AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Of course your family wouldn’t have known. It was all part of our plan. I helped her leave the island, and she was to never speak of this place to anyone outside of the man she left behind. You see, one of the alphas had messed up and grabbed the wrong person, and she was never supposed to be here. How she even survived the transformation is beyond me. But, that’s not important. What’s important is finding your alpha. I’m sure he will want to hear me out.”
I turn my gaze to the forest around us. “I don’t have an alpha. Why do you think the council took me to Starrise? There was a lot of bullshit happening here. Eleanor’s bloodline had promised me to a pack, but then another interfered and claimed me... You know what? It’s none of your fucking business. Just let me go. I don’t want anything to do with you. I’m not even going to stay here. I have a plan.”
A wicked smile lights Theodore’s features, but it doesn’t soften his face. If anything, it makes him harder, scarier. “That’s why your will is so strong. I thought for sure you were already bound by soul, considering your condition.” He twirls his finger at my stomach. “I sense offspring. Unfortunately, they’re not as strong as I had expected them to be. It’s very curious. I believe that you must be a bit different because of your heritage. Usually only an alpha can impregnate a she-wolf a second time if she is already carrying. It wouldn’t be the first time that the packs shared. Sometimes, it’s the only way to guarantee a strong future.”
I keep my mouth shut, trying my best not to react. So what he’s saying is that I could still get pregnant by a non-alpha, but only an alpha can knock me up after I’m already knocked up. What the fuck? This is insane. Unbelievable. But I already knew it. The more I think about it, the more unnerved I get. This is why I need to learn more about myself and what goes on here. I don’t even know if the packs truly know everything.
“It was in the agreement. It is how the hierarchy works, and the council insured it. You have far too few females among your species for purebred procreation. But things change all the time. All it takes is something a little different and the spell that keeps your species thriving can alter,” he adds, reaching out and drawing his finger along my stomach.
It triggers me into action, and I swing my fist and punch him in the face, feeling as if his touch cuts through me. Striking him in the balls with my knee, I shove him back and spin on my feet. This was the chance I needed. It only took me having to create a distraction. And by the fact that Theodore is now on his knees proves that he has the same weakness as many males.
“Help! Adam! Evander! Where are you? Help!” My voice rings out as I also project my thoughts to the world. Haze creeps through the forest, and I run as quickly as I can toward it, not even caring where the gateway leads. Anywhere will be better than with the mage. I don’t trust him just as I don’t trust anyone. He has his reason for being here, and I’m sure I won’t like it.
The world shudders around me, and I leap over a crack breaking the ground. I lose my footing and slip on the damp ground, sliding across the forest floor. Growls grumble through the air, and I recognize Ravi’s wolf. His white form launches over me, and he snarls.
“Eliana, hurry. This way.” Slater barks with his command, circling me to shove his snout under my stomach, helping me to my feet. He nudges his big head to my ass, pushing me. “The packs are restructuring. Those who lost their alpha are trying to take control. We’re not letting them. We are expanding our territories. Now come on, let’s get you somewhere safe. It’s almost over.”
Almost over? He’s got to be fucking kidding me. When will this ever be over? When one alpha falls, another will step on his body and take his place. I’ve seen it. This is just too much.
“Listen to him, my love. He is not wrong. The council will finalize the territories shortly. Please, let us handle it. You’ve been through enough. The others are waiting for you. You have them worried.” Kellan circles me, coming out from between two trees.
And something’s different. His wolf...what? This can’t be.
He lunges and nips at my side. “Go on, my love. We’ll explain everything soon. We have work to do.”
Confusion gets the best of me, and I find myself strolling closer to Slater. I wish I could just have a moment to think. To talk to them. It’s been one thing after another, and I don’t know how much more of this I can take.
“I can arrange that, my pet. All you have to do is say the word.” Theodore materializes in the shadows, drawing my attention to him. No one looks in his direction, concentrating on the growls that grow in volume as whatever monstrous pack tries to surround us.
“No.” I shake my head, trying to force Theodore’s voice from my mind. “No. Leave me alone.”
“Whatever you want. You’ll be back. You’re going to need me after what the council has planned for you. But this was your only free chance. Anything from this point will have a price. All you have to do is bow and call my name. We’ll barter from there.” Theodore steps from the shadows and rubs his hands together, sending haze through the world around us.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, but the mage vanishes. Silence falls through the world, and I realize that Ravi finishes off the last of the threatening wolves.
The fighting is over. At least, for now.
I comb my fingers through my messy tresses, striding toward the spot where Theodore disappeared. I almost expect there to be a portal still, but nothing happens. I remain in the forest.
“Grab her. Something’s wrong.” Ravi’s voice snaps my attention to him, and he motions behind me.
Two arms lock around me from behind. It’s Kellan. “What is it? What do you hear?”
“I don’t hear anything. But I smell it. There’s a trespasser.” Ravi fists his hands and spins around. “It’s a mage.”
“You’re right. Someone has broken the treaty.” Slater strides up in his human form, his body glistening with sweat, his muscles bulging. “Spread out. I’ll call upon the council to see if it’s one of them. With the shift in territory—”
“It’s not them!” My throat burns as I yell out the words. “Put me down! I need to find him.”
“Find who? Look at me, Eliana. You’re not making sense.” Slater grasps my chin, forcing me to look into his eyes. “Take a breath. You’re safe with us. The worst of it is over. We’ve been given access to the human world. We can do things the right way now.”
“The right way? What does that even mean?” I have far more questions than answers, and I struggle to prioritize what’s important.
A figure steals my attention in the corner of my eyes, and I jerk and catch sight of Adam. He cradles his arm. Bruises shadow around both of his eyes, and one hell of a bite mark bleeds on his shoulder. My heart sinks into my stomach at the sight of him. Where is Evander? Sloan? Fuck, what about Chase, Tristan, and Davian? I need everyone here. I need to make sure they’re all okay. Because Adam doesn’t look good. He looks like he wants to sit down and possibly pass out.
“Eliana, fuck. Give her to me.” Adam strides forward and extends his uninjured arm, and I realize his other one is definitely broken. He’s crazy if he even thinks he can hold me in this state.
Slater blocks him, proving he agrees with me. “We need to get you looked at. It’s not going to heal properly if it doesn’t get set.”
