"Anyone can make a mistake. It takes a special kind of person to make a mistake, admit to it and face the pain and trouble that comes with making amends. Hang onto those people. They might hurt you, but they'll never make you heal alone." Unknown
I can feel large warm hands shake my body as I struggle to open my eyes. I swat them away with an irritated sigh. Who in the hell is trying to wake me up, and why can't they get the hint that I am fucking tired? The shaking doesn't stop, and I can feel my annoyance reaching a whole other level, but instead, I let out another annoyed sigh and roll over on my stomach. Maybe if I keep ignoring this persistent motherfucker they will let me sleep.
"Helena, sweetheart, I know you're tired. I can feel it, but you have to open your eyes. Your whole body is glowing, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't somewhat concerned. So, can you please turn over and open your eyes?"
As much as I wanted to ignore him, I couldn't with all that worry laced in his tone. Turning over, I stretched my arms above my head and slowly opened my eyes. Elijah took an audible gasp and stroked the side of my face. I can see the worry lines start to develop more under his eyes. "What is wrong, my wolf? You said I was glowing? Like more than usual or something?" I smirk a little while he accesses me.
"Sweetheart, you're glowing more than usual, and your eyes are silver right now. It seems like you have awakened something inside of you. Can you tell me what you were dreaming about?" I sat up abruptly with memories of my dream rushing back to me all at once, and it wasn't just a dream but a vision of my past life. A sudden wash of guilt took me over, and a tear slipped through my now-closed eyes. "Helena, what has made you so upset? Please talk to me, let me help you. He pleads with me, and I can see the tears threatening to spill from his eyes. Goddess, how could I have treated him in such a manner? How can I remind him of my betrayal? What if he doesn't even remember? It took me a millisecond to realize that I needed to tell him the truth. He didn't leave me then and won't leave me now. I have to trust that we were paired for a reason.
Wiping my eyes, I turn my head to look at him. " It wasn't just a dream. It was a memory—a memory of my past life with you. I betrayed you, Elijah. Do you know what I am talking about? My mouth twisted into a pout as I stared into his face waiting on an answer. He picked me up and pulled me into his lap, stroking my hair to my astonishment.
"Of course, I remember the first time I almost lost you. The pain and sadness I felt were....let's say the feeling was something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Is this what has you so upset, my love?"
I shook my head yes, "Elijah, I betrayed your trust, and in doing so, I almost lost my life, and he very well could have killed you. How can you so easily forgive me?" I mumbled as I hid my face in the crook of his neck.
He moved back a little, placing his index finger under my chin and lifting my face so that he could look into my eyes. "Helena, one mistake does not define who you are and what you are to me. A mistake only hurts us if we don't learn from them. Your mistakes could never be more than my love for you, and I know in my heart that you also love me. But I am curious, my love. Why are your eyes glowing silver after dreaming of a memory?"
I blinked a couple of times, trying to piece together everything in the memory, and I remembered Cal telling me my eyes were glowing right after I sucked the life out of the rabbit in the clearing. "What do you recall of that night?" I wanted to know what he knew, and I wasn't sure if I had told him everything that night or that morning when I woke up.
" After I showed up in the clearing and that motherfucker vanished like a bat out of hell, I carried you back to the cottage with Rosa, who mixed some potion while healing your wounds and mending your spirit. You woke up the next morning as if nothing had ever happened. You didn't remember why you were in the clearing or with whom. I choose not to bring the incident up because I feared you would seek him out again, and that bastard would again harm you. So I decided to hide you and I hid you very well until rogue wolves found us and the rest, you know, after that." I shuddered as I remembered how we had died together.
" The guy that I met in the clearing was a wolf named Cal, and he too is touched by a God the same way the Moon Goddess touches me. He told me that together we could create power that could destroy everything in our path and sustain us forever. I could truly be an immortal, but the price was too high. He wanted us to take over the world and maintain order. Hee-." I stopped mid-sentence, not wanting to tell him how he wanted me to be by his side, how he said that I was his fate and bound to him by a much higher purpose. I couldn't bring myself to say these things to him. If I did, he would know that it wasn't just the power I was attracted to; it was him. "He was a terrible person, and his plan was fucking insane," I mumbled, avoiding eye contact with Elijah. I am sure he would see the guilt written all over my face. We laid there for a few moments, twirling my fingers on a loose strand of his hair.
"Helena, is there anything else you wanted to tell me?" He hummed as he pressed his cheek atop my head. At this moment, I was positive he knew I was keeping something from him, but I was a coward and couldn't face the truth. Not right now. "No, there is nothing else," I whispered. He hurried me off him and gently placed me on the bed as he got up and walked to his closest, returning with a fresh white T-shirt. It had to be a crime to be that damn sexy, I thought as I gawked at him.
A low chuckle left his lips, "Careful, Helena. I can smell your arousal, and as much as I would love to mount you, we need to figure out what is going on with you and what kind of power resides in you. I fear if anyone else were to learn of your existence, they would try to take you by force." He came back and sat down next to me on the bed. "There is a witch in town that we can talk to and see if there is any spell she can cast to see what we are dealing with." He stroked my right cheek as he spoke. "We must know exactly what power the Moon Goddess has bestowed upon you. Are you hungry, my love? It looks like you and Daisy had quite a night with Monopoly."
I laughed as I surveyed the room, seeing all the scattered pieces. "Yeah, she started being a sore loser once I got Park Place and Boardwalk. In my defense, I did tell her I was a beast when it comes to that game." I got up from the bed and went into the closet, putting on a pair of jeans and a loose-fitting black shirt. " Are my eyes still glowing right now?" I was curious how long that would last, and I didn't want to walk around in sunglasses all day. The last thing I wanted was everyone asking me why they were glowing.
"No, they're not glowing anymore, but I can still see a hint of silver in them if I were to focus on them. I guess that whatever you were feeling in that clearing all those years ago was rekindled in your dream. It must have left some magical residue, I suppose." He said with a shrug.
"Try to be friendly to the workers this time. Hurry, let's get some food, and then we can head into town to get some answers and get you some new clothes." I chuckled, remembering the last time we went to the mall together. I punched him in the arm as we walked downstairs to the kitchen. We met with Daisy, Conner, Damien, and a few kitchen workers. It seems Daisy and Conner were in some deep conversation about some attack at the border of our town, but I was too hungry to focus. I grabbed a plate, placed eggs, sausage, and two pancakes, and poured a mountain of maple syrup on it before shoving it down my throat. The taste was divine, and I didn't realize how damn hungry I was until the entire plate was finished in ten minutes.
"Damn, fat ass. Slow down before you choke" I heard Daisy giggle as everyone around us burst into laughter.
"Oh, shut up. Sue me for being fucking hungry." I snarled. So, what about an attack, and has anyone heard from my mom? I asked.
"Well, it seems there is a rumor about a human having a mate here in our territory and that the human is....is different, and her smell is intoxicating. A few of the rogue packs and some of the nearby packs got a whiff of this information, and they were very curious to meet this peculiar human with a werewolf mate and an unusual scent. Your mom should be here within a day or two, tops." Daisy said.
I could feel the tension in the room as Elijah processed the information. But it was different somehow from the other times I felt his aura. A dark light emanated from his entire body, moving outwards towards everyone in the kitchen. Conner, Daisy, and Damien had uncomfortable pained expressions on their faces, and I could see that whatever they were experiencing was similar to how I felt when I had experienced his aura. But for some reason, it didn't affect me this time.
"Elijah, you need to calm down. I think you're hurting them." I waved my hand in front of his stoned face. "Relax, sweetheart. I am here and safe with you." This seemed to snap him somewhat out of his fury, allowing him to break whatever hold he had on them.
He cleared his throat, "Can someone tell me how the fuck anyone found out about her? Do they know that she is the mate of an Alpha? Or are they aware of what she is?" He spouted off questions one after the other.
It was Conner that spoke first. "We're not sure how anyone knew about her but believe me, we are working on it. There has been no talk about her mate other than he is a wolf; right now, it is only curiosity and speculation. We will keep her safe, Alpha."
"You're fucking right you will keep her safe. She is not to leave the property without an escort. If I lose her again, I will burn this fucking world down, and everyone that participated in her leaving me. Ensure guards are at every house entrance and triple the protection detail on the grounds. Am I understood? The three mumbled 'Yes, Alpha' and exited the kitchen.
Damn, he is a fucking asshole when he wants to be.
"Oh, don't look at me like that, Helena. Your safety is paramount to my existence and if I have to curse a few wolves out or break some necks, then so be it. Grab the car keys off the counter, and we have a witch to go and see." He didn't even give me time to mutter a response before turning and heading for the garage.
Sure, treat me like Belvedere. Should I shine your shoes, master?
I angrily mumbled as I made my way to the garage. This might be a long drive with an angry wolf.