FATE'S SECOND CALL

TER

ISE TO

lt earlier lingered in her mind, but she brushed it aside, chalking it up to exhaustion and the overwhelming flood of emot

y the rejection that replayed endlessly in her mind. Damien's cold words, the har

fused to cr

ments of loneliness. Tonight, it was her escape. She hadn't brought anything with he

t scents of the pack. For the first time, the familiar aroma didn't

alled out behind h

her pulse q

otsteps crunched against the fore

na met her best fri

her voice trembling only slightly.

h unshed tears. "Don't do this. Don't let Damien's

you see how they looked at me? Like I didn't belong, like I was nothing. And maybe

othing, Elena. You're strong, and you deserve better than

s free, stepping back

Clara. You've always been there for me, but I can't do this any

ly. "Just promise me you'll stay safe. And if you

lena said, her

nt, Elena allowed herself to lean into the embrace, drawing st

d her, Elena stepped back,

" she said softl

Clara whispered, h

-

rays of dawn were painting the sky in shades of orange and gold. The town was small and quiet, with mod

louded with uncertainty. Eventually, she found herself standing in front of a dine

a soothing balm to her frayed nerves. Elena chose a seat near the corn

hed, her smile genuine. "What

replied, her voice ba

lena to her thoughts. She stared out the windo

earlier returning. It was stronger this time, more insistent. A small ga

o.

e, the faint changes she had dismissed over the past few weeks-she ha

les away from the life she had known,

s preg

bring a child into this world? How could she raise a chil

er laugh escaped her. The man who had so

ively around her stomach,

ispered. "No matter what i

had entered, his eyes narrowing as they landed on her. A dangerous glint fla