SELENE
"Hello Selene" an oddly familiar voice greeted. I turned around immediately at the greeting and my eyes widened the moment I made eye contact with the person that just greeted me "I've been waiting for you" she said with a wide smile on her face and I took a few steps back, nearly stumbling over my feet.
"Careful," she said and reached out for my arms but I instantly avoided her touch, my actions were fast and unpredicted which resulted in a big fall. I winced in pain the moment my ass made contact with the ground but I still refused her help "Don't be afraid and please watch your steps next time" she advised in a calm tone, the moment I managed to drag myself back up to my feet.
I glared at her and refused to say anything to her, my mind swirled round in circles as I tried to figure out who she is, and how I ended up here "Listen, I do not know what this is about or who you are. I don't even want to know who you are, but why on Earth do you look and sound just like me?! And where am I?" I finally asked after trying to figure everything out on my own, fruitlessly.
She smiled at me and took a few steps towards me and I instantly took a few steps back "I'm not going to harm you" she assured, but the scepticism was all over my face "I can't harm you, we are parts of a whole, hurting you would only hurt me" my eyes nearly bulged out of my sockets when I heard her.
"A what? Part of you? Part of a whole?" I repeated to make sure I heard her right, and to my horror, she nodded.
"Yes, and it feels so good to finally meet you." She confessed and a deep sigh followed "sadly, I won't spend as much time as I want with you now, the others are already here" she said and my eyes widened.
I immediately turned around and met not just one, but three people that looked just like me, staring at me with a smile on their faces "What the fuck!" I cursed out, and before any of them could get any closer, I turned on my heels and ran for dear life.
I woke up with a loud gasp and immediately sat up on my bed, my hand flew to my chest as I struggled to catch my breath "what on earth was that?" I asked, directing the question to Eliana; who didn't bother gracing me with a response.
Just as I was about to lash out at her for her silence these past days despite everything, chills ran down my spine at a painful realization, Eliana has disappeared. I could no longer feel her presence at all, she has completely disappeared. My body froze completely at that realization, it shouldn't be possible for your wolf to just disappear but there's no other explanation for this emptiness.
"Eliana! This better be a joke, say something. You can't just disappear, please!" I pleaded desperately, but my worst fear was confirmed when I got no response. She was truly gone.
My wolf is gone.
That thought resonated so many times in my head and while I desperately tried to believe otherwise, I couldn't change the truth. I've been abandoned by my wolf, completely left empty.
A sob escaped my lips and I clutched my chest at the excruciating pain I was feeling, the world slowly went blurry as tears welled up in my eyes, my head suddenly felt like it was going to burst open anytime soon nothing made sense anymore.
The past day had been a roller coaster for me, and I just can't wrap my head around it no matter how hard I tried, and then this just had to happen! "Why? Just why did this happen?" I questioned myself as I slowly slid down and rested my head on the pillow as tears rolled down my eyes.
I didn't know how many hours had passed since tears started slipping down my cheeks, but now I had no tears left to cry. I just laid still, staring blankly at the wall with a deep void in my heart, a void that I had no way of filling anytime soon. I was still staring at the wall when a soft knock resonated on the door, slightly bringing me back to the present moment and I stiffly turned towards the door waiting for the knock to come again.
"Hi" I mumbled weakly in a hoarse voice the moment I opened the door, I saw Drystan's eyes widen the moment his eyes rested on mine but to my greatest relief, he didn't ask me any questions.
"Good morning, I just want to tell you that I've booked a flight for us back to San Diego. It's in 2 hours but we have to leave in 45 minutes, we have to meet the Alpha first" he informed me and a small smile appeared on my face, at least one thing was going my way today.
"Thank you," I said genuinely, a big smile appeared on his face at my words "I'll go and get ready now," I said and he nodded, I took that as my clue and gently closed my door.
Walking into my bathroom, I quickly brushed my teeth before I walked into the shower and immediately turned the hot water on. A hiss of pain left my lips the moment the hot water made contact with my skin, but I didn't bother turning it off, just stood there and allowed the hot water to burn my skin.
I don't know how long I stood underneath the shower before the water turned cold, but it felt like I was only there for a few seconds, but the immense pain on my skin said otherwise. I sighed and turned off the shower, I had hoped that the shower would at least soothe my muscles and make me a little bit relaxed, but I ended up inflicting pain on myself.
"We can push through today, it's already less than 24 hours. We got this" I affirmed to my empty-looking shell as I stared at her through the mirror. I dressed her up in a high-waisted skirt and a crop top paired with cans and caked her face in make-up, I couldn't afford to look as miserable as I feel, I'm an Annha and I always, always have to be strong.
I was still staring into my empty eyes at the mirror when Drystan knocked gently at the door "I'm coming" I said, and with one last look at myself I picked up my bag and left the room.
"Let me help you" Drystan offered the moment he saw me, I forced a smile on my face as I handed him the bag.
"Thank you"
"You're welcome. Would you like to eat breakfast before we leave?"
"No, thank you. I'd love to hurry up and get back to San Diego"
He nodded in understanding and smiled at me "let's go then" he said and held the door open for me. I returned his smile as I walked out of the door.
Our car ride to the packhouse was silent, I couldn't bring myself to start up a conversation, and thankfully Drystan read the room and didn't bother striking up one, but I could feel his gaze throughout the car ride but I chose to purposely ignore it.
The moment we got to the packhouse and he parked the car, I didn't wait for a single moment before I opened the door and stepped out, heading straight to Derrick's office. More than a minute didn't pass by before Drystan caught up with me and we both walked to Derrick's office together.
"Good morning, Alpha" I greeted in a monotone voice.
He stood up from his chair and smiled at me "Good morning, Annha." He responded "Please take a seat," he said, gesturing to the visitor's seat. I nodded at him and sat down. He then turned towards Drystan and nodded curtly, I didn't have to turn back to know that he returned the gesture.
"So, Annha" Derrick began the moment he took a seat "Drystan explained everything to me over the phone yesterday, and I want to tell you not to worry. Your parents are fine and so is your pack, they only want you back because of a minor issue, so, please do not be too worried" he explained and I sighed in relief, I do not completely believe him but at least I have something to reassure me.
"Thank you," I said genuinely and he bobbed his head.
"Also, Drystan decided to tag along with you," he said and I turned towards Drystsan in shock; but he was busy staring at Derrick "I just wanted to make sure he is fit enough to travel, and from the look of things, he is. So, on that note, I wish you both a safe journey"
I dragged my eyes away from Drystan and faced Derrick with a small smile "thank you, we'll be on our way now" I said and stood up from my chair "bye, Alpha" he smiled at me and I left his office, with Drystan right behind me.
"Why didn't you tell me you were going to tag along?" I asked when we've walked a far distance from Derrick's office.
"I did." He stated and I stopped walking and faced him, with my eyebrows raised and face contorted in confusion "yesterday, when we were having dinner. I told you" he clarified and my mouth made an O shape as I recalled the moment he told me.
"Thank you" I mumbled and turned to continue walking but my steps immediately halted when I saw the person standing in front of me.
"Hey, Selene" Clarissa greeted in a low tone with a tight-lipped smile on her face.