Chapter Eight: Fragmented Hope

Chapter Eight

Vaelora's POV

Maya's warm hand softly brush against my ear and I shiver, pushing myself deeper into the sheets as she adjusts the comforter on me.

We got back to her house a few minutes ago after leaving the party abruptly because of my misfortune.

“I'll go get you a cup of coffee.” She says and stands up to leave but I stop her.

“I'm fine. I just need a little bit of warmth before I get going.”

She shakes her head and sits down, pressing her hand over my forehead.

“I don't think there's any need to worry about going home, Vae. You can stay here for the night”

“Micheal is going to have my head on a stick if I don't, and I really don't want to be a bother to your mom.”

“Vaelora, she doesn't have a problem with you staying here and you know that. Besides, it's only for this night. I can't let you go out there, it's almost 1am.” She explains and turns away.

A sigh leaves my lips. She doesn't understand what kind of dynamic I have with Micheal and I can't even bring myself to tell her. Yet.

“I'll be fine on my own, don't worry. I really need to get home before he gets back.”

She turns to me with raised brows. “Seriously? I just told you that it's nearly 1am and that's all you can say? I don't think Micheal will appreciate his child walking back home at this hour.”

I nearly snort at her ignorance. His child.

Micheal could give zero fucks about me but still, I know that if I don't get home tonight, I'll have to deal with whatever wrath he has in store for me and with how much pain my body has been through since the last few hours, I may not survive him.

“Maya, you can't understand but I promise, I'll explain to you when the time is right.”

I briefly glance at the wall clock hanging from above her vanity table and slowly raise myself up from her bed, taking the comforter off my body.

“I'll tell Matt to drop you off then.” She says and I nod, knowing it's best to not argue with her any further.

Picking up my hair tie, I zip up the jacket she'd given me to wear immediately we get in, and tighten the rope of the sweatpants on my waist before heading for the door.

“Vae?” She calls and I turn back around.

“What happened tonight……I need to know.” Her voice is low as she stares at me dead in the eyes.

Without hesitation, I nod and open the door, walking out with uncertainty in my heart as I wonder if I'll ever be able to tell her that the man she hoped to be her mate in that hall, and the same one who picked another woman to be his Luna, is mine.

“You're up already?” Matt asks as I enter the living room.

I scratch my head and give him a nervous smile. “Yeah. Uhm, I need to get home as soon as I can.”

He glances at the time on his phone and looks back at me with cocked brows.

“It's 1am, Vaelora.”

“I know. I just- I need to get home before morning.” I explain.

“Matt, could you please give her a ride? It's just a 10 minute drive.” Maya says from behind me.

He looks between both of us before sighing and standing up. “Fine. I owe you one anyway.”

I mutter a quick ‘thank you’ to him and turn around to give my best friend a hug before following Matt outside the house.

“Call me when you get home!” She yells behind me.

“I'm so sorry for the inconveniences, Matt.” I say to him, slipping into the back seat of the car and rubbing my hands together for warmth.

As if noticing my discomfort, he turns on the heat and hands me a blanket from the front seat. “It's just a car ride, no need to be sorry.”

We drive in silence until he arrives at my house. Quickly stepping out of the car, I wave him goodbye and walk into the house, anxiety already pulling at my guts as I take out my keys to unlock the door.

The house is quiet and dim, the sweet scent of chocolate hitting my nostrils. I sniff it in and close my eyes for a minute before opening them back and shutting the door behind me, dropping my keys inside the key bowl.

Thankfully, Micheal isn't home yet which gives me time to settle in before he gets in and changes the course of my night.

My stomach rumbles with hunger and I clutch it, walking straight to the kitchen to grab the leftover sandwich in the kitchen before I completely break down.

I open the fridge and take it out, setting it on the kitchen counter as I pick a clean glass from the rack and pour myself a drink from the carton of orange juice.

Shoving the sandwich inside my mouth, I chew hastily and chug down the glass of juice before hurriedly rinsing it and placing it back in its position.

Shivers run down my spine as another wave of cold hits my face and I strut out of the kitchen, rushing upstairs into my room. Quietly locking the door behind me, I turn on the heat and slip out of my clothes, heading straight into the bathroom.

The air is hot and foggy as I step in, a gratitude prayer leaving my lips as I turn on the shower and immerse myself in the hot, steaming water emanating from it.

I close my eyes, letting it run down my body as the events from the party fills my head.

Zarek Vortan Blackmoor.

The silver specks that dance in his hazel eyes are like jitters of flames spurting out of a volcano, stinging you with awe once you come in contact with it.

I shouldn't be thinking of him but I can't help myself and even though I'd give anything to stop it, I can't help but welcome the sweet pain of knowing that fate made him mine.

Ulric’s face suddenly flashes in my mind and I open my eyes sharply, frowning as I wonder why I'm suddenly thinking about him.

And that stupid smirk he had on his face the whole time.

Willow? Sounds like something a girl who has her life together would bear and that's why I hated it when he called me that.

It's not fit for me.

I'm starting to feel the heat of the water burning my skin and if I could, I'll let it but I also think that my body has gone through enough for the night so it's best I stop it now before I accidentally kill myself in here.

Micheal wouldn't approve of that. Heck, he might reawaken my soul, ask me to clean the mess up before killing me again.

A chuckle leaves my lips as I imagine the scenario. That would be nice to watch but I don't think I want to be a victim right now.

Without another hesitation, I turn off the shower and step out, picking up a towel from the rack and wrapping it around my body before walking into my room.

It's now warmer than it was when I walked in, making me even sweat a bit.

I stroll to the door and twist it to make sure it's locked before walking to the switch and turning the heat off, taking the towel off my body.

My phone beeps with a message and I bite back a gasp as I realize I haven't called Maya to tell her that I'm home.

I chuckle as I read her texts. There are so many of them and it's not even been an hour yet.

“Are you home?”

“Matt said he's dropped you off. Is he lying?”

“Vaelora!! Are you home? I'm worried about you?”

“Or did Micheal kill you? OMG I'm gonna bite his head off!”

“Okay be for real, are you okay?”

I shake my head and type back a response before calling her.

“Hello? Please tell me you've not been kidnapped!” Her voice is frantic with urgency, making me snort.

“It's not funny!” She screams into the phone and I pull it away from my ears, unable to hold back my laughter.

My nose crinkle and I yelp in pain. Every part of my body hurts like shit.

“I'm trying to imagine what expression you have on your face right now. I'm sure you look like the Evil Queen.”

“That's what I get for being kind? You can never trust someone.”

I laugh, plopping down on my bed and pulling the duvet over my naked body. “Thank you, Maya. I'm home now. Micheal isn't back yet so I want to attend to my wounds and try to sleep.”

“That's good. I'll let you rest now, okay? I love you Vae.” She says and I can hear the sincerity in her voice.

“I love you too, Maya. Goodnight.” I bite down on my bottom lip and hang up.

As I lay down to sleep, Zarek's face flashes through my mind and that's when I know that he's the only one who can lead me to where I want to be.

And I'll make sure he does, even if I have to burn everything in my path to reach him.