Lib Novel Page 148
“I’m not an idiot, Nathan,” I say calmly. “I know you don’t like me; it’s pretty obvious. Even now, you only feel bad because my words hit the mark. Thank you for the apology, but I don’t need it. You’re not sorry for what you said to me. You’re sorry because you saw what your actions were doing to Alex. And that’s fine by me.”
His head lowers, and I begin walking away.
I may not be the best judge of character, but I do know when I’m disliked. Even now, I can tell from the way Nathan looks at me that my presence is not to his liking. He has already told me his reasons. But to me, his anger is pointless. I have no intention of standing between him and his sister’s safety. Things between Alex and me have already been decided. We are never going to be together. It just isn’t the right time for us.
When I reach the forest, I pause and say, just loudly enough for him to hear me, “I hope they rescue your sister, Nathan. Alex told me she’s your only family. I hope you get her back.”
I hear Nathan make a sound, but I don’t stick around any longer.
As I head toward the bar, I wonder what Alex was busy with. Maybe he’s doing his own research. Or maybe he’s upset with me about the other night. I have to admit that I feel a little disappointed. Was I that eager to see him?
Walking through the woods, I suddenly feel a spasm of pain in my right arm. Clutching it, I let out a quiet groan. My fingers are digging into my arm now, and I look down as the tremors continue. It’s rippling again. My skin is crawling with waves, as if something is underneath it. Out of the blue, nausea overtakes me, and I dry heave. Nothing comes out because my stomach is empty.
What is going on?
The pain is intensifying, and my wolf is howling inside my head. I can’t hear or feel anything aside from its constant, loud roar and this agonizing pain spreading through my arm. My body slumps against a tree, and I let out gasping noises as I struggle to breathe.
But it only gets worse. I can’t even look at my arm. The mere sight of it is frightening.
Slamming the back of my head against the tree, I let out a pained, animalistic sound.
What is happening?! Why won’t it stop hurting?!
“Sophia?!”
My eyes fly open, and I see Elsa standing just a few feet from me, looking shocked.
Chapter 28
Sophia Hope
Elsa rushes toward me, but I shrink away from her, shaking my head desperately. “D-Don’t! Something is happening to me. Stay back!”
My wolf is on the surface. I can feel it. Normally, there’s intelligence in the beast within me, but right now, all I feel is mindless rage. I don’t want to hurt Elsa.
But she doesn’t listen to me. She’s holding a basket in her hands; she sets it down as she covers the distance between us. “It’s going to be alright. Tell me what’s going on.”
Her voice is sharp and authoritative, and I stare at her, trying to think past the pain that is racking me. She grips my wrist and looks down at my arm. Her expression twists, and I pull my hand back, cradling it against my chest.
“Go away! Please, Elsa! My wolf is going crazy!”
Her head jerks up at my words. “Your wolf? You can feel your wolf?”
My back arches as another spasm of pain washes over me. “I—I’ve been able to feel it for a long time now.”
My voice is a breathless sob. Somebody make it stop!
She grabs my shoulders, looking furious. “Why didn’t you tell anybody?”
“Is this really the time to lecture me?” I scream at her, my face covered in sweat.
She purses her lips, but she releases her grip on me, her voice urgent. “You’re fighting it too much.”
“Fighting what?” I gasp, my claws digging into my arm.
She seems frustrated. When she speaks this time, I notice a strange buzzing in my ear. Something is preventing me from hearing her words.
“Sophia?” Elsa has a perplexed look on her face now. My vision is blurring; her hazy form turns her head as if looking at someone.