Chapter 38
Elara's POV
I couldn't focus on a single word Mr. Peterson was saying about the Oregon Trail.
My phone sat face-down on my desk. I'd saved Kael's number under "K.H." Twenty minutes ago, I'd stared at those two letters for a full minute before shoving the phone away.
The memory kept looping. His hand wrapped around my forearm. The way his jaw clenched when I got too close. That split second when his eyes dropped to my mouth before he jerked back like I'd burned him.
Stop it.
I pressed my nails into my palm. I needed to focus on the real problem—how to take down a pack of rogue wolves with a body that could barely run a mile. Not on the way Kael's voice had gone rough when he said "you pass."
The bell rang. I grabbed my bag and headed for the door.
"Elara."
I turned. Sophia stood by the front row, her red-brown hair perfectly curled. Blythe was next to her, his hand on the small of her back.
Sophia's smile was sweet. Her eyes weren't.
"Glad to see you're feeling better," she said. "After your little fainting spell yesterday."
Blythe shifted his weight. "Sophia, come on—"
"What?" She blinked at him innocently. "I'm just checking on her."
I met her gaze. Kept my face blank. "Thanks for your concern."
I walked out before she could say anything else.
The hallway was packed. I pushed through the crowd, heading for my locker. My chest felt tight, but I wasn't sure if it was my asthma or just stress.
Someone grabbed my arm.
I spun around, my free hand already moving toward my pocket where I'd stashed a small canister of pepper spray this morning.
It was Vivian.
She wore a designer hoodie that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe. Her makeup was flawless, but her eyes were red-rimmed.
"Elara, I need your help."
I pulled my arm free. "Goldman, I'm pretty sure the last favor isn't even finished yet."
Her face flushed. "I know, but this is important. Please."
I glanced around. A few students were staring. I lowered my voice. "What do you want?"
"Tonight. There's this party at Moonlight—it's a club downtown. My friends are going and I—" She bit her lip. "I can't cancel."
I stared at her. "You want me to babysit you at a club? After what happened to your dad yesterday?"
"I'll pay you. Five thousand dollars. Just for one night."
My mouth went dry. Five thousand. That was still a fortune, though not so much when compared to what Derrick had offered.
But it was also insane.
"Vivian, there's a pack of rogue wolves out there who want your family dead. Going to a club is—"
"I know!" Her voice cracked. She looked around quickly, then pulled me toward an empty classroom. "I know it's stupid, okay? But Liam is going to be there."
"Liam Hartley?"
She nodded. Her cheeks were bright red now. "We've been talking for a month. He organized this whole thing and if I don't show up, he'll think I'm not interested and—"
"And you're willing to risk your life for a guy?" I couldn't keep the edge out of my voice.
"You don't understand." Vivian's eyes filled with tears. "I've liked him for two years. Two years, Elara. This is my chance."
I thought about my past life. About being Lynette. I'd never had time for crushes or parties or any of the normal teenage things. I'd been too busy surviving.
Part of me wanted to tell Vivian she was being an idiot. The smart part.
But there was another part—the part that had Elara's memories—that understood wanting something normal so badly it hurt.
I sighed. "Fine. But I have conditions."
Her face lit up. "Anything."
"I'm bringing someone with me."
"Who?"
I pulled out my phone. Stared at K.H.'s contact. "Someone who can actually keep you alive if things go wrong."
---
Vivian left after giving me the details. Eight PM. VIP section. Dress code: cocktail attire.
I stood in the empty classroom and opened a new message to Kael.
My fingers hovered over the keyboard. What was I supposed to say? "Hey, remember how you agreed to help me plan a suicide mission? Want to babysit my cousin at a nightclub instead?"
I typed: Plan changed. 8 PM tonight. Moonlight club. —E.G.
I hit send before I could overthink it.
Three dots appeared almost immediately.
You're giving me orders now?
My jaw clenched. I typed back: I'm asking for help. You said you would. Or does an Alpha's word mean nothing?
The dots appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again.
Finally: I'll be there.
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
---
The rest of the day dragged. I went through the motions—took notes in biology, avoided Sophia's death glares in the cafeteria, pretended everything was fine.
Chloe cornered me after last period. "Are you okay? You've been weird all day."
"I'm fine."
"Liar." She crossed her arms. "What's going on?"
I wanted to tell her. God, I wanted to tell someone. But what would I say? "Hey, I'm actually a dead Alpha wolf in a teenage girl's body, and I'm planning to murder a pack of rogues to protect my uncle who ordered a massacre. Want to grab coffee?"
"Just stressed about homework," I said instead.
Chloe didn't look convinced, but she let it go. "Okay. But if you need to talk..."
"I know. Thanks."
I watched her walk away and felt like shit.
---
I got home at four. Mom was in the kitchen making dinner. The smell of garlic and rosemary filled the house.
"Hey, sweetie." She smiled. "How was school?"
"Fine." I dropped my bag by the stairs. "I'm going out tonight. Study group."
The lie came out smooth. Too smooth.
Mom's smile faltered. "On a school night? And after everything that happened yesterday—"
"It's important. We have a test on Friday."
She studied my face for a long moment. I kept my expression neutral. Finally, she nodded. "Okay. But be home by ten."
"Ten-thirty?"
"Ten-fifteen. And text me when you get there."
"Deal."
I headed upstairs before she could ask more questions.
In my room, I opened my closet. I didn't own anything remotely appropriate for a club. My wardrobe consisted of jeans, hoodies, and exactly two dresses—one for church and one for funerals.
I pulled out my phone and texted Vivian: What am I supposed to wear to this thing?
Her response was immediate: OMG I'll bring you something! What size are you?
I gave her my measurements and immediately regretted it.
Thirty minutes later, she showed up at my door with three garment bags.
"Try these," she said, shoving them at me. "I'll wait downstairs."
I closed the door and unzipped the first bag.
The dress inside was black, tight, and had a neckline that would make my mother faint.
"No way," I muttered.
The second dress was red and even shorter.
The third was dark green with long sleeves and a high neck. Still tight, but at least I wouldn't look like I was trying to get arrested for indecent exposure.
I changed into it and looked at myself in the mirror.
The girl staring back at me looked older. Dangerous. Nothing like the weak Omega everyone thought I was.
I thought about Lynette. About the wolf I used to be. Would she have worn something like this?
No. She would've worn armor and blood.
But I wasn't Lynette anymore. Not completely.
I grabbed my phone and took a photo. Sent it to Vivian with: This one okay?
PERFECT! See you at 7:45!
I set the phone down and sat on my bed. My hands were shaking.
In three hours, I'd be at a club with Kael Harrington. Protecting my cousin. Pretending everything was normal.
I pressed my hands against my face and tried to breathe.
One thing at a time. Get through tonight. Keep Vivian alive. Don't let Kael figure out how completely screwed I was.
Simple.
My phone buzzed.
Wear something you can move in. —K.H.
I looked down at the skintight dress.
Shit.