Chapter Five: Pull of the Moon

Elena woke in the chair a few hours later. Her aunt was sitting in the chair next to hers with a worried look on her face. Gail jumped up as soon as she saw Elena's eyes open. 

"Oh, thank the Moon Goddess! I didn't know what to do when you collapsed. I was afraid to call for help because I didn't know what was happening. I know you've had so much trouble with the other pack members. I was worried this would make things even worse," Gail sobbed.

"It's okay," Elena's voice cracked as she spoke the words. "I'm okay. What happened?"

"We were talking, and your eyes turned the most stunning silver. Stunning, but chilling. I think your wolf has been here all along, and something is stopping her from communicating. Whatever that wall is—it's coming down," Gail said in a quiet voice.

Elena rested her head on the back of the chair. It was all too much to handle right now. Finding her fated mate, her wolf may be breaking through, and her parents may be the victims of an assassination. What else could possibly happen?

That was a thought for another day. She shook her head and slowly stood up. Her legs felt shaky. It had been a rough couple of days. 

"Elena? Before you go, there's something I wanted to ask you. What were you and Damien talking about outside the restaurant?" Gail asked.

Elena stiffened. She made a promise not to tell their secret. "He told me he was here because of the attack against his father," she said, not meeting Gail's eyes. 

"It's just interesting that you started acting strangely when he showed up," she said.

Shaking her head, Elena turned and walked up the stairs to her bedroom, ready to shower. Her bathroom was an en suite, allowing her extra privacy. She chose her pajamas and entered the bathroom to run a hot bath. As the tub filled, she added her favorite bubble bath with the scent of lilacs. She lit a candle and turned out the light. After she undressed, she slipped into the almost-too-hot water.

Elena felt cocooned in warmth, and her tension started to ease. She closed her eyes, relishing in the soothing comfort. After a few moments, she opened them to find herself staring into Damien's stunning green eyes. Her mouth dropped open in a scream, and he immediately clasped a hand over it.

"Shh!" he exclaimed, "Do you want your aunt to find me in your bathroom with you naked? Hell, she'd probably be thrilled that you're seeing any kind of action."

"Go to hell, Damien!"

"I came here because I felt something in our bond. I've been waiting outside for hours until you were alone. The least you can do is be a little nicer to me," Damien pouted with seductive, full-bodied lips.

"You already have your Luna, you don't need to be concerned about me," Elena spat back.

"That's not my fault. I didn't know I was going to meet my fated mate or that you wouldn't have a wolf!"

"Get out!" Elena practically snarled. She grabbed her head as the world started to tilt. That feeling of power surged in her chest again. Her wolf was trying to break free, but there was something else there. She didn't understand, and it felt like she was being torn in two.

"Elena!" Damien hissed. "What's wrong?"

Her eyes flashed silver, cold and calculating. It was only there for a second, but it was long enough for him to notice. Her wolf was there. She was trapped behind some kind of barrier, and she was pissed. Someone didn't want Elena to get her wolf.

"I'll be fine. Just let me get dressed."

Damien left the bathroom long enough for Elena to get out of the tub, towel off, and put on a robe. She came out of the bathroom to find him seated on the edge of her bed. She wondered why he was really there, but at the same time, she was too tired to care.

"Let me look at you," Damien beckoned her over to him.

She shyly walked over to him. "You know, I swear I just saw your wolf. She's trapped and calling to mine. But it's like nothing I've ever seen. And your eyes are the purest silver. It's something out of legend."

He reached up and touched her cheek with one finger. Electricity sizzled through her body from that single point of contact. Their eyes locked, and the power of their mate bond filled the room. Elena had never felt anything so powerful in her life. But what was the point? He had a self-appointed Luna. There was no place for her in his world. And her wolf? She may never break free.

She slowly pulled away from Damien, her eyes suddenly turning sad. "You need to leave. You have a Luna waiting, and I'm tired."

Damien lunged forward, wrapping her in a passionate embrace. "You're the only one I see here," he said before leaning in to press his lips against hers. He was gentle at first, only to become more demanding as he deepened the kiss. Elena wrapped her arms around his shoulders and fisted his hair.

His right hand gently cupped her chin while his left arm pulled her close around the waist. She was on fire. While it was only her second kiss, it was one of the best feelings she had ever experienced in her life. That is, until Ramona's face popped up in her mind. 

Elena put both hands on Damien's chest and shoved him back hard. He landed on the bed and took it to mean she wanted more. "STOP!" she said. "How can you come here and make out with me when you have a chosen mate somewhere else? How is this fair to me? I've been screwed over my whole life. And you're just one more person from my past to add to the list of dickheads who hurt me."

"No! Elena, I'm sorry. You don't understand - "

"I don't want to hear it," she said. It was clear she was getting more and more agitated by the situation. He was her oldest friend, and now he was her betrayer. How was this fair? She was angry. She felt like her blood was boiling. Her hands were shaking, and she was about to cry.

The lights in the room started to flicker. Damien reached for her, and she yanked her hand back. "Don't t-touch me," Elena said, as a glass on her nightstand suddenly shattered, exploding glass everywhere.