Chapter 20

Silver’s POV

When I got home, I ran into my studio without a word to anyone.

Tears fell down my eyes as pain consumed me. I slid to the ground, burying my face in my lap as the chaotic lights continued to flash through my mind. I remember seeing a glimpse of Shirly as I ran, and she too had red around her just like Elliot did.

They were both incredibly powerful Alpha’s, and I had no business being in their presence.

She was the perfect match for him, and I was nothing.

The words Shirly had said to me in the bathroom kept playing in my head and I couldn’t get them out. Pain shot through my temples, and I winced in pain.

I undid the pins in my hair keeping it in place and allowing it to fall freely around my shoulders. It was already white, and I knew that I had the fangs of a wolf, and my eyes were most likely silver. I stared down at my arms and saw how pale I was.

I sighed, glad that I made it back to the mansion before anyone could see me. I pressed my knees to my chest and cried heavily, hating the monster that I had become.

Why couldn’t I just be normal?

Gamma Erik saw me running past him, but I didn’t fully transform until I was hidden away in my studio. As soon as the door was shut behind me, I sank to the ground.

More chaotic lights flashed in my mind. I saw the red surrounding Elliot before I took off, but as I turned and saw Shirly walking out of the bathroom, red outlined her as well. I knew what it meant; I was seeing their scents. It was something that happened every full moon. Whoever I was looking at when midnight approached, their scents would be shown to me.

Different colors meant different things and though I didn’t always understand what the colors meant, I knew red signified power and strength.

I’m not sure how long I was in the studio, but I suddenly heard the front door slamming shut and I flinched. I kept the light off and I hoped that Elliot wouldn’t know that I was hiding inside of my studio.

But my hope was shattered as soon as the studio door opened and Elliot stormed inside, slamming it shut behind him.

“Please, go away,” I managed to say, not bothering to lift my head from my lap.

“Are you seriously not going to tell me what the hell happened today?” Elliot asked, sounding almost hurt with a mix of pissed off. “You up and leave an event that was meant for you?”

My head was throbbing in pain and only intensified with each word Elliot spoke. This harshness of his voice made me irritable, and a low growl escaped the depth of my throat.

“You are the Luna of this pack, Silver. Do you have any idea how bad leaving the event made you look?”

I couldn’t take it anymore; I lifted my head and glared at him. His silhouette stood over me with his arms folded across his chest and even though it was too dark to see his face, I knew he was frowning at me.

“If you are so dissatisfied with me then why don’t you divorce me and marry Shirly instead?” I asked, angry tears forming.

“What the hell are you talking about? Shirly is a long-time ally. She’s visited various packs and has helped me with diplomatic tasks. I don’t see her romantically.”

“Does she know that?” I asked through my tears.

“Silver, what is this all about?” He asked, stepping closer to me.

I flinched away, not wanting him to get a glimpse of me.

“I saw your scents,” I blurted. “They were both red. Which means she’s perfect for you. She’s strong and would make a great wife. You don’t need me…”

“Saw our scents?” Elliot asked, his voice becoming soft as confusion took the place of his anger. “What are you talking about?”

“Just forget it,” I sighed. “Just leave. Please…”

He turned and started to walk away. Just when I thought he was leaving, the light turned on and I gasped as he turned to face me. His arms, which were folded across his chest, fell to his sides when he finally saw the monster that I was.

“Don’t look at me,” I said, turning away from him.

“Silver… what… what are you?” He asked, his voice coming out breathy as he took me in.

Tears fell down my cheeks and I quickly tried to wipe them away.

“A monster…” I whispered.

He stepped closer to me.

“I don’t understand…” he said, keeping his tone low. “Explain it to me.”

“Can't you see it with your eyes? On the night of the full moon, I become this… this monster!” I yelled. “I’m not normal and Shirly was right, I could never be the Luna that your pack needs. I’m a freak, Elliot. You are better off without me…”

I thought he would have walked away or yelled at me. But what I wasn’t expecting was for Elliot to fall to his knees in front of me and look at me with such compassion that my heart nearly exploded in my chest.

“You are not a monster, Silver,” he said, his tone firm and yet filled with sincerity. “You are different, but you are not a monster. You are my wife, and you are still the Luna of this pack. I don’t care what Shirly said to you. Whatever this is, we will figure it out.”

“How can you say that? Look at me, Elliot…”

His image became blurry as more tears filled my eyes.

He grabbed my face in his hands and held it steady as he gazed into my eyes.

“You are beautiful, Silver,” he whispered.

I couldn’t handle the emotional overload anymore and I broke down completely. I let out the sobs I’d been holding, and my entire body was shaking as I cried. I felt Elliot’s warm arms wrap around my body and pull me into him. His embrace was inviting and made me feel so safe. I let myself cry as he held me, and he said nothing for a long while.

He ran large circles around my back, brushing the damp pieces of hair out of my face and peppering kisses along my forehead. He whispered soft things that made my heart swell; telling me that it was going to be okay and that I was okay.

His words made me feel a sense of security that I wasn’t familiar with.

Nobody in my life knew about this secret. I was so scared of others finding out and yet here Elliot was, taking care of me like I wasn’t a monster or a freak.

I buried my face in his chest and breathed in his scent, allowing it to calm me.

“How about you draw something for me?” He whispered. “Or you could draw another portrait of me.”

I knew he was using my drawing as a distraction, and I appreciated it.

I peeked up at him and nodded.

He kissed my forehead once more before he stood and grabbed my paint supplies. As soon as I left the comfort of his arms, I felt the anxieties and fears returning to me. But it only lasted a moment before he was returned to me with my supplies.

“Can I use you as a canvas?” I asked a little shyly.

I just needed an excuse to touch him and be close to him.

A small smile formed on his lips as he unbuttoned his shirt. I watched with bated breath as he stripped off his shirt and placed it on the ground beside us.

I dipped my brush in the red paint, and I began to paint a rose on his chest. He watched me with dark eyes as I ran the brush across his flesh. His breathing grew heavy and started to match mine.

Once the rose was done, I leaned against him and allowed him to hold me.

“How long does this usually last?” He asked, holding me tightly against him.

“Until sunrise,” I told him.

“This is why you’ve been pushing me off you?” He asked the question as if realization had just dawned on him.

I nodded as more tears formed in my eyes.

“I never meant to make it seem like I was rejecting you,” I admitted. “I was just so afraid.”

He didn’t say anything and for a long while, we remained seated in silence. When the sun began to rise the pain in my head started to subdue.

He looked at me with such wonder on his face for a moment and when I looked down at my hair, I saw that it was back to normal.

He ran his fingers down the side of my face.

With a pounding heart, I leaned up and kissed him deeply on the lips.