Ellie could feel herself clam up, her nerve flying right out the window in retreat of the icy green stares that pierced her resolve. There were six emerald-green eyes staring her down. One set was icy, one was angry, and one was almost disappointed, a sadness seeping in. "Els," Jake started, shaking his head as he paused. He looked disappointed and Ellie knew she was the cause. She was surprised to realize that she cared how he felt about her actions, but she supposed that happened when you grew closer to a mate. You suddenly want to please them. That was a weird feeling. She shook her head at her wayward thoughts, realizing she had been caught visiting a prisoner that she wasn't supposed to see. It was just Stefano, though. He was innocent. This was her Stefano. Her friend, not some dangerous criminal. "He didn't do it," she started, her voice soft and shaky. The glare of Eloise was enough to send her stomach into twists of nerves. She was certain she was going to be sick if she ha
Ellie paced in her room, Amanda was sitting on the couch watching as she walked back and forth. "Maybe we should figure out how to-" Amanda's voice was cut off by a knock on the door as Sam and Meredith swung the door open and walked in without preamble. Hannah came behind, walking slower, her face pensive as she pondered some private conundrum. Ellie could guess that her mind was preoccupied with her mate. "It's time to get dressed!" Sam said with her normal exuberance. "We are going to have the best time tonight! I can't wait to see you in your dress, you will seriously make the BEST demon." "Because that's what I want to be doing right now," Ellie muttered. Sam was still talking and didn't hear her mumbling as Ellie walked to her window, looking at the destruction in the courtyard beyond. Remnants of buildings were piled to the side of the walkways and Ellie's heart clenched at the memory of the students that had died in the blast. There had been a few in her class, the student
As soon as Halloween was over, it felt like life was on fast-forward. The days flew by and suddenly it was two days until Ellie and Jake's shared birthday. The campus had turned to fall, decorations and trees alike reflecting the orange and red hues typical of this time of year."We're going out for dinner tomorrow night," Amanda said, nudging Ellie with her arm as they headed in toward class. "I don't know," Ellie said, shaking her head as she gestured toward four books in her hand. "I need to get these read by the end of the weekend.""It's your birthday, Els, you can take a break for dinner with your best friend," Amanda teased.Ellie looked at Amanda with surprise then scrunched up her face in confusion and looked up at the sky, silently counting."Tomorrow is the 12th," Amanda replied with a snort. "Your birthday.""Shoot, I forgot it was tomorrow," Ellie said with a small laugh. "Dinner sounds good."Amanda laughed as they sat in their seats, waiting for the lecture to begin."
7 years ago... "Mom, please, can we go into Marie's?" Ellie's voice begged, as she pulled on her mom's hand, leading her in the direction of the jewelry and accessory store in the mall. "Ok, but only 3 things, that's it," her mom, Cindy, replied, the mock stern tone giving away her tendency to give in to the little girl pulling at her hand. "Yay!" Ellie exclaimed, running into the store filled with racks of hair ties, earrings, fuzzy backpacks, necklaces, and every shiny thing a preteen girl could possibly drool over. Ellie pulled a basket from the pile at the entrance and started perusing the racks and shelves. A shiny tiara caught her eye and she pulled it off the shelf, looking intently at the fake diamonds adorning the peaks. Suddenly a sharp pain shot through Ellie's head, and she saw a burst of flames in her vision, engulfing the store next door. Ellie turned around sharply with a surprised gasp, searching for the fire, lo
"Do you have your uniforms packed?" Cindy asked Elizabeth for the seventh time. "Yes, mom, they're in my suitcase." "And do you have enough snacks for the ride?" "Yes, mom," Elizabeth replied in exasperation. "What about money, do you have cash and your debit card? I transferred money into your account for food and incidentals this semester. You'll let me know if you need more?" Worry creased Cindy's eyes as she searched her daughter's face. "Yes, mom, it will be fine," Elizabeth spoke in disinterested monotones. Ever since she found out she had to go to The Academy she had been detached, not interested in anything having to do with her mom and dad. They were public enemy number one. The duo had condemned her to a life at The Academy, a boarding school where she would finish her final two years of high school. She would graduate then she could finally join public life, away from werewolves, away from the pack, away from anything magical. The c
The school appeared like a beacon in the dusky sky. The trees lining the road melted away as manicured lawn appeared to the left of the road. The bus turned onto the entrance road, winding up toward the bright lights shining through the night sky. Dusk had fallen over the school, the sun already set behind the horizon and weary students were unloading from the buses already parked in front of the great stone entrance. Madame Richert stood at the front of their bus, clapping her hands to draw attention from the students in her care. "We have arrived. You will all proceed into the entranceway where you will find professors ready to direct you to the banquet hall. We will be eating dinner and then you will find your house assignments. Your luggage will be taken to your rooms directly for you. If you have any questions, you will be finding your head of house shortly and they will be able to help you navigate your first year at The Academy." She walked down the aisl
Ellie felt a pounding in her head. She tried to open her eyes, but she couldn't quite manage to see more than a sliver of light. Realizing defeat for the moment she instead focused on the words around her, trying to figure out where she was and who was whispering conspiratorially by her bed. "Do you think she can hear us?" a voice whispered. "She hit her head really hard when she fell. Her head just crashed against the wood floor, I thought for sure she was dead. I don't think I've screamed that loud in years." "We all heard," a second voice said sarcastically. "You could tone down the dramatics a touch when there's an emergency." There was a light 'oomf'as Ellie heard a punch. "Shut up, jerk face," the first voice said. "The fuck? Ouch, your fist has bite," the second voice said in surprise. "What do you think happened?" the first voice whispered again. "We were just talking and all of the sudden, she just blacked out. Poof. Do
Jake woke early, his mind quickly going over the events of the last 24 hours. He never thought he would see her again, but as soon as she stepped foot on the bus yesterday, he knew. He knew exactly who she was, but she didn't remember him. She had no recollection of saving his life all those years ago. But he did. He remembered the color of her hair. He remembered her smell. He remembered her eyes, the piercing stare she gave him and her determined strength as she pulled him away from danger. But when she got on the bus, she didn't even glance his way. She barely acknowledged him until he went up to her at the stop. She didn't seem to feel the same pull that he did. Something was off, and he intended to find out what it was. Until then, he had to tread carefully. One wrong word and he was convinced she would run away from him faster than a cheetah on the hunt. He hadn't met anyone as skittish as she was. Jake got ready and went to Firash's door, pounding on the