Jade’s pov
I couldn’t refuse the Luna’s offer to stay at the packhouse. She was the Luna after all and disrespecting her my first week here was not a good move. I was already making trouble for myself by being so rude to Elias, but I couldn’t contain myself. Living in the packhouse would make it easier to get rid of Elias, but being around him confused me. I was so pissed at the thought of Elias, but when I saw him I would get another feeling as well. Was it just that I hadn’t been around boys and he was a really good looking boy? I mean he was supposed to be the True King, so why wouldn’t he look like a damn prince charming. Zoey was really kind though, I hadn’t had many friend growing up. One of the witches in the coven was a bit younger than the rest, she would often help me out if I needed it. Willa had helped me the first time I had to kill an animal. I didn’t want to do it and started crying. My grandmother walked out, upset at my ‘little tantrum’ as she called it. Willa showed me how to kill an animal in the kindest way possible, without hurting it much. Willa had also been there when I was upset at losing my parents or worried I couldn’t handle the responsibility my grandmother had laid upon me. But when I got into the more darker magic Willa became scared of me and my future. She left the coven and had tried to take me with her, but I couldn’t. I had already lost my parents, my grandmother was the only family I had. I still missed Willa though. Zoey reminded me of her, she was kind too. I had no idea how she could be friends with someone like Elias though. Zoey drove me to meet her parents at the butcher shop and they were equally nice. They had nothing but kind words about their Alpha and Luna, saying how lucky I was to stay at the packhouse a while. ‘When we first got to the Crimson Moon pack we stayed at the packhouse too. They have the nicest food there and we became great friends with Luna Amber and Alpha Axel. We’re so happy Zoey and Axel are still friends after all these years. I was scared it would be hard for her moving across the country’ Noah said. ‘But look at me now’, Zoey said while she did a little twirl. ‘If you want the job it’s yours. It will be mainly standing at the register, but you would have to slice some meat at times’, Isla said. ‘That won’t be a problem. I grew up on a farm where we would have to kill our own food, so this will be a picnic’, I said jokingly. I would start next week and work a few days after school and in the weekends, they wanted me to have time to do my homework as well. ‘If you need any help in school Elias is a great student’, Noah said. ‘Yeah, he tried to help me too. But I am more of a practical learner than a nerd like him’ Zoey said with a wink. ‘What Zoey means is she is planning to join the ranks of Gamma Omar when she’s old enough, so she thinks that means she doesn’t have to do well in school’, Isla said while rubbing Zoey through her hair. ‘Not the hair mom!’ Zoey shouted. Zoey did have some great hair, her hair was longer on the top, shaved on one side and pastel pink. I never paid much attention to my look, I hadn’t had a haircut in a long time and all my clothes were hand-me-downs from other witches. The coven had given me enough money to survive a few months here, they didn’t think I needed longer for my mission. I had already spend some on school supplies, a hotel room and gym clothes. That’s why I wanted a job so badly, I didn’t have much money left. ‘Your hair is really cool’, I said. Zoey started to blush, I didn’t want to embarrass her more so I turned to her parents ‘thank you for the opportunity, I am going to get my things and move in to the packhouse now. I will see you next week’. Zoey offered to help, but I told her ‘I only brought one bag anyway so it’s fine’. Zoey’s mom was shocked. ‘Zoey give her some of your old clothes from last year. Jade should fit those just fine. I was planning to donate them anyway’. I thanked them both and left. Zoey would bring the clothes by the packhouse tomorrow morning. I went to the hotel room and got my bad. I didn’t want Zoey to help me or she would have seen some of my spell books, ingredients and crystals. They took up most of my bag, the rest was a pajama, another set of clothes, some underwear and some toiletries. At the coven we made our own soaps and deodorant, I usually wore one with lavender. I loved that scent, it reminded me of home. I took the bus to the packhouse and arrived while everyone was eating dinner. Luna Amber said ‘Elias, go help your classmate to her room and show her around’. Elias walked over to me and stuck his hand out to take my bag, but I pulled it tightly against my body ‘I can carry my own bag’ I said annoyed. He sighed and walked ahead. ‘Usually guest stay at the ground level’ Elias said. ‘But we are expecting many visitors next week, so my mother said you could stay in the guest room upstairs’. We walked up the stairs. The packhouse was really big, it was the size of a hotel, but it felt really homily. The first floor was meant for Beta and his family and the second for Alpha, Luna and their kids. Elias took me to one of the rooms on the second floor, ‘this is your room, if you need anything I am one door away’. I walked in and closed the door behind me without saying a word back.
Elias’ pov Ugh of all the times Jade would stay at the packhouse it had to be now. There were a lot of special wolves with their families coming for one of my mother’s conferences. My father had told all the special wolves they were welcome to join our pack, but some really liked their own pack. So once every few years they would all meet up and train together, talk and share news. Uncle Logan, our Beta and his mate Maria had been finding anyone who had worked for my grandmother, to make sure the special wolves weren’t in danger. They had been travelling a lot in the beginning, but I think it had been good for them. When they came back Maria was pregnant with her first child. He was 8 years old now and best friends with uncle Kenzo and aunt Keva’s son. It seemed like there was no danger to special wolves now, but my mother still wouldn’t let me leave the pack until I had shifted for the first time. My mother looked forward to the conference each time, it made he
Jade’s pov O my Goddess, what have I done? How could I be so stupid?! I went to the dining hall to grab something to eat and went upstairs to my room. I had forgotten which room was mine, all the doors looked alike. And I stupidly open the door without knocking or anything. There was Elias, butt naked standing there in all his glory. I had seen men’s anatomy in biology books, but the real deal was quite daunting. Was that meant to fit? O goddess, why was I even thinking about him. I closed the door and went back to my room feeling embarrassed when Elias showed up. This time fully dressed, but I was still confused. I left the door open, I guess he saw it as an invitation to come inside my room. When he started to apologize again I just got annoyed, I didn’t expect him to get angry with me. Elias was claiming he had done nothing to me, well yeah except for ruin my entire life! I couldn’t controlled myself and I almost told him everything, about my parents and my missi
Elias’ pov I had slept horribly after that kiss with Jade. It wasn’t the kiss that had caused my nightmare, but her words. She said I had caused her great pain. I had felt guilty for years, knowing my dad Brian had died because of me and that so many others had lost their lives when I was taken. Twice. I was only five then. I knew logically that it wasn’t my fault, but deep down the guilt of their death still bothered me at times. My mom had calmed me down as always and when I woke up I went to get some breakfast with my sister and Zoey. Zoey was always early here, her parents needed to do some work in the shop before they opened. I heard Jade come in, but I didn’t know how to act. If she hated me I could just ignore her until she left, but if she actually liked me. Even a tiny bit, I wanted to be with Jade in every way possible. Just one kiss made my knees go weak and I graved more of her. Briana snapped me out of my thoughts and asked me to look at Jade. Jade look
Jade's pov I have no idea why I grabbed Elias' hand. I just saw pure panic on his face and it didn’t matter how much I hated him. I felt pity for Elias in that moment, he looked so scared. The only thing I could think of was grab his hand, it was almost instinctively. Elias didn't need to tell me what caused his panic attack, I wouldn’t share my fears with anyone. I was really surprised when Elias was so open about his past. He barely knew me and had already shared something so vulnerable and personal with me. It was clear that I knew very little about the future King. My grandmother had told me he was responsible for my parents death and that the power that came with being King would corrupt Elias and all the werewolves. My grandmother was afraid the werewolves would end the truce between witches and werewolves. I was protecting both my heritages by stopping Elias from becoming King. When I said 'it will all be over soon', I had meant something different than Elias
Elias’ povThat Lisa really didn’t take no for an answer. I couldn’t even remember what I liked about her in the first place. After I shut the door behind me I took a shower, to calm my nerves. There were other things to worry about. I was realising I had tried to keep some of my memories and fears down, but being around Jade made it all come back. My mom had scheduled another appointment with my childhood doctor, hopefully that would help. Doctor Olivia was not one for beating around the bush, she always saw through my bullshit and knew what to say to me. I was always grateful that my father had found her for me. Some things you shouldn’t deal with alone. Maybe she could help me figure out the best way to deal with Jade as well, cause my approach only seemed to repel her.The next day Zoey was there at breakfast and I shared what had had with Lisa. ‘Okay, she’s crazy. But some of this is your fault, you know you should have broke things off with her much sooner
Elias’ povI didn’t get a chance to talk with Jade all day, I would try to find some time after seeing Doctor Olivia. Her office was near the school, so I drove there. Our session went great. As always Doctor Olivia had some great insights. ‘It’s normal to be triggered more easily when you’re under stress. Just take time for yourself, meditate or work out. Whatever helps you relax. Didn’t you used to love gardening? The next few months will ask a lot of you, not to mention once you become King. You won’t be able to help others if you don’t take care of yourself first’ Olivia said. I had also told the doctor about Jade. ‘She is really sending mixed messages. Perhaps wait until she’s figured out to pursue her further. But remember to keep your boundaries intact, there is no need for her to insult you. You need to surround yourself with people that support you, not try to tear you down’. She was right as always. I hadn’t done any gardening in a while, but I remember how it
Jade’s pov I was almost regretting choosing Liam over Elias. He was an awful tutor, he had no patience, was very arrogant and patronizing. By the end of the afternoon I had learned some werewolf history and more about Elias. I thought everyone loved Elias, but Liam really disliked Elias. Liam was complaining about how he was always in Elias’ shadow even if Liam scored higher on most tests. How he thought Elias would make a bad King, because he needed his mother to save him all the time. ‘Did you know he was kidnapped and almost killed twice? Nobody survives that and comes out normal. He acts so perfect, but I know he goes to therapy. I don’t want a King with mental issues’ Liam said. I laughed ‘okay I don’t like Elias at all. But I disagree. If he had lived the perfect life he would be incapable of the kind of empathy he has now’. Liam rolled his eyes ‘sure you dislike Elias. You’re just like the rest of them’. I sighed ‘let’s agree to disagree. Let’s just
Elias pov So Jade was from the Sage Mountain pack. When you arrive at our pack you get a series of interviews to see if you’re not a threat. I wonder how that part slipped through. I mean she was only four at the time, she didn’t have anything to do with my kidnapping or with my grandmothers betrayal. But I would have liked to know this in advance. The adults at the table were still quiet, while Jade sat there with a stoic look on her face. Did she truly not know how much that pack had cost us? Aah fuck it, if no one else was going to ask I would. ‘Were your parents killed during the attack?’ I asked Jade. My father looked at me with surprise, he was usually the one to ask the questions. ‘My father was killed during the attack, but my mother committed suicide after. I found her in the bathroom’, the last part she said quietly so the kids at the table couldn’t hear. I instantly felt guilty, if it wasn’t for me none of this would have happened. ‘Why did you come here