ELIANAI rose from my seat, politely excusing myself from the festivities, and made my way to the toilet. The pain was still present, a lingering ache, but it had subsided to a manageable level, no longer the searing sensation it had once been.I gritted my teeth, my face contorting in a mixture of discomfort and frustration, as I stepped into the toilet. The pain was still a nagging presence, threatening to break through my carefully constructed facade at any moment. I struggled to maintain my composure, but it was getting increasingly difficult.As I walked away, I could feel the weight of their gazes upon me, their whispers and snickers following close behind. Their cruel words cut deep, but one comment in particular made my blood boil: "She's so delusional to think the Lycan King likes her." The mocking tone and the laughter that followed made it clear that they believed I was nothing more than a foolish dreamer, chasing after something that was far beyond my reach.I strode purpo
AXELI knew they must have attacked her. But who?Almost twenty minutes and she wasn't back.My mind was racing with the implications. I had overheard those men talking, and I knew they were working for her father. But what could they possibly want from her? And why would they resort to attacking her? I thought back to the conversation I had overheard, trying to remember any details that might give me a clue. Something about a secret, a hidden truth... I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but I knew I had to find out more. And I had to make sure she was safe. I scanned the room again, my eyes locking on the door. I had to get out of there, and I had to find her. Now.I tapped my foot impatiently, my eyes fixed on the watch as the seconds ticked by. 20 minutes was a long time, and I was starting to get worried. Where was she? Has something happened to her? I thought back to our conversation earlier, and the uneasy feeling that had settled in the pit of my stomach."I need to go get a
ELIANAI slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. I was in a dark, confined space, with no sign of where I was or how I got there. My head was spinning, and my memories were hazy. I tried to remember what happened, but everything was a blur. I vaguely recalled being in the restroom, and then...nothing. Panic set in as I scrambled to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my head, forcing me to lie back down. Where was I? And who had taken me?The air was thick with the acrid smell of stale smoke and something else, something sweet and chemical. It was overwhelming, making my head spin and my stomach churn. I could feel the weight of the smell bearing down on me, suffocating me. It was like the air itself was heavy, dense with the residue of countless cigarettes and something more sinister. I coughed, trying to clear my lungs, but the smell only seemed to seep deeper into my pores. Where was I? A bar? A club? A place where people came to escape, but ended up trapped in
AXELI sprinted through the deserted streets, my heart racing with every step. I had to find Eliana. I had to make sure she was safe.I had been searching for what felt like hours, but I knew it was only a matter of minutes. Time seemed to stretch and compress when I was worried about Eliana.I turned a corner, my eyes scanning the crowded market stalls. I spotted a familiar face in the crowd -...I growled in frustration, slamming my fist against the wall of the alleyway. Tom, my beta, looked at me with a sympathetic expression."I know, Axel," he said, his voice calm. "We'll find her. We just need to keep looking."I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. Tom was right. We couldn't give up now. Eliana's life might depend on it."Let's split up," I said, my mind racing with a new plan. "We can cover more ground that way. Meet back here in an hour and compare notes."Tom nodded, and we parted ways, each of us disappearing into the crowded streets to continue our search
ELIANA Isaiah, or rather as he said his new name was Hairos, the name was familiar but I couldn't quite place. I racked my brain, trying to remember where I had heard it before. But it remained just out of reach, teasing me with its familiarity. As I looked at him, I saw something in his eyes that made my blood run cold. It was a glint of recognition, of knowledge that I didn't possess. And it made me wonder, what did he want from me? The memories came flooding back, and I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me. Hairos' accusations still stung, even after all this time. He had been so convinced that I was responsible for the fire that had destroyed his shop and killed his father. But I knew the truth. Vivian had been the one to start the fire, her reckless behavior causing the devastating blaze. But in the chaos that followed, I had been the one to take the fall. Isaiah eyes seemed to bore into my soul, as if he could see the guilt and shame that I still carried with me. I knew
AXEL My eyes scanned the deserted streets, my heart heavy with worry. It's been almost 24 hours since she went missing, and I haven't found any sign of her. I've searched every inch of this town, talked to everyone I know, but she's vanished into thin air.I rubbed my tired eyes, feeling the weight of my exhaustion. I hadn't slept or eaten in hours, but I couldn't rest until I found her.I clenched my fists in frustration, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. What if she hadn't eaten in 24 hours? What if she was hurt or injured, and couldn't get help? The thought of her suffering, alone and scared, was unbearable.I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I had to think clearly, had to come up with a new plan to find her. I couldn't give up.What if that searing pain had continued, consuming her completely? The thought sent a chill down my spine. I couldn't bear the idea of her going through that kind of agony, alone and without anyone to comfort her.My mind was racing
ELIANAI felt like I was drowning in a sea of despair, suffocating under the weight of my own worthlessness. Every breath I took felt like a lie, every heartbeat a reminder that I didn't deserve to exist.I was a burden, a stain on the world, a constant reminder of failure and weakness. I felt like I was taking up space that someone else, someone better, could occupy. Every moment I lived felt like a theft, a robbery of time and resources that could be better spent on someone else.The world would be better off without me, I thought. It would be brighter, lighter, freer. I was a shadow, a dark stain on the fabric of existence. And I couldn't shake the feeling that I was slowly unraveling, thread by thread, until there would be nothing left of me at all.I felt like I was being suffocated by the weight of their words, crushed by the constant barrage of criticism and disdain. Vivian Victoria's words, in particular, cut deep, echoing in my mind like a mantra of failure.You're not good e
ELIANA The tears flowed like a river, streaming down my face as the weight of my emotions finally broke free. I felt like I was drowning in my own sorrow, like the pain and the heartache were suffocating me.But even as I wept, I felt a sense of determination rising up within me. I knew that I couldn't stay stuck in this place of hurt and despair. I knew that I had to keep moving forward, no matter how hard it seemed.The thought of taking control of my life, of breaking free from the curse that had haunted me for so long, it filled me with a sense of hope. It was a fragile, flickering flame, but it was enough to give me the courage to keep going.Even my wolf, my loyal companion and friend, would sometimes abandon me. It was as if she too couldn't bear the weight of my sorrow, the depth of my pain.I felt so alone, so lost and forsaken. Like I was a burden, a weight that no one wanted to carry. Not even my own wolf, who was supposed to be my loyal companion and protector.The though
ELIANAI felt heartbroken. The weight of unrequited feelings and unresolved emotions settled in, making it hard to breathe. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I struggled to process the depth of my sorrow. It wasn't just about the end of a role or a chapter in my life; it was about the connection I had felt with him, the longing for something more. The ache within me seemed to echo through every part of my being, a poignant reminder of what could never be.He wasn’t my lover, but it felt like a breakup. The emotions swirling inside me were a jumbled mix of grief, loss, and yearning. Though we'd never been romantically involved, the connection I'd felt with him had run deep. Now, it seemed like that connection was severed, leaving me feeling bereft and disoriented. The sense of emptiness was palpable, as if I'd lost something precious. I struggled to put into words the depth of my feelings, but the pain was undeniable.I couldn’t understand this. The emotions swirling inside me
ELIANA"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice sharp with suspicion. I dropped what I was holding immediately, my heart racing as I tried to think of an explanation. My hands instinctively went to my sides, trying to appear nonchalant. "Just, uh, just looking around," I stammered, hoping my response seemed innocent enough. Axel's eyes narrowed, his gaze darting to the object that had fallen from my hands. I held my breath, praying that he wouldn't notice anything out of the ordinary. But as his eyes met mine again, I couldn't shake the feeling that he saw right through me.My heart was beating fast, pounding in my chest like a drum. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins, making my hands shake slightly. I tried to calm myself down, taking a deep breath and attempting to steady my nerves. But it was hard to relax when Axel's piercing gaze was fixed on me, his eyes seeming to bore into my very soul. I forced a smile, hoping to appear nonchalant, but I could feel the ten
ELIANAThere was a loud knock on the door, interrupting me from the sleep I almost had, and I felt a jolt of surprise and irritation. The knock was insistent, demanding attention, and it seemed to shatter the fragile peacefulness of the moment. I had been drifting off, my eyelids growing heavy, my mind slowly unraveling the threads of consciousness. But the knock came, abrupt and unannounced, like a sudden storm on a calm sea. I groggily got up, my movements slow and reluctant, and made my way to the door, wondering who could be visiting at this hour. The knock came again, louder and more insistent, and I quickened my pace, my heart beating slightly faster in anticipation. Who could it be? A friend, a stranger, or perhaps someone with news? The possibilities swirled in my mind as I reached the door and hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath before opening it to face whatever lay on the other side. The uncertainty was palpable, and I steeled myself for what was to come, my hand r
ELIANA"Thank you very much," I said to her. She smiled and nodded, seeming to accept my gratitude. I felt a sense of appreciation for her willingness to share information with me, even if it was limited. The conversation had left me with more questions than answers, but I was determined to learn more. I stood up, and she followed suit, our eyes meeting in a brief moment of understanding. "I will go and freshen up now, I will meet you later," I said to her, and once again expressed my heartfelt gratitude for the delectable meal she had prepared, "and thank you for the extraordinary culinary experience, the flavors were sublime, the presentation was impeccable, and the warmth with which you served it was truly touching, I'm deeply appreciative of the effort and care you put into cooking such a wonderful meal, it's a pleasure to dine with someone as hospitable as yourself, and I look forward to reciprocating the kindness in the near future, thank you for the food, it was a treat for t
ELIANA"Hey, Emily," Sarah greeted Emily with a warm smile. Emily's eyes flicked to Sarah, and she returned the greeting, but her gaze quickly snapped back to me. I could sense a mix of emotions crossing her face - surprise, curiosity, and maybe a hint of wariness. It was clear that she hadn't expected to see me here, and I wondered what she was thinking. Sarah seemed oblivious to the tension, chatting with Emily about her day and what she'd missed. I stood there, feeling a bit like a spectator, as Emily's eyes continued to dart between Sarah and me, her expression a mask of polite interest. But I knew that beneath the surface, she was probably wondering the same thing I was - what was going on, and what did it mean for us to be roommates?Emily smiled at Sarah. "Hi," Emily said, her greeting warm and friendly. But when I greeted her, she didn't respond to me. Instead, she seemed to freeze, her smile faltering for a moment as her eyes met mine. It was as if she was choosing her respon
ELIANA"When is it?" I asked, my curiosity piqued as I leaned in slightly, eager to know the details of the alpha's annual ceremony and what it might entail, especially given the intrigue and importance surrounding such an event."Tonight," he replied, his voice low and smooth, the word hanging in the air like a promise or a warning, leaving me to wonder what the night would bring and what lay in store for me at the alpha's annual ceremony.Alphas and their Lunas were going to be present, I remembered always begging Gabriel to let me go along with him, to be a part of that world where power and prestige walked hand in hand. But he never agreed, always saying it wasn't important for me to be there, that my presence wouldn't add any value to the proceedings. The memory stung, a mixture of frustration and longing that I couldn't shake off. Why had he been so adamant about keeping me away? Was it truly because he thought I wouldn't be interested, or was there something more to it? The que
ELIANAConfusion clouded my mind as I struggled to piece together the fragments of what was happening. Everything seemed to be shifting, like sand slipping beneath my feet, leaving me unsteady and unsure of what came next.Axel was being extremely nice, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor. His words were laced with kindness, and his smile seemed genuine, but I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his sudden change than met the eye.It wasn't as if he was the same person who looked at me with rage in his eyes just a few days ago. The memory of that intense glare still lingered, making his current niceness feel like a carefully crafted facade, one that could shatter at any moment.I was certain of what I saw in his eyes - a depth of emotion that seemed almost raw, a flicker of something intense and unspoken that left me wondering what lay beneath his tough exterior, and whether I'd ever get to see the real him.It was warmth, it was soft and kind - a gentle contrast to t
AXELI strode swiftly through the forest, my feet pounding the earth in a rhythmic cadence. There was no need to shift; my human form was more than capable of keeping pace with hers. The trees blurred together as I walked, my focus fixed on catching up to her.The mystery deepened, and my curiosity was piqued. I was determined to uncover the reasons behind her fear, to understand what drove her reaction to my wolf. The unknown had become a challenge, and I was resolute in his pursuit of the truth.Just as I heard the sound of her movement, I quickened my pace. "Eliana, wait," I called out, surprised when she didn't respond. But then, she did. Her footsteps halted, and she turned to face me, her eyes locking onto mine with a mix of caution and curiosity.But mostly fear.The fear in her eyes was unmistakable, and I couldn't help but wonder what had triggered it. Was it something about me, about my presence, or about the wolf that lurked within? The question swirled in my mind, demandin
ELIANA"Eliana, wait!" The voice pierced through the darkness, echoing in my mind like a siren's call. I recognized the tone, the urgency, and the familiarity. "Axel?" My heart skipped a beat as I hesitated, my feet frozen in mid-stride. I was supposed to keep running, to escape the unknown threat that lurked behind me. But something about hearing Axel's voice made me halt, made me pause in uncertainty. My breath caught in my throat as I turned, my eyes scanning the surroundings, searching for a glimpse of him. The sound of my own name on his lips had been enough to stall me, to make me question my instincts. Why had I stopped? Why was I waiting? The questions swirled in my mind, but before I could find answers, I stood there, suspended in time, waiting for Axel to emerge from the shadows."Why are you running?" Axel's voice was laced with concern, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. I searched his gaze, and what I saw there surprised me. The fi