Chapter 2

Elaine

A soft, golden light shined around me. Everything I knew about the world disappeared as if I had been transported to another realm.

Then the golden light called upon me. “Elaine.”

"Who are you? How do you know my name?" I asked, as the light soothed my worries. Just hearing its voice made me feel better.

"I'm Neeya, and I'm your spirit wolf," came the reply.

"You're kidding.” I couldn't help but laugh. “I am wolfless, and I've come to terms with that already.”

“But it’s true,” the voice persisted. "Trying to explain why you can sense me now is difficult, so I won't delve into that. What’s important thing is that I'm here now, and I'll always be with you as your friend. You won't be alone anymore, Elaine. I will be your companion… forever."

Her last statement flattered my heart, and even though I couldn’t see her form, I could feel her smiling at me. A lone tear escaped my eyes.

Warmth and comfort like none I’d ever experienced flooded my senses.

#

“Bestie? Thank God, you’re awake!”

I opened my eyes to see my best friend, Liz, with tears streaming down her face. She held my hand, looking agitated but relieved.

“Liz? W-What are you doing here? Where… am I?” I asked, scanning the room. With the white walls, a steel bed, and the smell of antiseptic, it was clear I was in the hospital.

The question is, what am I doing here?

“You scared the hell out of me!” Liz shouted as she threw herself at me. She clung to me as if I had been brought back from the dead, and the way her shoulders moved up and down indicated she was crying non-stop. Eventually, she lifted her head and peered at me. “Good thing your healing power was activated somehow. If not, you surely would have died.”

Healing power? How could I have that power if I didn’t have a wolf? Wait. Was the dream real? Did I really meet Neeya?

“That's right, Elaine. I'm as real as it gets,” Neeya confirmed inside my head, startling me. “But no one should know about me, though. Let’s keep it that way for now, for your protection. Can you do that, hmm?”

“Of course, Neeya, you can count on me,” I said without hesitation, assuring her that I would keep our little secret.

Just then, Liz pulled away from me and asked. "How's your head feeling? ” she asked casually.

I furrowed my brows in response. I felt great headache.

“Why am I in the hospital?” I exclaimed.

“You had a car accident!” Liz protested.

“Accident? I’ve been in an accident?” I put a hand to my head and felt bandages, and my body felt sore all over.

“A car accident, yes,” Liz confirmed. She then lightly caressed my shoulder, looking concerned.“I can’t believe Tristan Hale didn’t even bother to visit you here.”

“Tristan? Why would the Alpha heir of Wolfsilver Pack bother to visit me?” I said sarcastically, expecting Liz to tell me she’d said that as a joke.  

Instead, her eyes widened, and she couldn’t seem to find the next words to say. “Tristan is now the Alpha. His father is dead.”

I gaped. "Alpha Roman is dead? Since when? How come I didn't know?"

Liz palmed her forehead, looking even more concerned. An awkward silence followed before she said, “You’re married to Alpha Tristan, Elaine.

”

My ears twitched upon hearing her words. Me, married to Tristan Hale? Was this some kind of a joke?