Chapter eight

‎Elsie woke up to quiet. It wasn't the peaceful quiet of a regular morning or a calm night. Instead, it was a heavy, empty silence that felt like it was pushing down on her chest. For a little while, she just looked up at the ceiling above her bed, watching the soft sunlight make patterns on the wood. Her body felt weak, like she had slept way too long. And she had, really.

A whole week.

That's what the healer told her when she finally managed to open her eyes. Seven days. Seven days of being out of it while the world kept going without her. Elsie moved a little under the blankets, her movements slow and careful. Her body still had a dull ache, but the intense pain she'd felt during the ceremony to break their bond was gone. It was gone, and something much worse had taken its place.

‎

A void. She turned her head a bit, looking towards the window where the dim afternoon light peeked through the curtains. Usually, she would have felt something inside her respond. Her wolf. A gentle warmth. A steady feeling. A voice in the back of her mind that was always there. But now, nothing. Not a whisper. No warmth. No heartbeat but her own. Elsie shut her eyes again. Her wolf was gone. She knew this the instant she woke up, even before the healer said anything, before her parents came rushing into the room with happy looks on their faces.

‎

She had tried to find it, automatically. Reached inside herself for that familiar presence. And all she found was silence. At first, she thought maybe it was just weak. Sleeping. But days went by. And there was still nothing. It felt like losing a piece of her soul. Because that's what it was. Her wolf had always been there—her friend, her strength, the one presence that understood her when nobody else did. And now, even that had left her. Elsie lay still in her bed, just staring ahead. Outside her room, the house was going on like normal. She could faintly hear footsteps in the hallways. Voices came through the walls. But she didn't leave her room. Not at all.

‎

‎Her mom visited a lot.

‎Every morning and evening, she’d come in quietly with food or tea, hoping to cheer her daughter up.

‎“Elsie, honey,” her mom said softly one afternoon, sitting on the edge of the bed.

‎Elsie was still by the window, draped in a shawl, staring out past the trees.

‎“You should eat something,” her mom urged. “You need your energy.”

‎Elsie gave a small nod.

‎But she hardly touched her food.

‎Her mom watched her, her tired eyes showing more worry.

‎She thought her daughter would cry.

‎Or get mad.

‎Or show some emotion.

‎But there was nothing.

‎No tears.

‎No questions.

‎No sign of pain on Elsie’s face.

‎Just a calm quietness.

‎And somehow, that scared her more.

‎One afternoon, Elsie was by the window again, and she heard voices from the hallway.

‎Two maids had stopped near the door, not knowing she could hear them.

‎“Did you hear?” one whispered excitedly.

‎“Hear what?”

‎“The Alpha and Luna finished their mating three nights ago.”

‎Elsie didn’t react.

‎“The elders said it would calm the Alpha’s wolf after the bond broke,” the second maid said quietly.

‎The first maid giggled.

‎“Well, it worked. Everyone on the estate says he’s much stronger now.”

‎Elsie kept looking out the window.

‎Edward and Sara had mated.

‎For real.

‎Completely.

‎The last step that made their bond permanent.

‎At one time, that news would have crushed her.

‎At one time, it would have felt like another stab to her heart.

‎But now…

‎She didn’t feel anything.

‎No anger.

‎No jealousy.

‎Not even sadness.

‎Just a calm acceptance.

‎Deep down, she was okay with it.

‎Because the person who used to love Edward was gone.

‎Her mom came into the hallway a moment later, her voice sharp with annoyance.

‎“That’s enough,” she said firmly.

‎The maids instantly went quiet.

‎“Yes, ma’am,” they mumbled before hurrying away.

‎Mrs. Whitmore stood there for a bit, her heart feeling heavy.

‎She had heard the maids too.

‎

‎She quietly entered Elsie’s room. Her daughter was still by the window, just like before. “Elsie,” she said, her voice careful. Elsie turned her head a little. Her mother managed a soft smile, but her eyes showed her worry. “I know what you heard,” she said gently. She figured Elsie would break down, cry, or show that the news had upset her. But Elsie just looked back out the window. “Oh,” she said quietly. That was all. Her mother’s chest felt tight with pain. She reached out and touched Elsie’s shoulder lightly. “You don’t have to act tough,” she whispered. “You can talk to me.” Elsie stayed quiet. How could she explain something she didn’t even fully understand herself? The issue wasn’t Edward. It wasn’t Sara.

‎

It was the overwhelming emptiness she felt inside. Her wolf had always been there, her confidant, her source of comfort. Now, the silence in her mind felt like it would never end. It was as if the only part of herself that truly belonged to her had left her. Later that evening, her dad came to see her. The Beta stood by the door for a while before coming in. “You’ve been holed up in here for too long,” he said kindly. Elsie looked at him but didn’t say anything. He sighed and moved a chair closer, sitting opposite her. “I know things are tough,” he went on. “But isolating yourself won’t help.” Still no response. Her father watched her for a moment. “Elsie,” he said, his voice softer, “we miss you.” She looked down a bit, but no words came out. Eventually, he stood up again. “I hope you’ll come downstairs soon,” he said before he left. Even Sara showed up the next day. Her younger sister paused at the doorway, looking nervous in a way Elsie had never witnessed. “Hi,” Sara said hesitantly. Elsie looked up for a second. Sara walked in slowly. “I just… wanted to check on you.” Elsie’s silence was her only reply. Sara fidgeted. “I know you probably hate me,” she admitted quietly.

‎

‎Elsie gave a small shake of her head.

‎"I don't," she replied.

‎Her simple answer seemed to catch them both off guard.

‎Sara started to speak again, but the gap that had opened up between them felt too vast now.

‎So, she left too.

‎The days kept rolling by, much the same.

‎Elsie stayed in her room.

‎The world outside carried on.

‎Meanwhile, all around the estate, a buzz of anticipation began to grow.

‎Servants bustled through the corridors, carrying in decorations and banners.

‎Members of the pack arrived, bringing presents.

‎The sounds of laughter started to ring out more often across the grounds.

‎It was because, before long—

‎Very soon—

‎The whole pack would be coming together again.

‎This time, it wasn't for a wedding.

‎It was for something even more significant.

‎The official ceremony to crown their new Alpha and Luna.

‎And to mark the celebration of their fully sealed mating bond.

‎Outside Elsie's window, wolves were busily getting the grounds ready for the upcoming party.

‎Lanterns were being put up.

‎Tables were being set out.

‎Rehearsals for the music could be heard filling the evening air.

‎The pack was just brimming with excitement.

‎Everyone was eagerly awaiting the celebration.

‎Everyone except for the young woman observing it all quietly from her window.

‎By herself.

‎And feeling completely hollow.