Chapter 24JakeMy pack mates leapt into action, intent on finding Evelyn. I sprinted through the forest, snuffling at the ground in a desperate search for any trace of her. My dark wolf, howling and growling, mirroring our sadness and trepidation.We were running against the setting sun, and the light was almost completely gone. Although this didn't impede our progress much, as wolves mainly rely on scents and sounds rather than sight, I couldn't help but worry about what it might mean for Evelyn. If she was still out here, alone and scared, she would be extremely vulnerable in the dark.There was no trace of her, no scent, no sound. The earlier artificial smell was faint. Maybe it was overpowering Evelyn’s scent. It was unclear which direction they were headed. Someone took Evelyn against her will. I felt it in my bones, my heart and soul. She didn’t go willingly, and that fueled my anger to find her.I couldn't imagine how terrified she must be. The thought of what she was going th
Chapter 25EvelynEric’s words were harsh and controlling. He spoke of marriage as if it was his right to possess me, and as if carrying on an affair with Carrie was the most natural thing in the world. He had no guilt and no empathy. It filled me with a strange sensation that I was speaking to a lunatic.He continued speaking, his voice growing louder, but his words becoming increasingly garbled. My heart raced and my legs shook as I my stomach turned. I had to get out of there. I had to escape the situation and his controlling words.Any remorse I had over leaving Eric without saying goodbye had disappeared. The man he had portrayed himself as - loyal and empathetic - was nothing more than an empty facade. His words and promises were false, and his behavior was selfish and untrustworthy. I had to get away from him.We were still standing outside his car, an old green chevy that had seen better days, although he had always taken care of it well. The thought of getting in the car with
Chapter 26EvelynI was fumbling my way through the dense forest in what I thought was the right direction. On this airless, still dark morning, the trees seemed to be a hundred stories tall, and looming in the darkness, they seemed to whisper secrets and stories that I did not understand. Although I felt like someone or something was watching me, no matter how hard I tried, I could never quite catch sight of it. My steps were heavy and unsure, but somehow I kept going, propelled by an unknown force that guided me.As I trudged onwards, the presence became more and more palpable, and I should have been scared, but inexplicably, I wasn’t. I had just escaped from a kidnapping, and all the long days and nights filled with adrenaline had finally taken its toll on me. But, strangely, instead of feeling exhausted, I felt recharged and alive, in more ways than one. I uplifted my fatigue, replaced it with a new aliveness that came from within me. It was as if some part of me had awoken from a
Chapter 27JakeYesterday was overwhelming. I expected to go to battle to search for my mate, but I abandoned that plan. Instead, I joined forces with my father, brothers, and a handful of pack mates and we set off into the forest to seek Evelyn.But something happens. Well, someone happens. A presence emerged and took in charge of the situation. It was no stranger, in fact, in was Evelyn’s father.The tall, imposing figure of Evelyn's father materialized in the forest, his presence cutting through the stillness of the night like a hot knife through butter. In the dim moonlight, his features were sharp and angular, like a majestic eagle in flight. The stern, dark eyes peered around the forest with a piercing intensity, as he seemed to take in and assess every detail of his surroundings. He was a Lycan. It suddenly made sense. Mr. Black was a Lycan, but he was also a powerful leader and protector amongst the werewolf community and his power radiated from him like an unspoken promise.J
Chapter 28EvelynMy father sat me down on the old leather sofa. It was black, with soft cushions scattered across it, providing a certain comfort, a sanctuary from the world. As I looked around the living room in the small cottage, I had a compulsive desire to scrub and tidy, as if I was avoiding something by doing so.Whatever my father wanted to discuss, I knew, as soon as I saw my father's eyes, that this was something big.The room had an oppressive silence that seemed to hang over us like a heavy, invisible blanket of tension.The room was deathly quiet now that everyone had left. I sat alone on the sofa, my hands fidgeting in my lap, an anxious knot forming in my stomach. He had instructed everyone to leave, and they obeyed without question.I saw Jake as he made his way out of the door. He was the last to leave, and our eyes met for a split second before he turned away. His gaze filled with sadness, as if he was sorry for me. But sorry for what?“Evelyn,” my father spoke slowl
Chapter 29JakeIt had been fourteen days since I last spoke to Evelyn. Our conversation left her shocked, and I really couldn't fault her for feeling that way. Her parents, not disclosing details about her past, were a true hurdle for her, and I struggled to comprehend how people could hold back such essential facts. He told me his motives were serious and vital. But still.I had hoped that we would resolve things during our time away from each other, but it had left us both in a state of confusion. We had texted, and I had called her several times.Sitting alone in our pack house, I attempted to make sense of the seemingly senseless. I still could not answer the question of why someone would withhold such vital information from their own child, and soon discovered that the only way forward was to travel to the source and get answers.They silently greeted me each time I attempted to visit their home. Not her father, but Evelyn. She wouldn't even look me in the eye. Her father merely
Chapter 30EvelynI kept myself busy enough that I didn't have to think too much about everything that had happened over the last couple of weeks. I had so many questions and I was in no position to hunt them down. Jake was still following me, his eyes on me, but I refused to turn around. I had an idea of what he desired to discuss, but I was not prepared for it.My dad had tried to explain to me that Jake was hurting too, but I couldn't understand it. I wasn't ready to embrace him just yet, and I didn't acknowledge all the new information they provided me. All I wanted to do was get through the school days and get back home.The only thing I could do was concentrate on my studies because I was so exhausted. I attended classes, took notes, and tried to stay away from Jake. I knew he wouldn't give up so easily, but I could at least postpone our conversation. As I walked to my next class, I felt like I was in a trance, going through the motions and pushing away all my worries. And so, i
Chapter 1EvelynI observe my father when he rolls down the window in the car and inhales deeply.“Ah, can you smell the fresh air?” he chirps with a hint of wonder and excitement that only a true nature enthusiast can understand. He takes several deep breaths. I can see the joy in his eyes in the review mirror, as he takes in the beauty of the surrounding landscape. He is so excited that we are moving back to his home state, Idaho. I feel sick to my stomach, but I don’t want to spoil his mood, so I nod and hope he buys it. He glances at me through the review mirror, and I nod again. It seems to do the trick, and he smiles warmly at me.We have been driving for hours, and my back is sore. I need to stretch my legs, and I want to freshen up.Our black SUV is jam-packed with all the belongings the moving company didn't take. I'm 18 and still growing, so it's been rather uncomfortable sitting in the back seat with boxes piled up beside me. My mother and little sister are in the smaller c