The Stranger is Gone

ELARA

Father moved closer, stirring a panic within me.

"Where have you been, Elara?" His voice was strong and authoritative. I've always been scared of our interactions. He liked being the Alpha King more than my father.

Though my knees were weak, I tried to keep my head up. "I was at Chloe's apartment."

"Why would you go to her apartment this time?" My father stepped into the dim light, his eyes were threatening mine to speak truth only. "You are the daughter of the Alpha King. On the day of your birthday, you should be here getting ready for the bond. Instead, you are walking around like a person with no responsibility."

“I can't blame you. Your mother died at the time of your birth. If she were alive, you wouldn't be so reckless with your actions.”

His words were always harsh, slicking through my heart like a sharp dagger.

"I-I am sorry Father. I did not think -"

"That is your problem," he said, walking towards me. "You never think. You do things because of how you feel. You are not careful. Do you know about the danger ? The BloodFang Pack has been seen near our home. They are monsters. Kael Damen can slaughter all of us. If they find you alone, they'll tear you into pieces.”

"Go to your room," he said, his voice low and angry. "When the sun rises, you will go to the Temple of the Moon Goddess. You will find your true mate. Do not come here until the Goddess has answered you."

The Temple of the Moon Goddess was the most scared thing of the five packs. On your twentieth birthday, the Goddess shows you a dream with your mate.

"Yes Father, " I said, looking down and walking past him before he could change his mind.

The whole night I couldn't sleep a wink, staring at the ceiling like a corpse. When the first ray of the sun entered my room, I got ready and headed straight to the Temple.

The Temple of the Moon Goddess was a building, made of white stone and glass shining in the morning sun. It always smelled like jasmine and roses.

I knelt in front of the statue of the Goddess, my heart filled with guilt. She was made of white stone, her eyes were carved out of pearls that seemed to be looking straight into my eyes.

"Moon Goddess, I am sorry, " I whispered, my head against the stone. "You must be disappointed in me for all the lies. But you didn't give me a wolf.”

I closed my eyes tight. “If I don't lie, I'll die.”

“Forgive me, please.” A soft breath escaped my lips. “Breaking the laws was never my intention. There's no choice.”

"Tonight, I am going to lie to the whole pack, " I said, my voice shaking. "I am going to use Calix. I am going to pretend to have feelings for him, the pain of the bond, and the way my heart is supposed to beat fast when he is near. I am going to cheat the ritual to survive. Please...Forgive me for faking a bond."

As expected, she didn't show me a dream. I stayed there for an hour praying for a miracle. But it never happened.

She was heartless.

The second I stood up to leave, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out, and the screen flashed Chloe's number.

[Chloe? Is everything ready?] I answered.

[Elara,] her voice was panicked. [He is gone.]

A wave of shock washed over my skin. [What? What do you mean he is gone?]

[I went to the shop to bring him some clothes,] she cried, her voice panicking. [The door was open. He was nowhere to be found.]

Ending the call, I drove fast back to the dessert shop. Chloe was standing by the door, her face pale. We looked everywhere. Under the bed in the bathroom, and in the woods. We searched every single place near the shop.

He disappeared into the thin air.

"He could not have gone far, " I said, my voice rising. "He doesn't remember anyone.”

"Maybe his memory came back. Maybe he realized we were lying and he left." Chloe whispered, her fingers ran down her dark hair.

“How could his memory come back so fast?” My throat was drying. "He cannot leave me, " I whispered, sitting on the edge of the bed where he had sat. The sheets were still messy. "He was my hope. If he is gone, I am in trouble. The banquet starts in an hour."

“Let's search for him again.” Chloe suggested.

We desperately searched for him. We drove up and down the hills calling for "Calix ". The only answer was the wind through the trees. The man I had hoped would help me had disappeared into the fog. He abandoned me when I needed him the most.

"He did not trust me, " I said, looking out the window. "He saw through the lie."

"We have to go back to the Packhouse, " Chloe said, looking at her watch. "If you are late to the banquet, your father will come looking. We have to get you ready.”

Chloe hugged me tightly. “You'll have to buy time for us. I'll go and hire a rogue.”

Running away was not an option. My father was the Alpha King, superior to all the packs. He would even find me from hell.

Coming back to the Packhouse, I put on the dress, a red gown, that shone like diamonds. I looked like a queen. I felt like a sacrifice.

Everyone was waiting for me downstairs. The smell of different packs was mixed together, strong and sharp, in the air. Music came from the hall, a violin sound. I stood at the top of the stairs. The room was full of people in suits and gowns. The Alphas of the packs were all there, waiting for the main event.

The music stopped when I appeared.

Every eye was on me. I could hear them whispering. The "desirable woman" had finally come of age. They were looking for the man who was supposed to be with me.

I started to walk down the stairs, my heart beating fast. Each step felt like a step closer to death. I reached the bottom, my eyes looking for Chloe. She was still not here.

My father came out of the crowd. He looked strong as always, his crown shining under the lights. His eyes met mine as his tall shadow casted a darkness over me.

I was terrified.

"Elara," his voice was loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.

My fingers clutched either side of my dress.

“Happy Birthday.”

“Thank you, Father.”

Slowly, he leaned in close. “The guests are waiting. The Goddess is watching. Where is your true mate, Elara?”