"Run.. E-Ella."

Ella woke up with a scream and bolt up. She shivered as she remembered her mother's pained face as she said her last words to her before a big silver wolf cut her life. She buried her face in her palms as another batch of tears streamed down. She jumped a bit when the door suddenly banged open and a man came rushing to her side.

"Are you fine? Are you hurting? Did someone hurt you?" he rushed and looked frantic himself, checking her body for new wounds.

Ella looked at him quizzically as he realized nothing was amiss and breathed a relieved sigh. He looked up and met her eyes and suddenly, there was a knowing spark in his aqua blue eyes.

"Do I.. know you?" she asked softly. Somehow, this man was familiar yet not. He zoned out for a moment and snapped out by another slam from the door.

"Is she awa-- Oh!" A girl with long straight beautiful blonde hair with pretty crystal blue eyes rushed in too and paused when she saw them staring at her. She cleared her throat before she carefully walked towards them.

"Hello." she greeted and smiled sweetly.

Holy Macarooni! I didn't know someone as beautiful and gorgeous as these creatures existed!

Ella thought and gaped at them.

"I'm Jenny. How are you Ella?" she asked again.

Hey! She knows my name?

"You.. You know me?" Ella squeaked. Jenny looked taken aback for a moment and looked over to the man kneeling beside Ella's bed and then back to her.

"Oh.. uhh.. Yes, I do. I knew you from school and from.. uhh.. the day of graduation, yes." she answered and looked hesitant a bit.

"I see. Anyway, why am I here? and where is this? how long was I out?" Ella asked as she roamed her eyes around the luxurious room she was in.

The room was huge, maybe larger than a hotel suite and the bed too; it was a white queen-sized four-post canopy bed. There were three doors on that room, guessing one is the bathroom, the other that will lead you to the hallway of this ridiculously large house and the other is a big walk-in  wardrobe. It had a large glass window too, one that towers her so easily, which looked more like a glass-wall than a window. She guessed even that wolf-buddy of her would fit too.

Now that I think about it, where is he? He was the one who fended me against that other wolf.

"We found you and you were out for almost a day." Jenny's answer broke her out of her thought.

"Uhhh.. If you don't mind me asking. When you found me, Did you see a big wolf with me?" Ella asked. Once again, Jenny looked over to the man who as if frozen there beside the bed before she looked back at her.

"Why would you want to know?" she asked, her voice sounding a bit unsure.

"Well, I hope he wasn't hunted. He's harmless I swear! and that wolf means so much to me even though he disappeared all of a sudden. He was my only companion." Ella said and looked down to her clasped hands.

"It's fine. If it's that wolf, I'm sure he's safe and watching over you." Jenny said and smiled lovingly. Before Ella could ask another question though, surprisingly, a knock was heard.

"Yes?" the man beside Ella finally spoke for the first time in that conversation.

"I have news regarding the rogue, Alpha." The voice said behind the door.

Rogue? What Rogue? and Alpha? Is his name 'Alpha'?

"I'll be down in a minute." was all he said before retreating footsteps were heard.

He stood up and that's when Ella noticed his built and height that was too perfect for a human. He towered Jenny easily, but the girl didn't seemed bothered by it.

Ella found him intimidating when he's standing in full height but when he rushed to her, she thought he was like a frantic little puppy. The concern and worry he had there was coming off in waves from him that you could feel it too.

"Jenny, Can you watch over her for me?" he asked.

"No worries, Bro. I will." she said and slapped him on his arm softly and urged him to keep going. He looked at Ella one last time before he pivoted towards the door and closed it softly.

Oh so they're siblings. No wonder she wasn't intimidated. And wow! he sure is a softie despite his built.

Jenny turned to Ella and sat on the edge of the bed, not taking her eyes off her. She was so beautiful, composed and almost elegant. Ella loved gazing at her features.

"I'll melt if you stare so much." Jenny joked and giggled softly. Ella blushed as she felt the embarrassment creep to her. She fidgeted on the bed as silence enveloped them.

"Do you remember what happened before you passed out?" Jenny asked after several seconds of awkward silence. Ella jolted and started to shake as scenes of that horrible night came flooding back.

"Oh.. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I am merely curious." Jenny quickly apologized and looked worried.

"I-It's fine really. I know you didn't mean any harm." Ella said and looked at her eyes.

Jenny stared back at her before she sighed and wrapped her slender tanned arms around Ella's trembling body and patted her back.

"There, There. You must have been terribly traumatized." Jenny whispered on Ella's ear.

The warmth of Jenny's body comforted Ella and also made her remember her Mother. She used to do that to Ella when she was scared. She'd always hug her and tell her she wasn't alone, that she was always there beside Ella. The memories of her sweet smile and gentle voice came flooding back to Ella and she involuntarily sobbed.

"Sssh.. It'll be fine. I know no words can take that pain in your heart away right now, but let time heal you and move on." Jenny said and started to rock their body back and forth.

"I.. I don't have anywhere to go now.. My Father left us for another woman.. I lost my Mom... I don't have any siblings.. I don't even know if I have relatives.. What am I supposed to do now.. Now that I lost my one and only family left?" Ella bawled and didn't care whether she would wet the shirt of Jenny.

The pain inside was too much for her to bear. The pain of losing the only family she had and watching her die in front of her eyes, it was too much that Ella could feel her soul breaking apart.

"Hey.. Hey, listen.. You still have a family." Jenny said and gently broke the hug to look at Ella straight into her chocolate brown eyes.

"We are. We will be your family." Jenny said and smiled sweetly.

"What?" Ella asked and hiccuped. The shock of Jenny's statement made her stop crying.

"We will be your family. You will stay here together with us. It's safe when your here." Jenny repeated.

"But.. How can you let me, a stranger, just freeload on your house? That would be quite absurd." Ella told her.

It was true though. Who in their right mind would let a stranger they just randomly picked up somewhere freeload on them? Unless they were an orphanage, that would make sense, but the room she was in didn't come close to being an orphanage at all.

"It is fine. Absurd or whatever, you are staying here. I'm sure they wouldn't mind it, actually, no one would." Jenny reasurred her and smiled.

"But still--" Jenny cut Ella when she placed her index finger on Ella's mouth to shut her up.

"Ssh.. This discussion is over. You are staying here and that's final, okay?" Jenny said with a sweet smile.

They are so kind.

Ella thought and sobbed again. Jenny instantly panicked and held her shoulders firmly.

"Wh-Why are you crying? Di-Did I say something wrong? Did I hurt you? or Are you hurt anywhere?" Jenny rushed out her questions.

"Tha-Thank you.. Thank you for your kindness." Ella said and sobbed more.

"Sheesh.. It's no big deal." Jenny said and embraced her once again.

..

.

"Alpha?" a voice snapped him back after listening to the girl's conversation upstairs.

"Ah! Yes?" He asked, a bit disoriented.

"As I said sir, we have news about the rogue that attacked the lady." The boy, who seemed to be around 16, said.

"Go ahead." he said and leaned back on the swivel chair of his study.

"The rogue was Brent, Alpha. His scent lingered on the house you said belonged to the lady."

"Brent?!" he burst and jumped up, pushed his chair back in the process as it glided across the tiled floor and hit the shelf behind it and scaring his poor subordinate.

"Why is he in MY territory?! Didn't I exiled him already? What is that mongrel doing in MY land?!" He demanded questions from the poor boy that lowered his head in submission and fear.

He slammed his fists on his table and clenched his fists so awfully tight that it wouldn't be a suprise if a bruise appears there after.

"Scour the land to the borders and double the scouts! I cannot risk the safety of MY pack on that pesky mutt!" he said.

Especially now that Ella's here. I can't risk her! I won't let anything hurt her again!

Jem added mentally.

The boy bobbed his head vigorously and dashed out of his study, wasting not a second to get away from his angered and extremely pissed off Alpha. He valued his life way too much to stay there any longer.

That cur! stepping foot on my territory again. Why did he attack Ella? Is he after her life? But why?

He deliberately thought as he plopped back to his black leather swivel chair. He closed his eyes and tapped onto his sister's mind.

*How is she?* he asks through their link.

*She cried herself to sleep. Right now she is sleeping.* a voice rang on his head.

*I see.*

*I still haven't had my explanation, bro. Is this girl what I think she is? and what about the rogue that attacked her?*

He sighed and debated on whether he should answer her question, but decided to tell her everything.

*Yes, she is. Brent is the one responsible for attacking her, as to why he attacked her, I don't know.*

He answered and a growl reverberated on his throat just thinking about how the mongrel grazed her arm.

There was silence on his head for a while that he thought Jenny had put up a block when a shrill scream suddenly went off and echoed on his head that he quickly put his block up. Luckily for him, she only squealed on their link or else she would really disturb Ella's rest.

After letting a few minutes pass by, he lowered the block again and was grateful Jenny finally stopped screaming.

*Oh Goodness! I finally have a sister!! Guys! You heard that? My Brother, your Alpha, has--* she wasn't able to finish when her brother dashed upstairs and knocked her head.

"You were about to tell the whole pack, weren't you? Don't tell them yet! I don't want to shock her with many strange faces. If possible, I want to take it slow." He said in a hushed whisper.

"Oh sorry, I was just so happy and excited that you finally found her." Jenny said and did her best job at keeping the squeal that was threatening to leak out of her mouth.

"Actually, it wasn't me that found her. She was the one who found me and I was still a pup at that time." he said and looked at the sleeping girl lovingly.

"Wait, so you've been seeing her since then? Why didn't you introduce yourself?" Jenny asked.

"She's a human for goodness sake, Jen! I can't just recklessly reveal who I am to her and end up scaring her! I would never live that day. I swear I don't know how I'd handle it if it happens." he said and held Ella's hands. She stirred from her sleep and then sobbed again.

"M..Mom.. Mom, don't.. leave me... please." she murmured in her sleep. He tightened his hold on her hands and kissed the back of it.

"I will not let him hurt you again." he murmured against her hand before planting another kiss on top of it.

"So when you were away training? How were you able to survive that? Being away from her for 2 years?!" Jenny pried.

"Yes, It hurt so bad but just a glimpse of her every weekend was enough for me that it helped me make it through."

"Did Dad know about this?"

"No he didn't. Whenever I wanted to see her, I would come up with any lie just to see her. I was quite fortunate Dad never noticed."

"I bet he did." Jenny said. This shocked him and so he turned to her.

"What do you mean?" he asks, befuddled.

"Well, when the both of you returned after 2 years, he was ridiculously giddy with happiness. I asked him what was going on but he just said that he was happy for someone, so I think he meant you." Jenny explained and smiled at him. The corners of his mouth twitched up in a suppressed smile and sighed.

"Sheesh, that Old Geezer." he said and allowed the smile to decorate his face.

"Well, I better be on my way, bro. Don't want to impose on your 'business'." she said as she air quote the word and winked at him. He just nodded in acquiescence and watched her leave the room.

He turned back to the goddess sleeping on his bed and stroked her chocolate locks that obstructed her face.

"I longed to touch you and hold you like this since the day you found me. I longed to do everything for you since then, I wanted to protect you, to take care of you, and to see you smile at me, but on the first chance I was given, I failed you. Please forgive me." He monologues and let the tears he suppressed so hard all that time flow. He didn't notice as sleep began to pull him away from the reality.

..

Ella's P.O.V

I woke up to the morning sun as it's golden light streamed in from the tall windows that was partially filtered by the partially closed natural-pleated curtain. I rolled to my side and attempted to sleep in more, but all of my sleepiness flew out of the window as the sleeping man on my bedside, who was too perfectly gorgeous to be true, greeted my vision.

I felt my heart give an extra loud thump and stared at the wonderful creation of the heavens. He had long eyelashes that curved so wonderfully, a short and straight blonde hair, and a slightly sun-kissed, tanned skin. I didn't know what came into me as I brought my other hand to stroke the man's blonde locks.

It was soft and silky and the way it felt in my fingers was so natural, like it was long meant to be like this. I continued to play with it and didn't notice the man stirring up from his sleep. He slowly opened his aqua blue orbs and stared at my chocolatey ones before a lovely smile broke into his face. I swear it was so easy to get lost in his aquamarine orbs.

"Good Morning." he greeted. I flushed and quickly drew my hands back.

"Uh.. umm.. G-Good Morning?" I greet back, my own voice wavering at the end.

"Did you have a peaceful sleep?" he asked, being careful on his words as his brows slowly creased.

"I.. Ye-Yes.." I lied softly.

I mean, I didn't want to worry anyone, especially them, who kindly let me stay here and took care of me.

I lowered my head in shame that such a man was worried about me and even slept uncomfortably just to accompany me all thru the night. A hand came down on my head and slowly stroke my hair. I looked up and only to see a sad smile on his face.

"I'm sorry." he suddenly apologized and stood up. My hand suddenly moved on their own and clutched his shirt.

He stopped dead on his tracks and whipped his head back to my direction. I, myself, am surprised why I stopped him and immediately flustered.

"Ahh.. uhhm.." I started, trying to cover up the embarrassment. He just chuckled at me before his large warm hand held my cheeks gently.

"I'll just go and get your breakfast. It won't take long. I'll be back right away." he spoke so softly as if he was talking to a very fragile animal.

With that said, he turned around again and headed for the door. He checked on me one last time before he closed the door and went downstairs.

I, on the other hand, could feel my face heating up as the scene replayed over and over again in my head with one question popping up after another.

Why did I stop him from leaving? Was I scared he would leave me and never come back? Did I feel lonely without any companion? Why does he seem so familiar? Why didn't I like it when he showed such a sad smile? Why am I comfortable with him as if I'd known for a long time? What is this indescribable fast heartbeat rate? Do I know him from some time ago?

Countless of questions without answers repeated endlessly on my poor overloaded brain. I was starting to feel a migraine sprout from overthinking so many things which I don't have an answer.

I slowly pushed myself up and whisked the blanket that covered my petite frame away and hopped off the bed. I was still in my old clothes which was a relief yet at the same time is digusting. I haven't taken a bath yet! I'm sure I stink right now!

With that bothering my mind, I casually strode to the first door my eyes spotted and slid it open. Surely enough, my guess was right, it was a walk-in wardrobe.

I closed it back softly, afraid that what I was doing was inappropriate, and travelled to the second door. I opened it and another door greeted my eyes. I poke my head out and saw that it was the corridor of the house already.

The cream tinge of the walls seemed to relax my being as the beautiful gold intricate carvings on the wooden designs that bordered the walls added to it's emperial design, which to me, was very lovely.

I glanced sideways, curious about the house pattern and found that the room was at the farthest end of that hall. I was halfway out into the corridor and maybe venture more into this house, mansion, castle, manor, or whatsoever, when I heard a soft yet heavy footsteps seemed to rush towards the room.

On reflex, I quickly closed the door as quietly as I could and dashed to the bed. I ducked under the covers and listened in to the footsteps that seemed to be getting closer and closer.

I don't know why I was doing this, maybe I just got used to it as I loved fooling Mom into thinking I was asleep and surprise her when she turns around to leave.

Mom..

At the thought of her, a fresh batch of tears burned the back of my eyelids as I tried to hold it in and not cry.

I know Mom wouldn't want to see me like this. I know if she saw me like this then she would be so heartbroken. I know that. I really do, but why won't my eyes listen to me and still shed these tears? why can't I seem to stop? Right now, all I want to do is cry my eyes out till I can't shed tears anymore.

I bawled and buried my face on the pillow as I screamed my agony out.

I have forgotten about the footstep that was heading towards the room I was in as I got drowned in my own sadness. As I muffled my screams with the pillow, I suddenly felt the pillow leave my face, no actually, to be precise, I was lifted off the pillow and was held against a warm and well-defined chest.

His hand ran up and down my back as he comforts me while whispering sweet nothings in my ears.

"Shh.. Shh Sweetie.. It's fine, I'm here now. Please stop crying." he said and rocked us back and forth.

His hand that kept on running up and down my back sends pleasurable sparks that spreads like wildfire throughout my body instantly calming me down. I know it's a bit off-topic and it really isn't the time for that, but honestly, I liked the gesture. It feels so natural.

The strong arms that encased my trembling body tightened as it kept me plastered against his chest, making me feel secured, like no harm would come my way as long as those arms won't let me go.

Snapping out of it, I found myself sitting on his lap, leaning on his chest and burying my face on his chest that made blood rush to my head, making it cease functioning for a few seconds before I leapt out of his arms and scooted to gain distance.

Oddly enough, when I did that, I suddenly felt lonely, cold and uneasy. I shook my head softly to get rid of those foreign and weird feelings and fixed myself.

"I.. I-I'm sorry." I apologized and bowed my head towards him.

I waited for his response but heard none. I seriously didn't want to look at him right now since I know my face is still red yet I risked lifting my gaze up to know why he suddenly fell silent.

There I saw him frozen, mixed emotions swirled on his beautiful pair of ocean blue orbs that messes it's natural shine. You could easily see the pain, hurt, shock and loneliness flash in them that it actually hurt me to see him like that.

I lifted my hands as they unconsciously landed on his face, jolting him out of his reverie as he stared at my eyes.

"Are you fine?" I asked softly, worry probably evident in my eyes.

"Uhh.. Yes, I am. Here, I brought you your breakfast." He quickly said and placed a little folding table loaded with a meal that was prepared for me.

"I.. I can't accept that.. You've done enough, I can't possibly bother you even more." I said and waved my hands in front of me.

"No, I insist. Please eat and get better." He said and finally a smile floated in his face, but it wasn't the same anymore. It seemed forced.

"Actually, I am better already." I said before I bowed my head again. "Thanks for taking care of me, I really am thankful for it. Whatever could I do to repay your kindness?" I asked keeping my head down.

"Please, no need to bow your head. It's really no big deal really. I only wanted to help. I don't expect anything in return." he said as he held my shoulders and made me raise my head.

"I see, but still I really am thankful to you. If not, I would have.." I trailed off, not wanting to finish it. "And sorry for being a burden to you but I must return home already." I said.

"YOU'RE NOT A BURDEN!" he suddenly snapped and raised his voice. Truthfully, I was scared as I tried to scoot back and cowered in fear. He must've noticed that I was scared and he instantly flustered.

"I.. uhh.. I-I mean, you're not a burden at all.. so.. so don't say anything like that. I didn't mind it the least bit anyway.. and wait what? you're leaving?!" He said as he rubbed his nape and snapped his head toward me as my words of farewell sank in his brain, his eyes wide and disbelieving.

"Well yes, I need to arrange for Mom's.. Mom's fu-funeral service." I said, my voice trembling at the mention of it.

"Bu-But.." he started and I turned to look at him in his eyes. He seemed really panicked about me leaving, kinda reminds me of my buddy wolf.

How is he now? And where is he?

I thought as I continued to watch him flustered and seemed to be in deep thought.

"A-Are you really sure about leaving?" he asked after a few moments of silence. I just simply nodded my head and again, the pain, loneliness and uneasiness returned on his eyes again.

"I really thank you for worrying about me but I'll be fine." I said with a smile. He turned to me, unsureness written all over his face. He zoned out again and stood up, his eyes held a faraway sight.

After a few minutes of being like that he sighed and turned again to me then to the door. A few seconds passed and the door burst open, revealing a hagard looking Jenny.

"He-" I was cut when she dashed to my bedside and caught my hands.

"Are you really leaving?" She burst before I could open my mouth to ask her what was wrong with her.

I arched my brow as to how she knew I was leaving.

Could she have eavesdropped?

"How did you know I was leaving?" I asked, staring at her straight in the eye.

"I.. uhh.." she said as she trailed off and looked over to her brother and fell silent for a bit.

"I heard.. yes.. I was.. eavesdropping.." she said and averted her eyes.

Did you really? Somehow.. I don't know.. I feel as though it wasn't the case.

I decided to push that doubt to the back of my brain and stared at the beautiful lady before me and squeezed her hands.

"I am sorry Jen, but I must return home. I need to arrange Mom a decent burial.. It's the least that I could do for her right now." I said, my voice just above a whisper, as I struggled to not cry again.

"Oh Ella.. We can prepare it together, you know? I can help you with it. There's no need to leave. Please don't leave." she pleaded, her voice quivering as tears began to well up on her eyes.

It was just a night but how did she get so attached to me with just that short time? Likewise, why does it seem so hard to leave them? why is it breaking my heart as I watched their desperate pleading look?

More queries added to my unending list of unanswered questions with no possible answers as of the moment.

I looked back and forth from crystal blue eyes to aquamarine orbs, feeling conflicted and debating with myself on which answer would be best. I sighed after a long pause and stared at them before a defeated soft smile crept to my face.

"Okay, I won't leave but I must still return home to give Mom a proper burial." I said.

They let my decision sink in before they both engulfed me in a warm hug.

"Yaaaaay~!" Jenny cheered as her arms wrapped around my neck.

"Yes!" cheered her brother who also had his arms around my waist.

"But may I ask though?" I asked and they gently broke the hug, looking at me with such happy eyes.

"Yes?" Jenny said happily.

"Why don't you want me to leave?" I asked, a bit curious. I was a stranger to them yet they expressed so much sadness when I decided to leave.

They looked to each other before they both turned to me, each wearing a happy grin.

"Because we know it'll be lonely without you." They both answered, which somehow flattered me and made me really happy.

"Oh." was all I could say as I hang my head down and let my fringes cover my red face.

"Anyway, you need to eat your breakfast now and get ready quick." Jenny said before she hopped off the bed and stalked back to the door.

"Why?" I asked her before she could leave and arched a brow.

"Because we're taking you out!" she said casually and excitedly before the doors closed and she vanished.

I turned back to the untouched food and picked the fork up to stab at the pancakes and ate a piece. It was surprisingly really good and I craved to taste more of it.

All the while he was just there, watching me eat like it was the most entertaining thing to watch. I downed my juice as I finished the meal and cleared my throat. I got his attention as he turned to me happily.

"I realized I haven't learned your name, may I ask what it is?" I asked.

"It's Jem. Jem Baskerville." he answered readily.

"I see, then my name is Ella. Ella Reeves, pleased to meet you, Jem." I said and handed my hand out with a smile.

He stared at it for a while before he took it and shook.

At the contact, sparks erupted inside my body, sending electricity course through my nerves that was gratifying in every way. I didn't want to let go of that warm large hand but if I didn't then I'm sure he'd notice me tremble from the weird pleasure the sparks gave me, which also gave me a whole bunch of hyperactive butterflies in my stomach.

I let go and averted my eyes again and it landed on the tall window that was partially closed with a thick maroon natural-pleated curtain. I brought my feet down and gaited towards it. I whisked the curtain till it was fully open and basked in the light.

Ah! The morning sun sure feels so good like always.

"Ella." Jem called me.

I don't know if it's just me but I never imagined my name could sound so beautiful. I turned around only to find a towel flying towards me and draped over my face. I quickly took it off to find a chuckling Jem.

He looks like a kid.

I thought as I watched him have his fit of laughter. When he finally seemed satisfied and stifled his chuckles, he pointed to the last door that I never got to open with a smile.

"I'm sure you want a bath. I'll just go to Jenny and see if she could lend you a dress that you can wear." He said and strode to the door.

"Uhh.. Jem?" I called his name softly, loving how perfectly nice it sounded as it rolled off my tongue.

He turned to me with a puzzled look and paused by the doorway.

"Thanks." I said and offered him my sweetest smile. I got one in return and he closed the door behind him but not before he answered.

"You are always welcome, Ella."

****

I can't believe I forgot about this story! If I hadn't checked my wattpad account, I wouldn't have remembered this story. well anyway, I hope you read this and vote :) If you have any issues or comments please do leave one, okay? it would be very much appreciated. Well, till next time~!

-Halloween Godspell