Chapter 63

Killian

The house was mostly dark when I finally made it home.

I had let Elena and the staff know, and sent my apologies for missing dinner. I knocked softly on the door to Elena’s new room, but it seemed she was already asleep and I saw no light under the door.

I went to the kitchen, quickly devouring some of the plate of food that had been left out for me.

I cleaned up after myself and trudged my way upstairs.

I stopped halfway, looking back to where Elena was sleeping, but knew it was better not to try and wake her. I paused again at the top of the stairs, shaking my head at the charred doorway at the end of the hallway.

The mystery of the fire was slowly unravelling itself before me, but I still carried my doubts and reservations and knew I needed proof before I made any rash decisions.

Waking to my own bedroom, I noticed a soft light under my door. I must’ve left it on before I left in the morning. The door was unlocked, which was strange until I saw what was on the other side.

The large bed took up most of the center wall, and its occupant looked tiny curled up on the cushioned surface. She had left the light on the other side of the bed on, presumably for me to find my way to bed easily.

At the sound of the door latching shut behind me, Elena’s eyelids fluttered and opened. She pulled herself partially onto her elbows to look at me, then looked shy and embarrassed to be in my bed.

“Elena.”

I couldn’t hide the surprise in my voice..

“I hope you don’t mind…” she said softly.

“Not at all,” I said in as soft a voice.

I walked around to the side of the bed where she lay, and she pushed herself higher up on the pillows that were propped up behind her. I moved to sit on the edge of the bed and she stopped me.

“Don’t!”

Her hands reached out to where I almost sat.

“Not in those pants you’ve been wearing outside,” she said, playfully chastising me. She even reached a hand out and pressed my thigh with her palm. The contact sent a jolt of electricity to my groin, and she smiled shyly. “They’ll have to come off.”

My mouth fell open. Though Elena and I had had some passionate encounters, she was never one to take much initiative. I suppose that was partly my fault, since she could tell I was still hung up on Natalie. But now, Elena was taking ownership of her desire and sexuality, and I wanted to follow her to ends of the earth.

“And your shirt,” Elena commanded me, leaning back again on the pillows. She brought a finger to her mouth, softly biting the nail between her front teeth. I fought the urge to rip my clothes off, and decided to take my time as I undressed. My shirt came slowly over my head, and I won’t pretend I wasn’t flexing every muscle I could as I lifted the fabric off my shoulders and tossed it across the room.

Elena looked amused, and her eyelids were getting heavier as her gaze trailed down my chest and abdomen and lower down. I watched her watch me undo my belt, slip my thumbs in the waistband and pull my jeans down my legs. I was careful stepping out of them, fearing a clumsy tumble would ruin the mood.

When I looked up Elena was breathing heavily, her eyes fixed on my groin and the growing member that was straining against the smooth fabric of my underwear. One hand still at her mouth, the other was pressed against her chest, the fingers alive and stroking her skin gently.

I put my fingers inside my boxers and paused, hearing her breath catch in her throat. I grinned, raising my eyebrows as if asking whether or not she wanted to continue.

“Off!”

Her response came hurriedly, and both her hands flew down beside her. She was impatient. and I was willing to oblige her, I stepped closer to the edge of the bed. I picked up her hands and placed them at my waistband in the same position I had held before. I took my hand away, and she smiled as I gave her the power.

Her eyes were flaming red as her fingers slowly pulled the shorts down, freeing me from their constraints. Her hands replaced the fabric, covering me with gentle touching and stroking, encouraging me to give into to her.

“Elena…” I moaned, my hands reaching to her shoulder and stroking the side of her face. I closed my eyes as she held me, feeling I could die in that moment.

Then her hands were gone, the air cold where her warmth had been. She had shifted to sit up on her knees, and her arms were raised in the air. I understood what she wanted, and I grabbed the edges of her nightdress and pulled it over her head. She wore nothing underneath.

Her hands came to my chest, gripping slightly as she pulled me downwards to meet her. I paused, my face inches from hers, her eyes already closed and her lips pursed and waiting. I wanted to remember every detail of her face at that moment.

Impatient, she opened her eyes and when they locked into mine my heart swelled so much that I thought it might burst. And the swelling between my legs was almost painful with desire for her.

I moved my head the rest of the way, keeping my eyes open, and my lips gently brushed hers. The tenderest moment morphed into something deeper quickly, and I felt her nails scrape into my chest. I let my hands roam up the sides of her body and cup her breast with my hands. Her skin was warm and soft, and I could practically see her heart beating loudly in her chest.

She pulled me again, and with one leg propped on the bed beside her I laid her gently down on the bed and did my best not to crush her as I lay on top of her. She squirmed underneath me, separating her legs so they could wrap around me.

Aligning our bodies, I entered her slowly, watching her face intently to absorb every small reaction. Soon her surprised ecstasy was replaced by hunger, and her wolf cried out for mine. I lost time in the moments that our bodies moved together, and I saw stars when I finally felt my release cresting through me from head to toe.

We fell asleep, our bodies still tangled together among sweaty sheets. The last thing I remember is her hand stroking my face as she whispered incoherent words of affection into my hair.

The sunlight hit me like a slap in the face. I was alone.

Elena was gone, and after hours of searching and questioning, it was clear that she was no longer on the premises of the Alpha mansion.

“This only shows her guilt,” Natalie said as I stared at the untouched plate of food in front of me. “The fire, Graham being poisoned, and then she’s just gone? I know you love her Killian, but the devil is in the details here.”

“Hmph.”

I did want to believe her, but I didn’t have much else to go on. My biggest hope was that wherever she was, she was safe. And I hoped she would come back to me soon.

I couldn’t bear sleeping under the same sheets as the night before, so I stripped the bed that night. From the pillow case a small piece of paper fell out, with Elena’s handwriting on it.

“Killian, I’m sorry I had to go. I will always love you.”

Elena

The bike ride was also pleasant, if I didn’t think about all that I was leaving behind. Amandine was heartbroken not to join me, but I needed her to know as little as possible to keep herself safe.

The woods were getting lighter as I entered and began my long trek to the coordinates I’d been given. My emotions were heightened and mixed, vacillating between excitement and fear and regret. But I had to see it through.

A rustling of the underbrush and the low murmur of an animal snapped me to attention. I was getting close to the spot, and wondered if I should wait or keep walking.

The noise intensified, getting louder meaning something was getting closer. And it seemed to be more than one thing coming my way. I thought of the small knife in my pack, but before I could even reach to remove my pack and grab it, they were on me.

Three wolves, huge and practically shimmering with power, surrounded me so quickly that I couldn’t even guess where each came from. Their snouts were working overtime as they took in my scent, unspoken communication passing between them. I couldn’t tell by the intensity of their silver eyes if they were curious or hungry.

Breaking the spell, the three wolves howled in unison.

In a flash of light, a woman suddenly appeared before me. She was beautiful, her skin and hair pure white. Her eyes sparkled like rubies caught in the sunlight.

“Hello, Elena,” she said, her voice rich and resonant. “We’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”

“Who are you?

“I am the Queen of the Lycans,” she said, proud but not boastful. “And I am your mother.”