Chapter 2 Episode 2

CHAPTER TWO

Elara's POV

"I wish I could shift so badly right now," I cried softly into the dark night.

"Welcome to my life," Davina, my wolf, said in my mind. She sounded annoyed.

Every wolf shifts when they turn 16. But not me. A few months ago, I started hearing a voice in my head. I thought I was going crazy! But it was just my wolf. Something had to be wrong with me. I was a princess, but my life was no fairytale.

I ran in the woods for a long time. Then I stopped at a tree to rest. I didn't know if anyone followed me or where I was. I got scared. What if I ran into bad guy land?

I heard a noise in the trees. I thought a monster bear was after me! I started running again. Then a big brown wolf jumped in front of me!

"Ah!" I screamed. I turned to run the other way.

"Oh no, I'm in trouble," I panted. I knew the wolves chasing me were Rogues. They were mean and evil. They killed for fun and did bad things. They smelled awful too.

Two more wolves blocked my path. I had to stop and run a different way. Three wolves were chasing me now! They liked hunting me. It made them excited. Standing still was bad. But running made them want me more.

The first wolf bit my leg and clawed my shoulder. I screamed as its sharp nails cut my skin. It hurt a lot! But I kept running. I was crying and bleeding. I would heal fast because I was an Alpha. But it still hurt so much.

I ran through the trees. I saw a shadow moving. But shadows don't move! I must be seeing things. I heard water ahead. I hoped it was my pack's land. Rogues can't cross the river. I just had to outrun the wolves! And the weird shadow.

My body was tired but I ran faster. The water got louder. Just before I could jump in the river, the brown wolf hit my leg! I fell in the water. My leg was bleeding bad. I couldn't stand up.

I got scared and mad. The water started moving around me. It had power! I had a secret. I could do magic no other wolf could. I never used it before. But I didn't want to die!

I used all my power on the water. It listened to me. The river rose up like a wall. It protected me from the wolf. My blood mixed with the water. But I felt strong. I closed my eyes and hoped no one saw. The water rose higher. It was going to drown the wolf!

Right before the wolf attacked, a huge black wolf tackled it! The black wolf was very big. It looked like a shadow as it fought. The brown wolf couldn't get free.

They fought until I couldn't see them anymore. I heard the brown wolf cry before it died. I was happy it couldn't hurt anyone now. Even if I didn't like killing.

I tried to hop further into the river on one leg. It was wide. I had to get across. The water was up to my shoulders. My leg really hurt. I stopped to make my wounds better. I couldn't heal all the way. But I could make the pain less. Then I could use magic to move the water and cross.

I focused hard. I felt my hands get warm. The pain got a little better. It was enough. I lifted my hands to push the water apart.

But suddenly I heard growling behind me. I spun around and gasped. The black shadow wolf was back! And it was looking right at me with glowing red eyes.

I held my breath, my heart hammering. What did it want? Was it going to attack me too? I was too hurt to fight.

The wolf stepped closer, its fur blending into the shadows. I trembled as it sniffed me. Then, to my shock, it rubbed its head against my hand. Like it wanted me to pet it!

"Good wolf?" I whispered, slowly stroking its soft fur. It made a rumbling noise. Was it purring?

'Elara, be careful,' Davina warned. 'This is no normal wolf.'

Before I could reply, shouts rang out from the other side of the river. The shadow wolf's head snapped up. With one last look at me, it vanished into the darkness.

"Wait!" I called. But it was gone.

Lights bobbed through the trees. I heard people yelling my name. My pack! They were looking for me.

"Over here!" I tried to shout. But I was so tired. The river swept me off my feet. I tumbled under the water. Everything went black.

When I opened my eyes, I was lying on the riverbank, soaking wet and shivering. Tyler was leaning over me, his face tight with worry.

"Elara! Thank the Moon, you're alive!" He wrapped me in his arms. For a second, I melted into him, so relieved to be safe.

Then I remembered the girl he was with at the club. I pushed him away, anger flaring. "Don't touch me!"

"What? Elara, what's wrong?" He looked confused.

"I saw you with her, Tyler! How could you?" Tears spilled down my cheeks.

"Saw me with who? What are you talking about?"

I glared at him. "Don't play dumb! The girl you had pinned to the wall. Giggling and letting her touch you. I'm not an idiot!"

Tyler paled. "Elara, I swear it's not what you think. Just let me explain--"

"I don't want to hear it!" I cut him off. "We're done. I never want to see you again!"

Ignoring his protests, I turned and stormed off, trying not to limp. Thankfully some other pack members rushed over to help me, shooting Tyler dirty looks.

My mind was reeling as they helped me through the woods. What a crazy night. Tyler cheating. That magnetic pull to the Alpha man, Luke . Kissing him in a moment of desperation. Almost dying at the hands of Rogues. My strange water magic. The shadow wolf who saved me... What did it all mean?

I needed to talk to the one person I could trust. My big brother Elijah. He was next in line to be Alpha. Surely he could help me sort this out.

Little did I know, my problems were just beginning. That shadow wolf would be back. Along with Luke . And my safe, predictable life as a princess was about to be turned upside down...