The Mysterious Symbol
694 Words
~Elvira~
I stepped into the sleek, modern bathroom in the room, the polished wall tiles reflecting a version of myself I barely recognized.
Turning the handle, the shower sprayed to life and enveloped me in steam.
As the hot water hit my skin, I finally let out a long breath.
The heat melted the tension in my muscles, washing away the dirt from my journey and the smell of the cell, lathering my skin with the lavender and vanilla body wash, I felt normal again for a moment.
Wiping the fog from the full-length mirror, a reflection caught my eye.
I twisted around, peering at my lower back.
The symbol Lisa had mentioned was right there.
A double circle containing two upside-down triangles was etched into my skin with precise lines, looking more like a brand than a tattoo.
It pulsed with a faint glow that made my stomach drop.
I wondered where it had come from and if it was tied to my wolf showing up so late.
I remembered the pain of my eighteenth birthday, the day I was supposed to shift, my stepfather’s disappointment had been brutal. “A disappointment, just like your mother,” he spat, and the abuse only escalated after that.
Driven by curiosity, I reached back to touch the mark.
The second my fingertips brushed the symbol, a force of power surged through my veins, a loud whine pierced my ears, followed by a sharp pain splitting my skull.
I doubled over, gasping as tears blurred my vision.
Then, just as quickly as it had begun, the pain vanished, leaving me trembling on the tile.
The mark was alive!
~~~~~~
I dressed quickly in the soft clothes a young omega named Aria had left for me, she was kind and freckled, her gentle manner making me feel more like a guest than a prisoner.
She returned shortly with a tray of cooked meats and soft bread. I ate it all immediately, the food finally calming my racing pulse.
"Thank you, Aria," I whispered.
She offered a shy smile and left, leaving me alone. The exhaustion of the last forty-eight hours finally won, and I fell into a deep sleep on the bed.
A knock on the door jolted me awake.
The room was getting dark, bathed in the blue shadows of evening.
"Rising from the dead, I see," a voice teased.
I sat up, rubbing my eyes, i saw Cole leaning against the doorframe.
He looked entirely relaxed, his hazel eyes filled with amusement.
"What time is it?" I asked, my voice raspy.
"Past seven. You’ve been out since lunch," Cole said, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I sent Aria to check on you. Did she take care of everything?"
"She was great. Thanks, Cole." I hesitated, watching him closely. "You know... you’ve been much kinder to me than the Alpha."
Cole’s expression turned serious, a flicker of concern crossing his face. "No debts, Elvira. You looked like you were at your breaking point."
"What is his problem?" I blurted out, unable to hold it back.
"Gabriel. You’re his Beta, I can feel your aura. You're his friend. Why is he like that?"
Cole’s eyes turned thoughtful.
"Gabriel is complex. He’s a good Alpha—strong, fair, and protective of this pack. But he has demons, Elvira. Real ones."
"Fair?" I snorted, thinking of the cell. "What kind of demons?"
Cole leaned in, his voice dropped to a whisper.
"Let’s just say he has a past that still haunts him. Loss changes a man, especially an Alpha. He’s trying to handle it."
My mind whirled with questions, wondering if it involved his family or a past relationship.
Before I could ask, Cole’s eyes glazed over as he received a mind-link.
He stood up immediately, the warmth vanishing from his face.
"Something’s come up. I have to go."
"Wait—"
He hurried out, giving me an apologetic look before the door clicked shut.
I was left alone in the silence, processing everything.
Gabriel’s past, the mysterious symbol on my skin, and a fated bond that felt incredibly dangerous, I was completely in over my head…
- Writer
