Switched Fates

Just an Apple

“You must be hungry, let's get something to eat.” He said breaking the silence.

“You’re going to let me go out and get some food?”

“I’m going to let you come with me to the dining hall”. He responded, shutting down the slight hope she had for a split second.

She followed him down the hallway and grand staircase to the main entrance and then sharp right. Elodie took this opportunity to take a good look around to see if she could see anywhere that someone might have put her lantern. But the place was so huge with so many doors and hallways, she wouldn’t know where to start.

The grand dining hall had a buffet at the end of the hall, with a vast variety of different foods. Elodie grabbed an apple and sat down at one of many tables that filled the room.

“Really just an apple. Did you come straight out of a story book?” He chuckled, taking a seat at the table, opposite her.

“Ha ha!" She said sarcastically. Being held prisoner really puts a damper on your appetite.” She glared back at him, taking a seat on the other side of the table.

“Where is everyone? Or are they all locked away in their rooms until the Alpha summons them?” Elodie jested although somewhat curious about the answer.

“I asked everyone but high-ranking officials to leave and not to enter the dining hall.”

“Ahh I see, yes I am a highly dangerous enemy about to curse and kill you all, apparently. ”As she took a bite of her apple.

“Well, are you apart of a coven?”

“You don’t believe my story” Elodie stared at him, coming to the realization that her days or hours might be numbered.

“Are you in a coven, Elodie?” He responded sternly.

“No!” Elodie huffed, she pushed her hair back from behind her ear and showed him that there was no coven mark behind it. Covens always marked their members behind the left ear with their Sigel. It unified the members and enhanced their powers as a collective.

Elodie slumped back in her chair. She didn’t want to disclose this information to them, she didn’t want them to know how vulnerable she was, and how they could now use her.

“I’m sorry” Emmerson suddenly said. “I’m sorry to integrate you like this, I do believe you, it’s just, we have never dealt with a witch before, there are so many things we don’t know, we just want to keep our pack safe.”

“ I…” He continued. “I lost both my parents, at a very young age, I never knew them. But Leon’s parents raised me as their own. They are my family, and they are good people”.

“I’m sorry about your parents” Elodie responded with sincerity. Elodie understood his life to some extent. She had never known her father either. Her mother was always there for her though. Until she disappeared.

“I just don’t understand what you could possibly want from me, Why not release me? Why not let me go?” “ I only came here to help Elara, to get her out of that place.”

“Emmerson” she pleaded.

“ Do you or your pack wish to enslave me or trade me off?”

“Never!” Emmerson roared, his eyes turning yellow.

Elodie gasped in fear, almost dropping her apple.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry I scared you” Emmerson said.

“It isn’t like Cypress to come forward like that.”

Elodie steadied her breathing. She couldn’t understand why he reacted that way. Maybe that was an insult to assume such a thing.

Emmerson broke the silence between after a moment.

“Elara wants to see you.”

“What right now? How do you know that? Isn’t she isn’t in the hospital recovering?”

“She’s awake, and her and Leon just mind linked me”.

“I’m sorry what?”

“Mind link, pack members can like talk to each other through their wolves.”

“That sounds so bizzare. So like their voice just pops into your head?”

“More like an intrusive thought comes through and you can push it out or allow it to speak.”

“Mmm hearing voices. Hey, always thought you guys were crazy.” Elodie chuckled to herself as she got up from her seat.

“Very funny” Emmerson sighed.

“The car is out front, let’s go.”

“You sure the car is out front? Maybe there actually isn’t anyone else here, and I’m just stuck with a crazy werewolf who hears voices!”

“Come on!” he groaned and grabbed her arm.

The drive to the hospital was actually a very pretty one, there was so much greenery. Trees were cloaking parts of the streets from the sunshine. The gardens and buildings were well taken care of. It was a picture-perfect little town. Well it would have been, if not for all the werewolves that lived here that could kill her in seconds.

However there was no one in the streets, it was like a ghost town. Even the driver of the car didn’t look at her.

Emmerson opened the car door for her and helped her out of the car. The sensation of his hand holding hers, was indescribable. It was so warm and almost electric. She didn’t want to let go but found herself doing just that regardless. The car sped away as soon as she was clear. The back wheels almost lifted off the ground, like it couldn't get away fast enough.

“They are all petrified aren’t they?”

“Listen, no one but the Alpha unit and the future Luna knows exactly well… what you are.”

“But you have an interesting scent, and coupled with secretive orders like clearing the pack house. Well it is natural for people to be afraid or stay clear of things they don’t understand.”

“I have an interesting scent?”

“Yeah, if I had to describe it, it’s like strawberry champagne, it’s very …. Interesting, because everyone else has a natural scent.”

“Right” was all Elodie could manage to say, this was all so bizarre to her, she just wished she could leave as quickly as possible. Maybe Elara could persuade the others to let her go.

They walked into one of the largest hospital rooms Elodie has ever seen. She suddenly became quite frightened. Almost like she was relaxed when it was just Emmerson and her. Leaning against the bed was a solid built man with black hair. He was quiet attractive, and he stared at her with a stern look and un-blinking eyes as they came into the room. Behind him, sitting on the bed, was a beautiful blonde-haired young woman with dazzling green eyes.

“Elodie!” She greeted her warmly, motioning her to come and sit with her on the bed.

“Ahh Hi, Elara right?” “How are you doing?” Elodie went to the corner of the bed. Alpha Leon did not move from his mate’s side, and continued to glare at her. Elodie was trying so hard to read the room and to understand exactly what was expected of her right now. Very mixed signals coming from both of them.

“I’m okay “she smiled.

“I’m so glad to see you! The real you!”

“I ahh what do you mean?”

“You don’t know? Mmm I guess it makes sense you wouldn’t.” Elara frowned.

“Maybe we should let them get acquainted?”, Emmerson suggested, while motioning Leon to the door.

“Leave my mate with a witch are you psychotic?!” Alpha Leon spat.

“I’ll be fine Leon, really trust me, and you can just wait outside the door if you like. I think it would make Elodie a bit more comfortable.” Elara placed her hand on Leon’s shoulder.

“Okay” he sighed and kissed her hand.

Elara smiled at him and watched them walk both out of the room and shut the door.

“Come on sit up here!” Elara patted the bed almost excitedly.

Elodie complied, so curious as to why this she-wolf, future Luna was being so warm and friendly to her. It was her spell that would have made her life hell for the last year and yet she was acting as if they had been best friends for their entire lives.

“Mmmm, you don’t trust me at all, do you?” Elara questioned.

“I guess there is much you don’t know so I am happy to fill in the gaps for you.”