Fated | The Heir of the She-Wolf

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

[Eleanor]

“What do you mean Valerio? The King Valerio?”, I gasped in shock.

“The very same one. Although we only share a father, so half-brother is more accurate.”, Vanessa replied and smiled. “We are not that close, Valerio and I. Don’t worry, you can keep venting about him to me.”

“Uh…”, I stuttered, left without words. And to think I spent yesterday evening grilling the King on a toast with my words… to his sister! How could I mess up this badly?

“Eleanor, it’s okay. I promise.”, Vanessa said while patting me on the arm in reassurance.

“Anyway, change of subject. Do you think Austin can find something to help me connect with my wolf?”, I asked desperate to not talk about almighty Valerio anymore. Just the mention of his name brought shivers of hatred back all over again.

“I don’t think, I know. If there is a book that can tell us about wolves that purposefully stay away from their host, Valerio has it.” Ah, here we go again… Valerio, Valerio, Valerio, Valerio this, Valerio that. Jesus f*****g Christ, did everything have to revolve around the stupid King?!

[Valerio]

 *1 month later*

“Do you have any progress with Eleanor and Vanessa, Austin? It has been over a month since Eleanor felt, like you said, her wolf?”

Austin was in my office to report the status of Vanessa’s and Eleanor’s trainings. Vanessa only had two months before her birthday on twenty-ninth of December.

 “We have advanced the trainings and now both Eleanor and Vanessa do not only the physical testing, but also the psychological challenges. Eleanor was able to connect to her wolf briefly a couple of times, my King. But the wolf just keeps drifting back and refuses to connect fully. We do not know what is the cause of this, but we will keep trying.”, Austin replied. Good, I was hopeful Eleanor was making some progress despite the fact I turned my eyes in the other direction any time I was in the same place as her. “And Vanessa?”

Austin’s eyes turned to the floor and he shook his head.

“No progress yet, sir. I’m sorry…”

I sighed and turned to face the window. Inhaling deeply, I questioned, just like I did so many times, if Vanessa would make it. Her trauma from witnessing her mother’s death was too strong and perhaps she was not going to complete the transformation.

“Thank you, Austin. I can see you are doing your best, and I appreciate it.”

“Thank you, sir. Is that all?”

“Yes, you’re free to go.”

Austin left my office, leaving me alone with my thoughts which, ever since I found out about the prophecy, would not stop drifting to the question what would happen if I gave myself to Eleanor. Still looking out the window, I saw Austin head for the garden where Eleanor was waiting for him, wearing a dress in my favourite shade of ocean blue. She gave him a hug and at the sight, my teeth clenched and my stomach turned. 

[Eleanor]

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!”, I giggled and jumped up and down when I heard that Austin was taking me outside the Tower.

“Haha, you are most very welcome. And you deserve it after all your hard work the past month.”, Austin smiled and I could not stop myself from giving him a hug.

“Okay, where are we going?”, I smiled and started walking towards the back exit which I used both times I exited the Tower.

“Not from there. There is a car waiting for us at the main entrance.”, Austin said while putting his hands on my waist and redirecting me. “And, it is a surprise. Don’t ask me again.”

We had spent the last month having movie nights almost every single evening. He was really fun to be around (outside the training room, that is, in it he was a dictator!), he made me laugh and his presence brought a calm to my soul. Most importantly, he made me forget about Valerio while I was around him.

“Alright, alright. I won’t ask, I promise.”, I said while getting in the car. “But at least tell me, am I dressed appropriately?”

I fixed my ocean blue short dress, which I had bought that day when I spent my last money on clothes, make-up and gifts for Pebble. Unbuttoning my short black coat, I settled in the back seat and relaxed while patiently waiting for Austin’s reply.

“You look perfect.”, he said while trying to hide the fact he was scanning my legs, fully visible between the dress and the suede black high-ankle boots I was wearing. I smiled and swallowed a chuckle as he put his arm around my shoulders.