Chapter 2 II

Elly

After Victor's rejection, I go to the forest. I spend a lot of time in the woods, next to a waterfall, when I need to think or dance. And right now, I need to think.

I can't believe I got rejected on my birthday. It wasn't like I thought that Beta Victor would accept me, but he could have been a little more sensible.

I stand in front of the waterfall and cry. Being rejected hurt a lot. I didn't think it would hurt this bad like someone stabbed my heart with a knife. Now that I think about it, I haven't rejected him back. I will do it next time I see him.

I stay next to the waterfall for a long time before heading back to my house.

I walk with small steps, not wanting to get too fast home. I know that Dan will know that something is wrong, and I don't want to talk about it. Not yet.

As I walk back home, I feel someone watching me. I look around the forest, but I don't see anyone, but the feeling is still there. I rush home, not wanting to see what or who is watching me.

I run all the wait to my house and don't stop until I am inside.

"Elly?" I hear my brother's voice coming from the kitchen.

"Yes. I am home," I say.

Dan appears from the corner.

"Where did you...?" he starts to asks, but then he looks at my face and frowns.

"You have been crying. What happened?"

Oh! I forgot all about the crying when I felt someone watching me in the forest.

"Nothing, really."

Dan crosses his arms over his chest and narrows his eyes.

"I know you very well, Elly, and you can't lie to me. Someone made you cry. Tell me who it is," Dan tells me.

But I am not ready to talk about my rejection.

"I promise I will talk to you, but not right now."

Dan sighs. He knows he can't make me tell him what happened until I am ready.

"How about Lake House and popcorn?" my brother asks me.

"You are the best!" I tell him and smile.

As we watch the movie, I know that Dan is observing me from the corner of his eye.

After our parents died, Dan took care of me, and I am very grateful for every sacrifice he made for me. I was very close to our mother, and losing has been very hard for me.

I don't remember the night our parents died. Dan told me the rogues had attacked us. I was close to dying and was in a coma for one month. When I woke up, I realized I forgot a lot from the past. And ever since the attack, I've been scared of everything.

When the movie is over, Dan looks at me.

"I have a gift for you."

"Thank you, Dan! You should not have bought me anything. I know how hard you work for our money."

"It is your birthday, Elly. Of course, I got you something. Wait here."

I wait until Dan brings me a gift box. And inside a new phone.

"Ow! Thanks! I love it!"

My old phone broke, and I really needed a new one.

"Come into the kitchen. I have cake for you," Dan tells me.

"You even got me a cake?"

"Chocolate cake, you're favorite."

Victor

I keep repeating, in my head, what happened earlier with little Elly. I know that I already made my mind, but I can't stop thinking of her. Not in a thousand-year I would have thought her to be my mate.

Little scared Elly, my mate. What a joke. As a Beta Female, she is supposed to stand and protect the pack in case of attacks. Every time I think about this, I see little Elly running and hiding beneath a bed.

The next morning, after I rejected her, I see Elly with her brother. I see Elly smiling at something that Dan tells her. When she spots me, she stops smiles. I guess I deserve it.

"Is something wrong?" I hear Jake's voice from behind me.

"Nah. Everything is alright," I say.

"Good. We have to go to the Palace. The Werewolf King has a party for unmated Alphas and Betas."

I frown.

"But you are already mated."

"Yes, but you are not. Tell Dan to prepare the car. We are leaving in one hour."

"But, Jake," I try to protest.

"No buts. Be ready. I plan to try everything for you to find your mate."

I grunt and obey. Maybe I will find a second mate at this party.

Kain

I observe the pack where Elly lives. It is not very big, which is perfect for me, because I can watch Elly without much effort.

Last night I watched how Elly rushed back at the pack, and I kept an eye on her house. I finally see her coming out, next to a male. I hope that male is not her mate, because this will break my heart. I found her only to lose her again.

In the afternoon, I see her going into the woods, and I follow. Like yesterday, she goes to the waterfall. I hide behind a tree and watch her.

To my surprise, she starts dancing. I have never seen anyone dancing like Elly dances. She has her eyes closed, and she looks so alive, so different from yesterday. Her movements are so fluid. I get captivated by her dance.

I take a step forward, and a twig snaps beneath my mountain boots.

Elly opens her eyes and looks at me. She takes a step backward, fear written all over her face.

"Please don't hurt me," she tells me.

"I would never hurt you, Elly," I say.

"How do you know my name?"