Chapter 237
I fled before either of them could respond, nearly running through the corridors back to our room. Once inside, I slammed the door and leaned against it, breathing hard.
My mind raced through options. If I couldn’t tell them verbally, perhaps I could write it down? Leave a note, a warning?
I grabbed paper and a pen from Kaius’s desk, my hand shaking as I tried to write: “Thalia is controlling me.” The pen moved across the paper, but no words appeared. I tried again, focusing on each letter: “T–H–I–A…” but the pen skipped and jumped, refusing to
form the words I needed,
I threw the pen across the room with a frustrated cry. Even that avenue was closed to me. Thalia had thought of everything.
What about someone else? Could I warn my mother? Gabriel? Anyone outside the pack?
The thought of my mother brought a fresh wave of panic. Thalia had threatened her life. What if she forced me to harm my own
mother next?
I ran my hands through my hair over and again, frustrated. They needed to know, but due to Thalia’s command, I couldn’t tell them. What if I could… improvise?
I tried gestures, pointing to my mouth and shaking my head, practicing in the mirror as if Kaius were there to interpret. But even that felt wrong, my body resisting the attempt to communicate.
I dropped to the ground, letting out a scream. I didn’t hold it back. I cried till I could cry no more. The rooms were soundproof; no
one would hear me.
When the tears finally stopped, a cold clarity settled over me. If I couldn’t warn them, and I couldn’t resist Thalia’s control, there was only one person responsible for this nightmare.
Kieran.
He made me this… this abomination. This half–demon thing, a creature whose will was nothing more than a leash held by the Elders. And he knew. Gods, he knew this enslavement was the horrifying price, and he buried the truth! Lied to my face! All because his pathetic immortal existence needed a pet?
It was all his fault. That’s the only thing I could think about. Everything happening to me was all his fault; he knew this; I was sure he did; he deceived me.
I moved to the balcony, my wings extending with barely a thought. The night air was cool against my skin as I launched myself into the darkness, a single destination burning in my mind.
Storm Wardens territory lay several hours‘ flight away, but my rage fueled me, keeping me aloft despite the distance. When I finally landed at the edge of their territory, my body hummed with vengeful energy.
Guards spotted me immediately, but recognition kept them from attacking. They knew me as their Alpha’s former fiancée, as the girl who had nearly become their Luna. If only they knew what I had become because of him.
“Where is he? I demanded of the nearest guard.
“The Alpha is in hiarters,” he replied, eyeing my wings with unease. “Shall I announce you?”
“No need.” I pushed past him, moving through the familiar paths of the Storm Wardens pack house. Pack members stopped and stared as I passed, whispers following in my wake.
1/3
Chapter 237
I found Kieran in his office, bent over paperwork much as Kaius had been. He looked up at my, entrance, surprise quickly giving way
to wariness.
“Elowen,” he said, rising slowly from his chair. “It is nice to see you again.”
I didn’t waste time with pleasantries. My fist connected with his jaw before he could say another word, the impact sending him stumbling back.
“Elowen-” he began, but I didn’t let him finish.
I lunged forward, my newfound strength making me faster, deadlier than I’d been before the transformation. But Kieran was no ordinary werewolf. He caught my next blow, twisting my arm behind my back with ease.
“I am older than you, Elowen; I’am stronger,” he warned, his voice low in my ear.
“And I am very pissed.” I brought my wings forward with sudden force, the sharp edge of one catching him across the cheek.
He released me, backing away with a hand to his bleeding face. “Stop” he commanded, his voice hard. “I know why you are here, and
I’m sorry.”
“Sorry? That’s not good enough.” I advanced on him again, only to find myself suddenly pinned against the wall, his hand at my
throat.
“Stop.”
I spat in his face, the only defiance I could manage in his grip. “What the hell is wrong with you?” he asked, genuine confusion in his eyes.
“You traitor. You didn’t tell me, Kieran; you didn’t tell me what I was going to become; you lied to me!” The accusation burst from me, all my fear and rage channeled into those words.
His grip loosened, something like understanding dawning in his expression. “I didn’t tell you that you would be part demon and would sometimes have to live with your will being taken from you. I’m so sorry, Elowen. I had no right to do that to you, but… I had felt so lonely; I needed someone. I was being selfish, and so I deserve this, but please forgive me.”
His admission, his plea for forgiveness, only fueled my anger. “If I survive this all, I will be back for you, and I will kill you, Kieran.”
Before he could even form a response, I shoved him away and turned my back on him. My wings unfurled from my back, their grey- white expanse catching the moonlight, imbued with an almost ethereal sheen against the darkness.
With a powerful downbeat, I launched myself skyward. My speed tore through the silent night sky, the ground shrinking rapidly below. As I flew, the frantic beat of my wings paradoxically began to calm the storm inside my head. Clarity sliced through the pain. I had to get back, now. Kaius would be tearing the world apart looking for me, his worry likely driving him towards that reckless edge he fought so hard to control. I couldn’t give Thalia the opportunity his distraction might create.
The sharp chill of the high–altitude wind whipped past me, a stark reminder of the reality was flying back to. Banking sharply, I landed silently on the familiar stone of my room’s balcony. With a silent command, the wings folded, disappearing back into the night as seamlessly as if they’d never existed,
