CHAPTER 14
1999 Words
Elise stood at the foot of the stairs, her eyes lingering on the packhouse entrance.
The house that once felt like a cage was now where she found her place, even if it was still filled with tension and questions.
Strangely enough, it had become her home.
But today, something tugged at her, she felt the need to face the past before moving forward.
She had to go back to her aunt Thea’s house to retrieve her few belongings.
She especially missed having a portrait of her mom. At least, that was the only thing that gave her the comfort she needed while she was at Thea’s place.
Thinking about the portrait, she remembered that each time she felt like running away, she’d think back again after running up to her room and setting her eyes on the portrait.
The smiles her mom had in the portrait, the way she looked at her on the day she was taking the portrait made things settle within her.
It always gave her hope.
She dressed quickly, barely thinking about it, and walked out.
The sun was higher now, the warmth creeping into her skin.
The walk to Thea’s house felt longer than it should have. Maybe it was the weight of the memories there, or maybe it was the quiet anticipation of seeing Thea again, this time on different terms.
When she reached the front door, her fingers stayed wrapped on the door knob for a while before she twisted it open a bit.
The house seemed quieter than usual, almost like it was holding its breath.
She pushed the door open and stepped inside, feeling like a stranger.
Her things were stacked neatly in the corner of the guest room—clothes, a few old trinkets, some books. Nothing important. But they were hers.
She picked up the small box that held the remnants of her life, cradling it to her chest as she moved back down the hallway.
Her eyes wandered across the familiar walls, but everything seemed different now.
The house that had once been a prison now felt empty.
She walked to her room and grabbed her mom’s portrait which Thea had set face down on the dresser.
She sighed with her hand resting on the dresser when she heard a sound behind her.
“Elise?” The voice was unmistakable.
It was Thea.
Her Aunt was standing in the doorway, arms crossed, wearing a look of disapproval that quickly shifted to something more calculated.
“Just getting my things,” Elise said, trying to keep her voice steady.
“You’re really leaving, then?” Thea’s eyes narrowed, though there was something more thoughtful in her gaze now. “After everything, you’re just going to run away?”
Elise met her gaze, but said nothing. She wasn’t leaving. Not really.
She just needed to get her things, but Thea didn’t need to know that.
Thea gave a dramatic sigh, walking toward her. “I suppose you think you’ve found a better place? Better than what I gave you?” That upcoming alpha, Kai whom you’re following around is disrespectful even, but it’s fine, since you think he’s taking care of you better than me.
“I don’t need your pity,” Elise replied, her voice sharp. “I never did.”
Thea flinched, but she quickly recovered, forcing a smile. “Fine. If you’re done here, go. But don’t think for a second I haven’t noticed what’s happening now.”
Elise tilted her head. “What do you mean?”
“People are talking,” Thea said, her voice dropping to a near-whisper. “They’re saying you’ve become something… special.”
Elise frowned, unsure if she should be insulted or intrigued. “I’m not interested in your gossip.”
Thea’s smile widened. “Oh, it’s more than gossip. I’m talking about the fact that my niece has become the center of attention. It seems they’re all in awe of you now, Elise. I’m sure you’ve heard the whispers.”
Elise felt a tightness in her chest, but she said nothing.
“I’ve always known you were different,” Thea continued, taking a step closer. “I could tell from the start. And now,” she gave a dramatic pause, “now, the whole pack is starting to see it. People are even calling you brave. Kind.”
Elise’s pulse quickened, but she tried to remain still, to not let Thea see her discomfort. “What are you saying?”
“Only that I always knew you were special. You were never just a mistake.” Thea’s eyes glinted with something Elise couldn’t quite place, but there was a hint of something almost triumphant. “And now, everyone else is starting to see it too.”
Elise stared at her, realizing the game Thea was playing. “So now you’re taking credit?”
Thea waved her hand dismissively. “Credit? No, no. I’m just saying, people are finally recognizing what I always knew. I did raise you, after all.”
Elise’s hand clenched around the box. “You didn’t raise me. You threw me away. Don’t act like you did anything but use me.”
Seeing Thea try to take act like she cared because of the name it’d give her in society, disgusted her.
“After treating me like you did, you want me to pretend that everything is okay so that they can make you leader of whatever since you’re such a kind woman who raised her niece with love and care!” Elise said, sarcastically.
For a moment, Thea’s eyes flashed with irritation, but it didn’t last long.
She straightened, smoothing her hair back. “Maybe I wasn’t the best guardian, but now I’m telling you, Elise, you’re going to need me. The packhouse is great, but it’s not enough. You’re about to do something bigger. Something dangerous.”
Elise stepped back, taking a deep breath. “I don’t need you. And I’m not here for your false praise. I came for my things. And I’m leaving.”
She turned toward the door, but Thea’s voice stopped her. “Tomorrow’s the day. The training starts. You’ll need me by your side. Everyone’s talking about it. People will be expecting things of you. You need someone who’s already been through it all.”
Elise paused with her hand on the door. Training. The word lingered in her mind, sending a ripple of unease down her spine.
She had no idea what she was walking into.
She didn’t know how to control whatever power she had, and the thought of someone expecting her to be ready made her stomach churn.
But she wouldn’t give Thea the satisfaction of seeing her falter.
The speed at which rumors spread around Archview was concerningly high. Because how in the world did Thea hear about what even she had only heard some hours earlier?!
“I’ll be fine,” she said quietly, the words sharp and final.
She stepped outside and slammed the door behind her, not taking the portrait or the box along.
She dashed out to the backyard.
It was quiet there at least.
Elise tightened the scarf around her neck as she darted to the back of the house.
She later down in the garden for a while and ended up dozing off.
“You don’t belong,” a thousand voices whispered from the trees.
“You were never meant to survive.”
These were the last words Elise heard when she wake up from her dream. She had dreamt about Becky and the woods ons more time.
Since that incident, she kept dreaming about it like it played in her head.
In the dreams, the incident was the same as that night.
But this time, she could swear she saw herself standing among the shadows, smiling.
Sighing, Elise went back to the house to pick the box and portrait.
If she stayed here any longer, she’d have a thousand nightmares as the house gave her only bad memories.
She pushed open the door, half-expecting the house to smell the same: stale, cold, and forgotten.
But this time, there was something different.
Laughter floated from the living room.
Pausing, Elise moved quietly closer.
Aunt Thea was there, surrounded by a small group of women—other Omegas and low-ranking wolves who had never spared Elise a kind glance before.
Yet today, they were all perched eagerly on the worn couches, hanging onto Thea’s every word.
“Oh, you should have seen her,” Thea gushed, voice thick with self-importance. “All that courage? That heart? I always knew she was special.”
One woman clutched her chest dramatically. “And to think she went after that devilish girl, Becky! Risked herself for someone who never showed her kindness! It’s unbelievable.”
“It’s not so unbelievable,” Thea said with a proud sniff. “Elise was always different. I raised her to be selfless and brave. She gets it from me.”
The women clucked and nodded approvingly.
“I’m sure that she allowed others bully her just because she didn’t want to cause trouble.” Such an Angel you raised Thea! another woman added.
Elise’s hands curled into fists at her sides. Brave? Selfless? Thea hadn’t raised her!
Infact, she should be given the credit that she’d survived despite her abuse.
But she said nothing.
There was something hollow in Thea’s bragging, something desperate.
For once, Thea wasn’t being pitied or ignored.
For once, people were looking at her with something close to respect. And she was soaking it in.
“She’s bound for great things,” Thea went on, her voice growing louder. “Mark my words. I always said she was meant for more than scrubbing floors. It’s in the blood.”
Elise wanted to laugh. Or maybe scream.
Instead, she stepped into the room, the wooden floor creaking under her boot.
Thea’s eyes flicked to her—and Elise saw it. That instant calculation. That brief flicker of resentment before she smoothed her face into something like affection.
“There she is!” Thea exclaimed. “Our little hero!”
The women turned, their faces lighting up with admiration.
Elise forced a polite smile, trying not to let her emotions show. “I’m just going ti grab some of my things,” she said evenly.
Thea clicked her tongue. “Of course, dear. But don’t rush off. Everyone was just talking about how proud we all are of you.”
The words tasted rotten in Elise’s ears.
She simply nodded and slipped past them, heading to the tiny dresser in her old room where she left the portrait after her previous conversation with Thea.
As she packed the few belongings she cared about into her bag, she could still hear their voices in the other room.
“She’s got a bright future now,” one woman said.
“She’s the pride of the pack. And of you, Thea. You must be so proud.”
“Oh, I am,” Thea said, not missing a beat. “It’s all thanks to the values I taught her.”
Elise closed her eyes briefly, gathering herself.
When she finally emerged, bag slung over her shoulder, Thea was waiting for her at the door, alone now.
“You know,” Thea said, her voice low, “you might not believe it, but I always knew you’d do something great.”
Elise met her gaze, steady and unreadable. “If that’s the story you need to tell yourself, Aunt Thea, go ahead.”
Thea’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second, but she recovered quickly, patting Elise’s cheek like she was a child. “You’re going to make us all proud. Don’t forget where you come from.”
“I won’t,” Elise said quietly. “That’s why I’m not coming back.”
Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked out into the fading afternoon light.
- Writer
