The Fox's Heart

Chapter 13 - Elora's POV (Part 2)

***Warning: Mention of Violence and Bullying***

For the next few days, Elora immersed herself in the search for a new home. She reached out to several landlords and even filled out rental applications. In the meantime, her father insisted she keep working at the pack hospital. “You need to earn as much as possible before you leave,” he told her, concern etched across his features. “And it will help keep your mind occupied.”

So, she donned her scrubs each morning, slipping into the familiar routine that felt both comforting and suffocating. The bustling atmosphere of the hospital became her refuge, a place where she could focus solely on her work and the patients who needed her. Yet, every day was a reminder of the life she was leaving behind.

One evening, while working a shift, Elora had just finished examining a patient when her gaze flicked toward the waiting room. Her heart sank as she spotted Talon, Falon, and Calin sitting together, their expressions a mixture of concern and regret. It was an instinctive response—her body tensed, and a wave of resentment washed over her.

She tried to ignore them, but she could feel their eyes on her, silently pleading for her attention. Elora turned her focus back to her computer, to input the customer information and diagnosis as quickly as possible, but her mind raced with thoughts of the triplets. Why were they here? Did they come to apologize, or simply to gawk at her?

Her father appeared in the doorway of the waiting room, his expression shifting when he spotted the triplets. A protective instinct ignited within him, and he strode toward them with purpose. “Boys,” he said firmly, standing tall, “you need to leave. Now.”

Elora’s heart pounded in her chest as she watched the scene unfold. Her father should not be giving orders to the future alpha’s. However, Talon, Falon, and Calin only exchanged glances, and their faces reflected a mix of disappointment and respect for her father's authority as her father.

“Mr. Mead,” Talon began, his voice low and earnest, “we just wanted to—”

“I said to leave,” her father interrupted, his tone brokering no argument. “Elora doesn’t want to see you, and she doesn’t need the stress right now.”

The triplets hesitated for a moment, caught in the tension of the moment, but finally nodded.

That evening, as Elora returned home, she felt a sense of urgency to solidify her plans. Thankfully, one of the landlords contacted agreed to rent to her.

She spent the night packing up small items from her room, reminiscing about the memories attached to each trinket. This place had been her sanctuary, but it was time to step into the world outside the pack’s shadows. As she folded her clothes and organized her belongings, she felt the thrill of anticipation bubbling within her. A new chapter awaited her, and this time, it would be on her terms.

As Elora was packing up the last few of her things, her mind scattered with a whirlwind of thoughts, she suddenly heard a soft knock at her window. Her heart skipped a beat, and her breath caught in her throat. Instinctively, she took a step back, fear creeping up her spine. Caleb? She thought to herself.

The knock came again, followed by a voice that made her freeze in place.

“Elora?” Ryder’s voice called softly through the glass.

Elora’s heart fluttered in relief. She walked to the window, carefully lifting the latch before pushing it open.

Ryder’s face appeared, his eyes wide with concern as he gazed up at her. Without a word, he climbed in through the window, his movements swift and smooth. As soon as his feet hit the floor, he pulled Elora into a tight hug.

“I was so worried about you,” Ryder murmured against her hair.

Elora hugged him back, relief flooding her chest. She had been so consumed with everything that had happened over the past few days that she hadn’t allowed herself to truly acknowledge the support from the people who cared about her. She had already accepted Ryder was one of those people, and for that, she was grateful.

“What are you doing here,” Elora whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Ryder pulled away slightly, but he still held her close, his hands on her arms. “I’m sorry for everything, Elora. For the triplets... for everything they’ve put you through. You don’t deserve any of it.”

Elora was about to brush off his words, but before she could speak, Ryder shook his head. “Actually, I’m lying. I am not actually sorry for them. They should be the ones to apologize.”

She blinked in confusion. “What do you mean?”

Ryder sighed, his expression pained. “They’ve been terrible to everyone…including me.” He paused, looking down at the floor before meeting her gaze again. “They’ve made my life hell, too, but I’ve had to deal with it quietly. You’re not the only one who’s been hurt by them.”

Elora’s heart tightened as she felt a swell of sympathy for Ryder. She understood what it was like to be on the receiving end of the triplets’ cruelty, to be a target of their disdain and disregard.

“I get it,” she said softly, her hand resting on his arm. “I’ve felt it too. I overheard Caleb the other night. He said the triplets were going to make my life hell until the day I died.”

Ryder’s eyes darkened, and he looked away for a moment, as though gathering his thoughts. “I’m sorry, Elora,” he said quietly. He stepped away and began pacing. “I’m not sure if I should tell you this but, I overheard the triplets talking about it a few times over the years.”

Elora raised an eyebrow, puzzled. “What do you mean?”

Ryder’s voice dropped lower, his tone tinged with bitterness. “They talk about the night of their twelfth birthday. They said some girl named Elora was the reason their father broke his promise and left early. And she had to pay for what you had done. And they would never let you rest until they felt satisfied that you had been punished enough.”

Elora froze, her blood running cold. Her mind immediately flashed back to that night. Everyone knew the future alpha’s birthday, and on the night of their twelfth birthday it was her first transformation into a werefox. The full moon had risen two weeks after her own twelfth birthday, and she had been unprepared for the pain and fear that coursed through her as her body changed for the first time. Her parents had been completely unaware, as werewolves didn’t experience their first transformation until their first full moon after their eighteenth year.

That night had been chaotic—terrifying, even. Her family thought she had maybe somehow crossed some witch, since all medical reasons were eliminated for her pain. Alpha Gavin arrived just as she transformed. He was just as surprised as her parents, but he had been so understanding and vowed to keep Elora’s identity a secret instead of kicking her out. Her parents had no idea her birth mother was a werefox. And since it was more likely Elora was supposed to be a werewolf, her birth mother must have tracked down Elora’s father to make sure Elora had a pack and was safe, and did not bother to disclose what she was. Elora understood it had been for her mothers own safety that she did not disclose it. According to everything Elora read after she found out she was a werefox, there was a ninety percent chance Elora would have been a werewolf.

Elora needed to process the weight of what Ryder had just shared, to understand how that night had affected not just her, but the triplets as well.

Ryder must have sensed the storm brewing inside her, because he didn’t press her for a response. Instead, he reached out and gently took her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. “I know this is a lot to take in,” he said quietly. “But you are so much stronger than you know.”

Elora looked down at their joined hands and felt a blush warm up her cheeks.

“I don’t know what to do with all this,” Elora admitted, her voice thick with emotion.

“You don’t have to have all the answers right now,” Ryder said softly. “But I’m here for you. I always will be.”

Elora nodded, feeling a sense of calm settle over her for the first time in days. Maybe leaving the pack was still the right decision for her. Then Ryder’s hand reached up and moved Elora’s face to look at his. Ryder's green eyes made her feel like she was running through the forest on a warm spring day.

Leaning in, Elora froze as Ryder’s lips brushed against hers, a soft and unexpected touch that sent a jolt of warmth through her. She hadn’t seen it coming—hadn’t even had the chance to prepare herself for it. His kiss was gentle but firm, his hand lingering at her waist, steadying her as her heart hammered in her chest.

When he finally pulled away, Elora blinked, trying to process what had just happened. She wasn’t sure if she felt relieved, confused, or something else entirely. Ryder’s green eyes met hers, and there was an unreadable expression on his face.

“Sorry,” he said softly, his voice a low murmur. “I just couldn’t help myself. You are so beautiful, and I have not been able to stop thinking about you since we met.”

Elora’s mind raced, her pulse still quick from the kiss. She hadn’t asked for it, yet part of her had wanted it. She didn’t know how to respond, but as Ryder gave her a small, reassuring smile, she realized, maybe for the first time, that someone was actually seeing her for who she truly was.