back. "Who is it? Are you Luna Hazel?"I heard her footsteps approaching the door, but it remained firmly shut. When I didn't answer, the footsteps stopped.Something wasn't right. I pushed against the door with all my strength. It creaked open a sliver, revealing a glimpse of a cluttered room and... a woman.The sight that greeted me was a shock. A heavily pregnant woman stood there, her eyes wide with alar
~ Elara’s POV Rufus knelt down, and a moment later I heard the happy gurgling of my son. Rufus had brought him out, a tiny scrap of peaceful normalcy in the midst of the chaos. Dolph munched on his food with a single-minded focus that mirrored my own training sessions. It was almost comical, the way he would get so engrossed in eating he'd fall asleep right after, as if sensing the importance of the task at hand.A surge of fierce love washed over me. I would find my father. Not just for myself, but for Dolph, to create a safe and secure future for both of us. Fueled by this newfound determination, I devoured my food, ready to tackle another grueling training session. The road ahead was long, but with each passing day, I felt myself getting closer, not just to unlocking my powers, but to reuniting with my father.Days bled into weeks as I trained relentlessly. Rufus pushed me hard, but I never faltered. Then, one day, it happened. With a final, grueling exercise, Rufus finally manage