[Elara's POV]
"Elara! Elara!" I heard my name being called out. I could catch sight of someone, but I found it hard to make a clearer vision. I stumbled through the foggy ground. My gaze rose only to catch sight of the stranger waving, now being close. I could tell it was him, Lucian. Why was he here? A widened expression making its way to my mind, as I stumbled backward, watching him take some steps further.
"No... no, stay away," I whispered, my eyes flinching, only for me to open them back and, in that moment, it turned out to be Kieran.
Standing right there with a smile on his face, his hands extended, calling me forth. A weird feeling sinking in, cold—I would say—the iced atmosphere easing the fear I had felt. Why was I feeling this way, calm, wanting to run to him, hug him closer, and hope he doesn't let go? My legs took steps, one after the other. I wanted to hesitate, stop myself from taking another foot, but yet it felt like I wasn't even in control of my own self. My heart pumped fast as I moved closer, the feeling of wanting to see a loved one. Could this be because of the bond I had felt?
I was standing right in front of him this time, his hands gently placed on my cheek, and those ever wavering smiles remained on his face.
"I will protect you, Elara. Burn this town if I have to. You are mine, only mine..." I was sure he had whispered, but just then, the fog grew, my eyes flinching in reaction as I lost my way.
"Kieran! Kieran!" I called out, and then the very white fog turned black.
I found myself bound. I couldn't move an inch. "What's happening?" I only wondered as I noticed shadows of wolves, ones that circled me in an instant, snarling, baring their teeth, ready to tear me apart.
"Help!" I cried out, clutching my head in agony, until suddenly I fell into someone's arms—warm, solid, and steady.
The scent that emitted from this stranger wrapping around me was wild but familiar, fierce yet safe.
My mate?
This stranger vanished into the cloudy haze after, as I stumbled to the ground. I caught no sight of the wolves nor the chains I was bound to.
All I gazed upon was nothing more than an empty white fog before a glimpse appeared in the distance. Through the haze, I caught a glimpse of her—my wolf. She was pacing, restless, pressing against something, a seal, a barrier I had almost forgotten was there.
"No!" I screamed; my eyes flinched, but this time, I refused to let them open, the fear that coursed through my veins, not knowing what was going to pop out next. But just as I tried opening them, a bright light pierced through, causing me to react as I woke up feeling a sharp sting on my head.
It was a dream? No, I wouldn't call it that. It was a nightmare—the whole view. I wasn't able to forget the one I had, my wolf. No, she couldn't break free, not now.
If that happened and the seal was broken, the bond with Rendell would return instantly. He would come for me, drag me back before I even had a chance to breathe. Before I could run away from this town.
And this time, knowing he was going to finish what he started. His fiancée wouldn't let me live, either.
No—I had to escape. But the town was still on lockdown. No, I had to find a way. Anything but falling into his hands again.
My hands clutched on my bedsheet in grasp as they tightened, my skin damp with sweat as I tried managing a proper breathing, easing the heavy one.
A view around the room, only to notice that this wasn't the inn.
"What was I doing here? How did I end up here?" I only wondered more. The last thing I was able to recall was me coming back from work at the motel. My mind was still unable to let go of what had occurred back in the room with Kieran, those whispers that he let into my ears. Warnings or just advice, I couldn't tell. The rain had begun falling heavily, and I hurried in it, my whole clothes drenched when I arrived back at the inn. I was thinking of resting then after. "What happened next?"
All I had were mere faltered, blurry memories. I was sure I heard some words, ones that I hoped I was wrong of. "Alpha Kieran..." I heard the name being mentioned. What really happened?
Something about the room seemed familiar—stone walls, thick curtains, the scent of herbs and something older, something hidden.
I sat up, disoriented, as I tried placing things.
I heard a creak, one that drew my gaze to the door. An elder entered, leaning on a cane. His glasses caught the light, but it was the sharp gleam in his eyes that made my heart stutter.
One of the elders suddenly showing up in the room only brought more questions swirling in my mind.
"You're awake," I heard him say. His voice was calm but somehow heavy in a way. Something I couldn't name.
I watched the elder take further slow steps.
This time, I found myself leaning back on the bed, my back pressing hard against the wall.
Only for him to sit on a bench close to my side.
"And it seems your fever has also dropped. That's good," he said.
Wait, so that was it? I had a fever? To think one would leave me in such a state that I hardly recall much. And the nightmares I had as well, were they also caused by the fever? But one thing was very much assured to me in those nightmares, the truth that I had less time to leave before he comes.
I watched the elder pour some water into two cups placed on a nightstand as he grabbed one, gulping it up. "Drink, dear," he said as I hesitated for a while before grabbing the cup, taking a little sip.
"You were lucky we found you in time," he said. "Alpha Kieran had no intention of letting you go. That kind of possessiveness is dangerous. We took you from him for your own safety."
So I was right; he was there?