Chapter 2
As I begin to fall, I attempt to steady myself, but someone’s warm hands quickly catch me around the waist. Suddenly, I feel as if I’m weightless, floating in the air. My breathing becomes rapid and shallow, and my mind struggles to focus. Through a haze, I catch a voice in the distance asking, “Where do you live?”
I can only respond with weak groans. Everything feels disoriented, like the world has flipped upside down, and my body is collapsing in on itself. I try to concentrate on my breathing to regain some sense of clarity, but nothing helps. My eyelids grow heavy, barely staying open. The only thing keeping me even slightly aware is the icy rain striking my face.
“Hey, stay with me,” the voice calls out, now sounding even further away. Despite the chill of the rain, the warmth surrounding me tempts me to let go.
As I stop resisting, darkness envelops me, yet I feel a sense of complete security and comfort. The air is filled with the fragrance of lilacs and honey, and any pain I’d felt has vanished. I drift as if gravity no longer exists, experiencing a calm I’ve never known while awake. Time seems meaningless here; I can’t tell whether seconds or days pass, and it doesn’t bother me.
Without warning, a pair of pale blue eyes appears before me, sending my heart racing. I glance around, trying to spot where they’ve gone. “Where are you?” I call, but only the darkness answers.
A shape gradually takes form in the distance, moving closer. I recognize him instinctively, even though only his outline is visible. I try to step forward, eager to see his face, but it’s as if I’m stuck in place. I wait, hoping he’ll approach. He stops about five feet away, and suddenly everything comes into focus. His striking blue eyes stand out against his deep red hair. He’s tall and slender, yet carries an unmistakable authority.
着
“I’ve been searching for you,” he says, his deep voice gentle and stirring something inside me.
“But why me?” I ask, feeling inexplicably drawn to him. Again, I try to step forward, but my feet feel rooted to the ground.
“Can’t you sense it?” he asks, watching me with quiet patience.
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“I don’t get it. I’ve never met you before. Today was the first time I saw you.” Something tugs at my heart, pulling me toward him, though it makes no logical sense. Yes, he’s handsome, but that’s only on the surface. I refuse to let myself be swept away.
“Close your eyes. Listen to what your heart is saying,” his voice soothes me, warm and comforting like a bath at the end of a long day.
Trusting him for reasons I can’t explain, I shut my eyes. I feel a gentle hand brush against my heart, and once again I’m weightless. “Who are you?” I ask softly.
“We’ve crossed paths before. Just listen, and let your memories return.”
“Elijah.” His name escapes my lips effortlessly, as though it’s an undeniable truth. I realize I heard it earlier, and that must be why it feels so familiar-doesn’t it?
His comforting presence begins to fade away, and I force my eyes open, longing to see him once more. As my eyelids lift, the darkness recedes, replaced by a dazzling light shining from afar. It reminds me of dawn breaking over the horizon. The brightness hurts my eyes, yet I can’t tear my gaze
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away.
Without warning, my body jerks, abruptly rousing me from sleep. I keep my eyes closed, feeling an overwhelming heaviness settle over me. It is as though I’ve returned from the edge of oblivion.
What just occurred? I probe my memory for the last thing I can recall, but everything feels distant and blurred. Did I ever reach my house? And what was the meaning behind that bizarre dream?
“Are you positive she’s alright? Shouldn’t she have woken up by now?” a voice I recognize speaks nearby.
I stay completely still, careful not to reveal that I’m conscious. Suddenly, I’m acutely aware that I am not in my own home. The mattress beneath me is softer than the one in my apartment, and the air is filled with the scents of vanilla and pine. I silently wonder where I am and who these strangers might be. Until I understand more, I decide to continue pretending to be asleep.
“Stop repeating yourself,” a woman’s voice responds, her tone sharp. “I already told you she’s going to recover. That hasn’t changed in the last thirty minutes.” There is irritation in her voice.
“When I found her, she was burning up.” The familiar voice is tense, almost frantic. His words are met with silence. After a moment, he exhales deeply. “I know. Her temperature went down earlier. You just don’t realize what this feels like for me.”
Hearing the pain in his voice nearly compels me to reach out and offer comfort. It takes all my willpower not to move. I remind myself that I don’t know him, and I owe him nothing.
‘He needs you, Amelia,’ my wolf’s voice echoes in my mind. I am nearly more startled by her presence than by waking up among strangers. She only speaks to me during full moons or when there are other werewolves nearby. The realization hits me-I must be among other werewolves.
“Charlotte?” the familiar voice says, calling my name.
Too late-I’ve been discovered. I slowly open my eyes, surveying my surroundings. The room resembles a bedroom, but it’s filled with medical equipment. An IV is attached to my arm, and a tray with what appears to be medication sits nearby. Two people are watching me. One is the man from the coffee shop. Suddenly, I remember meeting him in the alley. I must have collapsed in front of him.
“How do you know my name?” My throat is dry, and my words come out hoarse, as if I haven’t spoken in ages.
The woman steps forward, nudging the man aside. “Your name tag was still on you when he brought you here. You might feel confused, but rest assured, you’re safe.” Her words are flat and emotionless. “My name is Dr. Isabella, and I have been overseeing your care.”
“Care?” I repeat, unable to make sense of the situation. I never get ill, so I can’t imagine what caused me to lose consciousness.
“You developed a fever, and your body essentially shut itself down as a defense mechanism. I haven’t figured out the exact cause yet, but I’m running tests on your blood to try to determine what triggered it. It’s rare for a simple human illness to have such a strong effect on a wolf.”
“How-“I begin, but I don’t get to finish.
“Surely you realized we were werewolves the moment you caught our scent,” Dr. Isabella interjects.
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A man pushes closer to me and takes my hand. The moment his skin touches mine, tingling sparks run across my skin. “Are you alright? I was so anxious about you.”
“Elijah,” I say. His name echoes in my mind from a dream.
He tilts his head. “You remember who I am?”
“What do you mean? We aren’t really acquainted. I just overheard your name earlier today at the coffee shop.” That seems to be the only thing that makes sense.
“That was actually yesterday,” Dr. Isabella corrects.
My heart leaps in alarm. That means I must have missed my shift today. “Yesterday? No, I have to leave. Sophia will be furious, especially since she was considering promoting me. This can’t be happening.” I attempt to get up, but Elijah gently pushes me back down with a hand on my shoulder, keeping me in bed with little effort.
“You still need more rest. I’d rather you didn’t push yourself too hard.” He watches me, his eyes filled with concern.
“I don’t get why you care so much. We barely know each other. I appreciate what you’ve done, but I really need to leave. I can’t risk losing my job.” I brush his hand away.
Elijah’s expression drops. “Don’t you sense it?”
“Sense what?” I have no idea what he means.
Before Elijah can reply, Dr. Isabella takes his arm and leads him away. I watch them exchange meaningful looks, communicating silently. No words reach my ears. Elijah’s face shifts from anger to sadness. Eventually, he turns back toward me.
“Couldn’t you just message your boss and explain you’ve been ill? It would put my mind at ease if we could keep an eye on you for a bit longer.” Elijah’s blue eyes seem to look straight through me, stirring a strange urge to agree with him.
I hesitate, then nod. “Alright, I suppose that’s not too much to ask. Can I have my phone so I can text her?”
He gives a relieved smile and retrieves my phone from a pile of my belongings set to the side. Only then do I realize I’m not dressed in the clothes I had on before. Embarrassment floods me at the thought of Elijah seeing me undressed.
“Here you go,” he says, handing the phone to me.
I look at my phone and see multiple missed calls and texts from Sophia. I text her back right away, explaining I was sick with a fever but am on the mend, and apologize for not updating her sooner. I promise to give her a better explanation when we meet in person. Hopefully, my job will still be safe when I return.
Suddenly, it hits me. “Where are we, exactly?”
“We’re at my pack’s headquarters,” Elijah responds.
“Headquarters?” I repeat, slowly. “That’s strange, because there aren’t supposed to be any wolf packs in this area.” Worry creeps into me at the idea of being near a wolf pack. In the past, it’s never ended well for me.
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“We just relocated to this region,” Dr. Isabella explains, folding her hands behind her back.
A sharp knock at the door diverts everyone’s focus. The door eases open, and someone pokes their head inside. “Alpha Elijah? There’s something urgent you need to handle.”
“Thanks, Alex,” Elijah replies before turning my way. “I’ll return soon. There are a few matters I’d like to discuss with you.” He smiles at the thought, then follows Alex out.
Dr. Isabella faces me. “How are you doing?”
I take a moment, genuinely noticing how my body feels for the first time since waking up. “It feels like I got run over by a truck.”
Her mouth tightens. “Rest for now. Someone will bring you some food shortly. I’ll also come by later to check on you. I’ll update you when I have your blood results.”
I give a nod, watching her leave. As soon as the door clicks shut, I begin climbing out of bed. Staying here simply isn’t an option for me.
No matter how kind these people seem, lingering among a wolf pack is too risky. Sooner or later, they’d cast me out if I remained. That’s always how it goes, and I intend to leave before they get the chance. I don’t need a pack. I’m better off alone.
The Mysterious Werew
