Chapter 2 1

AMELIA Gasping, my eyes flew open from a vivid carnal dream of many dreams I had almost every week. I froze as I stared outside. When the Ford truck stopped at the red light, I rolled the window down to half and noticed the same gift shop across the street. Then a captivating strong male scent with a gust of tobacco, cedar, and spices hit my nostrils. I wished my heartbeat would settle down. It was extremely hard to concentrate and relax as I searched for where the smell came from. Before I could explore the tattoo that was similar to a sigil on a man’s neck in a black Chevrolet Tahoe, the light turned green. The moment I heard the bad news about Zeph, I knew it left me no choice but to go back to the pack and the place that rejected and banished me. I knew this day would come. I just didn’t think that it involved with my brother being hurt. “Are you sure you want to do this?” Theia asked. Her hands were steady on the wheel. It was funny how we met. She tried to steal my wallet. But I believed in second chances. So, we gave her one. Since then, we were inseparable. “You should learn by now not to question her decision, Theia,” replied Ren, the flowy long white-haired guy who saved me during the fire. He found me in the freezing cold forest the same night I walked out of my life, my family, my pack, and my mate. He gave me a home, a new family who accepted my uniqueness, who helped me nurture my newfound power and gift, also a responsibility. “Earth to, Am.” Theia huffed out a breath. My gaze landed on the newly Renovated Crimson Holiday Lodge that stood tall and proud at the center of the tourist spots. “Is that—?” I sighed. “Yup, the one and only, Ren.” “And where we’re spending our days. I booked two rooms. Am and I will share a room, and you in the suite.” I stared at Theia in disbelief. “You’re kidding, right? Why do we have to share?” “I’m your DD and assistant. Don’t complain.” Ren chuckled beside me from the backseat of his truck. His family of Japanese descent was wealthy as hell, and he was an heir to a billion-dollar import-export empire. That night, when I lost all hope, he was there for me and took me to his home in his private jet. Then he introduced me to an Ancient Order of Werewolves somewhere on the mountain of Japan in a secret place called Elysian. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Livid, I stared at him. “Theia has this idea of you and your ex rekindling your romance. So you don’t need another room.” I still felt the heartache of being rejected even if it was two years ago. I guessed when you were mated for life, it wasn’t easy to forget, heal, and move on, but I also accepted the fact that we would never going to be together. He had a girlfriend now who matched his strength and was as striking as him, a perfect luna to his growing pack. I snorted in disgust. “I didn’t come here to mingle. I came here to see my brother, and hopefully, to help him.” The truck went silent and smoothly drove down the slippery road towards the pack house in the middle of the forest owned by the Braxton. Right now, I was in an uncharted territory, and my wolf just stirred inside my chest. “Calm down.” Ren squeezed my hand. “I can even hear her heartbeat,” said Theia. “This must be hard for you, Am, coming back home.” “Not that hard because I know I’ll be gone before everyone knows it.” “You have to see your parents before we go, Amelia.” “Of course, Ren. I missed them.” When emotions swelled in my chest, I looked outside the window. “I hope they feel the same way, too.” The truck slowed down, indicating that we just arrived at the pack house. It was more of an inn with dozens of rooms for pack members. It even expanded from the last time I was here. Ryden did a great job as an alpha. His parents must be proud of him. When his uncle, the previous alpha started to change the rules in the pack by forcing mateless members to mate, Ryden challenged him. At nineteen, he became a good fighter and trained every day for a rainy day. He won the challenge and banished his uncle instead of taking his life. Since then, he has been fearless and respected. “We can wait in the truck,” she suggested. But Ren was already climbing out. “I won’t leave her alone to get mauled by the wolves.” “Then I’m going out, too.” She turned off the engine and hopped out. When my heart hadn’t slowed down, I took slow, deep breaths before I climbed out. Ren had already my sword, a gift from our Sensei because he knew I never left it off my sight. “Don’t show off,” he said before giving it to me. My eyes narrowed. “I didn’t come here to make a fight.” “I can feel your emotions. We’re bonded, remember?” We were not mates, but just like mates, our souls were linked together. Our powers were connected. “How can I forget?” I rolled my eyes as I put on the sling. “Ready?” “We’re not going to war, Theia.” I glanced over at her as I stepped into the pack house door. The moment I entered the entrance, I sensed a lot of tensed werewolves, and all of a sudden, the entire house went silent, pairs of eyes were on me, and I instantly heard a low growl from the corner. Theia and Ren stood behind me, alert and unmoving. Before someone could maul me, I spoke. “I’m here to see my brother, Zeph. If anyone can lead me to where he is, that would be great.” “Amelia?” Finally, someone recognized me. It was Walker. He was one of the pack enforcers. He hadn’t changed a bit but grew facial hair and a bit of muscle. “Oh, my Goddess.” He came, smiling, which reminded me when tried to kiss me at a school dance. The rest of the back eased out. “Where’s my brother?” “In the infirmary. He’s not doing good. Amelia. Where have you been?” “I have no time to answer your question.” “Right. Follow me.” He seemed happy to see me, unlike the rest. I wondered what Ryden had told his pack about my sudden disappearance. “You look great by the way. You changed a lot and you dyed your hair.” That was expected. “Well, it’s been two years, so yeah, people grow up and move on.” I followed him through the hallway even if I knew where the infirmary was. “Your mother just left an hour ago. Your brother isn’t improving. He would be happy to see you, though. Who are they, anyway?” He sniffed the air. “The white-haired guy is not a werewolf?” I almost snorted. Everyone thought Ren dyed his hair, when in fact, it came with his power. “We all are, Walker. That’s Ren and Theia, my best friends.” He pushed the door open. I was amazed at how the infirmary had improved in the span of two years. With four medical beds, and complete equipment just like the ones in the hospital. My eyes landed on my brother lying in bed. “Zeph!” His eyes opened wide. “Amelia?” I ran towards his bed and pulled him into a hug. He winced. He must be in so much pain. I kissed him on the cheek when my eyes started to water. “I missed you, Zeph.” “Hey.” He lifted his hand and touched my face. He looked so sick and pale but managed to smile. “Where have you been?” I wiped the tears from my cheeks and smiled at him. “It’s a long story, but I will tell you everything.” “I don’t have much time, Am.” “That’s not true.” I pulled out my sword, making him gasp. “Not gonna hurt you, silly.” “Amelia,” Ren called me through our link, and I knew why. “Just a minute, Zeph.” I went to Ren who was glaring at me and already questioning my decision. “You can’t.” I knew it was a warning, but I didn’t have a choice. “Why not?” I asked him in a whisper. “This is exactly how I am going to use this elixir. Zeph is my family, too, Ren. I know you would do the same to save your parents.” “That’s not fair.” “Well, life isn’t fair, is it? And we haven’t found the last two of four, Ren. I can’t let my brother die if I can do something. You can stop me, but you better not.” “What the fuck is going on?”