Saving Ellie (Lycans Book 1)

by Whitney R. B.

  Delaying pressing play on the movie, he peers at me. “No, they wouldn’t have cared. My grandparents might’ve, but not them.”

  “Are they still around?” I ask.

  “They aren’t. They’d like you simply because you’re a pureblood.” He sighs. “Makes it worse that they were Originals,” he grumbles.

  “Originals?” I turn in his lap to face him better. “As in the Original lycans?”

  He grimaces. “Uh, no. I guess I haven’t explained much, huh?”

  I give him a pointed look and he chuckles.

  “Alright, alright. I’m sorry.” He shifts under me and sets the remote down beside us, keeping an arm around my waist. “Have you ever heard of the Fountain of Youth?”

  “Of course.” Only in fiction, I neglect to add.

  He nods, resting a hand on my thigh. “Parents tell this as a bedtime story, but I’m sure it’s in one of our history books as well. But a long time ago—”

  “In a far away land.”

  He laughs. “Well, technically, yes. Two mercenaries went searching for the Fountain of Youth with their slaves.”

  I blink. “This really is a true story based a long time ago.”

  A corner of his mouth tips into a half-smile. “Yes.”

  I straighten. “Okay, proceed.”

  Chuckling, he tugs a lock of my hair. “Thank you for your permission.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  My face splits into a grin as he roars with laughter.

  “As I was saying,” he says with a shake of his head and a smile. “They went searching for the Fountain. And they actually found it. But instead of a fountain, there was only a small trickle of it left. And no, I don’t know why.” He gives me a pointed look and I laugh. “Anyway, both mercenaries decided that they would each take a taste but bottle up the rest. After the first one took a drink, not only did his youth return, but he was changed.”

  “Changed?”

  “Yes, he became the first stryx.”

  My eyes grow wide. “So this is not just a story about lycans.”

  “Correct. The water was pure essence. Not only did it rewind age, it made them powerful. Prettier, stronger, faster, etcetera. As the first mercenary transformed into his beast form—”

  “Wait. Beast form?” I ask.

  “Stryxes look human, albeit beautiful and perfect humans, but human nonetheless. When they change into their beast form, their eyes shift to blood red while their nails lengthen into points and fangs form. It’s also harder to penetrate their skin in that form.”

  “So not into a wolf like us or any other creature.” Like us. Still feels so strange to think of myself as a lycan.

  “Nope. We just call it beast form.” He kisses the side of my neck. “So as he turned, the other mercenary drank his share. That’s when they learned that drinking the essence affects each person differently. Instead of turning into a stryx, he changed into a lycan. A large wolf that could change his form at will. He gained the same enhanced abilities as the stryx and retained his youth, but he was not as strong. They found that out as they fought over who would get the rest. Greedy. They wanted to test to see if it would make them into even more powerful beings. Right then and there.

  “But as they fought, one of their female slaves, seeing what it had done to them, swooped in and drank the last of the essence.”

  I grin. “Good for her.”

  He smiles. “That’s how she was able to free herself from them. Although, after she drank, her form didn’t change. Instead, swirls of wispy colors surrounded her. She became the first witch, able to perform all kinds of magic, including blood magic.”

  “Okay, I thought magic and essence were the same thing.”

  He tilts his head back and forth. “It kind of is. Essence is in our blood and what links us to each other. It’s what’s inside of us, but witches are able to control that in an outward power, which we call magic. Also, anything spoken that enacts power we call magic: challenges, blood magic, potion makers, protective magic, weavers—who makes the clothes that don’t tear during our shifts—that sort of thing. I’m sure there’s more, but I haven’t really researched witches. They tend to keep to themselves for the most part, not interacting with lycans or stryxes.”

  That’s...that’s a lot of different types of magic. Maybe someday Ash and I can learn about the witches together. “And are there a lot of witches and stryxes around today?”

  “Witches, yes. Stryxes, no.”

  “Why is that?”

  He adjusts underneath me. “I guess I’m giving you the full history of our past today.”

  “Yep. We may be here for a while.” I go to move off him to allow him to get more comfortable, but he grabs my hips, keeping in place.

  “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “I thought we’d get more comfortable.”

  “Are you uncomfortable?” Ash asks.

  “No.”

  “Neither am I, so stay. Please.”

  Well, when he says it like that. I relax against him once more, his arms wrapping around me.

  Ash begins pressing buttons to recline us back, simultaneously raising the legs, for us to lay down before continuing, “About a thousand years ago there was a war—”

  War?

  “Wait, when did the three Originals first drink from the Fountain of Youth?” I ask.

  “We actually call the first three ‘the Elites’. And they found it around the time Rome was founded, about three thousands years ago.”

  “And where do Originals tie in with all of this?”

  “Originals are the ones changed by the Elites by the sharing of their blood.”

  “So normal humans drink the blood of an Elite and become like them.”

  “Not as powerful, but yes, that’s correct.”

  When I’m silent, he kisses my temple. “Is this getting to be too much? I can wait to explain more.”

  I sigh, letting my head drop back against him. “I’ve been in the dark for so long.” My whole life to be exact. “I want to know all of this. This is our history. But I think I’m getting overwhelmed with just how much I don’t know.”

  “That was a lot just now. I have lycan history books lying around the house. Maybe instead of discussing more right now, we give your mind a chance to soak this in, then tomorrow or sometime this week we can go through them together?”

  I did just learn a lot. Learning more about the death of Ash’s parents, the Fountain of Youth, the Elites, and Originals. “That may be a good idea. I am a bit overwhelmed. But I still have one more question.”

  “Shoot.”

  I bite my lip, tapping my fingers along his chest. “Now that you’re alpha, you could change things with your pack, right?”

  His brows rise. “Yes, I suppose so. I’d love your help, though.”

  My eyes widen. “Mine?”

  “Of course. Even though you aren’t an alpha, you’re still my equal.”

  My heart swells. I didn’t think I could love him more. “Well, I already have lots of ideas.” Like getting rid of how omegas are treated.

  He smiles. “I’m glad. And I’d love to hear them all.”

  “Once I understand everything a bit better and understand how the pack runs, I’ll make a list of suggestions.”

  He tugs me closer. “Sounds perfect. I’ll bounce my ideas off you, too.”

  I beam at him. “Yeah? I’m excited now. I want this to be a pack safe for everyone.”

  He wraps his other arm around me to squeeze me to him. “I love you so much. You have no idea how happy hearing that makes me. We’re going to run and change this pack together, making it better for everyone.”

  His eyes glisten with unshed tears as his arm tightens around me. “Thank you for listening and caring.” He places another kiss on my forehead before starting the movie.

  Halfway through the movie, when I thought the soreness of my shift had passed, it came back with a vengeance and a little fr
iend.

  I’d forgotten what it felt like to have a period. I think the last time I had one was right before I left Jane. The cramping, the aches…

  It sucks.

  Why do I need to be punished for not being pregnant?

  My shoulders slump in relief.

  But at the same time, I’m glad I’m having one. It’s not normal to go without one for years on end.

  There’s a light rap on the door. “Ellie?” A pause. “Are you okay? I smell blood.”

  I cringe—of course he does. “Yes, I…I just got my period.”

  “Ah, okay.”

  I sigh when I sense him retreat, giving me privacy.

  Leaning over, I open the cabinet under the sink. I’m at an awkward angle, but I can just barely reach a tampon. The first week I was here, Ash showed me two locations, this half bathroom and the hallway closet upstairs, where he placed a basket full of maxi pads, tampons, heat pads, and pain meds. He even loaded a basket with different types of snacks in the closet. Being typical Ash, he overstocked in both places.

  I didn’t have the heart to tell him I rarely got a period.

  I wonder why it showed up today, though, after not having it for so long.

  Finishing up, I wash my hands and open the door to the hallway. My cheeks heat when I see Ash leaning against the wall a couple feet away.

  He straightens. “Ellie, is there anything you need?”

  “I think I need to lay down,” I say. If I remember right, these cramps I’m feeling will only get worse before they get better.

  He nods, my request not even phasing him, as he offers his hand. “Have you taken any pain meds yet?”

  I shake my head, placing my hand in his. “I’m also craving chocolate.”

  One corner of his mouth tugs up into a small smile as he leads me to his room. “I’ll get you some.”

  He lets go of my hand to pull back the sheets and helps me in. This is the first time I’ve ever been in his bed. We usually share mine. It’s odd and exciting all at the same time.

  “I was wondering when you would get one.” When my head tilts in confusion, he continues with an explanation. “I know humans get periods usually once a month.” He palms the back of his neck in embarrassment. “So I checked last week if I needed to restock anything and found it untouched.”

  Ah. So he knows I haven’t had one here. “I don’t get them often. Is that not normal for lycans either?”

  He pulls the covers over me and sits beside me. He tucks some hair behind my ear. “When was the last time you had one?” he asks.

  “Before I first left Jane.”

  His brows draw together. “About three years then, correct?” At my nod, he continues, “And the time before that?”

  “The time before that was when I got it for the first time. It was right before I went to live with Marcus.”

  His eyes widen, slightly leaning back in shock. “This is only the third time you’ve had a period?”

  I nod hesitantly.

  One of his hands moves to scratch his scruff in thought. “I know for lycans, missing months is normal. I don’t think I’ve heard of others missing them for longer than a year.” His eyes move back to mine. “But considering what you went through for years on end, I shouldn’t be surprised.”

  Ash stands suddenly and moves to his bookshelves. “I only know about periods from my mother.” His hands move from title to title as he tries to find what he’s looking for. “She had really bad cramps whenever she got one, which was about every three months. That’s actually considered often for a lycan. Ah—” He removes one book and walks back over to the bed and sits again, but this time resting his back on the headrest. “This talks about periods in lycans. Let’s see…” His finger moves down the index before flipping to a page. “I know in humans, as well as in lycans, that stress can delay a period. But considering how seldom female lycans can get pregnant, their periods don’t come around monthly like they do in most humans.”

  Alice comes to mind. “What about the lycans that have less magic, I mean essence, in their blood? Alice’s mother was a human.”

  He nods as his eyes scan the words on the page. How is he able to read and talk to me? “I’m not positive how often she gets one. But I’m sure it’s more often than a pureblood.” He taps the start of one paragraph and places the book on my lap “Here it is. How about you read it while I get some things?”

  “Okay.” I grip the edges of the book in my hands.

  Once he leaves the room, I find the paragraph he marked with his finger and begin to read.

  Periods in lycans are tied with the essence in their blood. Lycan periods are also tied to their bodies. The more stressed a lycan is, the less likely they are to have a period.

  The same goes for shifting. While high emotions trigger shifts, when the body is under high physical stress, shifts don’t occur and neither do periods. Shifting can only happen when the body can handle it, or else the lycan may die.

  I stop reading and take in what I just learned. Because of how stressful my life turned once my parents died, and probably also from malnutrition, I never shifted or had a regular period. But now that I’ve been eating larger portions, gaining some much-needed weight, I have a roof over my head, food on the table, friends supporting me, and someone that loves me…my life is significantly less stressful than it was on the run.

  Ash walks in carrying the snack basket with pain meds stuffed in with them, more tampons and pads, a water bottle, and a heating pad. My heart warms at the sight.

  “Okay, I think this is everything, but if not, just say the word and I’ll get it.” He places the basket on the nightstand along with the water bottle.

  I close the book and place it beside the basket on the nightstand so he can hand me the heating pad. He then heads to his en suite bathroom to put away the pads and tampons.

  “This is more than enough, Ash, thank you,” I say after him.

  He comes back smiling, walking over to his side of the bed. But before getting in, he opens the drawer to his nightstand and pulls out a remote. He aims it at the wall across the room and presses a few buttons.

  There’s beeping and mechanical sounds, then the wall above his desk moves.

  My mouth gapes open as it reveals a television. Ash had a hidden panel in his room. I eye him suspiciously.

  He glances over at me with a smirk that quickly turns into a frown. “What?” he asks.

  I narrow my eyes. “What else do you have hiding?”

  He laughs. “There’s a safe in my office that’s hidden, but other than that, nothing. Isn’t this cool, though?” His face lighting up as he sits on the bed next to me. He shows me the remote and what each button does that mostly goes over my head.

  I smile and shake my head. “I didn’t even know you could do this...whatever this is.”

  He chuckles. “I don’t know how Russell did it, but he’s a genius when it comes to these kinds of things.”

  “Right, Russell owns a construction company.” I remember Ash had mentioned it once.

  Ash focuses on the television screen. It has apps and movies already on it, unlike the screen in the renovated garage. “Yes, he’s also a welder, leatherworker, and chef—although he doesn’t work as one anymore.”

  My eyes widen. “Wow, a man of many talents.”

  He freezes then turns his head to me, his eyes narrowed. “You’re not starting to gain feelings for him, are you?”

  “Well…” A growl leaves him and I can’t keep a straight face any longer. I laugh. “No, only you.”

  A slow grin takes over his face. “Good.”

  He turns back to the screen and finds the movie while I settle in for a relaxing evening.

  Over the next week, I consume book after book about lycans. Each book briefly mentions witches and stryxes, but nothing about a war. It’s honestly driving me crazy. Ash could’ve sworn it’s in one of his books, but he hasn’t been able to find it either. He offered to tell me every
thing he learned, but now I just really want to read about it in detail.

  There was a war between stryxes and lycans that humans knew nothing about.

  I walk into the kitchen and have a bit of a déjà vu moment when I find Ash already there waiting for me. He isn’t cooking or in his pajamas this time. He’s looking out the window above the sink, and it reminds me of my first morning here when he made me a stack of pancakes. I didn’t think it was possible, but he’s gotten more attractive since then.

  Sensing me, he turns with a smile. “Ready?”

  I nod and we head outside together in the snow. Ash has training equipment, but since it’s all downstairs—in the basement—he thought the next best place was the great outdoors. Luckily, even in leggings and a tank top, I barely sense the cold, only a slight nip from the breeze. Perks of being a lycan now. Or I guess I’ve always been one...but I learned that lots of abilities don’t show up until after your first shift.

  My eyes travel the length of Ash as he removes his shirt. I try not to drool at the sight of his bare skin and muscles. I couldn’t be more grateful that he runs hotter than I do. He only wears a coat to fend off questions from humans. At least that’s what he told me.

  Ash turns to face me in nothing but a pair of work out sweats and shoes. “I want you to come at me with everything you got, then we’ll go from there.”

  “Uh, I got nothing.” I may have had to defend myself a few times while moving around and squatting, mostly from thieves wanting my bag of supplies, but usually once I cut them with a knife they’d back off. I don’t actually know how to fight.

  “I’ll decide that. Just come and attack me.”

  I sigh. “Okay.”

  Putting my fists out in front of me, I jump from foot to foot. Once I finish shaking off the jitters I rush at him. Before I can land a blow, he grabs my fist in mid-swing.

  “First”—he pulls me closer—“we need to fix this.” Catching me as I teeter off balance, he wraps a warm arm around my waist. He opens my fist. “You’ll break your thumb with it tucked inside.” He repositions my thumb. “This is the best spot for it.”