Chapter 21 Change
Elena’s POV
I woke up feeling so good even though I had almost died last night.
I had forgotten about the council meeting, the guard, the knife, and how I was so close to dying yesterday.
I only thought about the faint scent of pine wood. I smiled to myself as I reached out, hoping to find Liam.
But he wasn’t there.
I frowned, opening my eyes, the bed was empty.
I didn’t like how that made me feel.
When did he leave?
I got out of bed, headed to the bathroom, took my bath, and looked in the mirror.
God, I looked horrible, did Liam see me like this?
I groaned from embarrassment.
I went into the bathroom and took my bath, the hot shower cooling my body.
I walked out with my towel, drying my hair when I saw a small piece of paper on my table.
I sat down and picked it up.
Sorry I wasn’t there to wake up with you, I had something to do. I will see you later, make sure you eat, I will be back before you know it.
I felt tears in my eyes, my chest tightened.
No one had ever left me a note about anything, especially not to tell me where they were going or coming back to meet me.
After Ashley stopped talking to me, no one ever asked if I had eaten or if I woke up feeling okay.
I held the paper to my chest, my love for this man was growing.
Liam was out there helping the pack and trying to find out what was happening with me, so I was going to do the same.
I wiped the tears from my eyes and got dressed.
Sarah had gotten more clothes for me and now my wardrobe was too small to hold them.
It took almost forever to get a pair of jeans and a tank top. I put on some lipstick that I had gotten from Clara.
I looked in the mirror, I still saw the scared little girl who was beaten and abused by her pack but I was going to change that today.
I was going to get stronger.
Sarah burst through my door. “Are you ready for some training?”
“I would love that but Liam—”
“Don’t worry about Liam, he was the one who told me to get you,” She smiled.
I was shocked but happy. After that day, I thought Liam wouldn’t want me training with anyone but him but I guess I was wrong.
We rushed out of my room squealing like we were kids.
The pack house was buzzing with different activities as we stepped into the hallway.
The pack members bowed as they saw me, some still looked curious. I straightened my back as I walked.
Get used to it, I told myself. They are going to look whether you like it or not.
“Good morning, Elena.”
I turned to see Clara coming towards us, her hair tied back in a bun, she walked with confidence as usual.
“Good morning,” I replied, surprised that my voice was calm and steady.
“How are you feeling,” she said looking worried.
“I’m fine,” I smiled. “It was a lot but I’m okay.”
She looked at me for some time, then smiled. “Good, because if you want to, I was thinking about showing you some parts of the pack you haven’t seen yet.”
That caught my attention.
“Hold up, Elena and I need to train, Liam even agreed to it,” Sarah frowned.
“Sorry Sarah,” I did my best sorry face. “but training will have to wait, we could do it tomorrow.”
She didn’t look happy about it but she gave in. “Fine, I will just go spar with Scott or someone else.”
She turned and left.
I hated that I made her upset but I needed to know more about the pack.
We walked together through the hall, Clara pointed at different areas, the storage room where all the supplies were kept, the meeting chambers and the guards and patrol leaders’ offices.
The guards there, joked around with her as we walked, I hoped with time I would get that close to everyone.
I just realized that Liam never officially introduced me to his pack, or maybe he did but I wasn’t there. Either way, I was going to ask him to do it.
“This,” Clara said, as we stopped in front of a door. “Is the security room.”
I nodded.
“Cameras, border alerts on rogue attacks or just anyone trying to get into the pack, the people in this room would know,” she explained.
“I want to see what goes on inside,” I muttered.
“Alright then, let’s go.”
The room was filled with large screens lining up on the walls, each showing different parts of the pack grounds, I could even see Sarah arguing with Scott about something, the others were laughing their asses off.
I smiled.
A woman sat at one of the stations, writing on her keyboard.
She looked up as we entered.
Her gaze landed on me and hardened.
Okay, what was her problem?
“Ella, sorry to disturb your work, I was just giving Elena a tour,” Clara said.
“No problem, so you must be her,” she said coldly.
“I’m Elena,” I said.
She sized me up and smirked. “Ella.”
“She handles surveillance,” Clara said, her tone warning. “Ella, this is Elena. Be respectful.”
Ella snorted softly. “Respect is earned.”
I felt irritated. But I swallowed it.
“I’m not here to take anyone’s place,” I said calmly. “I just want to understand how things work.”
Ella leaned back in her chair. “Funny. Most girls don’t show up in the security room unless they’re trying to prove something.”
Clara crossed her arms. “That’s enough.”
Ella looked at Clara then went back to me. “Just saying. Some of us have been here a long time. Some of us actually know Liam.”
The meaning behind her words hit instantly.
I exhaled slowly. “Then you know he values loyalty. And the safety of his pack.”
Her jaw tightened.
“And right now,” I continued, surprising even myself, “his pack is under threat. So whatever personal feelings you have about me, I suggest you keep it to yourself.”
The room went quiet.
Clara looked like she was about to laugh.
Ella stared at me for a long moment, then turned back to her screens. “Borders are clear. No unusual movement since dawn.”
“Thank you,” I said simply.
I didn’t wait for her response.
“Ella is being a bitch because she has had this stupid crush on Liam since forever, you handled that well” she said as we stepped out into the hallway.
“I didn’t want to,” I admitted. “But I can't be letting everyone walk over me.”
Clara smiled. “Sounds like something Luna would say.”
The word settled over me.
“Elena! Clara!”
Scott came jogging toward us, breathing hard, his usual playful expression replaced with something more serious.
“What’s wrong?” Clara asked.
“There’s someone at the gates,” Scott said, eyes fixed on me. “She asked for you by name.”
My stomach dropped.
“Who?” I whispered.
“She says her name is Ashley.”