Valerian's POV
Holding Elena against my chest, she was so small and fragile.
At my first glance at her, I was entranced. Despite the dirty appearance, I'm sure we're a cause of those two buffons who dared play with what was mine. And that was what she was, MINE.
Her scent drew me from my hunt. When I saw her, she stole my breath away. Her hair was dirty and matted, her clothes tattered and torn so badly that her body was exposed.
She looked so frightened and weak. Bruises battered her body in different hues. I tightened my hold on her, thinking of worst-case scenarios if I had come minutes later.
She would have been dead or worse. She whimpered softly against my neck. Shit, I was squeezing her.
I relaxed my hold and continued walking. She borrowed her nose into my neck, touching her lips to my neck.
God, she was making me hard. Even the sounds made me want to lay her on the ground and rut her like an animal.
I inhaled through my nose and stifled the urge, she almost died, I'm sure she'd hate me if I tried to force myself on her like those bastards did or tried to.
Suddenly she stiffened in my arms. My senses went on high alert and I looked at the fragile bundle in my arms, my senses heightened.
"What happened, love?" I asked
"Z-z-za...yn" she stumbled over her words, her lips chattering badly. I suspect not from the cold but from fear. That only meant one thing. Those bastards.
I quickly went through several scenarios in my head. I can't defeat them both while still looking after Elena.
And I definitely can't run with her in my arms, she'd slow me down and then they would catch up to us. Which left only one thing to do. I had to shift. My wolf was stronger, faster, and more agile.
"Baby, I have to shift so I can save us" I peered into her face, my eyes roving over every tiny feature, her upturned full lower lip and her cute button nose.
"I have to shift to my wolf form" I slowly said to her to make sure she understood me and I got past the fear clouding her eyes.
We didn't have much time. Werewolf shifters, especially Alpha, healed way faster than the average shifter and I only immobilized them for a short while.
I slid her body down mine, setting her down gently, feeling every curve and my mouth watering for a taste. My cock wasn't getting the memo and I stood erect and proud.
I quickly thought of grisly things to redirect my thoughts. I didn't want to scare the poor girl.
I stepped back three paces from her. I called my wolf's attention to the forefront, letting the change sweep over me, I felt my bones crack, reform, and lengthened taking the shape of a big powerful wolf.
My canines grew sharp and long, my hands changing and reforming into paws holding my big frame upright.
In the seconds it took to transform, one of the bastards swiped at Elena cutting her across her stomach with his claws.
I snapped at him and hit him with my body, cracking his bones.
I bounded over to Elena, she looked pale and was losing a lot of blood. Fast.
I needed her to hold or climb onto me so I could get us out of there.
I lapped at her face with my tongue, nudging her to look at me.
"Please Ellie" I urged in my mind. "Stand up".
She struggled to her feet, wobbling as she gripped my thick fur and heaved herself on top, leaving a trail of blood behind her
. I didn't mind the blood as far as she was safe.
She slumped sideways and I adjusted my body slightly to bump her body into position.
Satisfied she was safe. I took off running. The woods flitted by as I continued to run.
Twigs snapped when my fur brushed past them and I kept on running.
Running off to safety.
*******
Red Sun Hill City
I kept on pacing in the clinical chamber meant for the inner members of the pack.
Everything just went by in a blur. I had no recollection of what happened till now, I hadn't slept in over 24 hours.
I've been by Elena's bedside waiting for any news, change, or improvement in her condition. If it was any other wolf shifter, they would be halfway healed by now but she was an Omega.
Her wolf was weak and the injury she took was in a sensitive place. The shifter doctors advised her to be placed into a medically induced coma to speed up her recovery. I was worried she won't survive. She looked like she'd been through hell and back.
"Val!" A voice thundered in the narrow hallway where I was pacing. I turned to notice my best friend Jared stride over to me. Oh well, sooner or later I would have to face the consequences but I thought it would take a while.
I sighed and looked at my friend. "Yeah?"
"Yeah???" He inquired at me incredulously. "Everyone has been looking for you, only for you to show up with a girl covered in blood and you're saying yeah?".
"What happened?"
I drove my hands through my hair, terribly exhausted. I dropped down into the chair kept by the side.
"I don't know," I said weakly. "It all happened so fast."
He stared at me intently, mulling over his words. Jared has been my best friend since we were kids. I trusted him with my life and could tell him anything.
When I became King, he would be my Second in command, that was how close we were.
"Well, your father is furious and demanded you come to see him immediately," he said
Everything in me refused to leave Elena's bedside but I knew staying with her and defying my Father would bring even more trouble especially when she eventually woke up.
Besides, I couldn't disrespect my King like that even though he's my Father.
"Where's he?" I asked Jared
"He's with the council members in the Court."
The Court was where my Father handle, discussed, or consulted on sensitive matters.
Having an attendance with the council members, hmm, meant it was a serious issue.
The members of the council were made up of the heads- usually the Alphas- of each pack in the towns.
Facing my Father alone with this issue may not go in my favor.
I need to plead my case with the members of the council too so they can appeal to the judgment of the King.
I rose to my feet, my mind made up.
"Let's go."
"Woah, woah back up there. Where do you think you're going?" Jared stepped in front of me, effectively blocking me from passing.
"You said he wants to see me, then let's go." I waved at him to step out of my way so we could move.
"Are you nuts?" he gaped at me. "You want to interrupt his meeting? I know you're his son and all but you know you can't do that."
I sighed knowing he was right but I had to bring him around to my way of thinking. To do that, I had to drop some information.
"Look, Jar, you know me." I pleaded with him. "You know I don't act irrationally. I was on a hunt when I saw her. If I didn't help her, she would have died Jar, also, I think she might be my mate."
"You think?? Val it's either she's your mate or not."
"Look I can't explain it right now but I feel this strongly about her. Please, I need you on my side on this."
He just sighed and after a while gave me a slight nod. "Fine, but I'm only going with this because I trust you. But as your friend, I'm only going to warn you, this girl, she brings trouble".
He clapped me on the shoulder and stepped out of the way letting me pass.
"I'll go with you but first you need to take a shower and eat. You fucking look like shit, man." he chuckled.
I scoff in mock outrage as we left the clinic.
"How dare you say that to your future King?".
"Well you're not King yet, are ya?" He laughed.
********
Walking through the streets, greeting, waving, and occasionally stopping to play with the little ones, I continued making my way to the courtyard.
I was lost in thoughts, my mind bringing up different scenarios but my feet carried me, familiar with the road. The crest of the King and our sigil were on every shop, restaurant, or building I passed.
Finally coming to a stop at the Court, I took in a shuddering breath. The lawn was immaculately cleaned and swept.
The Court was a tall majestic building that sat in the middle of the property.
There were intricate archways and a glided terrace.
There were wolf statues that guarded the large double doors painted a deep shade of sapphire.
The doors opened before I even placed my foot on the steps.
A woman came out blocking my path to the house. Anya. I could recognize the stubborn set of her jaw and the proud angle of her shoulders. A similar recognition flashed in her eyes as I came closer.
"You shouldn't be here." She hissed.
"I know, but the King is expecting me." I lied through my teeth, schooling my expression hoping she would believe me.
"Is that so?" she asked warily. Anya was
my friend but her loyalty was first to the King. She was a soldier who understood orders and followed through.
I understood that and I would have to invoke my superiority over her because we were wasting precious minutes here before someone would discover that I certainly wasn't invited.
At least, I would bear the brunt of the mistake saying she had no choice.
"Yes, Anya," I stated firmly. "Is there any other reason I would state otherwise? Besides, I know you're loyal to the King but do not forget who you're speaking to? Now move aside before I get you reported."
Hurt flashed in her eyes before her gaze grew shuttered and she stood erect tipping her head in a sign of acquiescence. She stepped aside letting me pass.
I hated lording my superiority over anyone but time was of the essence, I made a mental note to apologize to her later.
My shoes squeaked on the pristine floors, the ceiling high and winking with multiple chandeliers.
The walls were painted white and there was bare, austere-looking furniture. It was meant to oppress, intimidate and show power and it was doing all of that to me right now.
I felt like this was a tipping point, where a fundamental change would occur.
The guards stationed at the doors barely spared me a glance as I approached.
I blew out a deep breath and pushed open the doors.
Here we go.
Elena's POVI can't feel anything. I can't hear anything. I feel like I'm drowning. Everything is pitch black, I feel weightless. Where am I? My consciousness drifts in and out. It's like I'm not here. Memories drift in and out of my mind like sand. I can't get a grasp on any. Distantly I hear sounds but they seem far away. I want to stay here, it's peaceful. Away from the wicked world out there. I feel like there's something that I need to do but I don't want to leave here. Let me rest, just for a little while… ********I'm thrust violently into a memory. It's like it's happening to me, I can feel everything, and hear everything but I'm not present at least not mentally. I look at the weak version of me dispassionately.I'm leaning back against the stone-cold wall of the cage I'm being kept in, almost wishing for the relief of death. Away from the constant pain and torture. My entire fucking life has been one constant battle after the other because bei
VALERIAN POV"DON'T YOU DARE TALK TO ME LIKE THAT!" My Father bellowed out furiously. His face was contorted in anger, his hands balled into fists. If I checked the table in front of him, I would see claw marks on his fingers. I can count on one hand how many times I'd seen my Father raise his voice or get this angry; trust me, it didn't bode well for any of his recipients."My Ki-" I was cut off before I could say another word."You will respect and obey me by taking out the abomination you've infected this place with," he thundered. "AND THAT IS FINAL!".I was struggling to keep calm and make my Father see reason but I'm quickly losing that battle. How can a tiny little female cause this much trouble? Interrupting their meeting which they didn't expect, I started by pleading my case to furiously refusing to budge an inch when they started decreeing their laws and ordering me around. The council members I thought would be of help were equally useless. They just stood there like robo
ELENA’S POVHands. Several pairs of hands seem to be driving me under. I raise my head to catch a break but I only get less than a second before I'm dunked back under. It's not water. It's black, inky, and without substance. It's not water. I had no idea what it was but I couldn't breathe. I wanted a break really, I was suffering out there in the world and yet now even in death, it seems I couldn't catch a break. Fuck the Gods. Fuck this shit, I'm tired of fighting. So, so tired.Flashes of my family passed through my eyes. My mother, my sister, and my brothers. My father with his never-ending frown of disapproval as if being alive was my fault. Hell, even being dead wasn't so much better. I guess maybe this is how death is supposed to feel. Shame on me I guess.I could hear beeping, like monitors beeping...kind of like in a hospital. It felt like someone was here watching me. My body was ready to get back to... somewhere I guess but my mind was shielding me, trying to protect me
Valerian's POV Looking at her lying there... pale, fragile, and defenseless on the clinic bed shook something in him. His eyes roved over her beautiful face still covered in bruises. She looked so small lying there. The doctor had come in earlier to tell him that now that she had woken up, she was healing at a steady rate. She needed to take things slow and before you know it, she would be on her feet and out of there soon. She tossed her head, mumbling something under her breath. He moved closer to hear what she was saying. "Zayn, no Zayn" she kept on repeating. He sighed, rubbing a hand over his weary face. She'd been like that for the past two hours since she'd slept back, muttering either Zayn or Ethan's name. He remembered how scared she was when she woke up. Even unconscious she had no rest from those bastards. The panic attack she had when he walked over to place a kiss on her forehead lit a rage in him. For her to be afraid of a simple gesture spoke volumes. His hands
ELENA'S POVI stir to wake, my entire body feels like an aching mess as the sounds of the world hit as I come back from this pit of darkness I've been in. I keep my eyes closed as I assess the aches and pains, wondering what the hell happened to make me hurt this much.It takes a moment for my mind to catch up but then it all comes flooding back.Sigh.My head feels weighed down by heavy metals. Feeling groggy and woozy from the medicine they pumped into me, I wake up slowly, careful not to dislodge the wire thing sticking out of my arms. I lay there for a moment, thinking.It seemed so surreal being here away from Zayn and Ethan if only temporarily.I've dreamt so much about this moment but now it's here I feel numb.I'm not stupid, I know they're coming for me.That's why I'll be dedicated to enjoying every bit of freedom I have.Ironically, I've only been with them a short while but it felt like the longest years of my life.I shift my thoughts from those unpleasant memories, I'll
ELENA'S POV Never thought I'd ever complain about being bored.That thought popped again into my head and trust me it wasn't for the first time either.The problem with being somewhere that you don't belong, with not having a home, is there's nowhere for you to retreat when you want to escape and feel safe.Not that I have anywhere I could call safe.Or anywhere I could hide away from the monsters plaguing me. I've been awake for over a week now, but I've been stuck in what these people call the med building which is a small hospital. This pack is very loaded.Sigh. Being a weak Omega is a bitch. From the window, I've watched the comings and goings of the members of the pack... I could see the cafe across the square, which looks like a central meeting place that is usually always busy. Between that, the clothing stores, and the screaming kids as they go to school, this place looks nice but I have firsthand experiences that appearances can be quite deceiving.But still….It looks so
VALERIAN’S POVStorming out of the room in anger, and rage, as I'd never felt before, was coursing through my veins and I needed an outlet. I can't believe she said that, over my dead body would I allow her to be taken back to those bastards? My hands clenched and unclenched in anger. Spinning my gaze landed on a chair beside the wall -the same chair I'd use in waiting for her to come out of the induced coma- and I stalked over angrily flipping through the room. It hit the wall with a loud crash, scattering to pieces when it hit the ground.A nurse came rushing into the hallway no doubt wondering what the ruckus is all about, the moment she saw me and the remnants of the chair, she hightailed it just as fast as she came back out of the room.I guess she was afraid of me.I sigh, rubbing a hand over my face still pacing.I'm worried I may have scared her inside but I can't bring myself to calm down and go back in.The display of violence I did in her room didn't endear me to her mor
ELENA’S POV Gradually I've been getting stronger over the past couple of days. A cleaning lady comes in from time to time to change the bedding and do my laundry, she doesn't talk much, not sure if it's because that's her nature or she's been ordered not to speak to me. Creek has come by once or twice to speak to me and make sure I'm okay but since then nothing.I didn't expect Valerian to wait on me hand and foot but it's kinda rude to ignore a guest. Not to mention a part of me misses him.Hmm, don't even go there Elena.But on the plus side, the nightmares have gotten less frequent but I still do have them though. I wonder if they'll ever stop.When Creek stopped by, he said I was free to go into the gardens to explore and get some fresh air, but I've been here trying to gather the courage to step outside this room. I feel like this room is my bubble, once I go out there the bubble pops and there's nothing to protect me anymore. A silly analogy I know.Someone knocks timidly bef