Kelly's POV
Kelly's phone rang loudly, interrupting his quiet afternoon. He quickly grabbed it, hoping it was something important. "Hello?" he answered.
"Hey, Kelly! It's Antonio," came the familiar voice on the other end.
"Is everything okay at the pack house?" Kelly asked, sensing urgency in Antonio's tone. "Yeah, I just wanted to check in," Antonio replied, trying to reassure him. Kelly felt a wave of relief wash over him. He appreciated the call and knew that communication was vital in their tight-knit community.
"That's good to hear," Kelly said with a smile. He felt reassured knowing that everything was fine at the pack house.
"Antonio, there's something I need to tell you," Kelly said, his voice steady yet anxious.
Antonio paused, sensing the weight behind Kelly's words. "What is it? You know you can share anything with me," he urged, his concern evident as he prepared for whatever news was coming next.
"I found my luna," Kelly finally revealed, his heart racing.
Antonio's eyes widened in surprise, a mixture of excitement and curiosity flooding his expression. "Really? That's amazing! Who is she?" he asked over the phone.
"Honestly, Antonio, I have no idea who she is."
"What do you mean you don't know? How do you know she is your mate?"
"I felt a connection unlike anything I've ever experienced before," Kelly explained, trying to find the right words. "It was as if my soul recognized her, even though I’ve never laid eyes on her."
Antonio paused for a moment, taking in Kelly's words. "That sounds intense," he said thoughtfully. "Are you going to try to find her?"
"I don't know if I can right now," Kelly replied, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. "I have to keep my distance from her for now."
"What do you mean, Kelly?" Antonio asked, curious about his feelings.
"Antonio, my mate, is a fifteen-year-old young woman." "Wait, did you say your mate/luna is a fifteen-year-old young woman?"
Kelly nodded slowly, his expression a mix of confusion and concern. "Yes, and it complicates everything," he admitted, running a hand through his hair as he struggled to process the gravity of the situation.
"Wait, if she's fifteen years old. How are you able to sense the mate bond from her? That only happens when your mate is eighteen years old."
Kelly sighed, the weight of his predicament settling heavily on his shoulders. "I know it doesn't make sense," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper, "but the bond is there, and it's undeniable."
"So what are you going to do? I'm going to try and be here in Ohio as much as possible. And try to stick close to her. Luckily, this project is a four- to three-year process. By the time everything is completed, she will be graduating. Then I'll take it from there as far as approaching her about her being my mate and future luna of our pack."
"That makes sense. When are you going to tell your parents that you found your mate and future luna?" Kelly then says, "I’ll tell them next week when I get back to North Carolina."
"Sounds good. See you then, man, and don't worry about the pack house. I got it covered until you get back." "Thanks, Antonio, I appreciate it," he replied. As he hung up the phone, a mixture of excitement and anxiety coursed through him. He felt a sense of anticipation knowing that one day he would be introducing his parents to his future mate and Luna.
Suddenly, the school alarm blared, jolting Kelly from his thoughts. His heart raced as he realized something was wrong; the tone was time-sensitive and unyielding. Kelly caught the scent of a rogue wolf in the school.
"Attention all students, please exit the building. Attention all students, please exit the building in an orderly fashion."
The students began to exit the classrooms, their faces reflecting a mix of confusion and concern. Kelly makes his way down the hallway and tries to locate the rogue wolf.
As he hurried through the throng of students, his instincts kicked in, guiding him toward the scent that was growing stronger. He could feel the tension in the air, a palpable sense of danger that urged him to move faster.
Eliana's POV
"Hey Sarah, what do you think about all of the changes and renovations that will be happening for our school?" "I think it's exciting, but I hope they don't take away the charm of the old building," Sarah replied, glancing around as they walked. Eliana nodded her head in agreement.
"Attention all students, please exit the building. Attention all students, please exit the building in an orderly fashion."
Eliana turned to Sarah, her brow furrowed with concern. "Do you think we are evacuating because of the renovations?" Sarah shrugged, a hint of worry in her eyes. "I'm not sure, but it feels a bit strange, doesn't it?" The loudspeaker crackled again, urging everyone to leave quickly. "I hope everything is okay," Eliana replied, feeling a knot tighten in her stomach. As they moved toward the exits, the hallways were filled with anxious chatter.
Suddenly, an unknown man grabbed her from behind, sending chills down her spine. She gasped, her heart racing as she struggled to break free. In that moment, adrenaline surged through her veins, propelling her to fight back. She twisted and turned, determined not to be a victim, while her mind raced with thoughts of escape and safety.
"Let her go!" Sarah shouted, her voice steady despite the fear gripping her. The unknown man paused, his grip faltering for just a moment. She seized the opportunity to push away, her friend's terrified eyes urging her to act. With every ounce of courage, Sarah stepped forward, ready to confront him directly. "You have no right to hurt anyone," she asserted, her determination fueling her resolve. The tension in the air thickened as the onlookers held their breath, waiting for a resolution.
Then, without warning, the unknown man shot Sarah, killing her instantly. Eliana’s scream pierced the silence, echoing her anguish and disbelief. The world around her blurred as she fell to her knees, overwhelmed by the loss.
In that moment of despair, Eliana felt a surge of anger rise within her. She vowed to honor Sarah’s memory by seeking justice, knowing that she could not let this tragedy go unanswered. "Now that issue has been taken care of. You are coming with me. Let me go, you bastard! Let me go!"
The mysterious man takes Eliana to the other side of the school.
Kelly's POV
Kelly looks around the halls, feeling the tension in the air. He senses something is off, but he can’t locate the rogue wolf. As he turns a corner, he overhears a muffled argument. “Let me go, you bastard! Let me go!” the voice cries out, sending a chill down his spine. He rushes toward the sound, heart pounding, determined to help whoever is in trouble. The mystery deepens as he spots a shadowy figure dragging someone away. With adrenaline surging, Kelly knows he can't hesitate. He must act swiftly to confront the danger lurking in the school. He then discovered that the rogue had captured his mate.
"You messed with the wrong wolf, and you're going to pay for it with your life." Then Kelly makes his way down the hallway, following the scent of the rogue and his mate.
The scent grows stronger, leading him to a dimly lit gym at the end of the corridor. Kelly's heart pounds as he prepares to confront the rogue, determination fueling his every step.
Eliana's POV
Eliana stood frozen and tied to one of the poles inside the gym, her heart racing as she faced the mysterious figure. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice trembling with anger and fear.
The figure stepped forward, revealing a face that was both familiar and unsettling. "You should know me well, Eliana," he replied, a smirk playing on his lips as shadows danced around him.
Eliana's mind raced, piecing together fragments of memories that flickered like a faulty light bulb. "No, it can't be you," she whispered, her breath hitching as the realization sank in, threatening to shatter her resolve.
"That's right, Eliana. I'm your grandfather's friend, Jeremy," he said, his voice dripping with mockery. Eliana's heart raced as the weight of his words settled in, intertwining with her fear and confusion. She struggled to comprehend his presence, grappling with the memories that surged forth like tidal waves. "What do you want from me?" she demanded, her voice trembling with anger and uncertainty.
As shadows loomed around him, Eliana felt a chill creep down her spine, the past colliding with the present. "You should know me well, Eliana," he replied, a smirk playing on his lips as the tension thickened.
"You want revenge for my grandfather leaving his wolf pack for my grandmother. Am I correct?" she accused, her heart racing. The weight of his words hung heavily in the air, thick with unspoken threats.
"That is correct. Your grandfather left our pack to be with a woman who had no wolf in her blood. Then fifteen years ago our entire pack got slaughtered by another pack, and your grandfather was nowhere to be found. He cared more about her than his pack."
Tears welled in her eyes as the betrayal sank in, igniting a fire of anger deep within her. "So, what now?" she demanded, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "Are you saying I have to pay for his choices?"
"That's right, and I know your death will make him feel the pain. Not only for what I suffered, but for what the entire pack suffered."
Her heart raced as she processed the weight of his words, the threat hanging heavy in the air. "You think taking me out will solve anything?" she shot back, defiance sparking in her gaze. "You underestimate the strength of bonds formed through loyalty and love."
"Well, you won't live long enough to see what happens!" Jeremy raised the weapon, his heart pounding with a mix of rage and fear. Just as he was about to pull the trigger, a voice echoed from the shadows, commanding him to stop. "Wait!" the stranger shouted, stepping into the dim light. "Don't even think about laying a single hand on my mate."
Kelly stood tall, exuding confidence with a strong posture that captured attention. His piercing gaze reflected both determination and compassion, making it difficult to look away. He had a rugged charm, with tousled hair that framed his face perfectly, hinting at a carefree spirit. A well-defined jawline and slight stubble added to his masculine appeal, resulting in a lasting impression.
His attire was casual yet stylish, combining comfort with a hint of edginess that suited his personality. Despite the tension in the air, there was an undeniable warmth in his presence, suggesting loyalty and strength. As he stepped into the light, the aura of protection enveloped him, ready to defend those he cared for without hesitation.
"Who are you, and what do you mean by saying she's your mate? She is only fifteen years old. My name is Kelly Vanderbilt, and I am the alpha of the Blue Luna pack in North Carolina. And that woman right there is my destined mate given to me by the moon goddess. So I suggest you step away from her right now."
"Well, then, alpha Kelly. If you want to get her away from me before I kill her." A tense silence settled over the clearing as Kelly's eyes narrowed, his protective instincts flaring. "You won't lay a finger on her," he warned, stepping forward with an air of authority that demanded respect.
Jeremy and Kelly prepared to transform into their wolf forms and begin their fight against each other.