Without a Wolf

7

"What wolf?" I played dumb, even though I knew that she had already found out that my wolf was gone. But, still - the less they knew about me, the better.

"I have not seen this in many ages, and I have been around for many ages longer than that," she told me, and her voice was low as she spoke. It was barely above a whisper, yet I found myself hearing her with no problems.

I thought over her words. She's been around for many ages longer than that? I guess she looks pretty good for her age, then.

I didn't want to answer her. I didn't want to think about the way my wolf had abandoned me. I didn't want to explain why she did, either. Actually, it was more like I couldn't talk about why she had left. I couldn't let them know who I really was. The danger was too great.

I could feel Selene's gaze boring into me, her eyes seeming to see through every one of my thoughts and emotions. It was unnerving, to say the least.

"Where is your wolf?" Selene repeated her question, her voice taking a tone that was similar to an Alphas, commanding and almost impossible to disobey. Though, just like Emeric's Alpha tone, her order didn't work on me.

But as much as I wanted to resist her probing, I knew that I couldn't keep up the charade forever. Sooner or later, I would have to face the truth - not just about my missing wolf, but about myself as well.

"I don't know where my wolf is," I finally admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "She's gone, and I don't know why."

Selene's expression softened, and I could see a hint of compassion in her eyes. "I'm sorry, my child," she said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I can see that this is causing you great pain."

I felt a surge of emotion well up inside of me, and I had to fight to keep my composure. Selene may have been a powerful being, but she was also a kind one. And in that moment, I knew that I could trust her - at least, to a certain extent.

"She left me," I told the old woman, trying to disguise the emotion in my voice.

"I see," she muttered, her eyes once again sweeping over my body. She looked equally fascinated and worried by the idea that I was basically human now.

She looked at me as though she could read my mind, like she could see inside my mind. I looked away, as if hiding my eyes from her would erase this feeling.

"You don't want to be here?" She asked me, seemingly plucking the thought from my mind. Or, perhaps I was just transparent.

"Your Alpha didn't exactly ask when he brought me here," I told her, sighing. "I understand things have changed, I understand things are dangerous now. But I still feel like a prisoner, I've been in this room for days."

"Prisoner?" She asked me, scoffing the word. "You are no prisoner. The Alpha brought you here because you are his mate, and you were injured. He panicked as he watched you bleed. He waited, expecting for your wolf to heal you. When it became clear that you were not healing, he brought you here so I could heal you, where it was discovered that you are without a wolf," she explained, her voice monotone.

I didn't answer, I only stared back at her.

"You have experienced great pain, my child," she muttered again in that low tone, staring into my eyes. Her eyes were peculiar and I found myself holding her gaze. Her eyes betrayed her old age far more than the skin on her body did. At first glance they looked to be dark blue, but when the light shined on them, I realized they were actually violet.

"Haven't we all?" I muttered back, breaking our line of sight. I became annoyed, clenching my jaw tight. She knew nothing of my pain. This lady knew nothing about me.