The next morning, rays of sunlight streamed through the windows of the room, gently rousing Elvira from her slumber. She groaned softly as she stretched and slowly got out of bed. Making her way to the bathroom, she shed her clothes and stepped into the refreshing embrace of the shower.
As the hot water cascaded down her body, Elvira couldn't help but reflect on her current circumstances. "So, this is my new home, huh? Never in a million years did I ever think I'd be in a pack. I enjoy being alone; that's how I've always been. I've never been a team player, and I don't like people. I prefer doing things on my own."
The soothing warmth of the shower provided a sense of comfort, and for a moment, Elvira found herself at ease. As she emerged from the steam-filled shower, she wrapped a towel around her body, her long, wet, brunette hair flowing down her back.
Elvira continued with her morning routine, changing into fresh clothes and drying her hair. Then, as she stood in front of the mirror, a nagging thought tugged at her.
"I wonder if my connection with Epsilon is still blocked," Elvira mused aloud. "Hey, Epsilon, you there?" she mentally reached out.
"Well, well, well, look who finally remembered I'm a part of her," Epsilon's voice chimed inside Elvira's head.
"I definitely didn't miss your sassy ass," Elvira retorted.
"Liar," Epsilon teased, and Elvira rolled her eyes.
"Something's been bugging me," Elvira confessed.
"It's about the wolfsbane, isn't it?" Epsilon inquired.
"Yeah. I have a feeling that what we were injected with wasn't really wolfsbane," Elvira admitted.
"Me too. I thought I was the only one who noticed," Epsilon agreed.
"Yeah, but the pack doctor said it's wolfsbane," Elvira recounted.
"That's because it looks and acts like wolfsbane. I mean, it knocked us out, didn't it?" Epsilon reasoned.
"Yeah, you're right. That's why they think it's wolfsbane. But from what John told me, wolfsbane doesn't really affect hybrids, it does but not like this," Elvira explained.
"One thing's for sure, what we were injected with definitely isn't wolfsbane," Epsilon affirmed.
"Yeah, but I'm gonna keep this to myself. I don't trust anyone in this pack," Elvira declared.
"Wait, did you just say 'pack'? Dang, I missed a lot. Since when are you in a pack?" Epsilon inquired.
"Since yesterday. I didn't want to at first, but we have nowhere to go. Our home was burned down, and I have no idea who our real parents are," Elvira revealed.
"Yeah, I know," Epsilon responded, showing a deeper understanding of their shared history and circumstances.
"I wonder if they have a gym in this big-ass house," Elvira mused.
"Are you insane? We're still experiencing some effects from whatever we were injected with, and what you wanna do is go to the gym," Epsilon exclaimed, concerned.
"That's exactly what I wanna do," Elvira insisted.
"Honestly, how stupid are you?" Epsilon chided.
"Okay, genius, what should we do?" Elvira asked.
"Eat, obviously," Epsilon responded.
"And after that?" Elvira inquired.
"Uhm, we'll cross that bridge when we get there," Epsilon suggested, leaving Elvira somewhat frustrated.
Elvira left her room and made her way toward the kitchen, hoping not to get lost this time. She entered the kitchen, where she spotted donuts. Elvira decided to brew some coffee to enjoy with her snack. While she was occupied with brewing coffee, a blonde woman with brown eyes entered the kitchen, but Elvira initially paid her little attention, assuming she was just another pack member.
However, the girl was anything but quiet. "Who the hell do you think you are?" she yelled.
Elvira continued with her task, seemingly unfazed by the girl's outburst. "Hey, you. I'm talking to you," the girl persisted.
Elvira finally turned around, her expression resolute. "Why the heck are you screaming like a banshee?" Elvira questioned with a fiery attitude.
"Did you just call me a banshee?" the girl retorted.
"Yes, I did. Now, would you mind telling me why you're disrupting the peace of this house?" Elvira challenged.
"Stay away from my man," the girl spat, her possessiveness evident.
"And who exactly is your man?" Elvira demanded with a fiery attitude.
"Lucien. I saw him carrying you yesterday," the girl explained.
"Yeah, and?" Elvira pressed.
"Stay away from him. He's mine," the girl declared.
"Who the fuck are you to tell me who I can and can't associate with?" Elvira countered with a fierce glare.
"I'm warning you, new girl. Stay away from him," the girl issued her ultimatum before leaving the kitchen.
"You've only been here for a day, and you already have enemies. Way to go," Epsilon remarked sarcastically, to which Elvira rolled her eyes.
After finishing her coffee and donuts, Elvira decided to explore the house further. She ended up in a beautiful garden, taking in the serene surroundings as she stood admiring the beauty. She eventually laid down on the grass, allowing her thoughts to drift.
Her mind wandered to the texts she had read in the library and the strange presence she had sensed. Then there was Cade, the original vampire, and the mysterious poison she had been injected with. Elvira realized that her vampire and wolf sides were still weakened due to the poison. If it wasn't wolfsbane, then what was it, and why did the hunters possess it? These thoughts swirled in her mind.
Elvira wished she knew more about her lineage and where she came from. Perhaps with that knowledge, she could begin to understand why she had been cast aside by her family and left to fend for herself like trash.
Elvira drifted off to sleep, and in her dream, a mysterious figure appeared, bathed in an ethereal light. The figure spoke with a calm yet urgent voice, saying, "Elvira, you must realize your true potential. You're more powerful than you think."
Elvira watched in awe as the figure continued, "You need to be prepared, for there are dark forces that seek to exploit your abilities."
But then, the dream took a darker turn as a menacing voice, shrouded in shadows, hissed, "I'm coming for you, Elvira. I'll take your powers, and then I'll drain your life force, leaving you to dessicate."