by Ellis Marie
Trent’s face turns ash. “Is that . . .”
Kristie appears above me with Cole beside her, her keys dangling in her hand and an urgent shout on her lips, but when she sees the expressions of the two wolves and follows their eyes, she begins to panic.
“Why is it doing that? I thought wolfsbane was only poisonous to werewolves?” Kristie states, looking at them all for answers, but they don’t even glance at her.
“Scar, what’s happening?” Trent asks, his voice barely audible and his eyes glancing to his cousin. “Scar.”
“I-I don’t know,” she replies in dismay, her lip bouncing. “I’ve never seen this.”
“He said there was enough in it to kill a strong alpha,” Kristie pushes, frantically waving her arms. “Why is Elle—”
Trent’s eyes snap to me, his astonished expression making him so adorably vulnerable that I can’t help but smile.
“You knew?” he guesses, bringing my hand to his lips. “You knew it was going to kill me. You saved me.”
“You saved me first,” I reply, my voice sounding like the final receding crackles of a broken radio. “It was my turn. I couldn’t live without you.”
“And I can’t live without you,” he responds fiercely, his lips pressing to my own with such an intensity that it’s the only thing I feel over my entire being. When he pulls back, his hand threads itself into my hair and he holds his forehead to mine.
He might have to live without me.
I close my eyes and let the tears pour as my body starts to melt, my limbs losing their feeling. I need to say it one more time.
“T-Trent—” I manage to croak out. He looks up at me with an expectant smile tugging his lips. I try to return it as I open my own, but my lungs feel like they’re shrinking and nothing comes out.
I love you.
Alarm overshadows Trent’s smile as he realises that my chest is shaking and no sound is coming from it.
“Scarlette, what’s happening?” he shouts, his wild eyes searching for an answer.
“If it’s wolfsbane, then it shouldn’t be poisoning her,” she mumbles, her words becoming more stressed. “But whatever it is, it’s on the weapon and it’s still inside of her!”
They all begin to argue with each other over whether they should take it out or not, their voices overlapping into a buzz of noise that I can’t quite make out, but it’s almost comforting.
I’m glad that they never change.
Through the fog, Trent’s voice breaks through again, calling my name and pulling my attention back to him, although I can barely move anything but my eyes.
“Elle, we’re going to pull it out of you, okay? Cole, help me. Just stay calm and breathe, Elle.”
That is becoming increasingly more difficult.
Above me, they count to three before yanking the dagger from my body. The feeling of it leaving me is nothing more than plucking a hair from my eyebrow.
Is it not meant to hurt more than that?
Scarlette holds the blade between them, her eyes narrowing at the details and grooves along it. When her finger touches a spot that not only has blood, but also a slight tinge of yellow, she recoils while hissing in pain.
Everyone freezes. It’s definitely wolfsbane.
It strikes something inside of me. A forgotten memory. A dream.
The image of the woman from before, her face blank but her hand stretched out towards me, beckoning me to come to her. Calling to me.
I’m dying, aren’t I?
A kind of acceptance begins to flow through my veins.
“But that doesn’t make any sense,” Trent growls, raising his voice as his hand slams down to the ground beside me. “Elle isn’t a werewolf. It shouldn’t affect her, it can’t—”
He stops talking when he feels it. My finger manages to just move enough that it gently lies on top of his own—curling around it.
This is enough.
He looks down at our linked pinkies for a second, his mind ticking slowly before he looks back up to my face. A horrid realisation dawns on him.
“Elle?” he asks, his voice shaking as he puts his hands to my face while tears begin to pour. “Elle, look at me.”
“What’s happening?” Kristie cries, collapsing at my head as she wraps her jacket around her hand, pressing it into my stomach. “We have to stop it. Why aren’t you doing anything!”
Scarlette’s mouth stays hanging open, her gaze slowly moving up my body until it reaches my paling face, an apology across her features. “Because I can’t do anything. It’s killing her.”
“No, that can’t be right,” Kristie mumbles erratically, shaking her head with every word. “That’s not right, that’s not—” She stops and looks up at me, her lip quivering when she sees my eyes and all the words I’m trying to say to her in them.
It reminds me of when we were kids and we used to try and read each other’s minds. We always said we would learn, how badly I wished we’d managed to now.
Kristie releases a sob, bending forward to rest her head on my shoulder. My heart breaks at the sound, but as Cole’s arm wraps around her in comfort, I want to smile at the two of them. At least she’s not alone.
Above us, the grey clouds are being pushed back by streams of bright colours. It’s almost ironic that they’re tones of red.
Perhaps everything in the world does go hand in hand.
“Elle, look at me,” Trent orders as he slips his hand under my head, trying to lift it. “Just hang on. I’m going to fix this. I’m going to . . . I swear, I know I can. I just—”
He looks around the rest of the group before his eyes squeeze shut, shaking his head in denial.
Oh my stubborn Trent.
“No,” he says, the refusal clear in his tone. “No, you can’t. You can’t leave me. I can’t-—”
A sob breaks his words, his shoulders shaking as he heaves a breath.
I want to tell him how he’s changed my life. I want to share all the moments that have made me feel again, that made me happy again . . . that made me love again. I want to explain to him that a life without him just isn’t a possibility for me. That without him I would have been in a world where I was hurt and abused, where I never knew what real love was.
I want to tell him how he saved me, and now, I’m saving him. I’ve already said it but it’s more. I wouldn’t have a life without him. He’s gifted me with the best days of my life. I only hope he knows how much I appreciate it.
I wish I could tell him all of it, but I can’t. My mouth won’t let me and my eyes can’t convey all the things I want them to.
Of course, now, I wish he marked me.
“Mi vida, I love you,” he mumbles to me, his tears dripping onto my cheeks but I can barely feel them. “I won’t let you leave me. I can’t.”
Yes, I want to say, order me to stay.
I wish I could say it back, tell him that I love him one last time. That I’m okay with this if it means that he’s safe, that the pack is safe, but they die in my throat. The wolfsbane is not only stopping my heart, but also Trent’s as I struggle to take another breath.
The clouds above are light and fluffy, coloured like cotton candy. I want to point it out to him and laugh.
You used to think that cotton candy grew on trees, Trent Night.
But they begin to change, to blend into one another in a bubble of colours that slowly turn to gray, the light in the world sucked out of them.
I can feel their hands on me, their frantic voices in my ears and it’s almost like I can see them all from above, trying to help me, to save me . . . but they can’t.
I can feel it.
As my eyes flutter close, I get one last glimpse of the life I almost had—one of laughter and joy, of going to the beach with Scarlette and making fun of Lee and his friends, of training with Cole and forcing him to have a spa day with me after.
I see the times I could have had with Kristie now that I was finally free—of the moments of friendship that I
missed out on all these years, the endless love and acceptance that she would always provide. I would miss out on seeing her find her own true love.
And my true love, my Trent.
I can see our life together, our souls intertwining in every way possible. The world only seems to grow more incredible with every day that I am with him, with our children growing up to be just as strong and beautiful as their father.
And their mother.
It’s all there before me, a breath away, but then it fades, my vision following it soon after.
A voice calls to me, like a whisper from my own shadow, the words familiar yet unrecognisable.
My body listens, floating away with it as all my other senses dim.
I love you all so much. I want to tell them . . . but they know. They have to know.
The last thing I hear before I plunge into complete darkness and give into the voice calling to me is Kristie’s earth-shattering and heart-wrenching scream.
For a second, I feel the urge to go back, to not give in to the peace and fight for her . . . and then I’m gone.
I hope the afterlife is painted in shades of gold.
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ONE
Four hundred ninety-five days until I’m done with high school and off to college. Seventy weeks and five days until I don’t have to sit here and listen to the teachers pressuring us.
Sixteen months and fifteen days, and I’m out of this shit town. And finally, one year and four months until I can start a new life and perhaps reveal my true self to the world. But for now, all I can do is pay attention to class and—
A loud bang wakes me up in an instant. I lift my head, my dark curls bouncing on my shoulders as I do so. The chuckles of my classmates resound in the room. I look up at the narrowed, wrinkly hazelnut eyes set on me.
Mr. Lockwood stands with my book in hand, slapping it against his palm a few times. Does he want to give me another heart attack?
“Ehm . . . yes?“ I say in a low voice as I straighten my back on the uncomfortable chair.
“Miss Heartfilia, am I boring you?“ he asks, putting the book back on the desk.
Well, yes! Your voice is like a lullaby, ready to tuck me into bed and put me to sleep.
“No, sir,“ I say instead, lowering my gaze.
“Then please go to the board and solve the equation,“ he says, making me mentally groan.
Don’t get me wrong, I like math, it’s just not one of my favorite subjects. However, I’m good at it and glad to understand it without even trying. It’s even useful for my career. What I don’t like is the associated teasing directed toward specific people.
The equation is pretty easy, and by the time I finish writing it down, the bell rings. I hastily pack my things and leave, already tasting the piece of decent quality meat one of my friends will give me.
Hundreds of people walk out of their classes and chatter soon fills the recently empty hallway. I walk past the lines of dark green lockers and through the swarm of bodies heading in the same direction. As I enter inside the cafeteria, my eyes roam around in search of a blonde and brunette.
The room is surrounded by huge glass windows with the rays of the sun illuminating it. Light wooden round and rectangular tables are scattered around. I spot my girls already at a table near the serving counter, and damn, they’re fast.
I walk up to them, dismissing the feeling of being watched by a certain someone.
“How did you guys get here so fast?“ I ask, putting my bag on a wooden chair.
A proud smirk appears on their lips as they stand up, getting in line to get the delicious food our cafeteria has to offer.
My eyes catch a short, dark-haired boy being shoved behind by a couple of girls with eyes turning a dark color before turning back to a natural blue. I can’t help but roll my eyes at the injustice and discrimination the school has.
“We went to the bathroom five minutes before the bell rang,“ Taylor says, pulling her blonde, thick hair behind her shoulder.
“She was also running away from Trevor,“ Bella adds, sighing.
I’m not even surprised. Taylor and Trevor have been going back and forth since that night.
“That’s not true! I was simply avoiding having to waste my time by listening to him,“ Taylor says, straightening her back and looking toward the old cafeteria lady.
I turn to Bella, already having her bright brown eyes on me. We exchange a knowing look before shaking our heads at the same time. It’s a look that translates to she still likes him.
The lady studies Taylor for a moment, her nose taking her scent in before sliding open the door of the steel worktable.
She grabs a tray from inside and hands her real delicious food with raw meat and vegetables on the side. Taylor’s blue eyes sparkle as she thanks her.
Meanwhile, I get mashed potatoes that look tasteless and unseasoned chicken. It’s unfair. I scrunch my nose at the sight of it. I bet prison food tastes like a five-star meal in comparison to this. When we turn around, we catch a well-known group sitting down at our table and throwing my bag on the floor.
How dare they.
My hands tightly grip the tray and my feet move on their own until I find myself at the table with Taylor and Bella nearby. I can’t believe Trevor is doing all of this for her.
“That’s our place.“ My voice comes out in a whisper that makes me mentally groan. I didn’t want to sound weak.
Their strong scent of woods fills my nostrils. I can feel the other part of me scrunch her nose.
Dear Trevor turns to a side and raises his eyebrow, his eyes scanning me from head to toe.
Is he serious?
I mimic him, letting my eyes travel down his tense athletic black body. His plump lips are in a thin line, and his cold dark eyes move from me to Taylor.
“Not anymore. Walk away,“ Trevor says, waving his hand around.
“No, you walk away. We were here first, and I do have to remind you that I’m no mortal or pop, so I won’t give up my table to you,“ Taylor says, throwing her tray in the middle of the table. She stands tall, tilting her head at her ex-boyfriend.
Ah, there it is.
Welcome to the school’s castes. Castes that have been present for many generations, and are known by werewolves and humans. Supernatural, better known as Creatures, have been secretly living amongst humans for centuries. Said humans shouldn’t know about the creatures, but it’s hard to keep our voices down when you live in a town that is under the werewolves’ control.
That brings me back to the school’s castes.
There are three to be specific. The highest one is the Beast, who are werewolves close to the alpha’s family or have a financially valuable impact in town. Humans think only the richest people belong to that group.
The second one is the pops, who have a mix of werewolves and humans. In that group, both species are popular with either a good or bad reputation. A good reputation such as Bella’s whose family is known for being good at their medic jobs and bad reputation such as the human typical bad boy of the school.
Finally, there’s the Mortals, my group; that include everyone who’s a common human. Well, an outcast from the humans’ perspective. It’s not fair, but after years, you eventually get used to it.
“Your name isn’t engraved on this table,“ Trevor says through gritted teeth.
Taylor laughs. “Funny you said that because it actually is. Look on the edge. My name should be somewhere. You know how much I love doodling around,“ she says while everyone starts looking for her name.
Only one person doesn’t look for it. Bright blue eyes that remind me of the sky on a sunny bright day are looking at me with no emotion behind. Blake Harrison, the boy who’s contented to watch me from afar instead of making conversation.
He’s been doing it ever since middle school. At first, I used to find it kind of creepy, but t
hen I got used to it and just let him do his thing. At least he’s not snapping at me like he used to.
With a sigh, I look back into his eyes, raising an arched eyebrow.
Another person might have looked away, but he doesn’t. Instead, he does this little forced smile with that downward-turned lips of his, adding an awkward wink. My nose scrunches at the sight.
Weirdo.
“Oh, I found it,“ one of the girls who are at the table says.
Trevor lets out an animalistic growl while Taylor smirks at him.
“Here we go again,“ Bella says under her breath. We sigh in sync, already knowing where this is going.
“I’m gonna scream if you don’t get up and go,“ Taylor threatens. Everyone looks at Trevor.
“One . . .“ she says, tilting her head to the side.
The girls gulp while Taylor looks at Trevor with a wicked smirk. “Two . . .“
The boys look at Blake as I wince, ready for her high-pitched scream.
“Three.“ Taylor opens her mouth when the future alpha decides to speak up.
“Don’t scream. That’s an order,“ Blake says, his voice deep and low. Taylor’s mouth immediately closes, and she clenches her jaw in anger.
Trevor stands up and grabs a strand of her hair with a smirk. “We’re just at the beginning, babe,“ he says as Taylor slaps his hand away from her.
“Let’s go,“ Blake says, walking away with the others following him.
My eyes stay on him as we sit down and start eating. I can sense the other part of me watching him with interest, noticing the way her nose doesn’t scrunch up for his scent.
“That was something,“ Bella says, putting a lock of short, dark and wavy hair behind her ear.
Taylor snorts. “Tell me about it.“
“You know it looks like Trevor is still hooked on you,“ I say to her, and Bella agrees with me with a nod.
Taylor gives me a sour look. “Catherine.“
I mimic her expression. “It’s true. Look, I know what Trevor did was fucked up, but he fell in love with you, and in his own twisted mind, he’s trying to win you over again. What just happened is proof of that. They’ve never done something like this and—“