wolves that came before

uncertain

I was overpowered by the guy and his friends, their menacing presence looming over me like a dark cloud. My heart raced with fear as the ringleader grabbed hold of me, his intentions clear in his eyes. "Be calm, girl. We just wanna have some fun," he sneered, his grip tightening on my clothes.

But just as despair threatened to consume me, a voice cut through the tension like a ray of light. "Hey, kids, aren't you taught how to treat a lady? Now get off her!" The words were sharp and commanding, sending a ripple of unease through the group of bullies.

I recognized that voice instantly - it was Elias. Despite rarely speaking and keeping to the shadows, his voice was unforgettable, with a commanding presence that demanded attention. Even in my moment of distress, I couldn't help but be drawn to the soothing timbre of his voice, though I harbored a deep-seated resentment towards him.

As soon as they heard Elias's voice, the bullies scattered like leaves in the wind, their bravado evaporating in an instant. They knew better than to mess with him - Elias was not someone to be trifled with.

Elias approached me with an air of calm authority, his gaze unwavering as he stooped to pick up my books from the ground. I watched in astonishment from my place on the floor, bruises blooming on my face from the altercation.

"How long do you want to keep laying there?" Elias's voice broke through my reverie, snapping me back to reality. With a sense of determination, I pushed myself up from the ground, steeling myself for whatever came next.

As I struggled to stand, Elias watched me without offering assistance, his gaze unwavering. Every movement felt like a Herculean effort, the world spinning around me in a dizzying blur. But I couldn't show weakness, not now, not in front of him.

"Should I take you back home? You're too weak," he remarked, his voice tinged with concern as he observed my struggle. I could faintly see him staring at me, his expression unreadable.

"Don't worry, I'm fine," I replied, forcing a semblance of strength into my voice. But even as the words left my lips, darkness crept in at the edges of my vision, and the ground rushed up to meet me as I collapsed, consciousness slipping away like sand through my fingers.

I slowly opened my eyes, the world coming into focus as I found myself lying in a bedroom. Confusion washed over me as I tried to piece together how I had ended up here. The room was warm and inviting, with soothing beige walls and tasteful decor. I couldn't help but admire the cozy surroundings, the soft rug beneath my feet as I stepped down from the bed, and the thoughtful touches that adorned the space.

As I took in my surroundings, my eyes fell upon a photograph of Elias hanging on the wall, and a wave of realization washed over me. So this was Elias's room. But how had I ended up here? The question lingered in my mind, unanswered.

Lost in my thoughts, I reached out to touch the photograph, a sense of longing tugging at my heart. "You're such a beautiful thing," I whispered to the image, unaware that Elias had entered the room behind me.

"Feel free to admire me," his voice broke through the silence, sending a jolt of surprise through me. I turned to face him, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment at being caught in a moment of vulnerability.

Before I could utter a word, Elias moved closer, his presence overwhelming. I felt a rush of conflicting emotions - the desire to push him away, to distance myself from him, and yet, an inexplicable pull drawing me closer.

As he gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, I felt a surge of longing course through me. My mind raced with forbidden thoughts, imagining scenarios I knew I had no right to entertain. But as Elias's hands lingered on my skin, I couldn't help but be drawn to him, despite my best efforts to resist.

I could already imagine his touches on the other parts of my body.I was completely turned on by his presence.i wished he would lift me with his strong arms so could have my hands and legs wrapped around him.i was seeking for his torture.

And then, in a sudden moment of clarity, I realized something that sent a shockwave of panic through me - I was wearing his clothes. The realization hit me like a punch to the gut, shattering the fragile illusion of control I had tried to maintain. I had to remind myself - I hated this guy.

As I stepped away from Elias, my mind raced with conflicting emotions. Despite his proximity, I knew he wasn't trying to do anything inappropriate. It was me - I had to resist the urge, to push aside the dangerous allure of forbidden desires.

Elias wore a black shirt, the fabric clinging to his chest and revealing the tattoo etched on his left side. The sight of it hits me - I had seen that tattoo before, but where? I wracked my brain for answers, but before I could make sense of it, Elias spoke.

"You can sleep over if you want. It's already dark," he offered casually, his voice cutting through the silence. I shook my head quickly, trying to regain my composure. "No, no, I have to get back home," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

As I turned to leave the room, a nagging question tugged at my mind, demanding to be asked. "Why do you always save me?" I blurted out, unable to hold back any longer.

Elias took a sip from the drink he had poured himself, his expression unreadable. "I guess you're just lucky," he replied cryptically, his words leaving me with more questions than answers.

But I wasn't done yet. "Then why didn't you save my father that night?" I pressed, the words tumbling out before I could stop them.

Elias's grip tightened on the cup, the remaining drink spilling onto the floor as he set it down. Without another word, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving me standing there, stunned and confused.

"Young wolf, not all things are meant to be known," he called back over his shoulder as he disappeared from sight. Young wolf? What did he mean by that? But before I could dwell on it any longer, Elias was gone, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

His men soon arrived to escort me home in a carriage, but the questions swirling in my mind remained unanswered, the mystery of Elias and his motives still shrouded in darkness.