CHAPTER 3

[Ella's POV]

"Professor!?" A high-pitched male voice unexpectedly came from the direction of the exit. Saved by the bell, well, the man. I told myself. The professor unhanded me, and I hurriedly exited the class not looking back. I run straight to the bus station, and luckily a bus was stopped. I took the emergency wolfsbane oil spray that I carry with me and sprayed the ground around me while pretending to tie my inexistent shoelaces. Then I climbed the bus with the direction city centre. Sitting in the back of the bus I was taking deep breaths to calm myself before losing control of my wolf. My legs were shaking and my heart palpitating. I still couldn't quite make sense of what happened. Was professor Gabriello really my mate? I couldn't sense any of the mating signs, except for Elpis shouting "Mate, mate". I was afraid that the man in front of me was from the Blue Delta pack and was sent to kill me. My grandma told me stories about mercenary werewolves who are sent to kill rogues. To make the hunt easier they use dark magic making their victims believe that their hunter is in fact their faithed mate. They weaken the rogues by rejecting them. Then the hunter waits for the opportunity to kill them in an 'accidental' way. Is a cruel way of killing their rogues, but many packs are using this method to protect their mercenaries because not many wolves volunteer for this job. As soon as I got home, I stocked all my purses and pockets with wolfsbane oil. Just in case I meet the hunter again. However, pictures of the almost kiss, and his breath on my skin made my heart palpitate. What if he really is my mate? I asked myself, biting my lips. He is. Elpis reminded me. He might not, he might be deceiving us. I replied to Elpis. Trust the moon goddess, she has a plan for you. Elpis encouraged me. I don't know Elpis; I really don't want to die young. I replied to her. Should we go for a run? I asked Elpis, running always helps me clear my mind. Yes, please! Elpis replies. I grab a small canvas backpack with a change of clothes and the house key and got out of the house. I quickly jogged my way out of Didcot to the nearest edge of the North Wessex Downs Nature Reservation. This doesn't compare to the Danube forests in which the Blue Delta pack runs, but it comes close enough. Luckily, Elpis is not a very big wolf, and on top of it, her purple-blue fur would make even a werewolf doubt their eyes. Who would believe anyone who says they saw a purple wolf? I do remember seeing my older sister turn, her wolf is of a dark brown colour, nothing out of ordinary. I don't understand why my wolf would be of this odd colour, not that I don't like it. Feeling the cool wind brush against the fur of my wolf made my mind calm and all my anxieties disappeared. I must have been tired, as I woke up with the light of the next day cuddled at the roots of a big fir tree, still in wolf form. Luckily Elpis did not forget to bring the change of clothes with her. I immediately changed back into my human form and got dressed. I had an early lecture today, which meant that I had to burn extra calories to make it in time. I would need at least one hour to travel to the University using public transport, but I had to get home first. As soon as I got home, I took a quick shower to wash the dirt away, after all, I slept on the ground last night. I then quickly freshened up, put some clean clothes on and a bit of make-up before rushing through the door. If I don't die at the hands of the mysterious doctor Gabriello, who might be my hunter, to survive in today's society I need a degree. I concluded while double-checking the wolfsbane little bottles of oil. This oil is not strong, but at least it will give me the opportunity to defeat him if it comes to it.