Her Second Chance Alpha

Chapter Fifteen

A week had passed and I could feel myself enjoying Hunter’s company again, I looked forward to seeing him every morning and hearing what he had planned for the day, our friendship healed and we would laugh and enjoy our time together, although something did not feel right. I loved Hunter, but not as a mate. I needed to tell him how I felt, but I was torn as I knew I could not return to the Blue Moon Pack without standing in the way of Elijah and his pack’s future.

I still hadn’t heard from Elijah and I knew it was time to write to him and explain everything. My heart was aching writing it out, all I wanted to do was be with him again, but that wasn’t possible. He needed to find his mate and be happy not only for himself but for his pack. I couldn’t return after knowing that Elijah was not destined to be mine. I let out a long breath and grabbed a pen and some paper before writing to Elijah, tears ran down my face and smudged the ink in places, but I was quick to wipe it away. I wrote…

Dear Elijah,

I hope you and the pack are well. You have probably already heard the news and I have to admit that it is true. Hunter and I are mates, chosen by the moon goddess herself. I found out the day of my mother's funeral.

Finding my mate has only increased the guilt I have for kissing you. I feel guilt not for Hunter but for you and your mate. I feel guilty that I took that away from you and I am so very sorry. I hope you can one day accept my apology and forgive me.

I will not be returning to the Blue Moon Pack, however I wish to keep the alliance between our packs. I don’t want to come in the way of any business for yourself or Hunter. I'm not worth the fight.

Please understand that every word I am writing is causing me much pain, but if you love something you should let it go. And I am doing that for you Elijah. I'm letting you go. Your mate is out there waiting for you and I can’t stand in the way of what is meant to be.

I can’t thank you enough for the love and kindness you have shown to me since that day you nearly hit me with your door. The feeling I got when I was around you was breath taking and I fear I will never feel that again in my lifetime.

I love you Elijah. I always have. I hope this letter brings you comfort in knowing that I am safe and well. I truly wish you the best for the future and know I will be there for you whenever you need a friend.

I made you break your promise to me Elijah and for that I am so deeply sorry, I know you are a man of your word.

I hope this is not Goodbye.

Eleanor Hale.

A few hours had passed; I made my way to the lake near the pack house, clutching the letter I had wrote in my hand still in debate about whether or not to send it. I sat looking at the water gently flow as the wind blew it in different directions, it was surrounded by wildflowers and you could vaguely hear the sound of crickets chirping in the distance. I closed my eyes and a smile spread on my face as the cool air brushed against my cheek. It was so peaceful hear. The snap of a twig behind me made me jump up in alert and look toward the tree line as I could sense someone was watching me.

“Hello?” I shouted in question, still looking at the trees. I could see nothing but shadows and darkness.

I shrugged it off and went to walk away until I heard a small whimper which stopped me in my tracks. My eyes darted back to the tree line. Someone was there. Suddenly a huge wolf stepped out of the shadows, it looked so familiar, its fur was as black as night and its eyes were a glowing blue; it bowed its head as it looked at me longingly. Its coat was think and matted with dirt and I could see blood around its jaw and paws. My wolf instantly came forward and growled in a loud warning but not shifting. The wolf lay on the ground in submission and started to crawl towards me, it was almost double the size of my wolf. As I walked closer I could see sadness in its eyes; I stopped abruptly realising how I knew this wolf. A gasp left my lips and I could feel the colour draining from my face.

“Elijah?” I said quietly in realisation. The wolf whimpered again and rolled onto its back showing his stomach. I couldn’t believe the submission his wolf was showing me. As if to tell me he won’t hurt me.

What was he doing here? Pulling me from my thoughts a stick snapped in the distance causing Elijah’s wolf to jump up and launch himself in front of me in a defence stance knocking me back, ready to kill anything that threatened to cause me harm. His growl vibrated the ground below us making my breath hitch in my throat.

“Eleanor?” Hunter’s voice which was full of concern could be heard in the distance coming towards me, Elijah’s sad eyes turned and met mine for the last time as he darted off into the darkness of the tree line heading back the way he originally came. I was stood frozen looking at the direction he had left in.

Hunter was soon at my side grabbing onto my arm “Are you ok?” fear and panic were clear in his voice. I opened my mouth to respond but could not get the words out. I closed my mouth again and looked at Hunter with a frown and unshed tears in my eyes, I ripped my arm from his grasp and ran back towards the pack house. He was soon at my side again and pulled me to a holt before we made it out of the woodland.

“What is wrong? Who was that?” his tone was harsh and demanding.

“I think you know who it was Hunter” the sarcasm in my voice had not gone unnoticed as his eyebrows furrowed and anger sunk in to his expression.

“What did he want? How dare he enter my land uninvite-“

“HUNTER! STOP!” tears streamed down my face. This wasn’t fair. I could not hold it in any longer “I can’t be your mate Hunter. I’ve tried, believe me I have tried. But we are friends, we can’t be anything more, surely you feel it too…” tears pooled in my eyes and started to stream down my face.

His frown automatically disappeared and sadness crossed his face. “I know El, I was hoping it was just me, but clearly I was mistaken…” he put his head down for a brief moment before inhaling sharply and standing straight and to attention, his eyes now pitch black and void of any emotion, and I knew his wolf was talking “I Hunter Green, accept your rejection Eleanor Hale as my mate and future Luna of the Crimson Shadow pack. I hereby cut all ties to our mate bond and feelings towards you.” 

Within a second we were both on the floor in antagonizing pain, I felt like all of my body was on fire and no one could help. The forest was spinning out of control around me, pack members surrounded us as they tried to help but it just burned more. I could hear Hunter’s howls as they pierced my ears and my heart was shattering with every second passing. My back arched and slammed back to the ground with a thud repeatedly as my whole body was in a spasm. It felt like hours had passed before I seen Hunter stand with the help of his men and look back at me still writhing in pain. “Leave her” was all I heard in a firm tone before I saw sympathetic eyes look at me and walk away.

Screaming in agony with no one to help, I still felt like my skin was on fire. What was happening to me? Suddenly everything froze and went silent. Time stopped and the pain was gone.

Elijah’s POV

I couldn’t last another minute without seeing her. My wolf was going crazy! I hadn’t slept since the day she left and I knew I had to find her, to speak to her, to hear her angelic voice one more time before I left her for good. I had to know she was happy and safe.

It had been a week since I last seen Eleanor. A week too long! I wanted to return to their land and slaughter each and every one of them in their sleep until I had her back. I needed her. I let out my frustrations on pack duties, rogues and in the training field with my men. They knew not to cross me with the mood I was in. My eyes were sunken and dark, my temper at its highest peak, it only took the slightest thing to make me snap. All I could think about was Ellie and how she was there. With him. Unprotected.

Shane and Emmet have been keeping close tabs on me since we left the Crimson Shadow Packs border. They knew it wouldn’t be long before I headed back in hopes of returning with Ellie. They knew I would not let anything stop me on my path to regain to woman I loved.

I started the night how I always did, I went down to the garden at the back of the pack house, and walked along the grass bare foot. I had no shirt, just some washed out grey jeans on as I looked out to the lake near the house. I closed my eyes and took in the cool night air, a soft breeze hit me and I could almost hear her. I couldn’t take it anymore. I darted towards the tree line and shifted into Konan’s enormous form and bolted to where I knew she would be, I didn’t know how I knew. I just felt a pull in my chest and I knew to trust my wolf’s instincts and ran as fast as I could to get to her.

I crossed their border and hid within the trees of their land, watching as their so called patrol team protected the pack house. I rolled my eyes and moved to a spot by the lake and waited for an opening so that I could see Eleanor and know that she was ok even if it meant I had to stay here all night.

Eleanor’s POV

I sat up slowly taking in my surroundings. Nothing was moving it was as if time had stopped; I staggered to my feet and held onto a tree to keep me up. I was weak. I slowly walked back towards the lake using every tree I could to help me, as I made it to the clearing I saw a woman with her back to me, as I got closer I smelt a familiar scent, but I wasn’t sure where I had smelt it before. I stopped at the treeline and the woman slowly turned to meet my gaze. I gasped and shook my head in disbelief, it was my mother.

I ran to her but fell to my knees, my legs were so weak from the rejection. She knelt down in front of me and grabbed my chin with her cold hand, I noticed she was wearing my grandmothers necklace, my hand instantly grabbed hold of the pendant around my neck.

“Darling you should not be here. You are not ready” she spoke in a soft voice. I looked at her confused.

“I’m so sorry mum, I wasn’t here, I left you, and I never said goodb-“ tears were streaming down my face as I sobbed to the woman who I had lost.

“Hush now” she brought me to her chest as we cuddled and said our silent goodbyes. She looked down at me once more, before standing she spoke “to find the truth, you must go back.”

“What truth? Back where?” I was lost and confused. What was happening? How can I see her?

“Stay close to him darling. For you are stronger together.” With a small smile she vanished and time unfroze. I sunk to the ground and darkness surrounded me. Memories filled my mind and all I could picture was Elijah as I sunk into a deep sleep.