Chapter 17

Elena Cruz

Elena spotted Lila and Harper at their usual table in the campus cafeteria. She dropped her bag and sat down across from them.

“You look terrible,” Lila said immediately.

“Thanks.”

“No, I’m serious. When’s the last time you slept?”

Elena rubbed her eyes. “I don’t know. A few days ago maybe.”

Harper leaned forward. “What’s going on?”

Elena looked around to make sure no one was listening. “I’ve been having these dreams. Really vivid ones. And they keep happening every night.”

“What kind of dreams?” Lila asked.

“I don’t know. They’re confusing. I’m a kid in them. Someone’s holding me down. I can’t see faces. And then everything goes cold and dark.” Elena shook her head. “It sounds stupid saying it out loud.”

“That’s not stupid,” Harper said. “That sounds intense.”

“Do you think they’re memories?” Lila asked.

“I don’t know. Maybe? They feel real. Too real for just dreams.”

Lila reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “You’re probably just stressed. You’ve had a lot going on. New school, living in a new place, family stuff. Your brain is processing.”

“Yeah maybe.”

“Are you eating enough?” Harper asked. “Sometimes when I don’t eat my brain does weird things at night.”

“I’m eating.”

“Are you though?” Lila raised an eyebrow.

Elena didn’t answer.

“Okay, new rule,” Lila announced. “We’re making sure you eat actual meals. Starting now. Harper, grab her a sandwich or something.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“I don’t care. You’re eating.”

Harper got up and came back a few minutes later with a sandwich and chips. She pushed them toward Elena.

Elena took a bite just to get them to stop staring at her.

“So what else is happening?” Lila asked. “Besides the dreams.”

Elena swallowed. “I went out with Ethan last night.”

Both of them went quiet.

“Like a date?” Harper asked carefully.

“Yeah. He took me to dinner. Then we hung out at his apartment for a bit.”

“And?” Lila was grinning now.

“And it was nice. He was actually really sweet. We talked. He didn’t push anything. It was good.”

Harper’s expression didn’t change. “Be careful with him.”

Elena looked at her. “What do you mean?”

“I mean he seems weird. There’s something off about him.”

“He was fine last night. He was respectful.”

“I’m sure he was. But I don’t trust him.”

“Why not?”

Harper shrugged. “I don’t know. Just a feeling. The way he looks at you sometimes. Like he’s watching you too closely.”

“You’re being paranoid.”

“Maybe. But I’m telling you anyway. Be careful.”

Lila kicked Harper under the table. “Don’t scare her. Let her have something good.”

“I’m not trying to scare her. I’m trying to warn her.”

“About what? A guy who actually likes her and treats her well? That’s not a warning, that’s jealousy.”

“I’m not jealous. I just think…”

A guy appeared at their table holding a massive bouquet of flowers. Red roses mixed with white lilies. The arrangement was huge.

“Elena Cruz?” he asked.

Elena blinked. “Yeah?”

“These are for you.”

He set the flowers on the table. There was a small card attached. Elena pulled it out and opened it.

“Sorry if I moved too fast last night. You’re worth taking time with. - Ethan”

Lila squealed. “Oh my god, he sent you flowers!”

Elena stared at the bouquet. It was beautiful. Expensive. The kind of thing she’d only seen in movies.

“That’s so romantic,” Lila gushed. “Look at them! They’re gorgeous!”

Harper crossed her arms. “I still don’t trust him.”

“You don’t trust anyone,” Lila shot back.

“I trust people who deserve it.”

“He sent her flowers with an apology note. What more do you want?”

“I want him to not be weird.”

Elena touched one of the roses. The petals were soft. Perfect. “They’re really pretty.”

“They’re more than pretty,” Lila said. “They’re a statement. This guy is seriously into you.”

Elena picked up the bouquet. “I’m going to put these in my car before they die.”

“I’ll come with you,” Lila said, already standing.

They walked across campus to the parking lot. Lila wouldn’t stop talking about how romantic the gesture was. Harper trailed behind saying nothing.

When they reached Elena’s car she unlocked it and carefully set the flowers on the passenger seat.

“You should text him,” Lila said. “Thank him at least.”

“I will.”

“And say yes to another date.”

“Lila…”

“What? He’s hot, he’s sweet, he sent you flowers. What’s the problem?”

Elena closed the car door. “There’s no problem. I’m just trying to take things slow.”

Then Elena heard someone call her name, she turned and saw Ethan standing behind her with a smile on his face.

“Hey,” he said. “Did you get the flowers?”

“Yeah. They’re beautiful. Thank you.”

“I wasn’t sure if roses were too much. My mom always says you can’t go wrong with roses but I don’t know if that’s actually true or just something moms say.”

Elena smiled despite herself. “They’re perfect.”

“Good. That’s good.” He shifted his weight. “Look, about last night. I’m really sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I wasn’t trying to pressure you or anything. I just…I really like you. And sometimes I forget to slow down.”

“It’s okay. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“So can I take you out again? Like a proper date. Your choice. Wherever you want to go. Whatever you want to do. I’m serious about this. About you. And I want to prove it.”

Elena looked at him. At the genuine expression on his face. At the way he was standing there waiting for her answer like it actually mattered.

She thought about Crescent Ridge. About being invisible her whole life because her wolf never woke up. About watching all her friends find their mates while she stayed dormant and alone. And guys who looked right through her like she wasn’t worth noticing.

And here was Ethan. Handsome. Popular. Someone who could have anyone. And he was standing in front of her saying he wanted her.

“Okay,” Elena said. “Yeah. Let’s go out again.”

“Really?”

Ethan’s whole face lit up. “That’s thank you. I promise I’ll make it good. You won’t regret it.”

She gave a faint smile but something inside her wasn’t fully settled about Ethan