"You don't have to do that", He said while smiling softly at her.
Elizabeth slowly raised her head until she made eye contact with him and saw him smiling.
Elizabeth eyebrows furrowed, clearly confused, "You are the beta's brother, right?", She asked not sure why someone of a higher power would not find pleasure in her misfortune. Even her mate did.
Paul loosened his hold on her hand, probably taken aback by her question, "Yes, I guess my lack of connection with my brother brought about that question, right?".
Elizabeth groaned.
"What's wrong?", Paul asked.
"I dislike when someone answers a question with a question", she sighed and chastised herself when she remembered the presence of whom she was in.
"Oh?", Paul scratched the back of his head. Elizabeth smiled at him and hit him. She couldn't tell where this courage was coming from but honestly, a huge part of her was okay with it.
Paul faked gasped and said, "I am sorry? Did you just hit the beta's brother?", He said faking an angry face.
"I am sorry, My Lord", Elizabeth said mocking a salute as they both smiled.
"On a serious note, please consider me as a friend?", He requested using a serious tone.
Elizabeth was taken aback but nodded, "Why aren't you in school?", She later asked after coming out of her reverie.
"I've thought of ways of approaching you for more than two years now but it's either you were busy with school works or helping your parents out and after they died, well you just weren't available", He explained.
"Why are you trying so hard?", She whispered sadly.
"Because you are worth it. I believe you when you said you had nothing to do with your parent's death. We are alike Lizzy. I was ignored because I can't shift".
"I am confused. Your explanation is for the after and not before", She said as he chuckled.
"Yes, you are asking why I'm trying so hard because you are obviously thinking of your parent's death. When I first saw you, your eyes were glued to a book at the library. I don't know, I just felt a pull to you but my logical reason is since you are new, I could find a friend in you but I was so shy to approach you";
"So your shyness cost you a friendship of more than two years?", Elizabeth joked as he smiled.
"Can we take a walk? Everyone is at school", Adding the last part to prevent a negative response.
"What about Alpha Max and Luna Claire?".
"They traveled to the U.S for a meeting with the Royals".
Elizabeth was silent trying to think of who or what might give her problems but when she came up with none, she nodded.
"You promise to bring me home before lunch time?", She asked knowing what lies ahead if she delays in her duties.
"A promise. Shall we go My lady?", He said faking a British accent while placing her arm in his bent elbow.
"We shall, My Lord".
They were walking to their favorite meadow without realizing it, "This is my favorite place", They said simultaneously. They smiled at each other and sat on a fallen wood.
The meadow wasn't far from the pack house but was unattended to which made Elizabeth wonder why. The meadow had been of great help to Elizabeth. It had a quiet feel and the feel of the waterfall made it more serene which made it seem like home to her where she could talk without interruptions, nurse her pains without anyone asking questions. They both closed their eyes to feel the breeze and they could hear the peaceful flows of the waterfall not far from the meadow.
"I hear you sing here", Paul said breaking the silence.
Elizabeth turned to face him and urge him to continue and when he didn't, Elizabeth looked at him suspiciously, "Have you been spying on me?".
Paul immediately denied it probably thinking she was serious until Elizabeth started laughing.
"You think it's funny?", Paul asked irritatingly.
Elizabeth stopped laughing and mouthed a sorry as they fell in a comfortable silence.
"Could you please....you know sing that song again?", He asked avoiding eye contact.
Elizabeth laughed again.
Paul stood disappointed and was about to leave when Elizabeth stopped, "Sit and enjoy", She said sarcastically
Elizabeth cleared her throat and started," I feel lost going through life with nowhere else to go. Those I feel are mine are either gone or against me. I know I can live through it because I believe in myself.
Chorus: you live only once, so make the best of it. You live only once, so show them how it's done. I guess what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. So that means it's me against the world.
2: I felt rejected, I felt betrayed, I felt broken. They thought they've done their worst, funny right? But everything will soon be revealed sooner or later.
Interlude: My friends left me, my family is gone leaving an enemy behind but I thought you will be there. I guess I counted my eggs before they were hatched........so what I think of is: Back to chorus.
"Wow!", Paul said as if he was out of breath, "You have a beautiful voice, that was nice", He complimented.
"Thanks", Elizabeth said while blushing until she remembers her chores, "What's the time, Paul?".
Paul looked at his watch and noted they were ten minutes early, "Ten minutes past one", He replied.
"I have to go, see you next time", Elizabeth said and smiled as she walked away.
Paul was about to follow in her direction when he saw a fallen bracelet that possibly belongs to Elizabeth and picked it up. He read the words engraved in the bracelet which made him gasped. He knew what they meant which only fueled his suspicions about one person.
On her way back to the pack house, Elizabeth couldn't help but smile. Her mind might be wary of her new found friend but a huge part of her keeps telling her how right it felt. Her mind wandered to the day her freedom was taken away from her.
FLASHBACK
"Mom? Dad?", Elizabeth was getting terrified. Her parents were supposed to be home.
"Mom?", She called out while brushing away a curved leaf. Damn being brave, she thought as she allowed fear seep into her voice. What can her seventeen-year-old self-do without her brother who was enjoying his time with his friends.
"Dad", She called as she got to the clearing. It was the place the Eleanor's first found her, the place where wars in the Chosen Lightning pack were arranged.
"Move a step closer and your parents will die", A man said breathing in her ear.
When did he get here? How did he get here? She wondered as she remained frozen on the spot.
"Child, run!", Her father shouted. She could, she wanted to but she couldn't. She didn't want to leave them and her body seems to agree with her.
"Well, it seems your daughter is going to be on the chess board", The man smiled while brushing a strand of hair from her face harshly.
"Please no! Not her. Please, we will do anything", Her mother pleaded while trying to free herself from the man who held her captive. Elizabeth could feel her mother's pain as the silver knife was slowly making its way into her neck.
"Mom, no!", Elizabeth shouted while trying to save her mother. Her feet were rooted firmly on the floor as the silent tears turned to a full sob. She couldn't comprehend anything except the pool of blood five feet away from her. Her legs buckled underneath her as she slumped down and fell unconscious.