Elena's POV

I jolted awake with my heart pounding like a jackrabbit. Something felt off. I had this gut feeling that something was off. It came as a kind of nagging voice in the back of my head saying things I didn't seem to understand.

I took a few slow, deep breaths and tried to tell myself it was just a bad dream, but I still felt it. It was as if my instincts were roaring at me to awaken, to take notice.

Just as I stood from the couch, a voice called my name. Not loud, but in my voice, inside my mind. I was pulled forward, as if by an invisible string, as if something was drawing me toward it. I walked behind it, my feet in spite of themselves.

Before I knew it, I was in front of the bathroom door. My heart hammered in my chest like a blacksmith pounding metal. I raised my hand to knock but before I had the chance the door opened by itself.

Inside, I discovered Elias sweating, shaking, fighting something invisible. His breath was labored, his body coiled like an animal caught in a trap made of human skin. My heart went out to him.

What was happening?

"Elias?" I said, stepping closer. I could barely hear my voice over the sound of my own heartbeat.

His eyes opened and they were black as the void. That sent a chill down my spine like a cold wind on a winter's night. And when he spoke, he spoke in someone else’s voice.

"You shouldn't be here."

I literally shook my head, not backing down. "What's going on, Elias?" My voice was steady, but my hands trembled like leaves.

His body tensed further and he growled. The bond between us, the mate bond, crackled with tension, so thick it nearly suffocated me. I could sense that he was fighting himself.

But as undeniable was the way his body edged toward me. He took a step forward, and his eyes locked into mine. Such a jolt of electricity struck me like a lightning bolt on a stormy night.

But before he could say anything else, Marcus flew into the room. "Elias, what's going on?" His voice was filled with concern, yet I could detect a sense of something deeper underneath.

Elias’s eyes were a flicker of color, then cleared again and he stepped back, his chest heaving. "Nothing, Marcus. Just...nothing."

Marcus's eyes narrowed. "You're not okay, Elias."

But before he could pry any further, Elias waved him away. "I'm fine. Just leave me alone."

Marcus paused, then nodded. "Okay, but if you need me…"

"I won't," Elias cut him off. His voice was steady, but I heard an underlying note of desperation.

"Leave," he commanded. I looked around in confusion and realized he was talking to me.

"Me?" I asked.

He didn't answer and tried to stand up. I rushed to help him, but he shrugged me off.

I stepped back, and left the room. I should have stayed back, but I didn't. I noticed Marcus from the top of the stairs. He was acting shady and I was curious.

I knew something was off as Marcus left. I knew it was something, but I didn’t know what, so I followed him.

I followed Marcus, keeping out of sight. He walked me deep into the woods until we arrived at a clearing. That was when I saw him talking with a stranger.

Their voices were low, but I heard a few words. "She has to die before he remembers everything."

My heart skipped a beat. Who were they talking about? But what did they mean by "remembers everything". They whirled through my mind like a maelstrom.

Before I could listen, Marcus sensed I was there. My spine froze with a cold shiver the moment Marcus’s piercing eyes landed on me. My gut was telling me to run, and I didn’t question it for a second.

I whirled, and I ran, my heart banging against my ribs. I was running through the thick forest, branches slapping against my arms, sharp thorns ripping open my skin, breathless.

The night was thick with shadow, the towering, ancient trees blocking out most of the moonlight, encasing the world in an endless geometric darkness.

Marcus was closing up behind me. His footfalls beat against the ground like a relentless drum and he was closing the distance between us with frightening speed.

"Elena!" His voice was low, authoritative and far too near.

I dug deeper, muscles screaming, but it wasn’t enough. I could hear him breathe. It was ragged but steady, a predator playing with its quarry. Fear constricted my throat like a noose.

A sharp root snagged my foot. I stumbled, just barely catching myself before I hit the ground, and that moment of faltering cost me. Marcus lunged. His fingers grazing the back of my shirt.

"Agh!" I groaned.

Drawing upon every last bit of energy, I pulled myself onward, weaving in and out of trees, zigzagging instead of running in a straight line.

I was hellbent on losing him. Just as he was about to grab me, barely from behind there was Elias. But his face was contorted into something monstrous. His eyes had gone black again, his teeth bared.

"Leave her alone, Marcus," he rasped. His voice was low and sinister and sent a chill down my spine.

Marcus paused with his eyes widening. "Elias, what's…"

But Elias wouldn't let him finish. He flew at Marcus with his claws extended. I was horrified as the two of them fought.

I stepped back in horror as Elias grew larger. His wolf half formed but still stronger than the regular wolves. Marcus looked scared and kept backing up.

"Elias!" I yelled, but he didn't stop. He was ready to kill.

"Elias! Please, don't!" I screamed, and he glared at me.

I stumbled watching the monstrosity facing me.

Marcus stepped away, taking the advantage but when his feet touched a dry branch, Elias turned towards him, glaring his fangs as he proceeded.

"What is wrong with you?" I screamed and Elias stopped.

"It's your fault, you stupid bitch!" Marcus yelled and I froze.

"My fault?" I gasped.

"If you hadn't…" Marcus spoke, but before he could finish the words, Elias gnarled at him.