The Temporarily Wolf-Less Elijah
I got an uber to take me home, I thanked the driver before shutting the back door. Walking up the driveway I couldn't get my mind right, I couldn't wrap my head around everything that had happened.
Everything I was told kept repeating itself over and over again, my mind was so close to just giving up. It just couldn't keep up and with Natalia saying all she did, I was starting to get a bad feeling in my gut.
It was around one in the morning and I just needed to rest, opening the front door with my key I find my mother sat on the couch waiting for me.
I didn't have it in me to go to The Howlers after all I had heard. That trip took the worst turn and I couldn't even imagine what I would begin saying to Alexander.
"Hi, Mom." I hugged her.
"I had a feeling you'd come here, your father thought you'd need the comfort of your mate but I told him â"
"Nothing beats the comfort of a mother," I said in sync with her.
I have confessed that I am a Daddy's girl but that saying is completely true. No one can make me feel as comforted as my mother. She just has that special touch. I melted in her embrace.
Soon after I broke down.
I told her everything. Technically not being a wolf, the proposal, my decision, Natalia's words, Alexander's past and now how terrified I am to go live in The Howlers because I'm currently wolf-less.
"What kind of Luna will I be? I won't even be able to lead my people in battle." I sobbed.
"Elijah, baby. You'll be fine. You are stronger than you think. Top Warrior in this Pack, continent maybe -"
"That was before I was shot, Mom. I'm useless now."
I couldn't see what was my role, what was my purpose now. How was I even to get my revenge as useless as I am?
"That's the biggest load of shit I have ever heard. You were born a Warrior, raised a Warrior. I bet you if I throw a punch at you right this instant you will defend like a Warrior. You are strong, Elijah."
I smiled, "Thank you, Mommy."
I wasn't sold but I did appreciate the pep talk.
"Tomorrow I better see you out on the training field." She kisses my forehead.
I follow behind her up the stairs then turn the other way, into my old room. It's completely bare besides the bed, dresser, desk and vanity.
I switch the lights on and nearly lose my heart. Goddess, what is wrong with this freaking wolf. Did he want my heart to jump right out of my chest?
"Alexander, I thought you were done being a creep." I hiss, removing my hand from my chest.
"I thought you weren't living here anymore. Guess we both thought wrong." He scoffs.
"I needed my mother." I run a hand through my hair, "I know about â"
"I heard you."
My eyes grow wide, the door was open and my living room has no door so of course, he heard. I was upset that he did or anything but I wanted to tell him everything in my own time and in an entirely different way then I had told my mother.
"Please tell me."
He looked reluctant, I knew it wouldn't be easy for him to do so. If he had kept it from me all this time then, of course, he wouldn't just smile and oblige.
"Please."
He looked at me for a moment as if trying to figure out if I was worthy of this story. Once he had found his answer he sat on my bed and looked out the window as he told his story. Honestly, I thought it would've taken more to get it out of him.
"Unlike you, my wolf was still active. I was basically a Creature. Ivan's mate, Romania, had kidnapped Nathaniel. She gave up her wolf, willingly becoming a dark witch. When Nathaniel turned eighteen she kidnapped him so that he could marry her sister. He's Russian and already half witch, she thought it was perfect.
"I didn't. I fucking hated the bitch. So once I knew she had him I went to Russia and met up with Mariska. Natalia had led me to her. She told me the consequences but I just wanted my brother back. She turned me, I went after him and got him back.
"Romania died in the process. That's why I think Ivan had you shot. He knew you would feel an inadequate Luna to our Pack without your wolf. He's trying to get back at me. I just don't understand why he didn't kill you."
I stared at him but he wouldn't look me in the eyes. His story got incredibly vague towards the end. Something must have happened, something that he's obviously not comfortable with.
I wouldn't pry further, this was enough for me. For now.
"She didn't remove the magic, did she?"
He sighed heavily, "No, Ivan wouldn't let her and for the longest time I thought she was dead. In case you forgot you hadn't told me who you went to go see."
I rubbed the back of my neck,
"Well, she's alive and well..."
"Were you even planning on telling me about your wolf?"
I moved to sit on my couch by the window, "Eventually." I sigh.
"Liah..." He begins to reach out to me.
"I don't want your pity. I'm fine." I snap.
I was going to get her back, I didn't need a pity parade. I was going to do whatever it takes to get her back so there's no need to dwell on her absence because it wouldn't be for long.
"Fuck, Elijah!" He growls.
I jump up out of fright, "What?"
He marches towards me so I instinctively get up and begin moving back alas, my room is only so big especially since I was already close to a wall when I jumped up. So, sooner much rather than later, sadly, my back came into contact with the wall.
I looked up at him and he was raging but I couldn't understand why, what had I done?
"Why did you do it?! Why the fuck would you do it!"
I was utterly confused, "Do what, Alexander?"
"Why would you let her make you a dark witch!? I mean, I heard you say it earlier to your mother but I didn't think you would be dumb enough to agree. I could beat Ivan single-handedly! I don't need you to be a dark witch to do it."
He let out a frustrated growl, "I could introduce temporarily wolf-less Elijah to our Pack but I can't introduce dark witch Elijah to our Pack."
Our Pack.
It rolls off his tongue like he's been saying it for years. I can't lie it warms up my stomach a little and I love that feeling. I almost smiled until I remembered I was being scolded.
Now we know who the nice parent will be, insert arrows pointing at me.
Realising I actually have to respond now I say, "Then don't introduce me as a wolf. Just a witch."
"Liah, that's the dumbest thing you've ever said. They all know who Elijah Vilakazi is. Besides, they'll see the flicker of black in your eyes when you're angry. "
I opened and closed my mouth like a fish. I hadn't thought about the fact that people actually do know me. I hadn't even thought about simple stuff like losing my temper. I tend to do that a lot around Alexander, of course, they would notice.
We were at a really good place right now though and I doubt I would be around any outsider whilst upset anyway. No one would notice, they don't notice when he flips out.
"What does it matter if I'm a turned witch? It's only temporary. I could disguise myself as a wolf anyway." I huff.
"I don't want you learning more than you have to. Just learn what you have to in order to defeat Ivan than you switch back."
I know I said I wouldn't pry but his tone made me curious, he knew the consequences of knowing too much. I could tell.
"Did you learn more than you had to in order to save Nate?"
"Yes, and you've seen the consequences."
"Well. If I help defeat Ivan than Mariska will definitely remove the magic. It's a pity I can't... Hold on, so technically you're still a Creature sort of. Does Axel know?"
"Of course not."
He would have lost the plot, his full brother being a Creature too? Probably his worst nightmare, I internally chuckle at the thought. I would frame the picture of his shocked facial expression.
"Just Nate?"
"Yes, it is his fault after all."
"That he was kidnapped? That's a bit harsh." I shake my head.
"Yuko, Romania's sister, only wanted to marry Nathaniel because he thought it cool to play casanova right before leaving Russia. Of course, once they were of age she'd want to marry him."
I laughed, even as a pup Nathaniel was charming. I wouldn't have put it past him.
"Why don't you use the magic?"
He stared at me blankly, "I don't fancy dying or being comatose," He scoffs, "I'm not meant to be both. The dark side and my wolf clash all the time that's why I'm always on edge and with people being annoying it's easy to lose control. Whenever I do lose my temper or even feel the slightest bit annoyed, it automatically takes over because it thrives on dark emotions like anger."
I laughed humourlessly, "You're a damn good liar then Russo because I truly believed you didn't know what it was that took over."