(Two Years Later)
I woke up to the loud noise of the children running around the town.
The sun glimpsed through the bright window, causing my eyes to eventually open fully as I sat up from the bed.
I made my way outside.
"Seems the Princess Elara has awakened, knights save her!" One of the children, James, exclaimed, his words bringing a smile to my face. It was a silly game I found myself playing with them every day. They played the knights, and I played the princess in danger.
I picked up my feet as they ran after me, "The princess is fleeing!" They gestured as they caught up to me, as we all chuckled, the whole place echoing with laughter. I sat down to the side as I watched them continue their play.
Everything seemed to be getting better. I found myself smiling again, even after all these while. Two years, yet it feels like everything has changed. But have I truly escaped from him? Am I really free?
Those were questions I always asked myself each night and day. Possibly, it was the truth that awaited me, that my very wolf soul that I had suppressed for these years was soon to be unsealed, and then he would be able to sense me.
I can't allow that. I just couldn't allow myself to return to that pack.
I barely escaped, or was it even me? All I remembered at that moment when those cruel guards had pushed me off the cliff. I was falling to my death; all hope was lost in those moments, but something happened—something I still can't explain. My eyes had glinted a fiery violet as I felt a sudden slow wave, one that caused a rift blast.
"It must have been a dream," I told myself each time when I tried thinking about it, trees burning in flames as I fell into the river streaming down the cliff. The current carried me, and then I found myself here in this small village—a place I had hidden for so many years, hoping to carve a happy life.
The elders that had rescued me from the flowing river helped me seal my wolf's soul. I had never thought it would be possible, but it was. The news would have reached Rendell that I was dead, and I wanted to stay that way. Dead to all of them, so it was a must to stop him from tracking my scent.
But that came at a cost—one that I agreed with. I won't be able to call for my wolf, so I truly lacked the ability to shift now. I had no strength, just a wolfless self. Yet I was happy, as long as it brought me the one thing I had wished for all these years: freedom.
"Let's go, Aunt Elara; the King calls you!" James held my hand, leading me as I playfully gestured with them.
The afternoon hours came, as I dropped by at a shop where I had worked for some time to earn money. It wasn't much, but it was still okay as long as it could put food on my table. I was happy with that.
"Go clean the room, Elara..." Mam, the shop owner, instructed as I replied with a nod, heading to the room—one that I had cleaned. I worked as a cleaner, not a very glamorous job, but still one that I was okay with.
The Tranquil Willow Motel was a place for guests passing by to spend the night before continuing their journey the next day.
Even though there was a time when some wanted thieves had come to spend the night, I still remember the incident when they held a blade to Sophia's throat, threatening to have her killed if I called for the guards. Thankfully, Sophia was saved. But the thieves still managed to escape. I could only hope they were eventually captured after I gave their description to the guards.
"You shouldn't stay long in there; there are still more rooms to clean," I heard a voice that snapped me from my thoughts. It was Rhea; she was the one who Mam hired to supervise things. When I started my work here two years ago, I could very much remember the gaze she had always given me. She hated me at first, even though I wasn't able to tell why, but after some time, I got to understand her, and we were now close friends.
"Alright, Rhea, why don't I get Room 12 cleaned, and you help me with Room 15? What do you say?" I requested with a gestured smile.
"Oh no, no, no, Elara, I ain't helping you today, not now at least..." she replied, which brought a little disappointment, since I had planned on getting home early today.
It was James' birthday today. His parents had invited me due to my relationship with him.
But sadly, it seemed that wouldn't be possible for me to attend.
"Alright, Rhea," I conceded.
"Chill, girl. Okay, tomorrow it's a deal. But tonight, I can't. I've got a date with him. Oh gosh, you've got to see his fashion style, girl. He's just my true mate!" Rhea marveled, a smile painting on her lips as her cheeks blushed red.
Daniel—I had heard his name from her. He was her mate, somehow living in a distant city, which only made me wonder how they were mated and found each other. Yet, I was happy for her. Finally, she found the right mate—one who loved her. And the ways she talked each day assured me that she was happy with him.
"Alright, Rhea, but we'll double the rooms tomorrow..." I cunningly proposed as she heaved a sigh before agreeing, and then we both hugged with a soft chuckle.
Returning back to my cleaning, the late night found me finally done with cleaning the room. I walked out of the motel into the half-lit street as I made my way to my home. But I felt something—a feeling that I was being followed. As I turned, I noticed three men, one who trailed my every movement.
"Who were they? Why were they following me?" I wondered as I hastened my movements, eventually arriving at my house door. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding as I brought out my key, fitting it into the keyhole.
"Are you Elara, Miss?" a voice startled me, only to witness the same guard that I had found following my steps standing before me.
"Y... yes..." I stuttered, leaning on my door as I slowly twisted the handle.
My mind left only one thought in those moments: "run" if they tried anything funny. But I only watched them bring out a letter, one that they left after giving it to me. I opened up the letter, only to gaze upon what it read.
"By the authority of the Frostbane Alpha, I command you to return. —Rendell " My face paled as little sweats trailed down my forehead.
"No... no, he found me. How can this be? This can't be happening," I whimpered, as the letter slipped down my trembling hands.