Chapter Nineteen

Ellie

I won’t sugarcoat it, the needle piercing my skin stung. I was on the verge of crying out, but I bit down on my lip and clenched my fist instead.

It took me back to the time I accidentally cut Sammy’s hand with a stone.

“You’ve just been whipped, and you’re whining about a tiny scratch on your hand.”

And here I was, doing the same thing. Time to toughen up. I’d been through worse, much worse.

“All done,” Veronica said, her voice soothing as she covered the puncture with a bandage.

I looked down. There wasn’t even a drop of blood.

I watched her cross the room to a bench, fiddling with the vial that held my blood.

Clayton joined her, peering intently at what she was doing. She shook her head every now and then.

I sighed and hopped off the bed. Before I could take a step, Seth was by my side.

“Where do you think you’re going, little wolf?” he asked.

I rolled my eyes.

“I’m tired of being poked and prodded,” I grumbled, “so anywhere but here.”

Seth placed his hand on my head, but I shook it off.

“And I’m not a pet for you to pet,” I snapped.

He sighed.

“Just sit in that chair then. I’m sure Clayton will be done soon.”

He glanced at my bare feet.

“Do you want me to find you some shoes?”

I shot him a glare and crossed my arms over my chest.

“No, I don’t.”

He sighed again, and I watched him walk over to Clayton and Veronica. They were still whispering to each other. Every so often, one of them would glance my way.

When Seth reached them, he must have said something because they both looked at me.

I narrowed my eyes and glared back. Was this what my future held? Secretive glances and whispers about the monster who looked like a child.

Humans would despise me because their silver couldn’t harm me. Werewolves would loathe me because I was immune to their Alpha command.

I pulled my feet up onto the chair, hugging my knees to my chest. I rested my chin on my knees.

Sammy once told me a wolf without a pack, a rogue, would go mad. Maybe that was Nix’s problem. Instead of going mad, she just gave up. Maybe she was fading away.

Maybe one day I’d wake up and she’d be gone.

The bruises and cuts on my fingers were still there. If Nix were around, they would have healed by now.

I was turning into a human-sized werewolf, without a wolf.

Clayton approached and reached out to touch my face. I jerked away.

“Don’t,” I snapped, trying to sound brave.

But it didn’t work. Tears welled up in my eyes, and one slipped down my cheek. My sadness was too strong to hide.

I’d lost my best friend, and now I was about to lose my wolf.

Clayton crouched down in front of me, his hands resting on my knees.

“We’ll fix this, Ellie,” he said softly, “we can’t find anything in your blood, but we’ll find a way to wake her up.”

I shook my head and looked up at him.

“There’s nothing you can do,” I sniffled, “she’s dying. When she’s gone, I’ll just be an oversized human.”

He gave me a gentle smile.

“Maybe she doesn’t like being alone. Wolves are pack animals, and your wolf is still young. She probably needs company.”

I sighed heavily and stared at the floor.

“I’m not even good enough for my own wolf,” I mumbled.

Clayton stood up and extended his hand.

“I don’t believe that’s true. But maybe when she’s part of a pack again, she’ll wake up.”

I looked up at him, let my feet drop to the floor, and slowly stood up. I didn’t take his hand, so he placed it on my shoulder, guiding me towards the door.

As we walked, I looked up at him.

“What about Sammy? Did the doctor give him something to… to kill him?”

The last words were barely a whisper. I didn’t want to say them because saying them would make it real. Then I’d have to accept that Sammy was never coming back.

Clayton squeezed my shoulder gently.

“The doctor is going to perform an autopsy. We’ll know more then.”

I frowned.

“What’s an au...autop...” I started.

Clayton smiled.

“An autopsy is when the doctor examines a dead body to determine how they died.”

I repeated the word ‘autopsy’ under my breath, committing it to memory like I did with every new thing I learned.

“But don’t worry about that, Ellie. Let’s focus on getting you into my pack and bringing your wolf back,” he added.

We walked in silence for a while, Clayton leading me since I had no idea where we were going.

We stopped in front of a pair of massive double doors. They were twice Clayton’s height and reached all the way to the ceiling.

I stared at the enormous doors, then looked at Clayton.

“Do you think it will work? Joining the pack? Do you think it will wake her up?” I asked.

Clayton smiled down at me.

“I think there’s a good chance,” he paused, “Are you ready, Ellie?”

I realized it was time. He was going to introduce me to the pack behind these doors.

I swallowed, took a deep breath, and nodded.

I hadn’t wanted to join another pack. I’d wanted to be free. But if being in a pack would save Nix, then I would have to deal with it.

The doors were opened by two burly guards. They were dressed in black pants and tight white shirts. Their muscles were clearly visible.

I had a feeling that once I stepped inside, there’d be no turning back.

As we entered the room, I froze in my tracks.

The ceiling was even higher than the one outside. Intricate wooden beams supported the ceiling, and flaming torches lined the walls.

The room was teeming with werewolves.

I was reminded of the time I attended the joining ceremony at Gabriel’s pack. Back then, the crowd seemed massive, but it was nothing compared to this.

I felt Clayton’s reassuring squeeze on my shoulder.

“Don’t worry, Ellie, you’re safe here,” he whispered.

I swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and we resumed our walk.

The journey to the front felt like an eternity. We treaded on a plush red carpet, flanked by a sea of people on either side. The room was filled with hushed whispers.

When we finally reached the end of the room, Clayton guided me onto a raised platform.

I hesitantly climbed the few steps.

Seth was already there, and Clayton followed me up.

Unlike the last time, this platform seemed to be a permanent fixture. There was a small podium, and on it lay a knife.

I stood sandwiched between Seth and Clayton, both wearing serious expressions. The atmosphere felt more solemn than the ceremony at Gabriel’s pack. Maybe it was just my perception.

I was two years older and hopefully, wiser.

Clayton raised his hands and the room fell silent.

“Today,” he began, “We gather to welcome Ellie into our pack. While we don’t typically accept rogues, Ellie is an exception. We believe Ellie is the last hybrid.”

There were gasps and murmurs from the crowd.

I felt my palms start to sweat. If they decided to storm the stage. If they wanted me dead like the doctor, I’d be defenseless.

I felt Seth’s comforting hand on my shoulder. He gave me a gentle nod.

I took another deep breath.

“Ellie and her companion have been tortured and brutalized by the packs east of the river,” Clayton continued.

“Only through immense courage and determination did they manage to escape. The council governing the packs has sent spies and killers to end her life.

“They’ve already murdered her companion, a pup, barely ten years old.”

There were more gasps from the crowd, but this time they remained silent, hanging onto their Alpha’s every word.

“The culprit has been found and punished, but we must remain alert. I have no doubt they’ll send another killer. It’s even possible that there are assassins among us.”

Clayton picked up the knife and nodded at Seth.

“Today, I welcome Ellie to our pack.”

Clayton sliced his palm with the knife. Simultaneously, Seth took my hand. I didn’t resist as he held it palm up, and Clayton swiftly made a cut in my palm.

Clayton took my hand and let our blood mix.

“As Alpha of the Blood River pack, I welcome Ellie into our pack. We will all do everything in our power to protect her, as she is now one of us.”

Clayton smiled at me as the crowd erupted into cheers. I’d never seen or heard such a large crowd. All of them on their feet.

Clayton released my hand and raised his to the crowd. It was already beginning to heal. Only a thin line marked where the blade had cut. I looked at my own. I stared at it.

Blinked and stared at it again.

~Nix?~

I reached out in my mind.

~Ellie~

Her voice was barely a whisper.

~I hear them...I hear the pack...I’m not alone.~

She whispered.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and my hand flew to my mouth.

“Ellie?” Clayton asked, concerned, “What’s wrong?”

His hand touched my face.

“My wolf,” I sobbed, “she’s back.”