Saving Ellie (Lycans Book 1)

by Whitney R. B.

  My eyes widen as my fork clatters against the plate, but I quickly pick it back up, my face flushing. Is this Emma’s friend that owns the barn? It can’t be the same barn, right?

  I can sense Ash’s gaze, but I refuse to look up. Emma, not missing a beat, perks up. “Does that mean we get to see this barn you redid?”

  My heart races as I watch Ash from the corner of my eye. He sucks in a lip between his teeth then glances at me again.

  Why does he keep looking at me?

  “I don’t know. You and Tom, and now Ellie”—he nods at me—“are the only ones that know about it. I would like to keep it that way.”

  This has to be the owner of the barn where I squatted. My gaze jumps to Emma, but she’s not making any indication that she’ll spill my secret.

  “You’ll have to come by here then,” Emma says as she spears a potato.

  “I’d love that.” Ash’s gaze lands on me. “How long do you plan on staying here?”

  My lips part but I swiftly press them together again and give a shrug. Another loaded question. Does he mean here at Emma’s or Alaska in general?

  “I told her she could stay here as long as she wants,” Emma says.

  “Yes, well, I don’t want to be a burden,” I say. Nor do I want to put her in danger.

  “You wouldn’t be. I have this huge house all to myself, I’d rather you stay and keep me company.”

  I bite my lip. “I’m considering it.”

  She grins as if she’s already won and goes back to eating. Tom touches her arm, engaging her in a private conversation.

  “Where would you go if you didn’t stay with Emma?” Ash asks.

  Lifting a shoulder in a half-shrug, I stab a piece of lettuce. “Not far, but I only plan on staying here for a few months.”

  “Where do you plan on going after?”

  I put food in my mouth to stall my answer. I don’t actually know where I’ll go after. I usually figure it out the first week I move, but I’d been trapped with a wolf in a barn. Maybe Ash’s barn. “Maybe Canada. I’ve always wanted to see Niagara Falls.”

  “It’s quite beautiful.”

  “Yeah? You’ve seen it?”

  He nods. “A few times. It can get crowded, though.”

  “I love waterfalls. They are so powerful, yet beautiful.”

  His head tilts slightly as he rubs the dark stubble on his chin. “I never thought of them that way before. Have you seen a lot of waterfalls?”

  “A few.”

  “Do you travel often?” he asks.

  I hesitate. “I guess you could say I do.” If moving equals traveling.

  “Do you enjoy it?”

  My eyes fall to my plate, suddenly not very hungry anymore. I place my fork down and push the plate slightly away. What’s with the twenty questions? “I don’t mind it, I guess.” It’s a lie. I hate moving so often. Maybe if I traveled for fun it wouldn’t be so bad. But I can’t wait for the day Marcus gives up, and I can settle somewhere nice and peaceful. I shrink into myself under his intriguing gaze. “What about you?” I try not to squirm in my seat. He’s watching me too intently.

  “I enjoy it every once in a while, but it’s always nice to be home.”

  “Did you grow up here?” I ask.

  His eyes warm as he looks over at Emma and Tom. “For most of my life. There are a lot of people here I consider family.”

  “Does your family still live here as well?” Wouldn’t it be nice to live in the same town as your parents? To be able to hug them and see them or ask for help whenever. But Philadelphia is too painful for me now without them. I don’t ever want to go back.

  His smile dims. “No, my parents have passed.”

  My heart sinks. I know what that’s like all too well.

  “I’m sorry. Mine have, too.” I surprise myself by sharing.

  His eyes jump to mine, and we share a look that only two people who lost their parents could share. A familiarity grows inside of me. As if my soul knows his.

  “Have I met you before?” I ask. I doubt I could forget a face like his, but it feels like I know him.

  He averts his eyes. “No, I don’t believe so.”

  I go back to eating, resigned. “Maybe you just have one of those faces,” I mutter.

  A corner of his mouth quirks up. “Maybe.”

  Spending time with Emma, Tom, and Ash was nice, but now that I’m alone in bed, I oddly miss my wolf.

  My wolf? When did I start thinking he was mine?

  Sighing, I rub my eyes. It’s not like I should be lonely since I now have Emma to stay with. But I am. The only time I forgot about the wolf was tonight when Ash and Mr. Elric came over. But Ash’s insanely good looks and smooth voice might have been more of a distraction than Mr. Elric.

  As I get into bed, my phone buzzes with a call from Jane.

  “Hey,” I answer.

  “So you made it to my sister’s safely?”

  “I did.” I pause. “You didn’t tell her about what happened to me, right?”

  “Of course not, Ellie. It isn’t my story to tell.”

  I let out a breath of relief. “Thank you.”

  “On another note, I heard my sister offered to let you stay with her long term.”

  I guess Emma mentioned it to her. “Yeah, but don’t worry, I don’t think I’m going to.”

  “Why not?”

  “What do you mean, why not? I thought that’s why you were calling—to make sure I didn’t.”

  “Of course not. I want you to stay with her.”

  “Jane. I don’t want to put her in danger.”

  “Ellie, it isn’t likely that he’ll find you there, and it would put me at ease to know you have a roof over your head and warm food in your belly. Besides, you’re always complaining that you have to use my money for everything. Now you won’t have to, you’ll be earning your own keep.”

  I sigh. I guess Emma also told her about the job offer. “Well, if you’re sure. But if there’s any sign of trouble, I’m gone.”

  “Of course. But you’ll be fine, and so will my sister.”

  After we hang up, I get up and go to the window, pushing the curtains aside. I pull the blinds up and look up at the sky. It’s a full moon tonight, lighting the landscape in front of me.

  My eyes drag down as I notice movements in the woods near the house. Fear strikes me. Are there bears here? I wish I knew more about Alaska. Apparently, I need to be educated on the wildlife here since I came across an abnormally large wolf and don’t know if bears are even native here.

  I place my hand on the cold glass and try to get a better look. The longer I stare at the large creature, the less scared I am and the more I realize how sleek it looks—almost familiar.

  Could it be?

  But just as quick, it’s gone. I close the curtains and get ready for bed.

  I toss and turn all night. It’s only the second night without my wolf and already the nightmares are back in full force. I miss him. I didn’t realize how much comfort he brought me until now. And I don’t know what to do about it. Trying to find him isn’t really an option.

  I walk into the kitchen and find Emma in front of the stove. “Morning,” I say. “Would you like some help?”

  She looks over her shoulder and smiles. “Good morning. I’m fine, but I hope you don’t mind having eggs and toast again.”

  I sit down at the table. “I don’t. I’m happy with whatever.”

  Emma dishes out two plates, then places mine in front of me before sitting down. She takes a bite of her eggs. “What did you think of Tom and Ash?”

  “They’re nice,” I say before biting into my toast.

  “You and Ash seemed to have gotten along well. He’s a nice guy.”

  I nod, trying to keep my emotions down. I don’t want her to get her hopes up. We simply had a nice conversation where I didn’t feel too socially awkward for once. “You and Tom seem close.”

  Her cheeks darken. “We’ve known each ot
her for a long time.”

  I pause and stare at her. She likes him. I didn’t ring check him last night to see if he is married or not. “Are you two together?”

  Her fork clatters on her plate. She fumbles with it as she picks it back up. “We’re not.”

  “Is he seeing anyone?”

  Her eyes jump to mine. “Are you interested?”

  A laugh bursts out of me. “No. Geez, he’s like twice my age, Emma.”

  “Right. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  “So…?”

  “He’s single, I believe.”

  “And?”

  “And what? You’re quite nosy all of a sudden.”

  I frown. I am, aren’t I? “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”

  She sighs, waving a hand dismissively. “It’s fine. I do like him, but it could never happen.”

  “Why is that?”

  “He’s not interested. He thinks of me only as a friend.”

  My brows jump at that. He didn’t seem like he only liked her as a friend at dinner last night. Friends don’t normally touch their friends as often as he touched her. Although, who am I to say? I haven’t ever had a boyfriend, and my closest friend is Jane—who I've only seen in person once—which was only for a few months right after I escaped.

  I mean…there was Will…but nothing ever happened.

  “Anyway, have you thought about my offer to stay?” she asks.

  I nod. “I talked to Jane last night.” I give her a pointed look to which she grins. “She convinced me to stay.”

  As if it was possible, her face lights up more. “I’m so glad.”

  “Is the offer to work for you still good?” I don’t want to live here without earning it.

  “Of course. We can start today if you’d like.”

  I nod. “I’d like that a lot.”

  I’m just finishing putting my now-clean clothes away when there’s a knock on my open door. “You ready?” Emma asks.

  “Yep.” I close the dresser and follow her down the hall.

  We enter a study that’s just off the kitchen. Inside, there’s a bunch of boxes that dot the ground leading to a desk with a computer in the corner. One of the walls of the office is floor-to-ceiling shelves full of books.

  “Go ahead and sit.” She gestures to a blue loveseat that sits beside the desk and against the wall under the only window. She hands me an already open box. “Go ahead and take out whatever is in there. We’ll test and review this product first.”

  “Alright.” I open the flaps and pull out another box with a picture of over-the-ear headphones. I find a note with it asking for us to test the sound in both ears and how well they cancel outside noise. I hand them both to Emma.

  She explains how it works. We each will test products then review them, but for today we’ll do them together so I can get the hang of it.

  After we finish testing them for what they ask, Emma opens a document on her computer and starts typing.

  “Now I’ll write our review in this document and rate it compared to others in the market, then we get to keep the product. Do you have a laptop?”

  I shake my head.

  “We’ll have to take turns then, once we each have our own products. I only have one computer.”

  I place the headphones back into the box and set it on the ground. Emma is silent as she types. I think back on what I saw last night outside my window. It couldn’t have been my wolf. It had to be a bear. Right?

  “Emma, are there bears here?” I ask.

  Emma pauses her typing and looks up from her computer. “Yes, but they’re probably hibernating by now.”

  “So, it isn’t likely to see one nearby?”

  “No, at least not this year with the snowfall having started early. Other years, if it’s still warm in October, they could be hanging around. Why?”

  “I was just wondering.” I know without a doubt now that it wasn’t a bear I saw last night, but my wolf. And the thought sends a little thrill inside of me.

  It’s been a week since I told Emma I’d stay. I haven’t seen my wolf or Ash again, but Tom has stopped by at least twice to see Emma. My nightmares have refused to leave, which means more sleepless nights.

  I sip my hot chocolate. Chatting over hot chocolate has become our daily thing after we work.

  Emma clears her throat and sets her mug down on the table. My brows knit together; she seems nervous. She blushes while looking into her drink. “I’m going to be going out tonight.”

  I tilt my head, waiting for her to finish.

  “Mr. Elric asked me on a date.”

  I smile. “That’s great.” I thought I saw something going on between them at dinner last week. I pause. “Shouldn’t you be calling him by his first name?”

  “Uh, yes.” She lightly laughs. “Tom asked me on a date.” She glances up.

  I grin. “What are the plans?” I take a few sips of my delicious drink.

  I watch Emma follow the rim of the mug with her finger. She deserves to be with someone and not alone in an empty house. They both do.

  “We’re going to the next town over for dinner and bowling.”

  “That sounds fun.”

  She nods with a smile and clears her throat. “I haven’t been on a date in a long time.” She pauses. “But you’re young and have probably been on plenty of dates. So, I was wondering if you could help me pick out an outfit. It’s all I have left.”

  I drink the remainder of my hot chocolate, and I look at her. I did notice earlier that her hair and makeup were more done up than usual. “I’m not sure how much help I’ll be, but I’ll try.”

  I’m not going to admit to her that I’m twenty and have never been on a date.

  She beams. “Thank you.” She stands, and I follow her up the stairs. I trail my hand along the wooden banister as I note the pictures of her and her late husband placed on her beige walls. Does she feel strange going on a date with someone that isn’t her husband even though he’s gone?

  We walk through her master bedroom and into her walk-in closet.

  “So, bowling,” I say. “You’ll probably want to wear something cute and comfy.”

  She nods in agreement, and we browse through her closet together. I find an emerald green, long-sleeve blouse that matches the dark-washed skinny jeans she picked out.

  “I’ll just wait in your room while you try them on.”

  I walk out of her closet, closing the door behind me. I plop myself at the end of her bed, my feet dangling off.

  A smile grows on my face. I’m helping a friend pick out clothes for a date. It feels good to be normal for once.

  She walks out in the outfit, holding a pair of black knee-high boots. “Would these boots work well?”

  I nod. “You look great.”

  She smiles shyly. “Thanks.” She perks up when we hear the doorbell. “That must be him.” She quickly puts on her boots before we head downstairs. I peer over her shoulder as she answers the door, but it’s not just Tom who is at the door, but also Ash. “Ash, I wasn’t expecting you.”

  “Tom told me he had a date with you. I thought I’d come and keep Ellie company while you’re away. I hope that’s all right.”

  A sly grin appears on Emma’s face and a mischievous gleam enters her eyes as she looks back at me. “I’m sure she’d just love your company, Ash. Come on in.” I hope my blush isn't noticeable.

  Ash comes in holding a pizza box in one hand and a grocery bag in the other.

  “Well, you two kids behave while the adults go out.” She winks. I don’t even get a glimpse of Tom before she closes the door.

  Ash holds up the pizza box. “I’ll take this to the kitchen.” I follow him down the hall and into the kitchen. He sets down the pizza on the counter. “I brought a few movies and some snacks.” He offers me the bag. I open it and peer inside.

  I hold my breath as giddiness bubbles up. Setting the bag down on the counter, I dig through it. I see every kind of candy
you could think of: sour candies, a mix of chocolates, sweet and savory ones. There’s even more that I don’t recognize. My mouth waters. I haven’t had treats in so long, never willing to spend Jane’s money on something that wasn’t needed.

  Looking up at Ash, I find him wearing a shy smile with a hand on the back of his neck. “I may have gone overboard,” he says. “I just wasn’t sure what you liked.”

  I grab one of the candy bags that I didn’t recognize. “What’s this?”

  “Oh.” His smile grows as he takes a step toward me. “I threw in some of my Filipino candies.”

  “You’ve been to the Philippines recently?”

  “No, but I do from time to time. I’m half-Filipino.” He meets my gaze, and his light-brown skin darkens. “I keep a stash of candy from there.”

  I grin. “That’s so cool. I’ve never had candy from there before. Do you have family still there?”

  He shakes his head, and his eyes grow solemn. “No, I…I don’t. I go to remember my roots.”

  My heart breaks a little inside for him. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s alright, Ellie darling.” He lightly chucks me under the chin. His touch is brief but warm and makes my stomach flutter, this time not from anxiety.

  “Darling?” My voice comes out softer than I mean it to.

  He cocks a brow. “Yes?”

  I bite back a laugh. “I meant, you called me darling?” Do people still call each other darling? I don’t want to admit it, but I kind of love the endearing nickname.

  He grins as he turns to open the pizza box. “Ah, yes. Ellie darling. It just seemed to fit.”

  I try to hide my smile as I place the candy back in the bag.

  “So…do you mind me asking what’s your other half?” I ask, glancing at Ash beside me on the couch. Is it rude to ask that kind of question?

  “Other half?”

  I’m grateful for the dim lights as my cheeks heat. “You said you were half-Filipino.”

  “Ah, right.” Ash leans back, the light from the television lighting up his front as he casually throws an arm behind me on the couch. I try not to shiver as his fingers lightly play with the ends of my hair. “You’re probably wondering about my eyes.”