bad feeling

Eliza’s POV

“Wait a minute, Princess Eliza,”’ Theron called after me. Turning, I glared at Theron, my eyes flashing with determination. "Don't even try to stop me, Theron. I'm going to Creek and will not leave until I see my mates. They're in danger, and I need to be with them."

Theron's expression softened, and he nodded. "I won't stop you, Princess. I am coming with you and will get you there soon. But please, be careful. we don't know what we're walking into." I was surprised by his willingness to help because I had thought he would only want to stop me from leaving. I knew how my father was and was desperate to go before he appeared and tried to stop me.

“Fine, then let’s go.” I gestured to the car.

“Princess Eliza, I will have to accompany you.” Bernard suddenly appeared out of nowhere. I turned to him and let out a slight growl. Why did he suddenly pop up? Where had he even been?

“Do you think I need your supervision? Just because my father insisted I need you doesn’t mean I do. Where have you even been lately? I don’t care for your sudden concern, Bernard.” I shoved him away and glared at him, causing him to freeze in astonishment. Theron cleared his throat and raised an eyebrow but couldn’t speak. I knew he would agree with me anyway.

“Princess the King will not allow you to leave the grounds without me.” Bernard tried to plead his case. I rolled my eyes defiantly. I didn’t need any of this supervision rubbish. My father knew I could handle myself, and I wasn’t afraid to get my hands dirty. I had more power within me than anyone realised. All I wanted to do was be with my mates, and that was it. They needed me right now.

“Just go away and disappear wherever you and the other twit have been hiding. I don’t need either of you cowards. I have my quadruplets and the support of my real friends.” I told him through clenched teeth.

Bernard looked from me to Theron in disbelief. He was stubborn and did not get the hint. He edged closer to the car door and reached for the handle.

“Bernard, it’s fine. You are free to leave the Princess.” I heard my brother's deep voice call out as he strolled towards us. I felt overwhelmed with relief as Bernard bowed and scurried off. I glared at him as he disappeared out of sight. I didn’t need him or his help. He was useless. How could he think he could pick and choose when to protect me? I didn’t need that from anyone.

“Brother, I love you, but listen to me; I don’t need anyone to protect me, you know that,” I warned my brother, who held his hands up with an amused smile.

“You know our father wants the best for his precious girl.” He chuckled, and I shook my head. I was surprised my father hadn’t appeared with demands to ensure I didn’t leave.

“Alex, I need to go and be with my mates; I feel they need me, " I told my brother, who nodded in understanding.

“Then you must go, Theron, look after my sister.”

I didn't hesitate, already knowing what I had to do. I yanked open the car door and slid into the driver's seat, fumbling for the keys. Theron climbed into the passenger seat beside me, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. “Eliza, be careful out there.” My brother leant over and hugged me before closing the door and stepping out.

“Eliza let me drive.” Theron took the key from me, and I agreed without bothering to argue. I remembered how Esmeralda had told me to keep as calm as possible in stressful situations because it would allow me to use my strength for my abilities. I could feel Jasmine getting restless, and I closed my eyes for a second to contain myself.

As Theron slid into the driver's seat, I took a moment to steady my breath. The tension in the air was almost tangible, like static before a storm. I could feel Jasmine's unease twisting in my chest like a coiled spring. I had to hold it together—no matter what awaited us in Creek.

“Are you ready?” Theron asked, already turning the key in the ignition. The engine roared to life, but it felt like a far-off rumble compared to the chaos in my mind.

I nodded, gripping the edge of the seat. “Let's go.”

As we sped down the narrow road, the landscape whizzed past us—blurs of green and brown, punctuated by the occasional sunlight filtering through the trees. My thoughts raced faster than the car. My mates—Rylan, Rio, Enzo and Ed —were out there, and I would do anything to keep them safe.

“Did you get any more visions?” Theron asked, glancing at me as we hit a straight stretch of road.

I shook my head, frustration bubbling to the surface. “No. Just the feeling that something terrible is about to happen—something I can’t allow.” The last hour has been maddening, trying to decode the warnings my instincts fired at me. It had felt like drowning in a sea of uncertainty.

Theron focused on the road, but his silence spoke volumes. He understood the weight of my worries, the burden of the bond that tied me to my mates. “We’ll find them, Eliza. Whatever it takes,” he reassured me, his voice steady and calm.

I leaned back in my seat, letting that resolve wash over me. “Right. Together.”

As we approached the outskirts of Creek, unease settled heavily in my stomach. The quaint town I had visited many times was now shrouded in an ominous atmosphere. Shadows seemed to creep along the streets, and the usual hustle and bustle felt replaced by an eerie stillness.

“Something’s off,” I muttered, scanning our surroundings. The early twilight cast long shadows dancing in my vision's corners.

“I see it too,” Theron replied under his breath. “Stay alert.”

He parked the car discreetly, and we both stepped out, alert and ready. I could feel Jasmine shifting, the sense of foreboding growing stronger. My heart hammered as we ventured further down the derelict main street. Each footstep felt weighted by the dread of what lay ahead, yet my determination intensified.

“Where do we start looking?” Theron asked, his hazel eyes scanning the area for signs of life.

I closed my eyes, focusing on our bond. My connection to my mates felt like a delicate thread, fraying under the pressure of uncertainty.“Theron, where the heck is everyone?” I mumbled in horror. The place that I had grown up in and knew every part of stood before us, quiet and eerie.

“Theron, where is everyone?” I repeated. “Why aren’t any of your pack here?” I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Theron stood beside me just as dumbfounded. I could see he was trying to make sense of everything. “Grayson, Daniella, they should all be here.” He mumbled.

“Well, well, well. We meet again!” A familiar voice shrilled, causing me to cover my ears at the deafening noise.