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 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
Chapter 2EvelynThe diner fell into a tense silence, and I’m too stunned to speak. My dad had moved swiftly to stand beside me and now shot stern looks in Sandy and the man's direction. Neither of them responds. The quiet lingered until my dad spoke once more. Others were eager to say something, but they were all waiting for my dad to give them the go-ahead.My father was an influential figure that inspired respect whenever he was around. Everyone followed his instructions, and I never saw him fail to get people to do what he wanted. He was physically imposing, virtually looming over others with his dark hair and grey eyes. His gaze cut through anyone as if he were peering through a laser beam. In contrast, I had lighter hair and so did my sister and mother too."Gareth, it's been a while," my father says, never taking his eyes off them. "It appears you're still in town. We'll need to talk later."The words were not a request, but a command. There was a strange familiarity in the exc
Chapter 3JakeI almost overlooked our typical get-together with my entire pack this evening. But the moment I stepped out of the car, I knew that the evening at diner was going to be special. I had an indescribable feeling that something was going to happen here, something extraordinary.I was in the middle of my conversation with my friends, discussing future plans, when my heart skipped a beat. Perplex about the physical reaction I suddenly had, I looked outside through the window. I stopped in my tracks as I watched a woman step out of the car. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Her golden locks cascaded down her back, her curves just right. She looked like a goddess—one I would gladly worship. I was mesmerized. As if the surrounding air had become thick. I couldn't breathe. My heart was beating widely. She was the one. The one for me. It was something out of a fairytale; me finding her here.My heart raced as I watched her, my palms already sweating. I could tell e
Chapter 4EvelynI was curled up behind the front door, silently trembling and gripping my arms tightly around myself. My breathing was shallow, my thoughts a buzzing mess. If my father didn’t come home, what would I do? Who would I call? Who, if anyone, would believe me? Deep down, I knew no one would come running to my aid, and the fear of this knowledge was all-consuming.The hours dragged on, and exhaustion took over. I attempted to stay awake, but sleep inevitably overcame me. It had been a tiring day. As I drifted off, my subconscious heard the sound of footsteps echoing in my mind. For a moment, a glimmer of hope rooted inside of me. The front door opened with a loud creak and then slammed shut. A figure emerged from the shadows and into the dim light of the hallway.I must have passed out from exhaustion the night before, because when I woke up it was already morning. I opened my eyes to a strange room I had never seen before and, judging by the dust that had settled on the wo