Chapter 7
Iliana lay on her bed lost in many thoughts. Stuart. Samuel. The shadow pack; her home. She lay in fear that she may never see them again. For the first time, Iliana never knew what to do. To go back home? To stay? Perhaps it’s a good idea to stay and gather more information about the Silver Creek pack? But there is nobody to report to. QqThere no phone. There is no Samuel. There qis no As. It Nobody.
A knock on the door pulled Iliana back to Earth. She was hesitant about opening the door but the knock grew louder; reluctantly, she went to the door. She made a wish that it would be Stuart or even better, both of them. She opened the door and it was the masked man. Her head was low.
“How are you?” The masked man asked softly.
There was no response from Isabella. “Come in.”
They both went in. Iliana stood with her back against the door.
“So, why are you here? Just tell me what you have to and leave.”
“I came to see you.” She stepped back.
“See me? What for?”
“Well, I realize your friend is missing. You looked unwell yesterday when I gave you his phone.”
“Oh. Thank you.”
“I also came to get your answer.” The man said as he sat on the bed.
“Oh. About the pack…”
Iliana's memory ran back to the moment she had with Alexander last night. However, presently, she was unsure of her decision. “Well…”
“Well?”
“Give me more time.”
“There isn’t 'more' time.” The man said to her. “You'll be killed by members of the pack if they find out you’re a werewolf without a pack, or worse…you'll be forced to become a member, don’t think about this.”
He was right, Iliana thought. “I can’t find any alphas.”
“You won’t find them so easily.”
“How can I find them?” Iliana asked, but then she realized… “You're an alpha, aren't you?”
The man was quiet.
“You are an alpha. I have you here.”
“You'll have to find another.”
“But there’s no other I know. You are here.” Iliana in her head had already risked it all for what she did not know the ending of.
The man was quiet with his eyes fixed on Iliana's. “There is another way.” He broke the silence.
“Another way?”
“Yes. There is another way to be a member of the pack without actually being a member.”
“I don't understand. All the ways I think of has to do with intimacy and getting some kind of mark.”
“You are not wrong. But, I would advise you to with this other way.”
Iliana paid attention to the man as he spoke about the 'other way'.
“There is no way!” Iliana exclaimed.
“Well, now you have more choices.”
“I can’t just join the pack as a fake. They’ll see through me.”
“Not if you are very close with one alpha that understands you’re not ready to get marked. It’s simple but risky.”
“Of course it’s risky. This is like a death penalty.”
“You just have to be careful.” The man said.
Iliana did not appreciate his idea of her wearing a façade in the Silver Creek pack. There are too many risks and failures to come. “Who will I go to, then?” Iliana asked. “What about you? Can’t I just stay you all the time?”
“I’m always away. I will be in the blood moon meeting tonight. You should attend. Every pack holds a meeting every blood moon.” The man noticed Iliana’s countenance; filled with lost hope and sadness. “Hey.” He called as their eyes met. Their gaze were locked on to each other’s; unwavering. He stood up from the bed and approached Iliana. “You’ll be fine.”
The was a sudden silence between both of them, a sudden shift in the atmosphere, a sudden feeling. The man walked closer to Iliana who was by the door. Iliana took in an audible deep breath. The gap between them was closed. For few moments they just stared at each other. His deep brown eyes on hers. He leaned forward to the nape of her neck. Iliana couldn’t help herself from vibrating. He pulled his nose mask to his jaw. His lips were a bead inch away from her ears. He let out a slow sigh. “I have to go now.” His voice moved from the crown of her head to the soles of her feet.
“Oh.” She said as she slowly opened the door.
The atmosphere returned.
“Maybe you should socialize. Get to know people. It’ll help.”
The man walked away. Iliana caught sight of a man from afar. An old man. It felt weird that the old man would watch at her like that from afar. It was uncommon. The old man turned his back and walked away, leaving Iliana I’m confusion; she shrugged it off. Remembering her near encounters with Alexander and this masked man, she internally punished herself, but at the same time she found a little courage and elevation. She knew what she had to do.
12:23pm. Iliana around town tried talking to people but she seemed to be the socially awkward one. There was some uncomfortable gazes that were on her but she ignored them all.
“Rachel?” The voice of a woman from behind. Iliana turned to the woman. She recognized the woman from the park.
“Hello.” Iliana greeted.
“It’s me from the park. You remember?”
“I do. How are you?”
“I’m alright. How are you?”
“I’m fine.” Iliana replied.
“What are you doing wandering about town?”
Iliana did not know how to exactly answer the question “I thought I could get to know people. I don’t have to die alone.”
They both giggled…sarcastically.
“Well, if you would excuse me, I’d love to stay and chat but my husband is waiting for me.” The woman said before walking to wherever she was going to.
Iliana did not particularly enjoy talking to the woman but she was the only person apart from Alexander and the masked man she talked to in Silver Creek town.
Iliana continued her walk around town. She took her time to check for any hints but there were none. She decided to head back home but was stopped by the old man she caught watching her. He was closer this time. It looked as if he was walking to her. Iliana walked faster away from him but the man kept up. She went into corners, hoping to lose the man. Slithering through like a snake, she moved through gaps. She reached a point she thought was far enough to be out of sight. It looked so, however, she was lost. The place she found herself in looked very odd and different. It also felt very different. She took steps forward but couldn’t continue—she was pulled down. She fell to the ground, unable to move a finger. She tried getting back up but she couldn’t. She felt herself transforming. Transforming felt painful at this point. She winced and moaned, whimpered and cried. It was too much. She managed to close her eyes and prayed for relief.
After a few moments, Iliana gained mobility. She was free. She stood from the ground and wondered what happened. She looked around and noticed her environment dark and the sound of crickets. She could’ve sworn the was was still up when she got there. It did not matter, she found her was out of the corner and the streets were empty and stores were closed. Too many thoughts ran through her mind. She made her way back to the motel. Her head was down thinking of everything that has happened. It’s too much. She has only stayed for a short while but felt like too many months; it was.
She reached the motel without caring how long it took for her to return. In front of her motel room, she found Alexander standing. She wanted to hide away from him but their eyes already met. For some reason, Alexander looked excited to see her but she wasn’t excited to see him.
“Hi, there.” He greeted but it was not returned. “Did you go on a vacation or something? I’ve not seen you for over a month now.”
Iliana’s body froze upon hearing ‘a month’. There was nothing she had to say. Of course, she had too many to say, but where to begin? She felt a cold sensation inside of her. A cold burn.
“Rachel…” Alexander called but didn’t get an answer. “Rachel.” He called again; same response. He walked to her and leaned to her ear. “Rachel.”
Iliana felt a reverberation piercing through her body. She came back. “Alexander…”
“Are you alright?” Alexander asked.
“I-I’m…fine.” Iliana’s voice wavered. She felt something running down her cheeks. She touched it and was shocked by the sight of tears. She couldn’t control herself any longer. Before she knew it, she was covered by Alexander’s embrace. His heartbeat was audible and he felt warm. It was comfortable.