Chapter 3 Episode 3

CHAPTER THREE

Elara's POV

I was lost in my magic when suddenly strong arms wrapped around me.

"Ah!" I gasped, my heart racing at his touch. It was Luke ! He lifted me up like a bride.

"What's wrong with you, little wolf?" he scolded, carrying me across the river.

"Where did you come from? Wait - are you the black wolf?" I stared at him in awe.

He laughed. "Black wolf? Those aren't real."

I hit his arm. "I know what I saw! Don't make fun of me."

"Sorry, you're just cute. I saw you run into the woods so I followed. Heard you scream and thought Rogues got you. Almost left, but couldn't abandon you. Surprised to find you alive, drowning yourself though."

I glared at him. "You're mean. I thought you were my hero. Guess not."

I tried to get out of his arms as the water got shallow. But he grabbed my hurt leg to look.

"This seemed worse before," he said, sounding worried. His fingers made my skin tingle.

"It's just a scratch. I heal fast, werewolf perks." I jumped down fast. He couldn't know about my magic!

"Catch me if you can!" I stuck my tongue out and splashed him. Then I ran to shore.

"Oh, it's on!" He chased me, both of us laughing. For a minute, everything else faded away.

He caught me and threw me back in the water. I came up sputtering. "Worst knight ever, Alpha Luke !"

His eyes went dark hearing his name. So mysterious. "You want to be rescued, little wolf?" He stalked closer, making my heart pound.

I felt a pull to him I couldn't ignore. Davina howled in my mind. 'Let's make him ours!'

When he was close, I reached out to touch his chest. Davina put naughty ideas in my head.

He hissed at my fingers on him. Grabbed my chin to make me look up. Leaned in like he would kiss me. But moved to my ear instead.

"Careful starting things you can't finish," he whispered. "I won't be a gentleman." He bit my neck and I gasped. Pain, then pleasure.

He wanted me, I could tell. But something held him back. He kept kissing my skin, waiting to see if I'd stop him.

I couldn't resist. Pressed myself against him. The contrast of cool water and his heat made me dizzy.

Davina urged me to let go. I listened and kissed Luke hard. He lifted me up, kissing back just as hungry. Like we were meant to be together.

We broke apart to breathe. He said my friend's name, voice rough with want. "Serenity. You make me crazy."

I should correct him but I didn't care. "Then let's be crazy together," I panted.

He growled, the sound making me shiver. "You're playing with fire, little wolf."

"I want to get burned," I dared.

He picked me up, my legs around his waist, and carried me out of the river. Nothing existed but him and the sparks between us. I forgot everything else - Tyler, my magic, the danger. Only Luke mattered now.

But suddenly he froze. Set me down gently. I blinked in confusion. "Luke ? What's wrong?"

He stepped back, conflicting emotions flickering over his face. Desire battled with guilt and something else. Loyalty maybe?

"We can't do this," he said roughly. "I can't."

"What? Why?" Hurt replaced my lust. Was he rejecting me?

He looked away. "There are things you don't know. About me. This...us...it's not right."

Anger flared. How dare he get me worked up then shut me down! "Not right? Seemed plenty right a minute ago!"

"Elara, please. You have to understand..."

"I don't have to understand anything!" I shouted, tears pricking my eyes. "I thought you wanted me!"

"I do! Moon above, I want you so badly it hurts. But we can't..."

"Save it," I cut him off. "I don't know what game you're playing but I'm done. Goodbye Luke ."

I turned to storm off but he caught my arm. "Wait, let me explain!"

I yanked free. "There's nothing to explain. Have a nice life, Alpha."

I ran into the woods, tears blinding me. Davina whined, feeling as heartbroken and confused as I was. One minute Luke was worshipping me, the next casting me aside? What changed?

I sensed him start to follow but a chorus of howls pierced the night. My pack! They must be tracking me. Luke swore and I heard him turn back to the river. Leaving me. Again.

Sobs caught in my throat. How could I face my pack like this? They'd smell Luke all over me, know what we almost did. The shame burned. I was still their princess, supposed to be pure. What would they think of me?

'Find Elijah,' Davina said. 'He'll help.'

She was right. My brother would understand. He always protected me. I headed deeper into our territory, praying I'd reach him before anyone else found me. I had too many secrets tonight - my magic, Luke , everything that happened. I couldn't bear more judgment.

As if my life wasn't already a disaster, now I had an impossible attraction to an Alpha who blew hot and cold. The emotional whiplash left me reeling. And a small, treacherous part of me still yearned for his touch, even as the rest drowned in rejection.

Davina, however, fixated on something else. 'What did he mean, things we don't know? What's he hiding?'

I didn't have an answer, as the questions swirled through my exhausted mind. Luke said he couldn't be with me. But why? What secrets could be so terrible he'd deny something so powerful? And if he didn't want me, why chase me at all? None of it made sense.

All I knew was that in one night, my world had been turned completely upside down. I'd survived a Rogue attack, used magic I barely understood, had my heart broken by Tyler's betrayal, and nearly ruined myself with Luke before he pushed me away. And now I had to somehow piece myself together before facing my brother and pack.

I felt like I was drowning, suffocating under the weight of it all. But I couldn't fall apart now. I had to be strong, lock it down, keep going until I was safe. One paw in front of the other. Conceal, don't feel. The mantra repeated in my head.

But I wasn't naive enough to think this was the end. Something told me Luke and I were far from over, no matter how much he tried to deny it. Fate had tangled our paths and I knew, deep in my bones, we'd collide again.

The only question was...would I survive the impact next time? Or would the secrets and shadows swirling around us finally drag me under, into an abyss I couldn't escape?

Little did I know then how much worse it would get. Because Luke and I? We were a twisted story that was only beginning. One that would redefine everything I thought I knew about love, loyalty, and the dark side of magic.

And it all started...before we knew.