Chapter 16JakeI was lurking in the shadows, hidden by the surrounding forest. It was almost too quiet — the silence was so thick it almost felt like a physical presence, and my heart pounds as I strained to hear any hint of sound. And then I heard it. Someone opening the blinds. The sound was hesitant, like the person was trying to be sneaky about it. The person being Evelyn. My heart clenched at the knowledge that I was the reason for her hesitation.I watched as she opened the blinds fully to her room. And then quickly closed them again.I had gotten no sleep all night, and I heard her tossing and turning as well. She was struggling as much as I was. I wanted to envelop her in the warmest hug and then kiss her passionately.I dug into my back pocket, removing my cellphone from inside my jeans. The heat of the sun was searing on my back, but it didn’t concern me. We hadn’t communicated in over a day, and I was growing impatient for her response. I desired to apologize for whatever
Chapter 17Evelyn“W-what do you want?” I clench my jaw, trying to keep my voice from quivering and I'm boiling with rage at Jake and the others. I fear talking to Jake. Angry and disappointed, he lied to me. But simultaneously, I’m confused. Why have I been threatened like this? What have I done to deserve this treatment?I didn’t think Jake would still be at the cottage, but the others must have gone. I quickly glance around the perimeter but couldn’t see any other of his family. The look on his face is unfamiliar; it almost looks as if he regrets his actions. Why? For the lies, for the broken trust?I’m overwhelmed by a feeling of being lost. I can't make sense of this.“W-what. What do you want?” I ask once again. My voice trembles as I speak.His expression is peculiar. Is he sorry? For the deception, for going behind my back?He doesn’t answer.I don't know him well, yet the emotions swirling inside me are overwhelming. I'm sure I can sense the sorrow in his eyes. But it's too l
Chapter 18JakeAs I walk away, a weight descends upon me, a deep sorrow and regret settling in my chest. The heartbreaking look Evelyn had given me will forever hunt me.How had I caused so much damage in such a short time? It was the lies. I was certain she wouldn't forgive me right now. But what else could I have done? I was not permitted to tell her the truth yet. But there were also other things plaguing my mind.Strange things.When she asked me to go, I felt compelled to obey, like I would when our dad, the Alpha, spoke. Even though she spoke in a gentle voice and pretended to be at peace, her command reverberating through my body.A slight change had taken place. While it was almost undetectable, I could tell that something was different. When I was first introduced to Evelyn, I had been certain that she was entirely human. Now, I was not as confident in that assumption.I attempted to fight her orders to leave, yet ultimately, I had to do what she commanded me to do and began
Chapter 19EvelynI can't believe what I'm seeing. I must be dreaming. Eric is sitting in my house, and I never thought he could find me. My heart leapt into my throat, and I thought I might faint. He was here—in my house—which was over ten hours away from my last residence. It simply couldn't be true.We stood there for a moment, neither of us daring to speak. The tension thick between us. He looked the same, but still didn’t. His normally bright blue shining eyes were dull with some feeling beyond them I couldn’t decipher. His expression was almost regretful. It must have been a trick of the light; this man showed no remorse. How could somebody act so callously?I stared in disbelief as he stood in my kitchen, like he had been there forever. He looked the same, though maybe a bit flushed, as if he had run here. My brain couldn't process all of this right since I was noticing so many extra details; his hair was slightly mussed, his shirt creased from his journey, his hands shaking ev
Chapter 20 Jake Something was off. The feeling was tingling in my entire body. I felt anxious, like something was lurking in the shadows, just out of sight. My heart raced and my skin prickled with a discomforting sensation. I couldn't pinpoint the source of my distress, and I had no choice but to give in to it. I thought back to the conversation I had with Evelyn earlier that day. All I had wanted was for her to understand me, but she had shut me out completely. The rejection had stung, but I was certain I could win her over with time. These emotions invading me were something else. I felt sadness, grief, longing, love, and a strange sense of familiarity. These emotions I was feeling seemed foreign to me, almost like they belonged to someone else. They came in waves, each stronger than before, warning me of a coming storm. I tried to trace the origin of these feelings back to their source, but I couldn't seem to find it. What was I feeling? It wasn’t like I didn’t know about the
Chapter 21 Evelyn Unexpectedly, Eric grabbed me and held me close. His arms were like bands of steel around me, strength and confidence radiating from his body. He embraced me tightly, his chest heaving against mine, and he kissed my neck and ear. His hands were all over me, exploring my body as if he was trying to memorize it. He smelled of aftershave and wood smoke. But he also had a smell that was hard to identify. It lingered around him like a mist. Then, as quickly as it had started, it all stopped. Eric took a step back and looked at me, searching my face for something. His eyes were dark and intense, filled with longing and something else I couldn't quite put my finger on. Fear gripped me and my heart thudded in my chest. He said nothing, but his gaze penetrated my very soul. It made my cheeks burn, and my breath coming in quick gasps. I was so shocked that I couldn't even form the words. Half of me remembered the feeling of his embrace, and all the emotions we had once expe
Chapter 22 Jake My mate had vanished without a trace. Although her smell was still in the room, it was faint. The other scent was artificial and so strong that it overpowered all the other aromas, making them dissipate into the air. It was a pungent chemical smell, unfamiliar to my sensitive nose, like a mixture of burnt rubber, gasoline, and something else I couldn't quite identify. Evelyn was gone. The smell of fear lingered in the air like a corpse, slowly decomposing until it was nothing more than bones and shadows. The sun had sunk low and cast a cold light on the scene, but it didn’t matter. I knew what I saw. Someone scattered her belongings around the lodge. Her empty shoes were placed neatly by the door, as if she had taken them off before she left. But she hadn’t left willingly. The smell of fear still lingered in the air. It was faint, but combined with what I had felt earlier, I realized this was not her choice. Someone had forced her here, and I felt my grip on my com
Chapter 23EvelynThe air was stagnant and heavy with humidity as Eric, and I stood face to face in the dimly lit cottage. It all happened so fast. Eric had found me, blaming me for leaving and then accusing me of being unfaithful. He was getting angrier and meaner by the minute. I never thought he had it in him to hurt me, but now I was convinced he actually would do so.He was convinced that I belonged to him. He was convinced that I had betrayed him.Before I reacted, he had grabbed me and thrown me over his shoulder. In one swift movement, he had opened the door and rushed out of the cottage. He held me tight. I was powerless, and my heart raced as his long strides carried us away.The sun was setting, casting an orange hue over the horizon as we headed towards the woods. I did not know what was coming next, but I it couldn't be good. I was trembling with fear, but I also comprehended that I had to stay determined. I filled my lungs with air and wordlessly hoped for a miracle.As
Chapter 35JakeAllison's face flushed pink as Evelyn pressed her on the details of her former love interest. She moved uneasily from foot to foot and glanced up at Harper for reassurance. I, however, had a different feeling entirely. I felt a pang of anxiety as Allison began to answer Evelyn's questions about her dating life. Harper appeared unfazed, but I had a bad feeling about something. It wasn't the name Dylan that caused my trepidation, it was his last name- Broadhall- that brought forth several warning bells in my mind.Wait," I said, cutting into the conversation. "Dylan Broadhall?"Allison shifted nervously and nodded. Harper looked at me curiously, evidently unaware of the unnamed fear that had been triggered in me.I hadn't seen Dylan in years, and the last thing I wanted was to start rumors about him. I tried to find the right words to convey the warning without going into too much detail.It seemed as if a rogue was roaming the lands trying to get Allison. But this wasn'
Chapter 34EvelynThe entrance into the world of werewolves and lycans brought a mysterious sort of enchantment. It was impossible to explain it with mere words. The strength of the mate-bond astounded me; it felt almost like I had become one unified entity with another being. Initially, this sensation left me confused, but as each day went by, I grew more accustomed to it, as if I had always belonged in this society.Jake gave me something to think about when he told me the story of a legendary werewolf with two mates: one that brought life, and another that took it away. It seemed far-fetched, but it gave us ideas on how to address Allison’s health concerns. Ever since I came back to Bluehills—the home of my ancestors—I had more strength and abilities. I felt like I finally belonged, especially after discovering this world and meeting my soulmate.I had thankfully donned a dark blue summer dress and some sneakers, so that I could keep up with Jake’s breakneck speed. His long strides
Chapter 33JakeSince Evelyn welcomed me as her partner, life had become much simpler. I could sleep, eat and function normally now. Her family generously allowed me to stay with them in their home. How fortunate for me! This positive relationship we share has made everything easier. Hearing about Allison's health struggles shocked me. She had been born with this illness, but it got much worse after she turned sixteen.That was awful, but I wondered about how her sickness had gotten worse after her sixteenth birthday. Werewolves can sense their mates at sixteen, but they have been smelling scents since birth because it's difficult to track down their mate. It can take time for the werewolf gradually to recognize who their mate is, at least until they turn 16.I quizzed Harper about Allison, and he told me he was familiar with her scent. It was strange, as they had never met before. This got me to thinking: what if her ailment had something to do with mates? What if she had two mates —
Chapter 31EvelynJake entered our lodge, and he had some words with my sister. When I hear a wolf howling, my sisters’ gasps and I watch a tearful union of a new couple of fated mates- Harper and Allison.There were laughs, tears but also joy.It was replaced later by a deep sense of understanding and compassion, the kind only two people who have endured many of life’s trials and tribulations together can understand. Tears streamed down their faces as they embraced each other, both overcome with emotion.As I looked, my own emotions swell up within me. I realized that life was too short to be consumed by anger and bitterness, that sometimes it was necessary to forgive the ones we love and move forward with our lives. A wave of healing washes over me as I watched the two of them, two people who were fated to be together, despite all the hurt and pain they would be facing.The sight before me was both beautiful and heartbreaking. Two people who were meant to be together, but only for a
Chapter 30EvelynI kept myself busy enough that I didn't have to think too much about everything that had happened over the last couple of weeks. I had so many questions and I was in no position to hunt them down. Jake was still following me, his eyes on me, but I refused to turn around. I had an idea of what he desired to discuss, but I was not prepared for it.My dad had tried to explain to me that Jake was hurting too, but I couldn't understand it. I wasn't ready to embrace him just yet, and I didn't acknowledge all the new information they provided me. All I wanted to do was get through the school days and get back home.The only thing I could do was concentrate on my studies because I was so exhausted. I attended classes, took notes, and tried to stay away from Jake. I knew he wouldn't give up so easily, but I could at least postpone our conversation. As I walked to my next class, I felt like I was in a trance, going through the motions and pushing away all my worries. And so, i
Chapter 29JakeIt had been fourteen days since I last spoke to Evelyn. Our conversation left her shocked, and I really couldn't fault her for feeling that way. Her parents, not disclosing details about her past, were a true hurdle for her, and I struggled to comprehend how people could hold back such essential facts. He told me his motives were serious and vital. But still.I had hoped that we would resolve things during our time away from each other, but it had left us both in a state of confusion. We had texted, and I had called her several times.Sitting alone in our pack house, I attempted to make sense of the seemingly senseless. I still could not answer the question of why someone would withhold such vital information from their own child, and soon discovered that the only way forward was to travel to the source and get answers.They silently greeted me each time I attempted to visit their home. Not her father, but Evelyn. She wouldn't even look me in the eye. Her father merely
Chapter 28EvelynMy father sat me down on the old leather sofa. It was black, with soft cushions scattered across it, providing a certain comfort, a sanctuary from the world. As I looked around the living room in the small cottage, I had a compulsive desire to scrub and tidy, as if I was avoiding something by doing so.Whatever my father wanted to discuss, I knew, as soon as I saw my father's eyes, that this was something big.The room had an oppressive silence that seemed to hang over us like a heavy, invisible blanket of tension.The room was deathly quiet now that everyone had left. I sat alone on the sofa, my hands fidgeting in my lap, an anxious knot forming in my stomach. He had instructed everyone to leave, and they obeyed without question.I saw Jake as he made his way out of the door. He was the last to leave, and our eyes met for a split second before he turned away. His gaze filled with sadness, as if he was sorry for me. But sorry for what?“Evelyn,” my father spoke slowl
Chapter 27JakeYesterday was overwhelming. I expected to go to battle to search for my mate, but I abandoned that plan. Instead, I joined forces with my father, brothers, and a handful of pack mates and we set off into the forest to seek Evelyn.But something happens. Well, someone happens. A presence emerged and took in charge of the situation. It was no stranger, in fact, in was Evelyn’s father.The tall, imposing figure of Evelyn's father materialized in the forest, his presence cutting through the stillness of the night like a hot knife through butter. In the dim moonlight, his features were sharp and angular, like a majestic eagle in flight. The stern, dark eyes peered around the forest with a piercing intensity, as he seemed to take in and assess every detail of his surroundings. He was a Lycan. It suddenly made sense. Mr. Black was a Lycan, but he was also a powerful leader and protector amongst the werewolf community and his power radiated from him like an unspoken promise.J
Chapter 26EvelynI was fumbling my way through the dense forest in what I thought was the right direction. On this airless, still dark morning, the trees seemed to be a hundred stories tall, and looming in the darkness, they seemed to whisper secrets and stories that I did not understand. Although I felt like someone or something was watching me, no matter how hard I tried, I could never quite catch sight of it. My steps were heavy and unsure, but somehow I kept going, propelled by an unknown force that guided me.As I trudged onwards, the presence became more and more palpable, and I should have been scared, but inexplicably, I wasn’t. I had just escaped from a kidnapping, and all the long days and nights filled with adrenaline had finally taken its toll on me. But, strangely, instead of feeling exhausted, I felt recharged and alive, in more ways than one. I uplifted my fatigue, replaced it with a new aliveness that came from within me. It was as if some part of me had awoken from a