Eleanor felt uneasy as Benjamin stood opposite her in the lab. It wasn't that she didn't trust him, but the memory of their last encounter lingered in her mind. She could almost still feel his breath on her neck and his wet tongue on her skin. It triggered a memory about her rape she had been trying to keep buried. Why was she always a victim of such ugly circumstances?"I've been wanting to apologize," he began. "I had to come see you."She nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. "I appreciate that, but it's not just about the apology. I need you to stay away from me."He looked taken aback, as if the idea had never occurred to him. "What do you mean, stay away from you?""I mean that I can't be around you right now. Not until I can trust you again," she explained. "I don't know what came over you the other day, but I don't want it to happen again."The unexpected happened when Benjamin fell on his knees, looking up at her with remorse in his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Eleanor. I don't
Eleanor's morning routine was as predictable as ever. She woke up to the sound of her alarm, got dressed, grabbed a quick breakfast, and headed out to the clinic.As the day slowly went by, Eleanor's mind kept drifting toward her plans for Friday with Drakken. They were going on an official date for the first time. It felt exciting and overwhelming at the same time.She was nervous too, but the anticipation of spending time with him outside the palace walls was enough to keep her going. Did she have to buy him a gift for the date? Drakken had bought her flowers, so it was only ethical that she'd repay his kindness.Eleanor approached Emma when the clock struck four in the evening."Emma, can I ask you something?""Sure, what's on your mind?" Emma replied."I was wondering if I could leave a bit early today. I wanted to go into the city to buy a few things."Emma smiled. "Of course, Eleanor. You've been doing great work, and I think you deserve a break. Just make sure you complete all
Eleanor had spent hours deliberating over whether or not to send the box of socks to Drakken. It was a silly gift, but she couldn't think of anything better. Finally, she decided to go for it. She packaged up the socks and added a small note that simply said, "Yes." It was a reference to the card he sent where he had asked her out on a date. Now, she was ready to take the plunge.Drakken's study was dimly lit, and the scent of old books and leather filled the air. He sat at his desk, reading a file, with George and Duncan sitting across from him, playing a game of chess. The two of them looked deep in conversation when someone knocked at the door.Drakken was the first to rise, curious about who could be calling on him at this hour. He made his way to the door and was surprised to see a small package waiting for him. He picked it up and read the label, which bore his name. Curious, he tore open the package to find a box of socks and a small note that read, "Yes."Drakken was ecstatic
Eleanor was all over the place with glee that Friday. It was the day she had been looking forward to for days– her date with Drakken. She could hardly contain her excitement as she went about her day at the clinic. Patients came and went, but her mind was elsewhere. She found herself daydreaming about what the evening might bring.As she mixed together portions in the lab, Merit approached her. "Care to share what have you in such a good mood?"Eleanor couldn't help but smile. "It's my date tonight," she said. "I can't stop thinking about it.""Oh, to be in love," Merit let out a dreamy sigh. "You really are lucky."She felt a twinge of pity for Merit. She'd tried to talk Benjamin into accepting her as a mate and he didn't even budge. She silently wished there was something more she could do."I spoke with Benjamin about what you told me," Eleanor confessed."You shouldn't have.""I know. I just want you to be happy."Merit mustered a smile. "I am happy," she said. "Make sure you tell
Drakken arrived at the door of Eleanor's room, his nerves a jumbled mess in anticipation of their date. The ring he'd planned to propose to Eleanor with, sat in the inner pocket of his jacket and shielded with a miniature jewelry box.He knocked, but no one answered. He knocked again, a little louder this time, and the door slowly creaked open. He peeked inside, but there was no sign of Eleanor. Instead, he found her maid, Evie, standing there."Good evening, Alpha King," Evie said, curtsying politely. "I'm sorry, but Miss Eleanor isn't here."Drakken's heart sank. "What do you mean she's not here?" he asked, confused."I mean exactly that, sir. A guard came to take her away about an hour ago, on your orders."Drakken's confusion deepened. "I never sent a guard to fetch her," he said, feeling a knot form in his stomach. "What's going on?"Evie looked just as confused as Drakken. "I'm not sure, sir. But I overheard the guard say something about you being in a meeting and unable to pick
Eleanor’s eyes snapped open and stared blankly at the sky, and then she sat up and looked around her unfamiliar environment. Was she dead? There was no way she could've survived that stab to the chest. Merit went straight for her heart and didn't miss.She could not make out where she was. It felt like she was weightless, drifting aimlessly in a void.As she looked around, she saw someone in white garments standing a few meters away from her. The person had their back to her, and Eleanor could not see their face. Curious, she strolled closer to the figure.The woman looked exceptionally familiar. Her mother.Eleanor's heart skipped a beat. She could not believe what she was seeing. Her eyes welled up with tears and she ran towards her mother and threw her arms around her, crying profusely.It's you, mother," Eleanor breathed, her voice trembling with emotion. "I've missed you so much."Her mother’s arm tightened about her, oozing the warmth Eleanor has grown to miss. She had a serene
Drakken sat at the head of the long wooden table in the palace's grand hall, his eyes scanning the faces of the elders of his pack. His father sat to his right, his expression stern and unyielding. He knew that his father disapproved of him, but he needed his support now more than ever. He wouldn't rest till he got to the bottom of the issue, and so he'd declared an emergency meeting."Thank you all for coming at such short notice," Drakken began, his voice commanding attention. "We have a situation at hand. One of my guests has gone missing in the palace."There was a murmur of concern from the elders, and Drakken noticed his father's jaw tighten in annoyance. He knew what was going on in his father's head. Summoning the elders over his whore of a mistress who'd gone missing. "Does anyone have any information that might help locate her?" he asked, scanning the faces of those gathered around the table.There was a long moment of silence before Benjamin spoke up."Perhaps, if you had
Drakken wasn't prepared for the suddenness of the attack.Eleanor lunged at him with the ferocity of a wild animal, her eyes blazing with an unfamiliar hunger. Drakken was quick to react. He dodged her initial attack, but then Eleanor came at him again, knocking him to the ground. Drakken grunted as he hit the dirt, but he did not let go of Eleanor. He knew that he had to hold her down until she calmed down.The other werewolves circled them, their eyes trained on Eleanor. Drakken could sense their readiness to attack if Eleanor's wolf did him any harm. But he knew that he had to handle it alone."Get away, all of you," he yelled at them again. "I can handle it.""We must kill it," a guard suggested. "It crossed our borders and attacked you, my King." one of the guards said."I'll kill you myself if you don't listen to me and back off!" He'd kill every single one of them if they attacked her, and Drakken meant it. "Touch her and you're dead," he snarled, still holding her down.The gu