The Fox's Heart

Chapter 5 - Elora's POV(Part 2)

***Warning: Violence***

The vibrant music thumped through the air, as they approached the party. A mix of laughter and conversation echoing off the walls of the house. Talia’s excitement was palpable, and Elora couldn’t help but also feel a rush of adrenaline. She stepped inside, scanning the crowd of familiar faces mingling and dancing.

Everyone their age in the pack seemed to be there. The atmosphere was electric, and for a moment, Elora felt the weight of the day lift as she joined Talia on the dance floor. They laughed and swayed to the music, and for a brief moment, Elora forgot about Caleb, and about what had happened earlier that day.

As she danced, Elora caught sight of Talon, Falon, and Calin were surrounded by their high school girlfriends—Courtney, Layla, and Teresa—who were clinging to them, giggling and making out with the triplets. Oddly, the trio seemed to be watching Elora as they made out with their girlfriends. Elora quickly looked away and told herself that she was imagining things.

Still feeling the triplets gaze on her, Elora turned to Talia, a wave of anxiety flooding her senses. “I can’t stay here,” Elora said, pulling Talia toward a quieter room off to the side. “Let’s go somewhere else.”

“Good idea,” Talia agreed, and they slipped away from the crowd.

But as they moved through the throng of bodies, Elora lost sight of Talia in the chaos. She turned, searching for her friend when she collided with someone—someone she had never seen before. He was tall with shaggy dark hair and striking green eyes that sparkled with warmth.

“Hey there!” he smiled, a friendly grin spreading across his face. “What’s your name?”

Before Elora could respond, Talia suddenly emerged from the crowd, her face lit up with excitement as she pulled Elora away. “Elora! Come on, let’s dance!”

As they moved back toward the dance floor, Elora felt a sense of freedom wash over her. Talia led her in, and they began to dance, the music enveloping them. Elora felt herself finally start to relax, her body moving with the rhythm, laughter spilling from her lips.

Elora felt someone staring at her again but this time it was the guy she had bumped into and he was watching her dance with Talia. Recalling being watched by human guys while away at college when she was out clubbing with Talia and their friends, Elora gave the man a flirtatious smile as she danced.

The look the man gave her signaled that he liked what he saw, and he moved closer to her.

Just as he was about to close the space between them, a sudden force slammed into her, pushing her against the wall. Panic surged through her as she looked up to see Caleb, his expression a mix of anger and something darker.

“What do you think you’re doing here, freak?” he spat, his voice low and menacing.

Before Elora could react, the man she had been flirting with appeared beside her, stepping between her and Caleb with a fierce protectiveness. “Back off, man. You have no right to talk to her like that.”

Elora’s heart raced as she recognized the tension in the air. The crowd gathered excited by the confrontation. “She’s nothing but a freak, Ryder?” Caleb snapped, his eyes narrowing at the man.

“She’s not a freak” Ryder replied, his voice steady and unwavering.

“How would you know? Your mom married into the pack after she left the pack to play doctor. She is a freak!” Caleb shot back, fists clenching at his sides, but Ryder firm, his posture protective.

Elora felt a rush of gratitude for Ryder's intervention but also an overwhelming sense of vulnerability. “Just walk away, Caleb.” Ryder said. There was movement and Elora saw the alpha triplets push through the crowd to see the commotion.

“This is not how Alpha Gavin wants us to treat the pack members who are lower than us.” Ryder said. “He treats all of his pack like his equals and so should you.”

“Whatever,” Caleb muttered, his frustration boiling over as he turned away when Ryder mentioned their Alpha. He remained close, his presence a reassuring wall as Caleb stalked off into the crowd. Then he turned to look at her.

Elora took a shaky breath, her heart pounding from the encounter. “Thank you,” she whispered, looking up at him.

“Ryder,” he replied saying his name to her, a warm smile returning to his lips. “Are you okay?” The tone of his voice hinted that he was also looking for her name.

“Elora.” She answered before continuing to say, “I think so. Just… shaken up,” Elora lied. She hurt everywhere. But if she wasn’t a werefox it would have been worse. She should also be able to heal by morning.

Then Elora noticed the whispers. Everyone was asking why she was even there, she was enemy number one against the future alpha’s.

“Let’s get you back to your friend,” he said, glancing around as if to assess the situation.

“Thanks, Ryder,” Elora said, anxious to leave as soon as possible. The whispers grew louder as she pushed through the crowd. Just as she was near the edge of the crowd someone called out. “Caleb was justified in his actions, you freak!”

Without looking back or waiting for Talia. Elora fled.