CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Ella woke up to rustling sounds outside her door. She rubbed her tired bleary eyes and slowly got up. Staring back where the window was, she could see that it was still nighttime. Ella wondered who it could be outside. She gently opened the door and saw Mikael. Ella was about to speak when Mikael covered her mouth.

"Don't,” Mikael said. "I have already decided to help you,” he added. Ella couldn't contain her happiness and hugged Mikael without making a sound. Mikael awkwardly patted her back.

“Go and change. We will leave this place,” Mikael said. "Make haste; they'll attack Blaze's pack in hours,” he added. With this, Ella hurriedly went back inside the room and changed her clothes in the bathroom. She was glad that Mikael had changed his mind. Ella thought it was hopeless, but her words might have had an effect on him.

Mikael made sure no one would see them get away. He had already slipped a sleeping pill to the helpers earlier. He watched Ella while she was tying her hair.

"I'm ready,” Ella said. Mikael nodded his head and went out of the room first. He inspected the sides for guards stationed in Ella's place, but they were all asleep. Mikael motioned Ella to follow him closely behind. They went to the kitchen where the back door facing the forest was located. He slowly turned the knob and pushed the door open.

"Go,” Mikael whispered. While clasping the hem of her shirt, Ella nodded her head and went outside. She breathed in the night wind that brushed against her skin. Ella shivered even with the hoodie she was wearing.

"The pack's far from here. I'll need you to hop on my back when I transform,” Mikael said. "Is that okay with you?” he added.

"It's fine if it's the fastest way we can go back to Blaze's pack,” Ella muttered. She needed to go as soon as she could and warn Blaze. Ella turned around when Mikael started pulling his clothes off. She heard the cracking of bones, and a large wolf appeared in front of her.

"Hold on tight,” Mikael spoke to her, which made Ella surprised. She hopped on his back and wrapped her arms around his neck. Mikael looked and jumped over the fence. He looked back to see if Ella was doing fine, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and Lemuel went out angrily.

"Mikael!” he shouted.

"Run!” Ella whispered in Mikael’s ear. Without hesitation, he started running through the forest. Lemuel took his gun out with a silver bullet and aimed it at Mikael. Seeing this, Ella protectively hugged Mikael. She had a strong feeling that Lemuel wouldn't shoot her. They successfully went inside the forest.

“Follow them, you fools!” Lemuel angrily shouted.

After searching far and wide, Blaze couldn't catch a whiff of Ella’s scent anywhere. He was losing hope. He ruffled his hair and drank the beer in front of him. Caleb and the others continued while his parents stopped him. He was devastated. They were just starting with their relationship, but now he couldn't find her.

"Blaze,” his wolf called. "I can feel something,” he added. Blaze put the beer down and leaned on the couch's feet.

"What is it?” he asked. Blaze could feel his heart beat faster.

"I don't know, but I'm sensing something,” his wolf said. Blaze didn’t know why, but his statement made him nervous all of a sudden. He stood up from sitting on the cold tiled floor and went outside. He walked aimlessly until he found himself in the forest.

Blaze sat under the oak tree and stared at the starry night, hours away from the dawn. He heard rustling sounds around. Blaze immediately took a defensive stance, and his breath hitched. He saw Ella on the back of a wolf, her lengthy hair cascading gorgeously in the light of the night.

"Blaze…” Ella muttered while sniffling a sob.

"Sweetie,” Blaze said and rushed to her. Ella jumped off of Mikael's back. She was quickly caught by Blaze, and he engulfed her into a tight hug. Blaze was crying while he was showering her with little kisses on her face.

"I missed you. I fucking missed you,” Blaze said.

"Me too. I thought of you every day,” Ella answered. Blaze cupped her face, and slowly, he leaned closer and captured her lips with his. Ella snaked her arms around Blaze's neck and kissed him back. She felt like time had stopped, and they were the only ones who existed. Ella could feel the butterflies fluttering inside her stomach. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she felt her knees weaken. Blaze stroked her hair gently.

A cough made them move away from each other. Ella buried her head on Blaze's chest as she could feel her cheeks redden because of embarrassment. Blaze chuckled and rubbed her back with his finger.

“We have no time,” Mikael said. Blaze glared at him angrily. He was about to attack him, but Ella stopped him.

"Blaze, wait! Mikael is a good guy!” Ella defended.

"Good guy! That good guy kidnapped you!” Blaze shouted.

"No! He was ordered to by a hunter,” Ella said. "And he's right. My grandfather will be here any minute from now. We should prepare to fight,” she added while pulling Blaze's arm.

"What do you mean? Grandfather?” Blaze asked, confused.

"I have no time to explain. Gather your warriors now!” Ella ordered. Blaze followed her regardless of the confusion. He mind-linked all of his warriors to gather outside the pack house. She had no time to complain when Blaze suddenly carried her in his arms back to the house while Mikael followed closely behind.