Her Faded Memories

Chapter Six

TRIGGER WARNING - ATTEMPTED s****l ASSAULT

Elodie

It’s surprising how fast 9pm came. The party was in full swing as I cleaned the kitchen before taking out the rubbish. I couldn’t wait to go home and study for the morning test, but I expected a lot of cleaning up after the guests left. As I carried the bag outside into the garden, I noticed wolves walking past me, snubbing me with their noses held high.

The less attention you give, the quicker they get bored, right?

With my eyes fixed on the ground, I dragged the big bag around. Unexpectedly, a male voice startled me by asking if I required any help. I kneeled down and started picking up the bottles, evading eye contact. He joined me, and when I stole a glance at him, he gave me a warm smile.

Nicholas, the future alpha.

His striking good looks made me blush whenever I thought of him. His eyes had a pale green hue, resembling fresh leaves in motion as the warm sun shimmered across them. They evoked the feeling of spring, when everything is fresh and full of promise. I had high hopes that he would be the Alpha the pack needed, but I’m certain he did not know about the issues faced by the local pack members, who were barely making ends meet while the pack house enjoyed extravagant parties like this one. I hope he didn’t, anyway. He seems to kind and caring to leave his pack to struggle.

Nicholas lent a hand in, bagging the remaining bottles and kindly disposed of them in the bin for me. I expressed my gratitude and quickly fled from his presence.

When Marcy found me cleaning one of the empty communal rooms, it was nearly 11pm according to the clock. “Elodie, because you’ve been here the longest, I’ll grant you permission to go home first.” She quickly showed me a fake smile before swiftly leaving.

Strange.

Even though I rarely get to go home early, I’m not complaining as I hand off my cleaning tools to the omega standing next to me.

After changing my clothes, I started making my way home. I felt completely drained. I can’t recall a day where I had to work all day, but since it was Beta Hunter’s birthday, I could skip school and help with the preparations. Struggling to see in the dimly lit street, I felt the pain in my feet and eyes.

I contemplated taking the shortcut as I gazed at the park gate. Despite my mother’s advice, all I craved in that moment was my bed. Inhaling deeply, I proceeded through the gate. A stillness settled over the park, with no wind or chirping birds to be heard. A sense of unease crept into my stomach as I made my way around the lake.

“Well, look who we have here? Lost?” I heard a familiar voice behind me.

The familiar voice which always has the effect of sending chills down my spine. My face drains of any colour left, as my memory connects the name to the voice.

Kai.

My quick spin caused me to lose my footing. He gripped my arm and forcefully pulled me towards him. A repulsive smirk adorned his face, and the scent of alcohol on his breath made me feel sick. I felt the urge to vomit. Tremors overtook me as I vigorously shook my head at him.

“Please let me go,” I said hesitantly, freeing my arm from his grasp. He released his grip too easily, and I created a gap between us.

I was experiencing an overwhelming sense of vulnerability at the moment.

“Come on, Elodie, let’s go hang out.”

Kai reached out his hand and I looked up, totally surprised to hear him say my name instead of his usual insults.

My wolf got anxious, pacing back and forth in my mind.

“Shall we play a game?” he said with a playful tone, while pulling his hand away from me.

I didn’t like the direction things were heading, so I moved away from him to create more distance. Dilated pupils and a repugnant desire filled his eyes.

Elodie run! Nala shouts.

I shifted my attention away from him and immediately began running at my fastest pace. I could hear him laughing behind me.

“I’ll give you 10 second’s head start,”

Despite my efforts to hold back tears, my throat burned as he quickly caught up to me. From behind, he wraps his arms around me in a tight bear hug.

“Get off me” I shouted at him, trying to pry his fingers from around my waist.

“I win.” His hushed words in my ear, his gentle touch against my earlobe, sent an icy shiver runs down my spine and a sickening sensation fills my gut.

Get him away from you. Nala growls.

I’m trying.

The harder I attempt to remove his fingers from me, the stronger his hold becomes. His chuckling resonated behind me as his hands gently glided up and down my stomach, eventually slipping underneath my breast. The sensation of him getting excited behind me made me feel physically ill. Suddenly, he spins me and clings to my wrists with a forceful grip. His eyes were wild as his face loomed close to mine.

“Hmmm, what should my reward be?”

No no no

I was about to speak when Kai suddenly shoved me, sending me crashing to the ground and banging my head on the boulder behind me. I feel a damp area at the back of my head as I touch it with my fingers. I start to lose focus, sensing him climbing on top of me, and when my vision clears, I see a wicked smile on his face.

Get him off you. Nala snarls.

“Let’s see what you’re hiding underneath these baggy clothes?”

I fought him with all my strength, feeling the pain shoot through my head.

“Someone, please!” I tried to shout, but he struck me across the face, rendering me momentarily speechless. Kai firmly grasps both of my wrists together, using his other hand to raise my top and run his fingers along the edge of my bra. I attempt to wriggle out from under him.

“Please stop!” I cried out.

“Ssssh.” Kai raises his finger to his mouth and looks at me as hunger fills his eyes.

He licks from my collarbone to my neck. He rests his entire weight on top of me and places an unpleasant kiss at the base of my neck. With disgust, I avert my eyes as he kisses my neck and his hand explores the area at the top of my leggings, digging his nails into my skin. I shut my eyes tightly as he begins tugging at my leggings.

Please.

“I think you should stop, don’t you?” A rumbling voice, deep and masculine, fills the park with an air of command.

As soon as I opened my eyes, I saw Nick and Hunter staring at us. I felt exposed and pushed Kai off me, and he willingly stepped away. His complexion was even more pale than mine. Standing up, I used a shaky hand to straighten my top. I positioned myself behind both of them, avoiding eye contact with Kai.

“Alpha, beta. We were just fooling around.” Kai stuttered.

“Oh really, looks to me that Elodie did not agree to fool around with you.” Nick fired back.

Glancing over his shoulder, he met my gaze, and his expression softened. As our gazes connected, I felt a hitch in my breath, sensing a rare moment of care from him. Warmth spread across my cheeks, causing me to look away rapidly, and in that moment, Nick softly took hold of my chin. When he glanced at me, I witnessed a sudden transformation in his demeanour from calm to something else. Something dangerous.

“Take Elodie home, Hunter, and make sure she remains safe.” Nick spoke firmly.

Hunter gently put his hand on my shoulder to guide me away but I flinch at the contact and Hunter immediately withdraws his hand.

“Sorry.” Hunter whispers to me.

In silence, we made our way back to my house, and upon seeing my mother seated on the wooden bench outside, tears formed. It’s dark outside, and my mother, as usual, waited for me to come home. I can imagine she must be feeling cold right now. She comes running towards me and wraps me tightly in an affectionate hug. Hunter attempted to clarify the situation, but I abruptly dismissed him and informed him she could not hear. I expressed my gratitude once more before taking my mother’s hand and guiding us into the cottage. After stepping inside the house, I made a beeline for the bathroom and took a scalding shower, effectively washing off the mud and blood that covered me. Although my mother sensed that something was off, she never attempted to start a conversation with me. After I dried myself and cleaned up, my mother inspected the wound on the back of my head before giving me a kiss on the forehead. It was in that instant when my emotions overwhelmed me, and my mother comforted me on my small twin bed. I didn’t know what time it was when I fell asleep. All I knew was my mother was still in the same spot as last night once I rose from my slumber and, like always, she smiled and petted my cheek.