by Nana Adu
My eyes float up and Noah stands in front of me, un-moving like Liam back then.
As I try to turn my head, sound itself has seemed to freeze.
Noah isn't Liam and yet I ran from him. I froze him like I did Liam.
My hands open wide before me, each beaten up tan, with black lines drawn all through them and thick skin on every finger and palm.
What is this? Where does this come from?
How do I stop it?
My heart, still races in my chest, helps strengthen my knees enough for me to stand and walk towards Noah.
His out reached hand is stuck in the air, wanting to help me up when I ran from him. I ran from Noah.
What if he doesn't unfreeze like Liam did?
A fear I've never known suddenly invades my system.
My hand trembles as it rests against his cheek, like he had done to me earlier.
"Please come back to me." I whisper.
His warmth seeps into my palm and light returns to his eyes. His hand comes down as his eyes widen and I stare up at him.
"Eliana? What just happen-" My arms wrap around his neck, tight as I bring him into my chest.
"I'm so sorry." My words muffle on his shirt.
He doesn't say anything back to me, but the feeling of his arms slowly embracing me is enough.
***
I don't want to ever feel as powerless as I did today.
I either need to understand what this is or get rid of it, but I have no idea how to do any of that.
Noah holds my hand, walking out of the pack house somewhere. Since he came to, he's been pulling me away to some place.
"I'm sorry." I repeat. His grip on my hand tightens for a second.
"Don't be sorry for something like this. This old man should know exactly what to do with you. He used to walk around talking crazy but I guess not that crazy. From what you just said, it makes people stop and listen to you?" Noah goes towards a small hut on the property with a straw roof.
"Yeah." I agree as we stop in front of it. He pulls me more, as we stand closer.
Whoever is in there will be able to help me? They'll knows what this is?
Noah knocks lightly on the wooden door. It creaks open seconds after, as an eye peeks between the opening.
"Noah? What are you doing here?" An old man steps from behind the door, swinging it open and bear hugging Noah. My hand slips from his and I feel the trembling in my body resume.
It's still so violent.
My eyes are drawn to the ground as they bond and catch up.
I don't want to do anything stupid.
"Who is this you brought with you?" I glance up as the wrinkle ridden man turns to me. His bread rolls long and thick down his chin and chest.
I turn up the corners of my lips and nod at him. His arms wrap around me before I can take another breath and he squeezes.
My eyes pop wide as Noah shakes his head.
I guess, he's friendly. He backs up, letting me breathe.
"I'm Eliana." I whiz out.
"Is she...?" He turns to Noah and he nods.
"Oh, how nice. Please come in." He passes us, holding the entrance open for us.
We walk into the small home, ducking our heads as enter the crowed space.
"Just sit there." The old man points us to his bed and we sit. The ends of his bed touch either side of the house, it's worse than my basement, but the little guy seems comfortable in here.
He pulls a small stool up in front of us and sits.
"So why did you visit?" He asks, looking between the both of us.
Noah looks over at me and I nod.
"Robert, you know the powers you used to go on and on about when you were drunk. You swore you were telling the truth, even sober you did." Noah clears his throat, and the guy nods.
"Yes I know." Robert replies.
"Well I think my mate has one of the abilities you were going on about."
Robert tenses, glancing over at me.
"You? What does he mean?" His attention turns towards me. I exhale.
"I have these spells of dizziness and then I tell someone to do something and they freeze. It usually happens when I think I'm in dangerous." I admit, avoiding looking up at Robert.
"You mean you're...?" He jumps up, backing away from us to lean on his kitchen counter close behind him.
"What?" Noah says
"You've been blessed by the Moon Goddess." He says, slowly approaching me with awe in his eyes.
Blessed by the Moon Goddess? This isn't a blessing, it acts as a curse.
From the Goddess or not, I want it gone.
CHAPTER 23
Eliana POV
"Can you explain that?" Noah asks, irking a brow at Robert as he nears me. I shift in my seat.
"When our kind was created, there were Royals among us. They had abilities given by our Goddess and told to look after the race. They were closest to Her. A civil war broke out between us werewolves and the Royals were exploited until near extinction. They had the power of the Moon, to influence werewolves to do their bidding but when used too long it drained their life sources." He says, looking at me carefully.
So this is in my blood and everyone who could teach me how to control it is dead? What do I fucking do then?
"Your pack must have contained the last bit of Royal blood left. Who are your parents?" He crosses the small distance behind us quickly, grabbing a hold of my hands. Noah pushes him off.
"I have a lot of respect for you Robert, but don't lose it like you used to around my mate." Noah stares at Robert intensely as he nods and backs away from me slowly.
"I'm sorry, I can't help myself sometimes, just answer the question." He says, as his eyebrows move in all different directions. It's strange.
"I didn't know my parents and I can't remember anything before the age of 5." Noah's eyes widen beside me and I nod.
When I was five I had to start life, it seems, over and bond with those around me again, but when I had really started to, they pushed me away.
"So they are dead? Do you know any uncles or aunts? Anyone?" He ask, getting jittery and nearing me again. Noah sends him a look.
"No, no one ever really told me about my parents. My old pack didn't say how they related to them." I say as my voice fades towards the end.
They never told me about anything. They barely let me learn until middle school and I didn't question it. It's good to be away from them.
"When did you first notice it?" I freeze as the words leave Robert's mouth.
I sit tense, all of my body beginning to shake slightly. The itch on my thighs throb.
"Eliana?" Noah's voice reaches me and my hand latches on to his shirt, curling a fist around a bundle of the fabric as I swallow.
I don't want to talk about it.
"Never mind that, move on Robert." Noah's hand covers mine as he leans into me. His being near me calms my heart and I let out a sigh of relief.
"I don't even know where to start. I've spent a good portion of my life studying our history and the biggest mystery was the power of the Royals and now you walk in with one of them, claiming she has what I've been dreaming of for years. Can I cut her open?" He chuckles as my heart drops.
He wants to cut me open?
Noah frowns at him.
"I think we should leave." Noah says, holding on to my hand. I let go of the shirt and welcome the grip of his fingers, encasing mine.
"I was joking, relax. Let me get out some of my old books and I'll get back to you guys. I might be able to help you." He says, as We stand up in the tiny hut and walk out with him at our tails.
"You still keep your things in the library?" Noah asks as we duck our heads under the door frame and exit out to the outside world. The noon sun shines golden.
"Yes I do. Bye, I'll see you guys soon, especially you Eliana." Robert winks at me, then hobbles off, ignoring Noah's glare.
The strength in my limbs wane and I stumble on my feet as my knees threaten to collapse under me. Noah hol
ds me up.
"Are you ok?" He asks, his arms around me, pressing into my waist.
I nod.
"I want a nap. I need one." He nods and we turn, heading back to the home.
I'm a 'Royal' and I have moon powers.
That's all I got from today and it's already too much.
I don't know how I can think of this without being stressed out to the maximum.
"Robert said it drains your life force using this thing." Noah says suddenly, as we enter the pack house.
My heart beat quickens.
There's another thing to add to 'too much'.
"Yeah." I breathe out as we begin to climb up the stairs. Noah's grip on my waist tightens and he huffs out.
"Eliana, you should try to get help from Robert so you know how to control it." He mentions and I nod as a slight headache starts in the back of my head.
"You're probably this tired because you used it against me and then you woke me up." I nod again, trying to ignore the pain as it increases.
Last time with Liam, I left him and hoped he'd find his way out on his own. I didn't use it that long at all and I didn't help him escape it. I can't chance that with Noah like I did him.
"Eliana, I don't want to lose you." We stop at the top of the stairs and Noah looks at me with a sadness in his eyes.
"Noah, I'm fine. Robert is going to find what he can and we'll work this out." I assure him, bringing up my hand to rub Noah's on my side.
He breaths heavily, wrapping both his arms around me and holding me to his chest tight. His strength keeps me up as I hold him as well.
"I can't lose you, Eliana." He whispers against my ear.
I didn't want to worry him this bad. I didn't want to worry him at all. He said before I'm a distraction and this didn't help. I don't want to be some burden to him.
"You won't." I say to him as he pulls away, looking deep into my eyes. Wordlessly, he aids me again, walking with me as we reach my room.
He opens the door and wobbles me in, placing me down on the bed. I sit on the edge, leaning against the headboard.
"Thank you Noah. Don't worry about me, your pack needs you more." I say, smiling softly at him. His nostrils flair and he kneels in front of me.
"But I need you more, Eliana."
His hand slips behind my head, pushing me towards him and suddenly his lips press onto mine.
CHAPTER 24
Noah POV
I just had to make sure she was there.
Standing inside my room, behind the door, my heart races.
She seems so weak, like she'll slip out of my hands if I'm not holding on tight enough.
Like sand rushes through the grip of a fist.
I needed to feel her in a closer way, something that could set my soul on fire and bring back that strength in her eyes. I'm definitely burning up right now.
After the kiss, I quickly helped her lay under the sheets and ran out the room. I picked the worse time to do this.
I groan, hitting my head against my palm.
She just finds out she's apart of this weird Royal thing, her old pack is saying they're coming back for her, and that whenever she uses that 'blessing', she's dying.
She's dying when she uses it.
I clench my fist as my nails bite into my skin.
How do I protect her from this? All of these factors trying to take her away from me?
I push off my door, taking slow steps to my bed as the weight in my leg drag me there.
I can't keep her away from it because it's in her blood.
Laying flat on my back, I turn on my side and stare towards the floor.
She can't use that thing anymore, not even by accident.
Eliana POV
Breakfast taste amazing again.
I chew my food, taking a breath before each chomp.
But I'm not enjoying it.
The dining room has a couple people standing around as I plop the porridge into my mouth. Noah had to go do pack stuff early and one of the wolves who are friends with Hunter, I think his name is Axel, has been following me from a distance.
He hasn't bothered me yet so I don't care much at all. It just reminds me that Liam is saying he's coming back for me.
Clenching my fork in my hand, I lose my appetite.
They still need me? What do they want with me?
If he's hoping to finish what he was trying before, I'll kill him.
My grip on the fork increases as I stare into my food, tense.
All my efforts are thrown out the window after one day. My new life here is either going to be interrupted by Liam or this dumb blessing. I can't control it, it wasn't around when I was younger, and every time I use it, it feeds on my 'life source' or whatever that means.
I've dragged Noah and his pack into my issues. I knew they might come but they seemed terrified of this pack. Even they know if it comes to The Fang pack verus theirs, they would lose.
Why are they running into a fight they can't win? What do they need from me that's worth going against one of the most highly trained pack warriors in our kind?
I drop the fork and put my head in my hands as it hits the floor with a clang.
This all doesn't make sense. I'm trapped into too many bubbles and I'm forcing Noah to worry. It's not fair to him or his pack.
Maybe I should-
"Hey, Eliana." The voice breaks through my thoughts and I turn my head to the side to see Bethany standing beside me.
"Hey." We're good now so I'm glad she can walk up to me and say hi.
"You good? The fork fell and you didn't even flinch. I thought you loved to eat." She says, furrowing her brows at me and leaning in. I chuckle as a small amount of amusement worms itself way through the stress within me.
Do they watch me stuff my face?
"I do. Who cooks?" I'd love to get everything off my mind right now.
"We take turns. Soon enough I'll have to teach your hungry ass how to cook." She pats my shoulder as we both laugh.
I know how to cook but learning their recipes could change my life.
I nod to her.
"Come on, let's go train in the courtyard." She says, pulling out my chair for me as I yelp, my elbows falling into my lap off the table.
"But my dishes-" She urges me up as I stand.
"He could take care of them." She points at Axel and he raises an eyebrow. She sticks her tongue out at him and grabs my hands, pulling my outside.
"I don't know how to fight." I say, as she jogs out the door. Her gaze comes back to mine and she shakes her head.
"Then it's about time you learn." She takes huge steps down the porch stairs and I stumble behind her.
I've never thought of myself as a fighter. It never seemed like something my scrawny limbs could try to do, and now with a little more fat, I'm not sure much has changed.
Bethany stands across from me in the front yard as few wolves stand around watching us. Most of the warriors are with Noah today, so the after breakfast training is limited to us two.
"You just want to beat me up, that's what this is about." I say, grinning at her. She places her hands on her hips and bends a knee.
"Maybe I did consider that a bit but I'll go easy on you today, cause you're a newbie." She smirks and approaches me. I flinch.
"Bethany. I know you still might be mad but I don't want to be killed." I put my hands up. She laughs and stops in front of me.
"Call me Beth, and first let's see how strong you are. Punch me in my gut." Her expression shows no hint of playing around.
"You want me to hit you?" I ask, tilting my head at her. This soldier shit has to suck.
"In my stomach, yes, do I have to spell it out for you?" She rolls her eyes. I scoff.
"Don't start with me again, Beth." This actually might be satisfying. I'll pretend all my problems are concentrated in this bitch.
"Then hit me." She shrugs.
"Gladly." My arms come up as I ball my hands into tight fists.
My eyes glare at Beth as her face holds a slight grin.
Moonstribe used to feel like they were looking at me like this, like no matter what I did, it wouldn't make a sound.
"I'm waiting." Beth says, and I nod.
I'm making Noah have to take care of me and worry because of these dumbass situations.
I didn't ask for some blessing. I didn't ask to be born that pack's fucking slave.
All I've wanted all my life was a place I could be happy and now that I'm here, everything is threatening to take me away from it.
"Eliana. Hit me."
"Wait."
I won't roll over and let it take me out. Not again, I can't give up the light now that I've seen it.
My fists tighten so hard, my nails dig into my palm. I swing it straight, wind rushing by my arm as it lands on a rock wall.
I'll fight back.
CHAPTER 25
Eliana POV
"You tried to take me out, bitch."
"You should've been ready."
"Be honest, you brought me out there to get out the rest of your frustrations."
"You're the one who hit me and kept fucking punching me."
"It didn't hurt."
"You weren't the one being beat up!"
Beth and I walk through the front doors of the pack house, arguing.
"It didn't hurt." I repeat, as my sore muscles threaten to cripple my body movement.
"Let me punch you like 10 times in your gut. No flexing." She stops and I blink at her.
"That's different. You train like everyday." I remind her. She flips her long brown hair and walks by me.
"Cool, so I train you everyday and we can fight? See you tomorrow then." She grins, scoffing by me.
I smirk and shake my head. I walked into that one.
I see why the pack enjoys her. She knows how to cheer up someone. Beth isn't a bad person, she has a big mouth and loves to speak her opinion, regardless of how you feel. Regardless of how I felt.
I needed that. Having so much shit on your chest and not being able to release it somewhere was suffocating. I'm looking forward to training with her more.
I head up to my room, passing by Noah's closed office. Slight whispers can be heard through the wood, even to a wolf's ear. Sighing, I pass by, continuing to my room.