CHAPTER 15

Where was I? I was running through the woods in darkness, barefoot trying to save myself. I heard the cackle again, the echoes getting louder and louder, caging me in this invisible cell.

"You're no longer safe Elaara." A hear a whisper in my one ear and the cackle got louder again...

"RUN..

RUNNN...

"

And I jolted awake from the virtual reality that I was in. I was heaving as if I had ran a mile. My forehead and body were now drenched in my own sweat. The sunlight made me close my eyes because of the brightness. I placed myself upright on the bed as I tried to calm my heavy breathing. Once aware of my surroundings, everything that had happened came crashing down on me like tons of weight.

How did he change so much? He was so rude to me? How could he not recognize me?I tried to save his life, even though he ended up getting caught, but I still had tried.

I was still in the dress from last night and my room was a complete mess. My clothes were all over the place. The content from my drawers were scattered near the bed. I was the same as my room, a complete mess. I got up from the bed as I watched the time it was 6:30am. I stumbled when I took a few steps, I was feeling weak. I hadn't eaten since last morning. I tried to regain composure as I took support from the bedside table. Once, my head was in the right place, I walked towards the washroom to wash myself.

You are in a bad condition...,El spoke.. I agreed with her as I looked at myself in the mirror. My makeup was smudged all over. One side of my face had swollen where my uncle had slapped me. My eyes were puffy. I unzipped the dress as it slid to the floor. I noticed that my arms were also bruised from where Aehannik had grabbed me.

I slid into the shower. My bruises hurt a lot as water cascaded down through them. Why was I so weak? I knew how to fight but I couldn't match their strength that let them manhandle me like that. With a new found determination, I calmed myself and washed away any negative thoughts that tried to crawl in. Once done, I felt quite better as I wrapped a towel around me and came out of the shower. The room, I needed to clean it first. I started collecting my clothes as I went on with cleaning everything.

Nobody ever came to check up on me. They never cared. I cleaned everything, put everything back in place. I picked out the journals to change their position. I have kept them hidden for as long as I could remember and my mother's pendant. I have never taken it off until yesterday when I had to go meet my uncle. I picked it up and wore it back. It gave me comfort. It gave me a sense of belonging. Everything was back in order in half an hour. I changed in a pair of jeans and a plain black t-shirt. I blow-dried my hair and tied them in a bun and covered them with a beanie. After wearing my glasses and a hoodie, I was ready to set out. I didn't wanted to have any sort of interaction with anyone and at this point, I was just feeling rebellious. I knew what was going to happen anyways.

I grabbed my backpack putting my stuff inside and climbed through the tree and was out of the house in 5 mins. Once outside, I grabbed my bicycle and drove down the street to grab something to eat. I bought some food and drove towards the school. My first task today was to meet Kane. I had an idea, he knew things, he was an Alpha, he had access and power. I couldn't trust him completely but I was learning to do that.

I needed to learn that...

I took a small break to have my breakfast which included a bagel and a cup of coffee that I had gotten from the only cafe in town. Our town was developed but not so much. It was secluded from the outer world so the growth was minimal and the new rules that applied to the people of town got them into thinking of leaving. The real question was if they were allowed to leave. There were people in this town filled with mysteries and powers that were not for the outer world.

The one who rules is always the one who's invincible. The one who wins is always the strongest not just physically but mentally as well. They will be willing to do anything, no matter how high the stakes. No matter how cruel they needed to be. Killing always need conviction and they had it.

Are you actually going to marry the prince? El asked out of nowhere.. I didn't know the answer to that. If he was the same person that I had met before it would have been a different scenario but the guy I met last night he was someone else, something else. He needed help but I wasn't sure if I should be the one helping him. I needed help myself. 

I am sorry I wasn't any help last night... Do you think we need to hide ourselves, El. I asked her as I started driving to school. I think we should for now. We don't know what we are dealing with at this point. Once we have our answers, we can show them what we are...

Just know that I am with you every step of the way. Thanks El, I want to have answers, but now with the book gone, I'm not to sure.. Kane might have some answers they way he reacted last night when he uh.. sniffed me. It was weird to be honest, the way he did that. My mother's side of the family had no powers. I was aware of that. She left while giving birth to me. It always made me guilty that I was the reason.... 

I just arrived in the parking lot when I heard Kane calling out my name. I turned around and smiled at him. Just like he said, he was here. To a good start then... 

He walked to where I was standing and stared at me for 3- 4 seconds as he probably noticed my bruised face. I raised my eyes dreading the questions he was going to throw at me. To my surprise, what he said caught me off- guard.. 

"It really amazes me, your both looks.." He spoke as we started walking towards our first class. I was really glad they way he changed the topic of the conversation. I had just channeled myself in ways different than the normal kids. 

"What's so amazing about it?" I asked as we rounded a corner. 

" Well, you look like a guy, until someone actually pays attention.." He explained as he continued." Last night, you looked beautiful in that dress but you are cuter this way.." He finished as he winked at me at the end. 

" That's just my way of not getting noticed." I mumbled as we neared the class.

" Dressing like a guy?" He questioned as he looked at me trying to figure me out. I couldn't even figure out myself, how would he..

"I can't explain it..." I mumbled again as we entered our class and took the seats at the end. A few heads did turn when we entered our class together but I just kept my head down as usual. The murmurs continued to circulate, but I paid them no heed.

" You make me curious, so damn much... " He mumbled more to himself not intending for me to hear it but I did... I was curious as well.

"Something's different" He spoke suddenly as if a bulb turned on in his head.

" What is?" I asked looking at him quizzically. What happened now?

" Your scent... I can't smell it..." He spoke looking confused as hell. 

"huh..." I just looked at him dumbfounded, I didn't know what to say..

" That's how I followed you in college and then in the woods but now I can't.. How? There's no way that can happen." I couldn't help but laugh at this revelation.. what was he even saying??

"This is serious...." He looked me in the eye and I pressed my lips together to stop myself from saying anything. 

It was again going to be a long day....