CHAPTER 77: And then I Howled
Alora’s POV
I felt it, the moment I saw her walking towards the podium.
I felt my heart sink and I knew something was going to happen, but it was too late. She had already taken the mic from Morgan.
After the announcement, I looked at Morgan. He had a look of absolute shock on his face.
He didn't know this was going to happen, but it didn't make it better.
I didn't blink. I just stood there staring at nothing as my whole life with Morgan flashed before my eyes.
Was this a joke?
Then I saw him moving in my direction as the sea of people in front of me parted to let him through.
I took one step.
Then another.
I couldn’t breathe.
The hall blurred around me, and all I could hear were the murmurs that began to grow. People whispered while some looked away.
Morgan was calling my name in the distance. His voice was close but I needed air. I needed to get to the door and walk out.
I was almost at the entrance when I felt small hands tugging at mine. I looked down and saw Leo. He looked terrified.
My heart melted and I turned to him.
That was my mistake. Because Morgan caught up to me.
“Alora…please.”
I froze, my back still turned, fists clenched.
“It’s not what you think,” he said, breathless. She is lying, trying to pull us apart. You have to believe me, baby” he moved close, his large palms caressing my cheeks.
It felt warm and safe, and it smelt like home.
I blinked and shook my head. No, I can't fall for this. Violet was a calculating bitch and if she said she was pregnant, then she really was. Somehow I knew this like the back of my hand.
Violet stepped forward, her red provocative dress flying behind her. “Morgan, how could you say that?” she asked, her voice trembling just enough to seem broken. “You slept with me the night your precious little pet was captured by Xavier…you used me, and well here is the result.”
Then her eyes found mine, sharp, and filled with venom. “Ask him.”
So it happened that night…the night I was taken. Morgan flinched.
He didn’t speak, but I saw it. I saw it in the way his jaw tightened, his breath hitched, and for a split second, guilt passed through his eyes.
He looked like he was in a trance, and whatever happened that night was coming back to him.
Then his expression crumpled. He looked confused at first before a look of horror filled his eyes.
He turned sharply to Violet. “But you said…” His voice broke. “You said nothing had happened. I asked you”, his voice rose as he advanced towards her.
I watched as her fear gripped her, and she looked around for someone to save her from his fury.
She took two steps back, her eyes filled with fear.
Then it dawned on me.
She did this. She planned this.
I stood there and watched as the same realization dawned on Morgan.
His face contorted in pain, and he looked like he was finding it hard to breathe. I watched in fear as the most powerful man I knew unraveled before my very eyes.
It was a setup but it was too late.
“Why didn't you tell me? You could have told me. Before it became... this” I said, pointing to Violet who stood fuming in the corner. “I would have prepared myself” Once the words left my mouth I knew it was a lie. Nothing would have prepared me for this.
“I didn't know Alora, I swear, you need to believe me”.
He stepped forward. I stepped back.
“Don’t,” I warned.
Morgan's voice cracked. “You’re still my mate.”
“And you betrayed me,” I snapped.
Someone gasped. I didn’t care.
My face cracked, and I felt tears well up in my eyes. I turned around sharply.
She won't see me cry.
"Alora, wait…" Morgan tried to grab my arm.
Selene was already moving towards me.
I spun around and glared at both of them. "Don’t. Don’t touch me. Don’t follow me."
I stormed toward the door, pushing through the throng of people who stood with shocks written all over their faces.
Then, out of nowhere, Violet appeared in front of me.
A flash of silver caught the light the moment she halted in front of me. Before I could register what it was, she moved like lightning, drawing a dagger from her thigh strap.
I saw it too late.
"ALORA!" Jones’s panicked voice echoed through the hall.
The room erupted.
Screams. Shouts. Chairs scraping.
Violet lunged at me and I felt a sharp pain like a knife tearing through my side.
I gasped as the silver dug into me.
Someone shrieked in the crowd “Silver”
Then, instead of the silver to burn and blister my skin, it didn't.
My skin absorbed it. The sting became heat. Then energy. A thrum beneath my bones, like something dormant was being fed.
Nyx took over.
I could feel my claws extending, but I fought to keep her at bay.
Violet staggered back, confused.
Then, like a fool, she reached forward again, trying to stab me again in the same place.
Her fingers brushed the blood pooling from the cut.
Her fingers burned instantly, smoke curling off her palm. She fell to her knees, wailing, clutching her hand, and then she let out a blood-curdling howl that shook the entire mansion.
Gasps filled the hall.
There was chaos everywhere.
Behind me, a she-wolf collapsed forward as her body shook. Bones cracked. Clothes tore. Then she howled, and her wolf exploded through her skin like it had been caged for years.
There was full-blown panic.
The crowd scattered, some stepping back, others murmuring frantically.
The Sage stood now, staring at me, with an ashen face.
“Moonborn,” he whispered. It wasn't loud, but I heard it, and I was sure the elders heard him, because they all rose.
The elders rose.
“It cannot be.” one of them said.
I turned slowly, my breath shallow. My blood buzzed like lightning. My fingers tingled.
Morgan stepped forward again. “Alora,” he murmured. “Please.”
“Don’t,” I breathed.
Selene appeared by my side. “We need to go,” she said softly.
I turned to her.
“I can't control her…help me” I walked towards her, claws extended, fangs flying out of my mouth.
Selene looked stricken. “You can control this, Alora. You did it the night of the full moon.”
“No, I didn't. I had help, "I replied.
Her face turned pale.
“You lied to me”
“Now is not the time”
“Lucien…” I growled, closed my eyes and mindlinked him, but then Nyx took over.
And then the shift began.
It started in my spine.
A searing light shot down my back, as if someone had pierced me with a sword.
I fell to my knees.
Someone screamed.
The surrounding air thickened. A low hum filled the hall. My breath hitched. Morgan’s pendant on my neck broke.
I was wracked by an excruciating pain as my joints popped and bones lengthened and realigned. Fur bristled, covering my body and my nose elongated to a muzzle.
I felt pain, excruciating pain, but Nyx talked me through the pain, urging me not to resist and to give into my wolf instincts.
A few minutes later, I stood on four padded paws, and for the first time, I saw myself as a wolf through the mirror in the room.
I was a silver wolf, and my fur glowed in the dimly lit room. My eyes looked like they were made of melted gold, warm and glowing, with tiny silver sparkles dancing inside them.
Everyone in the room gasped while the little ones ran and hid behind their mother’s skirt.
And then I howled.
The floor vibrated with power.
When I stood, I wasn’t Alora Lance anymore.
I was her wolf.
Tall. Ethereal. Power radiated off me in waves.
The crowd dropped to their knees.
Even the elders bowed.
Even the Sage.
Even Selene.
And Morgan?
He stared at me, unable to take his eyes off.
I glared at him in my wolf form.
Then I turned.
Bolted.
A force was calling me and I needed to respond.
So I ran
Past the guards.
Past the gate
Past everything.
The night swallowed me whole.