An Unwavering Promise--Completed

Chapter Three

Eleanor’s POV

I let out an audible sigh as Candy pouted at me. Seeing them caused me to think back on all of our time previously, and I couldn’t say I was extremely excited about seeing them again. I wasn’t sure what this was going to mean for the trip or how they’d interfere. Something in the back of my mind told me to be more careful with these two. I didn’t know what their motives were. And while they knew Edward well, which made me trust them, they were also with Liam when I met them, which probably meant they were into shady dealings.

“You know,” Candy began. “This isn’t exactly the happy reunion I was expecting. I mean, not that I foresaw us running into each other’s arms or anything, but you don’t even look happy to see me!”

Plastering a smile onto my face, I said, “I just wasn’t expecting you, is all. I have so many questions as to where you went last time that I just assumed you’d be too busy to join this adventure. Also, we’re not hunting an orc. We want to talk to her. And how did you know about it?”

“Oh darling, even secrets can talk, especially in our world. It pays to know,” she replied with a wink. “I won’t deny that Berty and I disappeared. It isn’t everyday you stumble into a dragon’s lair. But this time will be different. We’ll stay within eyesight at all times!”

I pursed my lips and looked over at Alexander, who only shrugged in response.

“Do you promise to not only tell me what happened and why you ran off as well as not do it again this time around?” I asked.

Candy’s eyes shown with a glittering glee. “Promise.”

“I’m going to regret this, won’t I?” I mumbled as Candy clapped her hands excitedly and gave Berty a kiss on the cheek.

I watched as Alexander loaded up our stuff into the back of the SUV and how carefully Xavier handled Hailey as she climbed into the backseat. As much as I wanted to storm off and find all the answers to my questions, another part of me worried about what I would find. Why had my uncles betrayed our family and the werewolf community like this? Why would they want to let out a demon king, who would undoubtedly wreak chaos into our world? And the greatest question of all, one I hardly even let myself consider, was about what I was going to do with this growing darkness within me. I felt it slowly creeping in and taking hold over my being. I saw it when it warped my thoughts or triggered an action I wouldn’t normally have done. It scared me so much so that I thought maybe just locking myself up would be better. I didn’t even have the courage to ask Alexander if he had it too. Our bond was slowly changing. I knew we had both noticed, but neither of us had mentioned it.

“Hey, love,” Alexander breathed into my ear. “Come back to me.”

I jumped, startled, but smiled up at him.

“There you are. Where did you go? You seem to be far away from me more often these days,” he said.

“Oh, you know. Thinking about what will happen if we can talk to her and all the possibilities,” I half-lied.

Alexander nodded once, took my hand, and then led me to the car. I didn’t know if he believed me, but he didn’t question me further. I didn’t like lying to him, but I wasn’t sure I was ready for the answers to the questions I knew I had to ask.

“Alright! Let’s go meet possibly the last remaining lady of her species!” Alexander called out as he climbed into the driver’s seat.

There were a few cheers before the convoy of cars left the pack house driveway. Angel and Max, along with James, waved from the door. I felt good knowing that those three were in charge of our packs. If something were to happen to either me or Alexander, I knew our packs wouldn’t suffer. I waved once more before getting comfortable in my seat. It was going to be a couple of hours driving and then a short flight before we got some of the burning questions answered. I let my eyes drift close, not wanting to talk. Thankfully, Alexander caught on quickly and let me fall asleep.

“Ahh,” a deep voice laughed. “So, it’s my turn now.”

I frantically looked around me, but everything was cast in a heavy darkness.

“I can’t let you see me, but I certainly can see you. Murderer,” it said.

Swallowing uncomfortably, I called out, “Wh–who is it? Who am I talking to?”

“So timid? This is so unlike the great Eleanor Reece of Black Shadow Pack. You’re supposed to be terrifying and awe-inspiring. I’m not even trembling in my boots. What a disgrace. And to think, our great pack is being run by someone as incompetent as you?” the voice sneered.

Wracking my brain, I tried to figure out who this person was. How did they know so much about me? About my pack?

“Nathan?” I whispered, realization hitting me suddenly.

The voice drew in a sharp breath and paused before saying, “At least you aren’t stupid. I suppose my rouse couldn’t last for long.”

“What do you want?” I said more as a statement than a question, venom seeping into my words.

“Oh, so the doggie has some bark to her bite, hmm?” Nathan mocked, laughter filling my mind.

I remained silent, not wanting to give into his games. I wasn’t here for a friendly little chat. Nathan, although my last remaining family, was my enemy. If he wanted to free the Demon King and bring the end of the world, he would have to do it alone, and I would do everything in my power to stop him.

“Fine,” Nathan said sullenly. “I want to ask you a question or two.”

“Feel what?”

Nathan sighed deeply, clearly disappointed. “I just established that you’re not a moron. Do you feel it taking hold of you, guiding you, possessing you? The power that radiates from letting it take control is the sweetest drug. Did you let it take root inside of your innermost being?”

There was a hunger in his voice that bothered me. He truly did sound like a former addict recalling what his first high felt like. He craved the thing he spoke of.

“Enjoy it. It won’t last. Use it, and it will use you. It’ll open your eyes and show you how you’re being deceived. Don’t trust anyone around you. They’re all working for her,” Nathan continued. “You’re too far into this to see the picture; to see how you’re being controlled and manipulated. They praise you for being the hero, but are planning to stab you in the back at a later date. Be aware. Be vigilant. Be–”

I felt a violent shake, followed by someone shouting my name. I blinked my eyes open a few times, and saw Alexander’s worried face peering back at me. He quickly kissed my forehead and pulled me into his chest. It was only then that I realized we were pulled over on the side of the freeway. I pushed against Alexander a little, still groggy from the experience. My head was throbbing, and I winced, as I touched a few fingers to my left ear. I was shocked to see my fingers coated in blood.

“What happened?” I asked, my voice weak.

“You were screaming and thrashing around. You scared the hell out of me. I didn’t know what was wrong, and you wouldn’t respond to me calling you. I didn’t know what to do,” he said, pulling back and grabbing the back of his neck with his hand.

He then noticed the blood and scrambled to find napkins in the glove box. I sat mutely and just watched. My thoughts were running around in crazy patterns. Screaming and thrashing? The conversation seemed so calm and normal when I was in it. It had felt like the situations I’d had with Nicholas, so why was this different then? I broke out of my thoughts to take in Alexander. He looked distressed and very upset.

“I’m sorry for worrying you,” I said quietly.

Dropping the used napkins, Alexander took my face in his hands and kissed me fiercely. I hadn’t been expecting such passion, but I melted into it, letting my eyes close and my lips part. He barely managed to break it before we continued any further.

“You’re never allowed to leave me. Got that? Never,” he stated fiercely. “I’d be totally lost without you, and I’m not ashamed to need you. I love you too much to lose you.”

I smiled shyly in response. “I’ll do my best. You know that I love you too.”

“What happened? Why did this happen to you?”

“I met Nathan, well, kind of. More like, he found me.”