Elara sat down on the mattress and looked at the snacks and books. She honestly didn't feel like eating or reading. She was feeling anxious and lonely. She hated spending time alone because her thoughts wouldn't stop drifting to a certain greyish blue-eyed handsome werewolf that rejected her.

I'm so pathetic! She couldn't believe that after he rejected her she was still thinking about him and still had hopes to be with him. She was never clingy before. The only time she really really liked someone was Sean. And that seemed like a distant memory. She couldn't even remember why she liked him so much. She wondered what her mother would think if she knew she was still thinking about a boy who rejected her as his mate.

Oh mom, where are you? She looked up at the moon wishing she would see her mom again. The thought of being around her mother again made her smile, she wanted nothing more than still be able to see her and talk to her.

Elara had been staring at the moon for an hour when her phone beeped.

Nolan: Are you okay? Are you feeling anything weird?

Elara's heart skipped a beat. She quickly typed in a reply.

Elara: I'm all good, I'm in my grandpa's cellar. Nothing weird at all so far.

Seconds after sending the message she heard some noise at the cellar's door. She thought that it was probably her grandpa checking up on her, but she knew she was wrong when she felt the lock being broken. Backing up into the corner of the cell, she was glad her grandpa didn't chain her after all meaning she could defend herself.

"Grandpa?" she asked already knowing it wasn't him.

"No it's me" Nolan climbed down the stairs and smiled at her showing her his deep dimples.

"What are you doing here Nolan?" Elara was relieved it wasn't a thief or some pervert but she was still confused by Nolan's presence. He avoided her for a week and now he was all over the place.

"I was here from the start, lurking in the woods, just making sure you were okay." He looked around and touched the cell bars "Why do you have a cell in your cellar?"

"That's a good question. Apparently, Lucas Bell built it. But I have no idea why." Elara didn't show it but she was glad he was here with her.

"Who is Lucas Bell?"

"My grandpa's son."

"Your dad?"

"Nop, he lost that title the minute he left me." She shrugged and pointed to a chair "You can have a seat if you want" she didn't want him to leave.

Nolan pulled the chair close to the cell and sat on it watching her. "That's a lot of snacks you got there" he chuckled "You like M&M's?"

"Oh my god, who doesn't? I'm addicted to those things. Want some?"

"Sure," she handed him a pack and his fingers accidentally brushed over hers sending an electric current through her body as he took it. She missed that feeling, she missed his touch.

"Aren't you afraid of being here with me? I was told newly turned werewolves were strong and out of control."

"You're worried you could hurt me?" Elara nodded and Nolan smiled "You can't hurt me. You were turned by a member of my pack which makes you one of us. I'm technically your alpha, so if you turn, your wolf will be intimidated by mine and will follow my orders even if you're out of control."

Elara popped an M&M's into her mouth and held Nolan's gaze "Is that why you're here? Because you'll be able to stop me?"

"No Elara, I don't think you'll turn into a wolf. If you were, you would have been affected by the moon by now, your hearing, your sight, your strength... it would have all manifested already. If you were changing, you'd be feeling pain through your whole body and bones. And you seem perfectly fine to me."

"Why are you here then?"

"To keep you company, I didn't want you to spend the night alone. I know it brings back painful memories... I want to be here for you."

Elara averted her gaze away from his and looked up at the moon. She wished the bars between them weren't there so she could be closer to him and feel his lips on hers again. But she knew she shouldn't be thinking about that, he was probably involved with Alice now.

"Elara? Have I offended you?"

"No, you haven't." she smiled at him and got up "How long should I stay locked up until we know for sure?"

"You're not turning Elara, I'm sure of it." He got closer to the cell and extended his hand between the bars "Take my hand."

She hesitated for a few seconds before putting her hand over his, she felt tingles all over and smiled. "Will it always be like that? I mean whenever I touch you?"

"Yes, but you'll get used to them with time and won't feel them as much."

"I thought you broke the bond?"

"I did, but I think the moon Goddess didn't agree with my choice." He pulled her to him so their faces were inches apart. "All I want to do right now is be close to you. I'm not sure if it's the full moon, but I need to be near you."

Elara felt the same attraction but she couldn't let him in again. He broke her when he rejected her, and even after knowing she wasn't 'just a human' as he put it, he still rejected her. So why was he here? Why was he being so nice to her? She let go of his hand and with a wave of her right hand pushed him away from her a little without hurting him. That was a trick Laura taught her, and she could control it since it was an easy one.

Nolan looked at her confused, he tried taking a step forward but was glued to the floor.

"Elara? What are you doing?"

"I'm doing the right thing. Now if you want to be able to move again, you'll have to turn around and walk toward the exit. I'm sorry but I don't want you here right now and trust me. You don't want me mad at all. I still can't control my powers, it wouldn't be good for any of us."

"But..."

"No buts. Leave Nolan, or I'll make you leave!"

Nolan was obviously hurt and didn't want to leave. But the look in Elara's eyes showed how much she didn't want him here with her. Without saying anything else, Nolan turned around and left. Elara sunk to her knees and covered her face with her hands. She hated hurting him, she hated that she asked him to leave, but she knew she did the right thing. She couldn't let him hurt her again. He was never going to accept her as a mate, so why bother?

Lying down on the mattress, Elara kept looking at the moon until she drifted to sleep. She felt a hand on her shoulder and sat up straight with a jolt. She saw her mother looking down at her with a smile.

"I'm sorry for everything Elara,"

"Where have you been? I've been trying to reach you!"

"I know, I'm sorry, I'm here now but I can't stay long. The portal will close soon."

"What portal?" Elara hugged her mom happy she was here with her.

"I'll come and see you on your eighteenth birthday, I'll have more time and I promise I'll explain everything to you. I just had to come and check on you and make sure you didn't turn."

"I'm not turning, I feel perfectly fine."

"The sun will be up soon, so yes you're not turning. His fangs must have not sunk deep enough." She said relieved "have you told your grandpa about me?"

"No, I had a feeling you wouldn't want me to."

"That's my girl" she kissed her forehead and hugged her one more time "I love you Elara."

"I love you too mom" she whispered and watched as her mom got on her feet and touched the wall before disappearing into it.

Elara wiped her tears away and distracted herself by folding the quilt and packing the snacks and books. She called her grandpa and asked him to open the cell so she could get ready for school.

Elara was in a better mood as she walked down the halls of Pine Hill High with her friends. Not turning into a wolf was a relief, and seeing her mom was great. She left with the promise of coming back for Elara's birthday which was on Sunday, the day after prom.

"Oh no! prom! I still don't have a date!"

Laura laughed shaking her head, "who cares? Sophie doesn't either. You can go together."

"Wait, who are you going with?"

"Alex" she wiggled her eyebrows "He's so sexy! I couldn't say no to him."

"You're impossible," Elara smiled "I still have time. It's only Thursday, there's still hope."

"For what?" Sophie joined them as they walked to the cafeteria.

"Someone asking her to prom."

"Oh, I'm going with Joey" Sophie said blushing. She had been crushing over Joey for a few months now. "I asked him and he said yes."

"Good for you girl!" Elara hugged her "I'm happy you finally decided to make the first step."

They were eating their lunch talking and laughing without a care in the world when Nora and Nolan came in and sat at the table next to them. Elara did everything in her power to avoid looking at them.

"Elara, hi."

"Hi, Peter." Elara looked up at Peter Young, he was the football team's goalie, and he was pretty good. And good-looking.

"I was wondering if you'd want to go to prom with me?"

Elara thought about it for a moment, she always knew he liked her but he never really acted on it so it was a little surprising to have him ask her to Prom. Elara glanced at Nolan and saw him glaring at her. She smiled at him and turned her attention back to Peter.

"Yes, of course, I'd go with you to Prom Peter."

With that said, Peter joined them and sat with them until lunch was over. They all headed to their classes with Elara walking faster than usual. She knew Nolan was following her and she wanted to get to class before he had a chance to catch up with her. She had a feeling he wasn't pleased with her date for prom, his glare said it all. Reaching her classroom, she was about to claim victory when she felt a hand wrap around her wrist. Shit! She turned around slowly and met a pair of angry blue eyes glaring at her.

Without saying anything, Nolan dragged her away from the classroom and took her to an empty room slamming the door shut behind him.

"You are not going to prom with him Elara!"

Elara rolled her eyes and shook her head. She could feel how angry he was, she should have been scared but she wasn't. She knew Nolan wouldn't hurt her, and even if he did, she could defend herself. She could glue him to the tiled floor like she did the night before. Elara rested her right hand on her waist and raised an eyebrow at Nolan who was breathing frantically.

"Is that so? And why would I do that?"

"Because I don't want you to go with him! Or anyone else for that matter!" he snapped at her his eyes becoming a shade darker.

"You are hilarious Nolan! Why should I care about what you want or not? You rejected me, remember? You have no power over me, you can't tell me what to do! You can't control me, Nolan! You can't tell me who to date and who not to!"

Without warning Nolan pinned her to the wall breathing hard, his eyes searching hers, his hands tight around her wrists.

"I said, you're not going with him!" he let out a low growl and claimed her lips kissing her forcefully, pouring his soul out to her, and showing her how much he needed her.