ELARA
This is so confusing. What happened to my home?
"How is this possible? How did I end up here? " I pulled myself out of bed with my headache, standing in the middle of the room I was in, hovering my eyes around.
"Where's stepfather? Why am I in this place? How did I get here?" I asked, spinning around slowly to see my environment.
"Dinner. We were having dinner and..." I tried to remember everything that happened last night, but nothing.
All that clouded my head was a frame of me having dinner with Stepfather and...
"That was all. That's the last thing I remember." I gasped, having a sudden realization.
"Did, did stepfather..."
A click came at the door from behind. I turned around and noticed a lady wearing a wolf mask on her face, stepping into the room.
She first took a glance at me, before dropping the white towel in her hands on the bed.
"Excuse me, please. Where am I? " I asked, feeling nervous to approach her.
She said nothing to me but left the room at once, locking me inside.
"What is happening? " I took a heave of breath, feeling hurt over what was taking place.
I carefully walked towards the window, recalling Alpha's words to my stepfather. He advised him to get rid of me. Was stepfather's sweet nature yesterday all a plan to get rid of me?
Standing before the window, I could see large buildings and vehicles moving about on the road from afar. From my view, I could tell I was in a large mansion.
The surroundings outside had a large opening, with guards moving about.
This doesn't look like my pack. This is a different place entirely. But where?
Again, I heard the sound of the door clicking. I turned around and saw the door opening, followed by a tall man, stepping inside.
"You're finally awake. That's good," He said to me.
"Who are you? Where am I? " I asked, hoping for an answer.
"I am Beta Boris. Do get yourself dressed. You'll find your clothes in that wardrobe and the bathroom on the left. Breakfast will be served in no time, " He said, ignoring my second question.
He leaves the room but doesn't lock it up like that masked lady.
"Get dressed? " I navigated my gaze to the wardrobe he pointed out and approached it. Opening it, I found a lot of beautiful and expensive dresses inside.
The beauty attracted me because I've never had such beautiful attire in my life.
"Who owns this place? " That question came into mind, as I hovered my eyes around, taking a red dress from the closet, and heading for the bathroom.
.
After some minutes, I was escorted out of the room by the masked lady, who just stayed silent like some kind of spirit.
I followed her from behind, scanning the large interior of this mansion.
I need to know where I am.
"Here she is, " I heard from downstairs, directing my eyes below.
The moment my eyes fell down the staircase, my heart skittered at the sight of a handsome man, standing next to a beautiful lady.
His charm struck my heart deeply, getting me all curious to know who this handsome fellow was.
"Is he the one that owns this place?" I asked within, climbing down the stairs.
His eyes remained on me. It's almost like he was smiling at me. That got my cheeks turning red and I had to take my eyes off him at once.
"Pull yourself together Elara. Remember your goal here. Find out where you are and what's going on. " I sighed.
Arriving below the stairs, Beta Boris, as he had introduced himself, said to the handsome man before me, "Alpha Rayel, this is our guest, Elara."
This is so strange. The Beta already knows my name. I know I didn't tell him my name. But what amused me more was the fact that the charming fellow before me was an Alpha.
His eyes fell on me once again as he welcomed me into his home.
The thought of asking him my troubling questions vanished at once. All I could feel was nothing but a strong connection between us both.
His golden eyes glittered at me like diamonds. His fragrance sent a thrill within my body, causing me to crave a touch from him.
"Goddess! I think I'm in love with him! " My face flashed knowing how I felt towards this handsome Alpha.
This can't be happening, but it feels just beautiful.
"And this is Luna Hazel, Alpha Rayel's wife. "
Luna? Wife? Gosh! He's married.
I felt broken knowing that the man I was attracted to was already married and his Luna was standing beside him.
I thought she was his sister or relation. His charm blinded me to see that she was his wife.
"Welcome Elara. I hope you feel at home with us, " Luna Hazel said, taking hold of my hands sweetly.
I managed to smile, stealing a glimpse at her husband. He had his eyes on me and it only made me feel weak within.
"Consider yourself a part of this family. We will attend to all your needs. Whatever you want, just tell us and we'll give it to you, okay? '' Luna Hazel smiled at me.
Looking at her, I could see she was a sweet soul. Even though I'm a total stranger, she's ready to take good care of me.
"Goddess, forgive me. Here I am lusting after her husband's charm when she's making so many plans to make me happy. I can't allow these feelings to dwell in my heart. But for a second..."
I lifted my eyes back at Alpha Rayel. His gaze was still on me, causing my innocent heart to bleed in sadness and yearn for his touch.
"For a second, I thought he was my mate. I felt a strong connection between us, but I don't know if that's the sign every wolf sees when they come face to face with their mate. Is that the same with me?"
~ Rayel’s POVPanic clawed at me as Elara’s mental link flickered, replaced by a terrifying image,a dark cave.“She is in danger!” I yelled out. Every ounce of self-preservation melted away, replaced by an urge to protect her.The fragmented images Elara had sent were enough. Mountains, a cave entrance. It wasn't much, but it was all I had. Barking orders to Boris, I rallied my most trusted warriors. We rode with a desperate urgency, the rising sun painting the sky a bloody red that mirrored the turmoil within me.Hours bled into one another as we traversed treacherous terrain. Doubt gnawed at the edges of my determination. Had I reached in time? Then, a flicker of hope. A plume of smoke rising from a clearing in the distance.I felt energetic, so I urged my men forward. The scene that greeted me was a tableau of chaos. Elara, battered and bruised, was surrounded by Darach's men. Her defiance, even in her weakened state, ignited a fury within me hotter than any fire.Before I coul
~ Elara’s POVThe trek with Rufus towards my father's supposed location had been arduous. Days blurred into nights, the dense canopy offering scant sunlight. Rufus remained by my side, my keen senses constantly on alert. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the trees thinned, revealing a desolate mountain range.A shiver ran down my spine as I spotted a dark, gaping maw nestled at the base of the highest peak. It couldn't be. The cave. The one from my connection with my father.Fear warred with desperation. Taking a deep breath, I linked with my father once more. This time, raw, agonizing screams reached me.“ My father, It was him,” I told Rufus.Heart pounding a frantic tattoo against my ribs, I scrambled down the rocky slope, Rufus hot on my heels. The stench of damp earth and something metallic filled the air as we reached the cave entrance. A low growl rumbled from within, sending shivers down my spine.Ignoring the fear, I pushed past the ragged curtain concealing the entra
~ Rayel’s POV"What?!" The scream ripped from my throat, a guttural roar of fury. Ignoring the guards and the stunned look on Hazel's face, I lunged at Dolph. He may have been chained, but that wouldn't stop me. My fist connected with his jaw again, a satisfying blow that carried the weight of my wrath."How dare you!" My voice was a low growl, laced with a dangerous edge. "They're not pawns in your twisted games! You lay a single finger on them, and you'll regret the day you were born!""Rayel!" Hazel cried, her voice thick with hurt and betrayal. Clearly, the sight of me attacking her lover had shaken her.But before I could even process her reaction, she did something that sent a fresh wave of shock through me. Hazel, the woman I thought I knew, knelt beside the now-wincing Dolph and began to help him up. Her touch, gentle and concerned, was a stark contrast to the coldness she had shown me earlier. "Is Elara still alive?" Her voice, laced with a desperate urgency, was directed at
~ Rayel’s POVPushing myself off the bed, a newfound determination coursed through me. The anger might still simmer beneath the surface, but it was overshadowed by a fierce longing for Elara and my son. I wouldn't give up. I would find Elara and my son, no matter what it took.Just then, the door creaked open. It was Boris. Relief washed over me, maybe he had news about the retrieval team."Your Majesty," he announced, his voice a welcome sound in the tense silence. "I've done as you ordered. The guards are heading towards Alpha Dolph’s pack as we speak."I nodded curtly, a flicker of appreciation for his swiftness. But before Boris could launch into whatever he was about to say, I cut him off. Hazel's name was a raw nerve, and I couldn't bear to hear it right now. "Don't mention her," I rasped, my voice tight. "Just find Elara's stepfather. I need to talk to him."Boris's brow furrowed in confusion. "Elara's stepfather? What about him?" It was clear he didn't understand my plan, but
~ Rayel’s POVMy heart shattered into a million pieces. Years of love, devotion, poured down the drain. The woman I thought I knew, the woman I had built a future with was a stranger. The truth, a bitter pill coated in sugar, sat heavy in my gut."You... love someone else and have never loved me?" My voice barely rose above a whisper, the words scraping against my raw throat.Hazel scoffed, a sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Loved? Please, Rayel. It was never love. It was convenient. A way to pass the time." The coldness in her voice sent a fresh wave of nausea crashing over me."And now you want out?" I managed, the question laced with a desperate hope that maybe, just maybe, this was all a twisted joke.Hazel's smile returned, but this time it was devoid of warmth, a predatory glint flashing in her eyes. "Exactly. And wouldn't it be a grand gesture of your love to let me go quietly? A final act of selflessness before I return to the arms of someone who actually deserves me."
~ Rayel’s POV I was speechless, staring at Hazel. She wasn't making things easier. Hazel got up and walked closer to me, clearly frustrated."You're being such a jerk, Rayel! Why are you acting so mad? I told you I was pregnant, and you believed it even though you knew I can't have kids. Why are you getting mad at me now?” Hazel demanded, her voice laced with anger.Frustration bubbled over. "Seriously, Hazel? You can't even apologize?" I exclaimed.Hazel scoffed. "Why would I? I bent over backwards for you, remember? You should be thanking me, not throwing a tantrum."Her lack of regret made my blood boil. "That's unbelievable, Hazel! You don't get to play innocent here. Taking responsibility is grown-up stuff, and you're failing miserably! I hate it when people don’t take responsibility for their actions!” I said. The air hung heavy with accusation after Hazel's scoff. "Take responsibility for my actions!" she spat, her words dripping with misplaced blame. I managed a smile, thin