Chapter One
Eliana's POV
Eliana says, "I can't believe the Bengals lost again. How many games does that make, Scottie?" Scottie sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "That’s five in a row now. It’s getting hard to watch them struggle like this."
Eliana glanced away, her heart heavy with disappointment. "I just hope they can turn it around before the season ends," she replied, her voice tinged with concern.
Scottie nodded, his expression mirroring her worry. "Yeah, it would be nice to see them regain their momentum and finish strong; otherwise, it's going to be a long off-season for them."
As Scottie and Eliana made their way to the car, she laughed at Scottie's comment. Eliana then turned to Scottie and asked, "Where did we park the car?" Her eyes scanned the lot, hoping to spot it quickly. Scottie shrugged, a hint of amusement on his face. "I think it's over by that blue sedan, but I could be wrong."
They both chuckled as they walked, their earlier conversation fading into the background. The anticipation of finding the car momentarily lifted their spirits. "I always forget where we park," Eliana admitted with a playful smile. "Next time, we should take a picture of the spot!"
Scottie nodded in agreement, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Or we could just paint a giant arrow on the ground to lead us back," he joked, gesturing dramatically as they approached the blue sedan.
The sounds of an incoming car drove towards them, having no intent on stopping. As they reached the sedan, Eliana glanced back, her expression shifting to one of concern. "Maybe we should hurry; it looks like that driver isn't paying attention," she warned, quickening her pace. Scottie chuckled nervously, quickening his steps beside her, both eager to escape the potential chaos.
Then Scottie realized the incoming car was aimed at them. That's when he realized he had to push his cousin out of the way before she got hit. Without a second thought, he lunged forward, shoving Eliana to the side just as the vehicle swerved dangerously close. Then, without warning, it hit Scottie head-on, and he died instantly from the hit.
Eliana screamed in horror, her heart racing as she rushed to his side, desperate to comprehend the unimaginable. The world around her blurred as she dialed for help, her hands shaking uncontrollably, wishing she could turn back time and change the course of that tragic moment.
Eliana felt excruciating pain coursing through her entire body. That's when she realized something was changing in her body, and she didn't know what. Until her wolf, who lives inside her head, told her what's going on.
Jupiter whispered soothing words, assuring her everything was going to be alright. Eliana took a deep breath, trying to focus on his calming presence amidst the chaos. She felt a flicker of hope, knowing she wasn't alone in this moment of uncertainty.
Eliana's eyes turned a deep emerald green. That's when Eliana realized that she had become a full wolf. Eliana closed her eyes and asked Jupiter, "What just happened?" The wolf inside her head responded with a gentle growl, guiding her through the sudden transformation. "You've embraced your true self," she assured her, her voice steady and warm. "This is a part of you that has always existed, waiting to be set free."
Eliana felt a surge of power coursing through her veins, mingling with the uncertainty still lingering in her mind. "But why now?" she questioned, her heart racing with both excitement and fear. "The time has come for you to awaken; trust the process," Jupiter urged. As she opened her eyes, the world appeared brighter and more vivid, and she felt an undeniable connection to the wild. Eliana smiled, ready to embrace her new reality.
Suddenly, without warning, a shadowy figure approached from behind, and before she could react, darkness enveloped her. The last thing she heard was a muffled voice, and then everything faded away.
Then the unknown person grabs Scottie's dead body and puts it inside their vehicle. The unknown person then drove away without a second thought.
Eliana slowly opened her eyes, blinking against the bright hospital lights. She felt disoriented, the vivid memories of her last moments still fresh in her mind. As she tried to sit up, a wave of pain coursed through her, which made her gasp. The beeping machines around her seemed to echo her confusion, amplifying her fears. "What happened?" she thought, searching for answers in the sterile room.
Just then, a nurse entered, offering a reassuring smile as she checked Eliana's vitals. Eliana's heart raced as fragments of the past began to surface, including the shadowy figure and Scottie's lifeless body. Would she ever find out who that person was and why it all happened?
Just then, Eliana’s parents walked into the room, their faces filled with concern and relief. They rushed to her side, eager to comfort her and provide the support she desperately needed.
"Eliana, thank goodness you woke up," says her mother with a concerned tone. Then her father says, "Eliana, are you alright?"
Eliana nodded slowly, still processing the chaos that had unfolded. "I... I don't know what happened," she whispered, glancing back at the haunting image in her mind, unsure if she would ever truly escape it.
As the warmth of her parents' presence enveloped her, she felt a flicker of strength igniting within. "We’re here for you," her mother reassured, squeezing her hand gently, while Eliana took a deep breath, determined to confront the shadows that lingered in her memory.
Eliana's heart raced as she processed the chaos that had unfolded. "Mom, is Scottie alive?" she asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty. "We don't know, honey. "What do you mean you don't know? Honey, by the time anybody found you. Your cousin's body was nowhere to be found," her mother says with a concerned tone.
Eliana felt a wave of panic wash over her, the implications of her mother’s words crashing over her like a tidal wave. "But we have to search for him," she insisted, her resolve hardening as she imagined the possibility of Scottie still being out there, waiting for someone to find him.
"Honey, the chances of Scottie being alive are very slim," says her father with a serious tone. Eliana then says, "What do you mean? I don't understand." "Eliana, there was a big pool of blood at the scene. The chances of anyone surviving that kind of trauma are very slim," her father said with a hand on Eliana's shoulder.
Tears welled in Eliana's eyes as she absorbed her father's words. "But we have to keep looking," she insisted, her voice trembling with determination. "What if there's still hope?" Her father sighed deeply, the weight of her words hanging in the air. "Hope is important, but we must also prepare ourselves for the possibility that we may not find what we are searching for," he replied softly, trying to balance her optimism with the harsh reality they faced.
Eliana's heart raced at the thought of giving up. "I understand, but I can't let go of the idea that Scottie might still be out there."
Then her parents gave her a big comforting hug. Then she heard her wolf Jupiter inside her head say, "We will find him, Eliana, and I will be here with you every step of the way." With renewed determination, Eliana nodded, feeling the warmth of her parents' embrace and the strength of Jupiter's presence. She took a deep breath, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, fueled by hope and the unwavering bond with her loyal companion.
The unknown man outside the hospital room watched intently, a shadow of evil intent crossing his face. Eliana couldn't escape the sensation that their paths intertwined in ways she couldn't fully comprehend.
