Late at night…
Eleanor had the same nightmare once again. She saw the burning house, her injured parents, and bloodstains all over the ground. All these scenes made her terrified and restless at the same time. Sweat covered her whole body.
"Mamma…" she murmured, moving her head left and right. Her chest moved up and down rapidly. Wrinkles formed between her eyebrows.
Eleanor continued to murmur something. She saw herself fleeing. When she looked back, she noticed the evil witch extending her hand toward her with a wicked smile on her lips. Her body pricked with chills as she felt her hand on her back.
"No…" Eleanor screamed and jerked up, her eyes welling up with tears. She clutched the bedspread, glancing around. Although she was awake, the fear still gripped her heart.
She was struggling to breathe. She felt a tightness in her chest as if a big rock were pressing down on her. Her lungs hurt.
She constantly rubbed her chest, trying to inhale. It took some time for her condition to return to normal. Yet she felt suffocated as if the room was closing on her.
She jumped out of bed and opened the window. A gust of cold air hit her face. With her hand on her chest, she inhaled lungful of air and exhaled deeply. She leaned forward, her eyes closed, her hands on the window sill. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
The anguish in her heart gradually transformed into rage. Her grip on the window sill became tighter. Her palms emitted a bright light, and the surface of the window sill began to burn as if caught in a fire. There was nothing but endless anger when she opened her eyes.
She vowed to kill the evil witch. "It doesn't matter if I can't find you," she muttered, her voice deep. "You will come to me on your own." She held the blue gem pendant on her neck, her eyes fiery.
As her rage intensified, she felt a burning sensation on her back right below her nape.
"Hiss…" she winced, reaching out to touch her back. The burning sensation gradually subsided as she rubbed the spot. Her anger also began to wane. Her eyes were no longer fiery. They were calm, reflecting gentleness.
She regained her sanity as she calmed herself. "I can't do it," she murmured, her voice gentle. She gripped the blue pendant tighter. "I cannot put Aunt Valeria's family in danger. I won't be able to watch them die. And this pack, Zane… No…" She shook her head. Fresh tears began to collect in her eyes. "I can't let her come here."
She looked down at the pendant, brushing her thumb on it. "Mamma… I am sorry," she whispered.
Eleanor couldn't sleep afterward. She lost track of time as she stood there looking out the window. The cold air on her face was soothing. It helped her relax. The unease had subsided by this point.
As the sun spread its first rays, the darkness gradually faded. The chirping of the birds eliminated the quietness of the night.
Eleanor went into the bathroom. She finished freshening up in no time and went out of the bedroom.
Cecilia was not awake yet.
Eleanor glanced at her room as she walked down to the hall. She picked up the basket and exited the house, closing the front door behind her.
She strolled into the forest, looking around the surroundings. Some people were out for a morning walk, while others were rushing to work. Night patrol guards at the borders were going back to their houses. What caught her attention was several troops heading to the forest.
"What is going on?" she wondered. "Have the rogues invaded the borders once more?" She halted her steps, contemplating whether to go into the woods or not.
"Good morning…" A deep voice from the right brought her back to reality. She saw Connor approaching her with a grin on his lips.
"Good morning." She mustered a smile, her pupils constricting. "Why are so many soldiers going into the woods? Have the rogues attacked again?"
"No, but they can," Connor replied promptly.
"Oh…"
When Connor saw her worried expression, he couldn't help but laugh. "You have nothing to worry about. We won't allow them to cross the border. We will kill them all." He moved closer to her, his gaze fixed on hers. "I'm going to command the troops." He made his face serious, his tone heavy. "I don't know when we will be back. We may come back by tomorrow. Or it may take a few days."
"Why are you telling me that?" she asked without breaking eye contact, perplexed.
Connor got even closer. He couldn't take his eyes off her. "You have something in your eyes," he murmured in a daze. Her mesmerizing eyes enthralled him.
"What?" Eleanor reached out to touch her eyes.
Connor grabbed her wrist. Eleanor froze and looked up at him.
"You are a witch," he continued hypnotically.
Eleanor felt a shiver run down her spine, her face turning pale. She was afraid that he had found out her actual identity. "What are you talking about?" she asked, her heart trembling.
"You can bewitch anyone with your eyes," he murmured. "I have never seen such beautiful, enchanting eyes." He bowed towards her as if about to kiss her.
"Connor…" She retreated, yanking her hand back. She took a few more steps back, her face contorting. Her chest swelled and deflated.
Connor regained his senses. He ran his fingers through his hair, feeling awkward. He had no idea how he had lost his control. When he looked back at her, there was no awkwardness on his face. Instead, he was smiling.
"Well, you shouldn't go to work at the packhouse while I am absent. Let your sister work there for a few days. And I have assigned some guards to the market. Ruby and her friends won't be able to cause you further trouble in your shop."
"Thank you." Despite her displeasure with his actions, she expressed gratitude.
"Won't you wish me luck?"
Eleanor grew restless, standing in front of him. She wanted to flee right away. But she couldn't be rude to the person who was heading for a battle. No matter what, Connor was going to fight to secure the pack.
She pulled a smile over her face. "Good luck."
Connor smiled with satisfaction, stepping back. "You can go collect your herbs without fear." He turned around and ran away.
"Crap..." He slapped himself in the back of the head. "I should keep in mind why I am helping her. I cannot be attracted to a wolf-less woman. Focus, focus… Eleanor is not my goal. She is just a step towards my goal." He quickened his pace and soon joined the troops.
Eleanor stood there, staring in the direction where he had disappeared. The 'V' formed between her eyebrows. She gradually realized Zane was not in command of the troops.
"Isn't it Zane's duty to annihilate the rogue gang?" she muttered, frowning harder. "Why is he not leading the troops? Where is he?"
She had not seen him since he spent the night at her house. She became worried about him, assuming he was not okay. That could be why he was not going to battle.
"I hope Ruby is taking care of him," she mumbled dejectedly as she walked into the woods.