18. ELOWEN
Chapter 18
ELOWEN
Tears sting my eyes, blurring the image of Thorne's face etched with heartbreak.
Even as I utter the words, a part of me screams in protest. Saying them feels like severing a fragile thread that still binds us, however tenuously.
But what choice do I have? This pack, this entire situation, feels like a gilded cage. The longer I stay, the deeper the resentment grows.
And the stupid affection.
Thorne stares at me, his expression a battlefield of emotions—pain, anger, and possibly acceptance.
Why doesn't that make me happy? Why does nothing make me happy? Why is it that only the memories of kissing him make me happy? And at the same time, those memories hurt so much.
"I want to leave," I repeat, my voice barely above a whisper.
The silence stretches. Thorne doesn't move. His gaze locks on mine until the air escapes him on a long exhale.
"Alright," he says hollowly. "I'll let you go."
Relief floods through me, so intense it almost steals my breath. Finally, I'm free. Finally, I can escape this pack, this forest, and everything that reminds me of his betrayal.
But even as the relief washes over me, a flicker of doubt creeps into my mind. Can he really be letting me go that easily? After everything that's happened, after the way I've treated him?
"Just like that?" I ask, suspicious.
There is sadness in Thorne's eyes. "Yes," he says. "Just like that. You deserve to be free. You deserve to be with your own kind."
The sincerity in his voice catches me off guard. Is this the real Thorne, or is this just another trick, another way to manipulate me?
"There's… there's one condition," he adds hesitantly.
My heart jumps into my throat. Of course, there's always a condition.
"What?" I snap.
He takes a deep breath. "I can't let you leave without knowing you'll be safe. Shadow will accompany you."
Shadow lets out a low growl, nuzzling my leg slightly. The gesture, surprisingly comforting, throws me off balance.
"Shadow?" I scoff. "Why on earth would I want a wolf escorting me back to civilization?"
Thorne looks at me pleadingly. "He's more than just a wolf, Elowen. He's… he's my pack mate. He'll protect you."
The word "pack mate" hangs heavy in the air, a painful reminder of the bond I so desperately want to forget. But the thought of venturing into the unknown alone…
"Fine," I grumble, the defiance momentarily draining from me. "But I have a condition as well. We leave now."
He nods, his jaw clenched tight. "Yes. But…"
What is it now?! Ugh!
He hesitates, worry crossing his features. "It won't be easy. I could come with you—"
"I can handle myself."
Before he can say anything else, a loud commotion erupts outside—a chorus of growls and snarls pierces the air, sending shivers down my spine.
Thorne throws me a startled glance, then he takes two long strides to the door to determine the source of the disruption.
"What's going on?" I whisper, stepping up behind him.
Thorne looks over his shoulder, his face hardening. "Stay here," he commands.
But I ignore him. Curiosity, mixed with a strange sense of foreboding, propels me forward.
"No. I'm coming with you."
Thorne looks like he wants to argue, but before he can, I push past him and head out the door.
Shadow follows close behind, his silent presence a source of comfort amidst the escalating chaos.
We burst into the main hall just as Thorne throws open the heavy wooden doors to find a large group of wolves—his wolves.
But directly opposite them stands another group of wolves, their fur a matted mix of grey and black, their eyes gleaming with hostility.
At the front of this group stands a massive wolf-shifter with eyes the color of storm clouds.
He's larger than all the wolves in the pack behind him, with thick hair and scars crisscrossing his face. His cold gaze meets mine for a fleeting moment before snapping back to Thorne's.
"Alpha Thorne," the large wolf growls. "We've come to collect what's rightfully ours."
My gaze darts between the two groups, trying to piece together what's happening.
What are they talking about? Who are these wolves?
Thorne throws back his head and lets out a powerful howl that echoes through the hall. The sound sends chills down my spine and makes Shadow whine softly at my feet.
Then, immediately, I see Kain walk forward with a derisive smirk.
What is he doing here?!
"Kain!" Thorne growls beside me.
"Ah, yes, Thorne. Pardon Faj. He's not exactly the friendly type. He doesn't have common courtesy. I assure you we are not here for trouble but just to collect what is ours."
So the large scary wolf is Faj? My eyes dart back to him, and I almost yelp when I see him leering at me.
I quickly look away.
"There's nothing here that belongs to you, Kain," Thorne retorts, his voice calm but lethal. "Leave now before this escalates."
Kain snorts. "Don't play coy with me, Alpha," he snarls. "We both know how you took my bride from me. Give me back my bride!"
What?!
He's here to get me?
I thought this was done. Why is he doing this?
Thorne's jaw clenches, and for a moment, I think he might lunge at Kain.
But he takes a deep breath and forces himself to remain calm.
"There is no stealing here," Thorne roars but tries to rein himself in. "Elowen is no one's possession."
Kain lets out a humorless bark. "Don't lie to me, Thorne. We both know the prophecy. The Moonstone is needed to defeat the coming darkness. You can't keep it for yourself… and neither can you keep my bride hostage!"
Moonstone?
"Her father reneged on the decision for you two to marry," Thorne says.
Yes, because he thought Thorne and I would live happily ever after. How did that turn out?
My gaze darts between Thorne and Kain, desperately seeking answers.
Just then, a deep growl erupts from behind Kain.
"Faj," Kain mutters a warning.
The wolf—Faj, throws me a cursory glance before focusing on Thorne.
"Enough of this posturing, Alpha Thorne," Faj growls, his voice low and guttural. "We both know the threat we face. We need to work together."
Thorne narrows his eyes, barely containing his anger.
And why does that look sexy as hell?
Oh lord, what is happening to me?!
"Do you even know what the prophecy is about? Moonstone? " he scoffs at Kain.
What the hell are these two doing? Are they just going to keep going at each other?
Thorne's jaw clenches, and for a moment, I think he might lunge. But he takes a deep breath and forces himself to remain calm.
"There is no Moonstone here," he says firmly. "And even if there was, it wouldn't be any of your concern."
Kain lets out a bark that echoes through the hall. "Don't lie to me, Thorne! We both know the prophecy. The Moonstone is needed to defeat the coming darkness. You can't keep it for yourself."
Prophecy? Darkness? This is all too much to take in.
"This prophecy again?" I step forward. "Are you both kidding me? You want to fight this darkness, yet you're squabbling over some perceived alliance or a prophecy?"
Both Kain and Thorne turn to stare at me, slightly surprised by my interruption.
"This isn't about some petty rivalry," Kain growls. "This is about survival. The prophecy is clear. The Moonstone, along with the combined strength of the packs, is needed to defeat Dark Moon."
"Prophecy?" I echo, throwing my hands up in exasperation. "Is that all you care about? Some cryptic message that may or may not be true?"
A surge of anger bubbles up inside me.
"There's got to be a better way," I continue. "Why don't you join forces? Not just you two, but all the packs—as many as you can find! Together, you might actually stand a chance against this Dark Moon Prophecy."
Silence descends upon the hall once again, broken only by the crackling fire in the hearth. My words hang like a potent challenge.
Thorne and Kain exchange uncertain glances. They return their gazes to me.
Finally, Kain speaks, his voice gruff but less hostile. "You… you might be onto something, Bride."
"She. Is. Not. Your. Bride." Thorne grits his teeth, unconsciously stepping closer to me.
"Don't be a fool, Thorne," Kain snarls. "You can't claim her as your own. The prophecy…"
"The prophecy be damned!" Thorne roars, cutting him off. "Elowen is not a bargaining chip!"
The room seems to shrink around me, the walls closing in. I'm angry. I'm afraid. But I refuse to be treated like a prize to be claimed.
Before anyone can say anything else, I step forward, pushing past Thorne. All eyes turn to me, surprised.
"Enough!" I yell. "This is ridiculous. You're both acting like children."
Silence descends upon the hall once again. All eyes are glued to me, waiting for my next words.
I take a deep breath, trying to steady my voice.
"Look," I say. "I don't know what this prophecy is about—or this Moonstone. But if it's a threat to everyone, then fighting amongst yourselves is the stupidest thing you can do."
I pause.
"Shouldn't you be working together instead? Forming alliances with as many packs as you can? The stronger your force, the better your chances of winning this thing. I thought we established that already."
"If you truly want to defeat whoever this Dark Moon is," I continue, "you need all the help you can get. Every pack, every warrior. Stop playing these power games and work together!"
The silent stand-off between Kain and Thorne continues, then, slowly, tentatively, Thorne lowers his head, the growl subsiding.
Kain hesitates for a moment. Then he lets out a huff. "She speaks some truth, Thorne," he admits. "Alone, we are weak. Together… perhaps we have a chance."
A glimmer of hope sparks in my chest.
Suddenly, a bustle of movement catches my eye. Several figures emerge from the shadows around the edge of the hall.
More wolves join the small group that has formed. Some I know from the pack, like Bjorn, who stands tall amongst them. But others I don't recognize.
Their postures suggest they've been there all along, deliberately staying out of sight in anticipation of a violent confrontation.
Kain's head snaps towards the newcomers.
He sucks in a sharp breath, a deep rumble emanating from his chest. His face scrunches up in concentration as he seems to sniff the air.
My own curiosity piqued, I follow his gaze and watch as his entire demeanor shifts. The playful smirk melts away, replaced by a mix of surprise and something… deeper.
Before I can decipher that emotion, Kain is already pushing his way through the crowd. His eyes are fixed on a young female wolf I don't recognize. She stands slightly apart from the group, looking uncertain.
As Kain approaches, her eyes widen, and a small smile blossoms on her lips.
They meet halfway and Kain dips his head in a gesture of respect, and the young lady nudges him playfully with her nose as they both lean into each other.
Mates.
So Kain had a mate all along. My father had been pressuring him as much as me.
Bittersweet warmth washes over me. They look so comfortable in each other's presence. It's a stark contrast to the way things unfolded between Thorne and me—a forced capture, suspicion, and ultimately, heartbreak.
I steal a glance at Thorne, finding him already staring at me. His gaze is unreadable, a storm of emotions swirling behind his blue eyes. I force myself to look away, the memories too painful to bear.
Turning back to the central focus, I see Kain and his mate, Lela, walking back toward the hall. The crowd, including myself and Thorne, follow.
Kain clears his throat, his voice deeper than before. "She speaks the truth, Thorne," he repeats, his gaze sweeping across the vaulted center of the hall. "Alone, we are vulnerable. But together..." He trails off, a new determination hardening his features. "Together, we might just stand a fighting chance."
A collective sigh of relief washes over the room. "I agree," Thorne declares.
"My Pack stands with you, Alpha Thorne." Kain bows his head.
Thorne bows his in response, and the air in the room crackles with a renewed sense of purpose. The animosity that had hung heavy just moments ago starts to dissipate, replaced by a tentative camaraderie.
Kain nods at each pronouncement, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. He turns to Lela, who stands beside him, her eyes gleaming with pride. They exchange a quick glance, a silent communication that speaks volumes.
Finally, his gaze falls on me. I hold his stare, unsure of what awaits.
"And you, my former bride," he says, his voice surprisingly gentle. "What say you? Will you stand with us in the face of this coming darkness?"
My mind races.
Do I trust them? Can I truly believe they'll work together and put aside their differences for the greater good? Or will they just break down into another round of Alpha badgering?
But then I look at the faces surrounding me—Thorne, his jaw clenched but a flicker of hope in his eyes; the young couple, Lela and her mate Kain, their bond radiating strength.
These wolves, these strangers… They are all just trying to survive. Just like me.
But honestly… The thought of fighting this darkness, of facing whatever prophecy they speak of, fills me with a bone-deep dread. I don't think I have it in me.
I never asked for this life. I was thrust into a world of fangs and fur—of ancient magic and unspoken threats.
All I want is to go home.
Taking a deep breath, I straighten my spine and raise my chin. "Since we're back to that," I say, turning to face Thorne.
His gaze meets mine, a kaleidoscope of emotions swirling within—disappointment, anger, and something more vulnerable that yanks at my heart.
"I told you I wanted to leave," I continue, my voice firm despite the tremor that threatens to betray me. "I still stand by my decision."
The color drains from Thorne's face. A flicker of pain crosses his features before he masks it with a stoic indifference.
A heavy silence descends upon the room. Then, Kain steps forward, a sly smile playing on his lips.
"Well, well," he drawls, his voice laced with amusement. "Seems the Alpha doesn't have as much charm as he thinks."
Thorne throws him a withering glare, a growl rumbling deep in his chest. Kain ignores him, his gaze fixed on me.
"But fear not, little one," he continues, his voice taking on a surprisingly gentle tone. "Perhaps you'd be more comfortable under the protection of the Shadow Pack."
My brows rise in surprise. Protection? Why? Kain still wants me? Even after finding his mate?
The very thought seems ludicrous.
"Why would you offer that?" I ask, my voice laced with suspicion.
Kain raises an eyebrow, his smile widening. "Let's just say that I enjoy getting under Thorne's fur. Just because we're forced to work together doesn't mean I have to play nice."
Of course.
He throws Thorne another playful glance, who responds with a low growl.
This time, Kain chuckles. Despite myself, a small smile tugs at the corner of my lips.
Maybe, just maybe, there's more to this Alpha than meets the eye.
Taking a deep breath, I weigh my options. Staying with Thorne's pack, even if they form an alliance with the Shadow Pack, means being trapped in his world.
Going with Kain… well, it's a gamble, a leap of faith into the unknown.
But one thing is certain: the only way out of this place, the only way to even think about getting home is to play along with one of them.
"Alright," I finally say. "I accept your offer. On one condition."
Kain leans in, his eyes glinting with curiosity. "And what might that be?"
"Get me home," I say, resolved. "As soon as this… darkness… is dealt with, I want to return to my world."
A slow grin spreads across Kain's face. "A fair deal," he says, extending a massive paw towards me. "Welcome to the Pack, Elowen."
Hesitantly, I reach out and place my hand on his paw. The sensation is rough yet strangely comforting.
A shiver runs down my spine, but this time, it's not fear.
It's anticipation.
A collective sigh of relief washes over the room. Thorne, however, remains silent, his gaze fixed on the ground. His posture betrays a deep sadness, a sense of loss that twists my insides.
Part of me wants to reach out to offer comfort. But another part, the part that's been hurt and lied to, holds back. Maybe someday…