78

78
ELLA
Surprisingly, my ability hadn’t been triggered, and I hadn’t been in anyone’s head since we arrived. I was happy it hadn’t occurred—because it was better that way.
I wasn’t sure I’d be able to control the outcome if it did, and the last thing I wanted was for Kade to find out where I was or, worse still, for Lucian to show up at the door demanding I return to the Blackthorn Pack.
But I still needed someone to explain what this newfound ability was and how to navigate my way around it.
There was also the problem of being connected to the twins despite their rejection. I toyed with the idea of severing ties while I was here, but I wasn’t keen on taking Quincy up on his offer to start a relationship.
He was nice—perfectly nice, even—and good company, but at this point in my life, the sensible thing to do would be to stay alone.
That way, I could make decisions that were beneficial to my well-being without considering anyone else’s feelings. I wouldn’t be tied to anyone, nor would I have to factor their opinions into my choices.
If I got into a relationship with Quincy, I knew I’d start seeking his opinion before making decisions—and now, I’d have to consider his family too. They’d been so kind and accommodating. That was a lot of pressure I wasn’t ready to face. I already had enough on my plate.
I couldn’t help that different things were happening at the same time and all demanded solutions, but I didn’t want to consciously add more to the list.
The irony of it all was that Quincy hadn’t brought up the topic since we got here. I wasn’t sure if it was because he was busy or if he was just giving me space to settle in and get comfortable. Either way, I was relieved to avoid the conversation altogether.
One evening, I decided to take a walk through the town. May offered to tag along, but I assured her I’d be fine without a guide—as long as I had directions, I’d be able to find my way back.
“Oh, I’m not scared you’d go missing or anything. La Derte isn’t a big town after all. Wherever you are, you’d be able to find your way back. All you have to do is mention the Sevill house, and people would be glad to point you in the right direction—or drop you off,” she said as we walked through the front door. “I just thought some company would be nice. You seem distant…”
I sighed and slowly inhaled the evening air. The sun was setting, casting beautiful golden streaks in the sky. It reminded me of sitting at the waterfall back home, trying to find peace and quiet.
“I think I’m a little homesick,” I replied after a short silence. “I didn’t think I’d miss home. And don’t get me wrong—it’s been wonderful living here for the past week. I just… miss it.”
“I understand,” she said, placing a palm on my shoulder. Her expression was comforting, but there was a flicker of concern in her eyes. “It’s okay to miss home. You’ve not been here long, and you still need time to get used to the terrain.”
I couldn’t explain that it wasn’t the house or the pack I missed—it was the small, familiar things I’d held onto while growing up. The Montgomery house. The waterfall.
The grocery store where I bought food every week. The silence of my home and the comfort of having the entire space to myself.
I didn’t know I would miss that sense of security so much while being here. And though I tried to feel the same way, it wasn’t working. I needed some time to think about what I truly wanted.
“Yeah. That’s why I thought a walk would be good. It’ll give me time to think and also see what the town’s like,” I said, and she nodded.
“Be safe. And if you need any help, just howl. We’d send someone in a jiffy,” she added.
“Howl?” I asked, looking around, visibly surprised. “Like a wolf?” I added, my brows furrowed.
“What else would you howl like?” she asked, stifling a chuckle.
“Oh, I didn’t…” I started, then paused as I remembered the rules that governed our lives back home.
We didn’t dare howl in the woods—not even during the full moon. Our hunting activities were restricted, too. Right now, it was open season, and anyone seen running around in wolf form would face dire consequences. It would mean they were intentionally putting themselves—and by extension, the pack—at risk.
Hearing that I could express my inner self freely was surprising. But I wasn’t sure how to explain that to her without sounding odd.
Clearly, she’d lived by a different set of rules, and hearing that we weren’t allowed to roam free, much less howl, would probably seem foreign.
“Are you alright?” she asked, and I nodded, hoping I was doing a good job of convincing both her and myself that everything was fine.
“I just had a different set of rules to follow back home. So, it’s a bit strange to hear that I could howl in the woods for help.”
“Well, you’re here now—and you’re safe. You can run around as much as you want in your wolf form and howl without fear of anything,” she said, squeezing my shoulder gently. “See you at dinner.”
With that, she went back into the house, and I set out on my walk. I didn’t have a specific destination in mind. I just knew I needed time to think and reflect on my next course of action.
I had crossed one thing off the list. The next path was clear—but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go down it. This was my way of coming to terms with what I truly wanted, and I was grateful to have time alone.
Walking through the town felt like an educational expedition. The locals were friendly, and since it was a small town where everyone knew everyone, I stuck out like a sore thumb.
When I passed through the market, the traders gave me fruits and vegetables. A florist had a small bouquet prepared for me, which was rather sweet.
But beneath all the gestures, there was a look in their eyes—one that made me think they knew I was a werewolf but didn’t mind.
That wasn’t a topic I was about to broach with complete strangers, so I took their gifts and headed back home.
“Look who’s back,” Quincy said as I stepped through the front door.
“Look who’s home early,” I replied, and he chuckled.