Chapter 16

Elena Cruz

Elena needed to get out of the house. That’s why she didn’t wait a second to say yes when Ethan texted asking to hang out.

Ethan: can I see you tonight?

Elena: yes

Ethan: I’ll pick you up in an hour

She got up and opened her closet. Pulled out jeans and a sweater. Started getting dressed. Halfway through pulling on her jeans she caught her reflection in the mirror and stopped.

She looked different. Tired. Her eyes had dark circles under them. Her face looked thinner. But it was more than that. Something about her expression looked unfamiliar.

Elena walked closer to the mirror and stared at herself. So much had been happening. The voices in her head that weren’t hers. The car hitting her and her wounds healing too fast. Pushing that guy in the bathroom and sending him flying across the room. The anger that burned hotter than it should. The nightmares she couldn’t remember.

And now Vivian wanting her gone. Alex saying she needed him to protect her.

What was happening to her? Elena grabbed her phone off the bed and scrolled to her dad’s number. He never answered anymore but maybe this time.

She called. It rang once. Twice. Three times and he finally picked up

“Elena?”

Her breath caught. “Dad. You answered.”

“I’m sorry I haven’t called back. Things have been complicated here. Are you okay?”

“No. Dad, I need to talk to you. Something’s wrong with me.”

“What do you mean wrong?”

Elena sat on the edge of her bed. “I’ve been feeling weird. Really weird. Like my body is doing things it shouldn’t.”

“What kind of things?”

“I’m stronger than I should be. I pushed someone and they flew across a room. My hands healed really fast after I got hurt. I heard people’s thoughts in my head. And I get so angry sometimes it feels like something inside me is trying to get out.”

Silence on the other end.

“Dad?”

“Wait, you’re experiencing all of that? Already?”

The surprise in his voice made her stomach tighten. “What do you mean already?”

Her dad was quiet for a moment. When he spoke again his voice sounded different. Guilty. “I’m so sorry I’m not there with you. You shouldn’t have to go through this alone. A father should be there to help his daughter through something like this.”

“Through what? What’s happening to me?”

“You’re late blooming.”

Elena blinked. “What?”

“Your wolf. It’s been dormant your whole life but now it’s finally waking up. It happens sometimes, especially with half-bloods. You’re coming into your abilities.”

“But I’ve never shifted. I can’t shift.”

“Not yet. But your wolf is waking up internally first. The strength, the heightened senses, the emotions running high. That’s all part of it. Your body is adjusting to having your wolf active for the first time.”

Elena pressed her hand against her chest where that restless feeling always sat. “So this is normal?”

“For a late bloomer, yes. But listen, as a half-blood it’s going to be harder for you than it was for other wolves. The transition can be painful. Overwhelming. Your body isn’t used to it. Thank Goodness Alex is there, he’ll help you through this. He knows how to guide wolves through difficult transitions. He’ll make it less painful for you.”

“The medication he’s been giving me…”

“Keep taking it. It’s helping regulate your system while your body adjusts. Without it the transition would be much worse. Trust me.”

Elena let out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding

“I wish I could be there to help you myself. I really do. But you’re in good hands.”

They talked for a few more minutes. Her dad asked about school and if she was eating enough and if Alex was treating her well. Normal dad questions that made Elena’s chest ache. When they hung up she felt lighter. Relieved.

She was just late blooming. Her wolf was finally waking up after twenty years of being dormant. It made sense. Everything made sense now.

Elena finished getting dressed. Fixed her hair. Put on a little makeup to hide the dark circles under her eyes.

By the time her phone buzzed with Ethan’s text saying he was at the gate, she felt almost normal again. She grabbed her jacket and headed downstairs.

Mrs. Parker was in the kitchen putting away dishes from the party.

“I’m going out for a bit,” Elena said.

“This late?”

“Just for a couple hours. A friend is picking me up.”

Mrs. Parker dried her hands. “Let me walk you to the gate.”

“You don’t have to…”

“I insist. Dr. Hale would want me to make sure you get off safely.” They walked down the driveway together. The party was completely cleaned up now. No trace left that about 20 people had been here hours ago.

Ethan’s car was waiting at the gate. Mrs. Parker opened it and studied him for a while like she was scanning him to make sure he wasn’t a killer perhaps. Elena walked through the gate and got into Ethan’s car.

He smiled at her. “Hey. You look nice.”

“Thanks.”

“You sure you’re okay with going out this late? I can take you somewhere closer if you want.”

“No, it’s fine. I just needed to get out of the house.”

“Rough night?”

“Something like that.”

Ethan pulled away from the gate. “Well, I’ll make it better. Promise.”

They drove into the city. Ethan kept glancing at her but didn’t push for conversation. Just let the music fill the silence.

The restaurant he took her to was small and tucked between two buildings. Warm lighting. Soft music. Only a few other tables occupied. They sat in a corner booth. A waiter brought menus.

“Order whatever you want,” Ethan said.

Elena scanned the menu. “This place looks expensive.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Ethan…”

“I’m serious. I want you to enjoy yourself. No stress.”

They ordered. Ethan got steak. Elena got pasta. While they waited for the food, Ethan talked about soccer practice and how his coach was riding him about his performance. Elena listened and asked questions and laughed at his stories.

It felt normal. Easy. Like a regular date with a regular guy. The food came. They ate and talked more. Ethan asked about her classes and her friends and what she liked to do for fun. Normal questions. By the time they finished Elena felt relaxed for the first time in days.

“You want to come to my place for a bit?” Ethan asked as they walked back to his car. “Just to hang out. I’m not trying anything. I just don’t want to take you back yet if you’re having a good time.”

Elena hesitated.

“We can just watch a movie or something,” Ethan added. “Low key. I promise.”

“Okay. For a little while.”

Ethan’s apartment was in a newer building downtown. High ceilings. Modern furniture. Floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city.

“You live here alone?” Elena asked.

“Yeah. My parents got it for me when I started school. I wanted my own space”

They sat on the couch. Ethan turned on music. Low volume.

“You want something to drink?” he asked.

“Water’s fine.”

He brought her water and sat down next to her at a respectful distance.

Then Ethan’s phone rang almost immediately. He glanced at the screen and his expression changed. “I’m sorry. I have to take this. Family thing. Give me a minute.”

He got up and walked to another room. Elena heard his voice through the door. Sharper than before. More formal. But she couldn’t make out the words.

She looked around the apartment while she waited. Nice furniture. Expensive electronics. Everything clean and organized.

Then she noticed the art on the wall. A framed piece hanging above the side table. It looked old. Almost medieval in style. The colors were rich but faded like it had been painted centuries ago.

Elena stood and walked closer.

It was a wolf. But stylized. Powerful. Surrounded by symbols she didn’t recognize. And in the center was a girl. Young. Beautiful. Dressed in white. The wolf stood behind her like a guardian or maybe a predator. The whole thing felt both beautiful and unsettling.

“You like it?”

Elena turned. Ethan had come back.

“Yeah. It’s beautiful. Where’d you get it?”

“My dad gave it to me. Well, loaned it. He collects this kind of stuff.”

“What kind of stuff?”

“Old wolf mythology. Ancient bloodlines. That kind of thing.” Ethan shrugged. “He has a whole gallery of pieces like this at the house. He’s obsessed with it. Believes all these old stories about powerful wolves and rare genetics.”

“That’s interesting.”

“I think it’s kind of weird but whatever makes him happy.” Ethan sat back down on the couch. “You want to watch something?”

Elena sat next to him. “Sure.”

They put on a movie. Some action thing Elena had already seen. She didn’t really watch it. Just sat there letting the noise fill the space.

But halfway through Ethan moved closer. His arm went around her shoulders. Elena tensed slightly but didn’t pull away. They sat like that for a while until he turned toward her.

“Elena.”

She looked at him.

“I really like you. I know I’ve been an idiot sometimes but I mean it. I like you.”

“I think I like you too.”

Ethan smiled and leaned in and kissed her. Elena kissed him back because it felt like what she was supposed to do. But he didn’t stop there, his hand went to her waist and the kiss deepened.

Suddenly Elena pulled back because she felt rushed and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to go that far, yet.

He apologized for being too fast and offered to take her home .

When they reached the gate Ethan turned to her. “I had a good time tonight.”

“Me too.”

“Can we do this again?”

“Yeah.” She got out and walked through the gate. The house was completely dark. Everyone asleep. She let herself in and went straight to her room sat on the edge of her bed and stared at nothing.

She liked Ethan. She knew she did. He was sweet. Everything a guy should be , the type of guy she needed. But when he kissed her that thing inside her chest had flared up angry and wrong. Like her body was rejecting him even though her mind wanted him.

Why?