Chapter 28 Crazy Wolf; 🔥
Joe's hand had wrapped around Elly's body with his powerful arms. His kiss was passionate and hungry. As if he were trying to express years of longing in a single touch. When his lips pressed against Elly's, at first they were soft and exploratory. But then it took on a deeper, more needy quality. His tongue passed between Elly's lips, trying to remember her taste with a greedy desire.
One hand slid to the nape of Elly's neck, threading his fingers through her crimson hair and pulling gently, tilting her head back so he could deepen the kiss even further. His other hand was at her waist, the warmth of his palm palpable even through the thin fabric, as if trying to burn her. Joe's heartbeat was wild, his chest rising and falling as it rubbed against Elly's body. His breath was hot and irregular, occasionally pulling his lips away only to press them back again, biting Elly's lower lip lightly with his teeth, then plunging back in.
Elly was dazed by the wet and warm sensation on her lips. This touch proved to her just how much she had missed Joe. Her legs were trembling, as if her knees had given way. If Joe hadn't been holding her so tightly, she probably would have collapsed to the floor.
Joe's lungs filled with the scent of Elly's lips that he had missed for years. Elly's sweet, slightly vanilla scent, mixed with strawberry... His body was literally burning, struggling to resist his wolf instincts that wanted to mate as they approached the blood moon night.
The wolf inside him was growling with a savage voice, howling 'Mark her, take her, she is your mate!' Once, Joe used to dream of this ritual where he would choose Elly as his mate. Under the full moon, before the pack... But now they had become enemies to each other.
Finally, he noticed Elly's timid movements trying to push him away and slowly forced himself to pull back. He pressed his forehead against hers, both of them breathless. Joe's breath hit Elly's face, leaving a warm and heavy sensation. His eyes were closed, as if he could live this moment like this forever.
Elly, breathless with her heart pounding wildly, murmured, her voice hurt:
"I was just a pawn to you!" She took a breath, her chest rising and falling. "A pawn that your father wanted you to use! Why are you doing this to me again now? Why do you want to hurt me?"
Joe took her chin, turning her face toward him gently with his fingers. His voice was hoarse and raspy:
"Open your eyes."
Elly opened her eyes timidly. As if she was afraid that if she looked into his eyes, Joe would see the storm raging in her heart. Her green eyes were moist, her lashes wet. Joe fixed his gaze on her and silver halos began to glow in his eyes. That familiar light, the wolves' soul indicator... Elly's breath caught.
Then Joe whispered slowly, his voice surprisingly gentle:
"My feelings for you were always real. I never pretended."
Elly was on the verge of going mad with excitement. This was a wolf oath, those halos shining in his eyes were proof that they reflected his soul. Wolves couldn't lie when showing their soul halo. Had he really loved her? While her brain fought with this thought, her heart was already ready to surrender to this crazy wolf.
Elly anxiously pressed her head against Joe's chest and tried to calm down. The warmth of his bandaged chest hit her face. She could hear Joe's heartbeat—fast, irregular, in the same rhythm as hers.
"Even if you tell the truth, what will change, Joe!" she said, her voice had become hoarse. "I'm a guardian, you're a bad blood wolf, and Eva's..."
Then she suddenly stopped herself. She had been about to say 'brother'. No. It wasn't time for him to learn this truth yet.
Joe had noticed that Elly didn't continue her sentence that began with "Eva's". His wolf instincts told him that Elly was hiding something—the change in her heartbeat, the break in her breath... Suddenly he took her face in his palms, his thumbs caressing her cheeks.
"Look at me, Eleanor!" His voice was almost a plea. "My feelings toward Eva weren't like what I feel for you! Curiosity, sympathy, and a loyalty I don't understand. As if her thoughts are my thoughts." His eyes narrowed, as if he was saying this out loud for the first time. Even he was surprised by his own words. Then he gathered himself. "But I'm not in love with her!"
A sadness had settled over Elly's face. Eva was an ancient soul who had lived centuries ago. So the baby born in that oasis years ago had no biological connection with Joe. But did they both feel a loyalty toward each other like real siblings? Could they be like twins, souls from the same womb?... They had been created side by side in the oasis. Perhaps Homay's power had bound them to each other.
Finally, she shook off this thought. She pushed against the tight muscles of Joe's chest with her hands.
"All of this doesn't change the fact that you used me." Her voice had hardened. "Years ago, your father made you commit the sin he committed. You also used me to get my ancient medallion!"
Joe's teeth clenched, he was consumed with remorse. His fists tightened, his nails dug into his palms, blood slowly pooling in his palms. He couldn't answer. Because... Elly was right.
"Now let me go," Elly said, her voice now cold. "At least until the ancient alpha and the ancient Rose witch unite and bring back all balance, until the wolf people you've tormented are awakened again, until the souls of the Rose women you massacred find peace, stay away from me. Unless you try to prevent all of this again by serving your father's purposes..." she shouted.
Then she turned her back, opened the door and went out. She hurried toward the stairs, on the verge of tears but holding herself together.
The moment she reached the manor's large outer door, she startled at the voice she heard behind her:
"Welcome, little guardian." The voice was soft but dripping poison from within. "Won't you stay for coffee?"
When Elly turned around, she saw Caleb's filthy gaze. The man was standing right behind her, hands in his pockets, looking at her with a mocking smile. Elly was sure that he could sense her sad state, the rhythm in her heartbeat, everything with his wolf instincts. But she was aware that he was trying to talk to her to amplify the pleasure he was getting.
Elly took a deep breath, furrowed her brows. Her voice was determined, not trembling at all:
"You can take pleasure from my feelings, Caleb!" she said. Her eyes were challenging him. "When the ancient alpha tears you to pieces, I'll take great pleasure too."
Caleb's laughter widened even more, his voice shrill and annoying.
"I'm so scared, little guardian."
The deep anger in Elly's eyes had awakened. This man was also the reason she and Joe were kept apart! Years ago, that medallion incident... Using Joe... Everything was because of this man.
Then she slammed the door and went out. She quickly jumped into her jeep and headed toward Eva's house. She was gripping the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles white. Tears finally slid silently down her cheeks.
"Damn it..." she whispered. "Damn it, Joe..."
But her heart was still beating wildly for that crazy wolf.
Joe stood at his bedroom window, watching as Elly's jeep drove away. His hands were clenched into fists, blood dripping from his palms down his fingers.
Nancy came in, looking at her brother with concern.
"You can bring her back," Nancy said softly. "It's not too late yet."
Joe shook his head. His voice was hoarse:
"No. She needs to stay away from me. At least... far enough that father won't target her."
Nancy approached her brother, placing her hand on his shoulder.
"What are you going to do?"
Joe looked down at the courtyard below, his eyes narrowed. Their father was there, discussing something with his men. Making plans. As always.
"I'm going to ensure Eva and Kael's union," Joe said. His voice was determined. "If the seal is completed, father will lose his power. The town will be free. And maybe..." His voice broke. "Maybe Elly can forgive me."
Nancy nodded.
"This means betraying our father."
"I know." Joe's silver eyes gleamed. "But it's time to do what's right."
They both silently looked out the window, both knowing that the days ahead were filled with blood and betrayal.
And Christmas night was approaching...