Saving Ellie (Lycans Book 1)

by Whitney R. B.

  “Uh, no. It’s fine. I just never thought I'd ever be asked that.” I laugh lightly.

  She nods. “Because you didn’t know we existed before.”

  I tug on the sleeves of my sweater, tucking my hands inside of it. “Yeah.”

  Her hand shakes as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “My mom was a human. She died when I was really young. But I always wondered…What if I was raised as one? What would it be like?”

  I bite my lip. “I…”

  She shakes her head. “It’s just...sometimes I wish I was one.” She glances up at me. “Having a long life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I don’t want to work at the hospital my whole life, serving meals, but that’s what everyone expects of me as an omega. I want more out of life. I want to travel, and I want…” She averts her gaze.

  “You want?” I ask softly.

  Her body stiffens. “It’s dumb.”

  “Try me.”

  She gnaws on her bottom lip as she tenses more. “I want to find my mate.” She visibly relaxes once the words come out. Her shoulders sag, as if this desire has been burdening her for a while.

  “Why would that be dumb?” I ask.

  She lifts one shoulder in a shrug. “Not many find their mate anymore. Not many even want to.”

  “Because people don’t travel?”

  “Yeah, I guess. Or they already found someone they want to spend their long life with. Or they don’t want to be tied down.” She uses air quotes on ‘tied down’. “But purebloods travel so it’s more likely that they will find their mate.”

  My heart sinks. I can’t help thinking Ash’s feelings might change when he finds his mate.

  Why am I even getting upset about this? I can’t stay.

  “Omegas never travel. Their place is in the pack. Whatever pack they are born into they remain for the rest of their life.”

  My brows scrunch together. “Isn’t your brother the alpha, though?”

  Why wouldn’t he let his own sister travel? And why is she an omega while he’s an alpha?

  She nods. “Yeah, but he’s changed a lot since I was younger.”

  “You ladies ready to eat?” Charlie comes over, holding a casserole dish with mittens.

  Alice straightens and smiles at him. “Yep, I’m starving.”

  This has to be the best meal I’ve ever had. Not only does everything smell delicious—it is delicious. I moan around another spoonful of sweet-potato casserole. How does it keep getting better with each bite? Did they add magic to the dish or something?

  I open my eyes to see Ash staring at me, hunger burning in his gaze. He’s sitting at one end of the table. I’m on his right with Alice beside me and Foster at the other end. Charlie is across from Alice, and Russell across from me.

  Charlie chuckles, diverting my gaze. “Russell is famous for his cooking. It’s always a treat whenever we’re invited to dinner.”

  Russell clears his throat, his fork hovering over his food as he stares at his plate.

  “Where did you learn?” I ask.

  “Me Nana taught me,” he responds gruffly with his thick Irish accent then proceeds to eat without saying another word.

  Foster starts up the conversation again for the rest of dinner while I catch glimpses of Ash eyeing me every once in a while.

  I’m stuffed to the max by the time everyone is done eating. I didn’t realize how much guys could eat. Maybe they eat more since they’re lycans.

  Ash and I walk them out and wave to them as they drive off.

  When the last taillights disappear, Ash turns to me. “Was that too much?”

  I shake my head. I’m exhausted, there’s no denying that, but it was nice to get to know the people closest to Ash. “I like them.”

  He grins. “Yeah?”

  I nod. “Do...do you think they like me?”

  Ash’s eyes soften, a smile still in place. “Yeah, they do. They’re an accepting bunch.”

  My smile grows as Ash places his hand on the small of my back and leads me inside. I know I’m leaving soon and shouldn’t care what they think of me, but I do. I want them to like me. I want to be accepted into this group of friends that’s more like a family. Thinking of friends that are like family makes me miss Jane and Emma. I wonder how they’re doing. When I contacted Jane and Emma while I was in the hospital, they were so happy to hear from me, but it’s not the same as seeing them in person.

  “You okay?”

  I smile. It’s never hard to smile around Ash. “Yeah, just thinking about Jane and Emma.”

  He nods in understanding. “I’m sure they’re missing you. Ready for bed?”

  I sigh with relief. “Definitely.”

  It’s been just over a week since Thanksgiving, but not much has happened. Ash is always around, and I somehow lost my phone charger, so there’s no way to contact a taxi to come get me.

  A knock on my door sounds as I pull my hair up into a ponytail.

  “Come in,” I say.

  Ash opens the door. “Hey.”

  “Hi.”

  “You have some visitors.”

  “What?” I tighten my hair. “Visitors?” He never mentioned anyone coming over today.

  He grins. “Come and find out for yourself.” When I don’t move, his smile dims. “Unless you’d rather not? I can tell them that you need to rest.”

  “No, let’s go.” I shake my head and set my shoulders.

  I’ve never actually had a visitor before, let alone two. It’s a strange feeling. I follow him out of the room and into the family room.

  I peer around him.

  “Emma!” I smile as she stands up from the couch. My eyes catch onto another beside her. “Jane?”

  Jane steps toward me with tears in her eyes. She goes in for a hug, but pauses before making contact. She drops her arms and takes a step back. “I’m sorry, I know how much you don’t like to be touched.”

  Shaking my head, I step forward and wrap my arms around her. I still have some anxiety when I touch her, but it’s easier when I initiate it. “I’ve been working on it. Besides, I’d never turn down a hug from you.”

  Arms wrap around me from behind, I glance back to find Emma joining the hug. I laugh and hold on tighter. It’s almost like coming home. My favorite people are all in one room.

  Letting go reluctantly, I ask, “What are you two doing here?”

  “The better question is, how are you feeling?” Jane asks.

  I give her a pointed look.

  Her face lights up as she laughs. “Seriously, I’m not spilling until you tell me how you’re doing.”

  I sigh. “I’m on the mend. I’ve had a headache I can’t seem to kick, so not fully healed, but I’m getting there.” I leave out that the headaches have been getting worse with each passing day.

  She smiles. “I’m so glad. I wish I could’ve visited you.”

  “When did you get here?”

  “A few days ago.” Jane looks at Emma. Seeing them side by side you can tell they’re sisters, but I can also notice the differences better. Jane has lighter brown skin and curlier hair while Emma is taller and her hair is darker. Jane’s gotten highlights since the last time I saw her. “After I heard from Emma that you got attacked, I knew I needed to come. I’m sorry it took me so long.”

  “Well, I’m glad to see you. But do you think that was wise?”

  Her eyes narrow. “Marcus was the one to hurt you, wasn’t he?”

  I dip my chin in acknowledgment.

  “If he already knows where you are, it doesn’t matter anymore,” Jane says, and my eyes flash to Emma. “I told Emma when she told me you got hurt, but to not tell others.”

  They don’t know the truth of what actually happened. They don’t know lycans exist, or that Marcus is one, which makes it even scarier that they’re here. Are they safe? I peer back at Ash, who steps closer to me.

  He must see the fear in my eyes because he dips his head to my ear. “I have multiple lycans watching the
house.”

  I sigh and turn back, catching Jane’s concerned brown eyes.

  “And I didn’t tell anyone. But it would’ve been nice to know the truth,” Emma says, pointing a finger at Ash.

  Ash ducks his head.

  “I told him not to tell you,” I say before he can apologize. “I’m sorry.”

  Emma eyes us both as she puts her hand down.

  “Emma actually has something to tell you,” Jane says, touching Emma's arm.

  The elder sister's entire face lights up as she holds out a hand, palm facing down. She’s wearing a simple band with a diamond in the middle on her ring finger.

  Jane rolls her eyes, but a grin is splayed across her face. “Yet another reason to come. I needed to meet her new husband.”

  I blink. “You’re married.”

  Emma grins with stars in her eyes. “I am. Tom and I eloped. I was worried that it was the wrong time since you were healing in the hospital, but at the same time, I just wanted to be married to him already, and he felt the same way. It’s our second marriage for both of us, so why drag it out?”

  I match her grin. “I’m so happy for you.” I hug her again, forcing the uncomfortable feeling down. I pull away, my brows scrunched together, and look around. “Where’s Tom?” You could barely separate them when they were dating—I figured it would be worse once married.

  “He wanted us to have some girl time.”

  Jane nods. “He’s getting some major brownie points from me.”

  I smile. “He’s a good guy.” I glance at Ash, my good guy. He’s been patiently standing off to the side, listening in as we reunite.

  Noticing my attention, he smiles. “I need to start prepping a dish for tonight. I’ll let you three catch up.”

  We head toward the couches in the family room as Ash walks to the kitchen.

  “I’m glad to see you’re staying with Ash,” Jane says with a sigh as she relaxes.

  “What do you mean?” I sit with my legs criss-crossed, grab one of the pillows, and grip it in my arms.

  She gestures to Emma lazily. “Emma told me you were being taken care of and I didn’t need to worry”—she sits up abruptly—“but how could I not?”

  A pang of guilt hits. I made them worry. “I’m sorry I didn’t call more.”

  She waves off my apology. “I didn’t expect more. You’ve never been good at communication.”

  I frown. Doesn’t make it right.

  Emma speaks up. “We’re just glad you’re okay, honey.”

  Jane’s eyes travel behind us to Ash in the kitchen. She leans in. “And having that hot guy to look after you? I’m definitely not going to take you away from that.”

  My face heats. If anyone else said that I’d be jealous or afraid they’d go after him, but since it’s Jane, embarrassment is at the forefront. “Jane, you don’t even like men.”

  She shrugs. “Doesn’t mean I’m blind.”

  “He is attractive, even if he is a little young for my tastes,” Emma says.

  I chuckle. If only she knew. She’s closer to his age than me. “He is nice looking.”

  Jane gasps, holding a hand to her chest in mock-horror. “Just nice? Are you blind?”

  I shake my head, smiling at her antics. “Alright, alright.” I chuckle. I lean in with a hushed tone. “I find him very attractive. Happy now?” I glance at Ash and freeze. He has a small smile on his face as his eyes flicker to mine.

  I forgot he could hear us. Dang lycan hearing.

  My face burns as I quickly avert my gaze, fidgeting with a corner of the pillow.

  “Much,” Jane said. “And you seem healthier...happier. Are you happy, Ellie?”

  I pause.

  A smile forms on my face. I am happy, aren’t I?

  When was the last time I was this happy? Before Marcus? Maybe not even then. The last time I felt true happiness was probably when my parents were still alive.

  “I am.”

  Her face lights up. “Yeah? I was hoping so. And maybe with a man in your life, Marcus will back off. Ash told us he’s locked up now, but for how long?”

  My head jerks back as if I was physically slapped. “What do you mean?” It sounds like Ash lied to them about Marcus, but I would’ve, too. Anything to keep them feeling safe. But still...they think he can’t hurt me right now, can’t hurt them.

  “Maybe being with Ash will deter Marcus if he gets out,” Jane says.

  “Or he’ll go after Ash, too.”

  “That is a possibility.”

  “A possibility I’m not willing to chance.” I shake my head. “You’re the last person who I thought would suggest relying on a man,” I say, then instantly regret it. “I’m sorry. I just wasn’t expecting you to say something like that.”

  Jane usually brags about how much more reliable women are. She became successful all on her own. She’s an amazing attorney and was willing to stick her neck out for me to put Marcus behind bars. But I knew—and deep down she did, too—that he would find a way to make sure that didn’t happen, probably by killing us. So I refused, and there’s not much she can do without me testifying against him.

  She sighs. “Just because I’m anti-men for me doesn’t mean you should be anti-men. Of course, I’m not suggesting relying on a man because you’re incapable of being on your own. You are strong on your own, but you do need help. It’s not bad to ask for help and rely on others. And I think you should rely on more than just me. You need help from anywhere you can get it, and there’s only so much I can do. Emma tells me Ash is an amazing guy, and not only has he been taking care of you, but he can protect you better than I can.”

  “That may be true, but what if it ends up being too much for him and he gets hurt?” I ask. “I’d rather leave before anyone gets hurt.”

  “You mean, besides yourself?”

  “Yes.”

  She shakes her head. “You can’t live your life like this anymore, Ellie.”

  “I don’t have a choice.”

  “Yes, you do. I’m telling you that you do.”

  “By staying with Ash?” I glance over my shoulder at him and make eye contact with his piercing glacier-blue eyes. He’s going to have some words with me later, I can already tell.

  “Yes. He probably can protect you better than I can.”

  From the hurt in her voice, that must have been hard for her to say.

  I turn my gaze away from Ash, finding her staring at me in earnest. I grab one of her hands and squeeze. “Jane, you’ve done more than enough.” I sniffle and rub my nose, trying not to break down. She’s the only reason I survived. “You gave me a chance to live. I couldn’t have made it this long without you.”

  “Ellie.” Her eyes glisten from unshed tears. “I just want you safe. Please consider it.”

  I close my eyes. “Okay, I’ll think about it.”

  “That’s all I ask.”

  After dinner, Ash went to his study to work while Emma, Jane, and I watched a movie—though we ended up talking through most of it.

  Once the credits rolled, I led Emma and Jane to two of the guest rooms upstairs before stopping in front of Ash’s office at the top of the stairs. My knuckles just barely graze the door when his muffled voice tells me to come in.

  Pushing the door open, I find him at a traditional desk facing the door. His eyes light up when he sees me. “Take a seat. I’m almost done.” His gaze drops back to his computer and clicking starts up as his fingers press against the keys. He told me he had to work, but what does he actually do?

  I gaze around the room as I settle onto a couch on one side of the room with shelves bookending it. Comparing this place to his little hideaway barn, Ash’s taste is a mix of traditional and minimalistic with a touch of modern. He also loves books. That might have to do with his age, though. He’s been around long enough to accumulate this many.

  “Why do you have the renovated barn when you have this place?” I ask.

  The tapping stops as Ash focuses on me.
His gaze pierces mine. “Do you remember how you found me that first time?”

  I nod. How could I forget? He was bleeding out—dying—right in front of me.

  “I’ve never actually thanked you for caring for me. Thank you, Ellie. I might’ve died if you hadn’t patched me up. That was extremely brave.”

  “And stupid.” I bite my lip, embarrassed, but before he can speak again, I say, “I didn’t feel as scared as I probably should’ve. I mean, I definitely was scared, but there was always something that pulled me toward you, that made me feel safe, even if I didn’t realize it was there in the beginning.”

  A small smile appears. “You listened to your instincts. When I finally woke, I felt the same as you. It’s why I didn’t shift and reveal myself. I didn’t feel like I should.”

  “I’d probably have freaked to be honest. And ran again.”

  His shoulders rise before falling as tension leaves him. “I’m glad I didn’t, then.”

  His piercing eyes see too much, so I peer around the room instead, not really seeing.

  He may be glad, but I’m conflicted. If he had revealed himself, Marcus never would have found me here, but then again—I would’ve never gotten to know him, or even Emma.

  “And to answer your question,” Ash says. “Do you remember when I mentioned that there were other lycans that don’t like me, and I needed to keep my distance from you?” I nod. “Well, I bought that barn and renovated it to escape from them. No one knows about it. No one but you.”

  “And Emma and Tom.”

  He chuckles. “Yes, them too, but they are human so I wasn’t worried about them.”

  “What about your friends?”

  He tilts his head. “Foster and Russell?”

  I nod.

  “Ah, they know about it, but not where it is. It’s my escape from the lycan world.”

  “Huh. Why did you choose the barn?” I stand and make my way across the room when my eyes snag on a shelf of photos.

  “The field I led you to, where we watched the aurora borealis, that’s where my mother would take me to watch it when I was a child. We stopped when I became an adult, but it has always been one of my favorite places.”

  I blink at the pictures.