174Kaden’s POV:I looked out the window as a deep frown settles on my face.What the fuck is taking them so long?The moon hangs bright above the night sky. I don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for, but I do know I have been waiting for a long damn time. My stomach sinks at the thought that something may have happened to her. Although the old man proved to be harmless and even showed his affection towards our mate, I know Viktor. There was a glint of worry in his eyes and something dark. It was so fast yet I caught it, but I shrugged it off.Eloise trusts him, so I knew that I should set my pride aside and let Viktor lead her this time.I paced the hall, back and forth, when something from the corner of the room suddenly caught my eye. I stopped dead in my tracks, and turned my gaze towards it.It was a white folder with some papers tucked inside. It gives off a weird scent that I have been smelling for the past few hours, but couldn’t determine just what.I walk over and pick it
Eloise’s POV:What was that?Adeline suddenly came forward. ‘Go deeper.’ She whispered, and I have a feeling she knows something that I don’t.Nevertheless, I do what my wolf says and go deeper. But first, I took the blue, glowing orb that attached itself onto my hand like it’s been waiting forever to be found. A sense of relief washed over me, and I felt like I have taken a step further into claiming my destiny. Like this was always meant to happen. And I just did not know it. Taking the blue orb with me, I venture further into the darkness when I felt a warm breeze sweep over me from behind. I turned within my subconscious, and nearly gasp when I see another figure standing in the opposite direction, facing me.A woman. But not just any woman. She was tall, lean and curvy. Her long hair reached down her knees. She was in a white dress, and I could tell from the short distance between us that she was beautiful. Yet her way of clothing was odd.Her dark blonde hair hung around shoulde
172Eloise’s POV:Crack!I looked down, my jaw dropping to the ground when I see my ankle had dislocated and I was laying in an awkward position from the fall. My entire body throbbed in pain like never before, like every part of me writhed.Just how long was that fall?I struggled to sit up, moving my eyes about to get the slightest clue of where I was. As expected, I fell into a muddy pit. Looks like it was once a well, but the bricks surrounding me had grown moss and dirt over time.I tilt my head up. I could see the sky, and then a figure that resembled my father.“Dad?” I shouted, but he either doesn’t hear me or ignores me as he looked on before stepping back.He did this. But why?My blood ran cold the minute I realize this might have been a trap. That he lured me all this way and away from Kaden to push me into this old well. All the ache in my body from deep injuries I acquired from the fall vanishes as my heart breaks into two.I was a fool to trust him. To trust myself.I n
171Eloise’s POV:After a long, hard glare directed at Kaden, he hung his head and eventually agreed to leave us both alone to start immediately with the training.I don’t know what I’m getting into or what exactly am I capable of, but I want to know.Before Kaden left though, he pulled me outside.His brows furrowing, I looked up at his worried eyes, and he stares down at me with undeniable hesitation and protectiveness.“Are you sure about this, Eloise?” He asks, looking deep into my eyes. His eyes searched my face for a moment, but I met his gaze head-on.I have made my decision.“I am going through with it.” I tell him, confidence brimming with every word.He sighed, “El, look at him,”I looked over my shoulder to see my Dad watching us from the gap of the door at the front porch, muttering something to himself that only he can hear.“He doesn’t even look like he’s in his right mind.” He said, although there was zero malice behind his words, I could see he said it purely out of co
170Eloise’s POV:“Eloise, the truth is you’re a—” His gaze drifts somewhere behind me, and his eyes harden.I realize soon enough who he was looking at and grip his hand. “It’s fine, we can trust him. You have to tell me,” I plead, looking into my father’s dark eyes, softening the next second. Something I never expected from him. The last time I have seen him look at me with such tenderness, was before all this. Before Kaden walked into my life and altered it completely.He swallows and opens his mouth in his reluctance.“Please,” I whispered.Finally, he sighed, and leaned his head against the countertop where I found him.“Everything you are came from my mother,” he paused and look dead into my eyes. “She’s a dark witch, the last of her kind.” He explained.My eyes widened, and I gasp. I could feel Kaden’s gaze boring holes into my back, attentively listening to the conversation without interfering.“I never knew my father, but I know he would sneak in our camp to see her. He was a
170Eloise’s POV:When I turned in a circle, the barrier was gone. The magic lifted. But when I opened the door, Selene was gone.“What is it?” Kaden asked. His breath pressing against my ear softly. I turned and looked up at him before glancing back out the empty hallway.“Nothing. Let’s go.” I pulled Kaden’s hand and he did not say another word until we got to the car.Kaden took the driver’s seat while I took the passenger side. He began to drive, and revved the engine as we started towards my old pack territory. Kaden released him once and commanded him to go home until further notice.My father didn’t take it well, of course. Being an Alpha, he has his pride and I guess being commanded to return home against his volition hurt his ego.When we reached the borders, I noticed Kaden tense beside me.“What’s wrong?”His eyes narrowed in slits. “No one is doing patrols,” he voiced, making me look forward to see that there was no one up ahead of us. This is the borderline of my father’
169Eloise’s POV:I could feel my veins throbbing at the back of my neck. Selene walks over toward us, and the more she gets closer the stronger my blood boils in my rage.Kaden’s eyes are glued to me, and I turn to look back at him only to be met with his confused gaze.He thinks I don’t know.I clenched my fists and inhaled a deep sighVery well. If that’s how he wants to play it, then two can play in this game.“Eloise, I’ve been worried sick about you. Where have you been all night?” He questions me like he couldn’t feel the pain I have endured through the night. Pain he caused with his betrayal.I tilt my chin up and looked at him dead in the eye.“I would like to ask you the same question,” I questioned, my voice coming out in a low snarl.“I was...” He stops, and hesitates, making my brow raise higher. I dare him to say it. I dare him to say his words and everything will be over.I glanced between him and Selene who tossed a coquettish smirk my way. I wanted to scoff.“He helpe
168Eloise’s POV:I staggered back. My eyes widened and my mouth agape. I couldn’t move my body, I couldn’t even breathe. The sight of them makes bile rise in my throat.Although it was Kaden’s back, I’m pretty sure it was him.Pain slams into me, when Selene snapped her head and her eyes flickered before landing on me. A smirk falls on her lips, and her expressions shift from desire to lust, dropping her mouth lower just as she is slammed, hard, against the desk.It breaks my heart, and I turn away before darting back to where I came from. Back to the forest. I felt my own tears trickle down the side of my face without my permission. Omegas looked at me in shock and confusion. Some even approached me yet I waved them off before they made way for me at the main gate.I didn’t hesitate. I shifted and ran.….I don’t know how long I was running for, but from the feeling of sunrays hitting my fur skin, I presume it was already some time in the morning.I gave Adeline full control this t
Eloise’s POV:“What?” I looked at him in disbelief. Is he serious?Judging from the stern look on his face, I knew he was telling me the truth. After all, I can sense it. With the mate bond back in place, I could feel his emotions as if they were mine. I can feel his anxiety, his hesitance, and confusion thrown like a swirl of emotions all at the same time.I can most definitely tell if he was lying.I bit my lip, “Did you know?”He jolted, “No. Goddess, no. He caught us both together the night of his return, and that’s how he found his mate.”My jaw drops lower. So that’s why Logan hates him so much, while Kaden just avoided the glares Logan tossed his way every so often. I can feel his guilt building up. With that, I already knew they were having sex by the time they were found.Yet, I could only imagine how it felt like for Logan.I guess I can’t blame him for the rage he feels toward Kaden.“I didn’t know… but that was years ago,” he sighs, rubbing a hand down his face.“And?” I p