The Spellbound Heart

Chapter 8

When I awoke Shalom wasn't beside me but I could hear the tv on downstairs I figured he got up before me and let me sleep in. It's early almost 6:30 and I'm not exactly sure what I should do. Do I go into work? Which in all honestly was the least bit of my worries but knowing everything I know now I'm not sure if I can just continue my thoughts. I checked my phone and there were two notifications one from Mrs. Ellery the other from oliver. "Wondering if your busy tonight I'd like to take you out again." The message read and I was almost compelled to curse him with a witty message but if what Alex said was true I can't risk it. "Hey, sorry I'll be working late tonight I have to help Mrs.Ellery with a new shipment of books and sorting through documents." I hit send and checked the message from Mrs.Ellery it was a voicemail. "Hey sweetie I'll be opening late today but by the time I do Rachel will be in so consider this an off day for you". I sighed with relief that I didn't have to go in today I don't think that's something I could handle on top of everything. I got dressed in some loose jogging pants and an old T-shirt and made my way down to Shalom to see what he was up to. "Good morning" I started with a smile. He was watching some sort of show on the tv when my voice brought him out of concentration. "Morning Butterfly, how'd you sleep?" He said returning a kind smile. "I don't think I've slept that good in a while" I said making my way around the couch. He stood and closed the distance between us pulling me into him and planting a soft kiss on my lips. I pulled back remembering what happened with Oliver and what Alex told me. "You might as well" Alex's voice cut into my thoughts. "Might as well what?" Shalom replied in response to her. Damn it! I have to get used to the whole him hearing her thing. "Sit down" I motioned towards the couch and braced myself for this hard truth I was about to unload on him. I held his hand and began telling him about oliver being Aziyas mate and then telling him what happens the night we went out. "What!?" His voice rumbled deep within his chest and I could tell Harlou was on the brink of taking over. I put my hand on his chest to try and calm him. "It's not like that Shalom, if I'm being honest knowing what I know now I think Aziya was behind it she may have sensed him and tried gaining control but nothing beyond that happend. I said trying to reassure him. "That's the least of my problems. He knows who you are and that sneaky fuck tried to take you from me!" He said almost shouting. "Just yesterday I found out what we are and what you are to me I doubt oliver has any idea about you as well. I know it doesn't make it any better. But im sure he was just trying to get her back after all this time. I don't think he had any malicious intent" I could tell he started to calm down a bit but I knew he was still fuming. "Listen there's something I want to ask you" I thought back to the dream I had of the little girl arguing with the man in the cottage. "Did you have a pack?" I asked. And almost as if I opened up a wound he sat back into the couch. "Not since I was a kid. It was just me and my mom im not sure what happened to my father but me and my mom joined a pack when I was around 12 she remated and we stayed there for a few years but after I shifted she packed her things and left and I haven't seen her since. I left that pack shortly after to try and look for her. Since I basically abandoned them without a word I couldn't go back they casted me out so I've been on my own ever since." So do you know anyone else like us? That could maybe help our situation?" I asked feeling defeated if there was no one who could understand us or give us any insight to what may have happened to my family then what will we do.? "You guys up for a drive?" Alex cut in before I could say anymore. "To where" Shalom replied before I could. "I may remember where we can get some help. Before the mage cast the spell on us we were living with someone from our family he was close with our father but I'm not sure if he's still there but it's the only thing we have right now." She said matter of factly. "Then I guess we're going on a road trip then" Shalom said standing to his feet and heading upstairs to get his things. "If we're doing this we might be gone for a few days, we're leaving the city and I'm not even sure if he'll still be there when we get to where we're going. It's a long shot but it's the only thing I've got right now." Alex said trying to sound hopeful. I know everything is so new right now but I'm impatient to find out more about us and what I've forgotten and what happened to my parents. I packed a small bag with a few outfits and called the library to let Mrs.Ellery know I need to take a few days off. I've barely missed a day since I started hopefully she won't give me any grief about it. I called but only got a voicemail. "Hi, This is Lily I'm sorry I'm not feeling too well I think I may be coming down with the flu so I won't be able to come in for the next few days I hope you don't mind." I hung up the phone grabbing my bag and making my way out the door behind Shalom. "I'll need to stop by my place and grab a few things. "What about your work?" I asked. I realize me and him are now mated but I still can't expect him to just abandon his life for me. I'm an artist so I don't actually have a set schedule I'll be fine and so will my clients until I return." I let out a sigh of relief and i felt a bit selfish I'd understand if he couldn't but I'm glad I won't be doing this completely alone. "Ouch!" What are you doing?" I asked Alex my head started to feel weird like the day she first made contact with me but a little painful. "It's not me!" She yelled and I immediately knew what she meant. "What's wrong?!" Shalom gripped my hands with worry in his eyes. "What's wrong with Alex?" He said pulling the car over. "I think it's Az-" before i could finish I felt myself pass out. When I did I didn't dream it was just black. I felt air as if someone left a window open "hello Lily" and unfamiliar voice called to me from the darkness. "Who's there?" I was a bit startled but a realization came to me that it might be her. "Aziya?" I questioned. "So you remember me now?" She said with a smug tone. "No I haven't gotten my memory back but Alex has told me about you. "Is that right, then she told you I don't like being locked away? And that she's selfish with you?" She exclaimed. "I don't know what you mean I just know that if your trying to take over so you can find oliver. I need to ask that you don't. I'm not sure why this has happened to us but I don't want to lose everything right now". I tried not to sound like I was begging but at this point I was beyond scared that just when I'd found out about myself it could all be taken away. "Take over? Is that what she told you? We used to take turns her and me, for whatever reason we can't occupy a space in your head at the same time...we tried once and you passed out and didn't wake up for days. But we used to all get along she'd go to sleep while I was awake and we'd do different things we were all more like sisters At one point until she figured out how to keep me locked away longer than agreed. I know I'm not your wolf but she just abandoned me. I spent months trying to get to you and she kept fighting me back. You can't trust her, if you let me take over I can keep her back and help you find out what happened to you. "Nooooo!" A loud growl escaped my mouth as I opened my eyes and I could feel the hair on my arms standing on end. "Hey!, what the hell?" I look over and shalom is now on the other side of the car, the door is open and he's kneeling beside me. I lean forward grabbing my head it feels heavy and it aches. "Lily are you ok?!" Alex voice rings inside my ears. "I'm sorry I don't know what that was but she was trying to convince you to let her out. I couldn't let that happen." She said sounding as if she was almost in tears. "Could you hear her?" I'm contemplating the trust I have in Alex after all as far as my memory goes I just met her. "Yes I could hear the both of you." She said. "Was there any truth to what she said. "What did she say". Shalom cut in impatient to know what was happening. "It was Aziya she told me not to trust Alex and to let her take over and she'd tell me everything about my family and what happened to me." I said unsure of what to do next. "She only said that to get you to let your guard down. If you had she just might've taken over completely and hurt Shalom he isn't her mate. "I'd snap her neck if she wasn't a part of you" Harlou's deep voice growled from within Shalom's chest. I looked at him and could see the worry and anger in his eyes I grabbed his face and kissed him, as I did I could feel the tension loosen in his body. "I'm fine, we're fine." Shalom said regaining control and grasping my hand. "We should go we can find somewhere to rest and figure everything out from there." He got back into the car Alex told him which direction we should head in after about 5 hours we stopped off the highway at an inn. Shalom went in to get us a room and I sat in the car. "How much of what she said was true?" I said speaking to Alex inside my head. "We we're all close once me you and her and we did used to take turns me and you decided that it wasn't fair that she had to basically sit on the back burner and not experience life it wasn't her fault what happened. But things changed once she found oliver and they mated she started acting different like she didn't want to share anymore she would hold me back and lie to you and tell you that I was asleep and agreed to let her stay so she could spend more time with Oliver which was true at first but then she wouldn't let me in. I'd scream and yell and it went on like that for about a month before you got suspicious and forced her to let me out. When you realized what she was doing we agreed to keep her away for a while until we figured out a solution to separate us so that wouldn't happen again. And she wasn't too happy about that." I didn't know what to think but I can't see Alex being that kind of person even if we've only just met.. again. "I'd never hurt her or you. I'm your wolf you can feel if I'm lying." She said. And In a way I could really tell she wasn't lying. Aziya on the other hand I couldn't tell. "Come on I got us a room." Shalom interrupted. "You guys ok?" I kind of heard... unintentionally." He said shyly. "Yea we're fine let's go." I grabbed my bag and went in. "Uhm what's this?" I said trying to hide my amusement. The room he booked was a suite a giant kind bed sat in the middle of the room with a large tv directly across and a small jacuzzi in the corner. "I figured we could both use some relaxing." He replied with a flirty tone. "Oh really? And that?" I said pointing to the mirror above the bed. "What? I can't have a little fun too?" He said jokingly. "I'm gonna go shower." I said rolling my eyes giving him a playful nudge. I tried washing the day away hoping I'd feel some relief but it only conjured up more questions I didn't have the answer to. Slipping in to a pair of black leggings and a tank top I stepped into the cool room Shalom was stretched out on the bed in just his jeans. I will say if all the things to happen I'm glad he's my mate I soaked in the image of this beautiful man-beast that lay on the bed in front of me. "Delicious." Alex purred in my head. "Oh you have no idea" Shalom replied. "You guys are terrible" I laughed. I walked over to the window it was facing the back of the inn there was nothing but nature as far as I could see but It was beautiful. "Why don't we go out there? I want you to officially meet Harlou." He said hugging me from behind and planting a soft kiss on my neck. "Oh yea" Alex replied practically jumping up and down. We went out the back door of the inn walking into the woods it was a bit dark but I could see clearly there were small fire flies dancing around the trees

Illuminating the night. We walked for what felt like 20 minutes before we came to a space between some trees. "Here should be fine. No one should be able to see us from here. " Shalom said. Removing his jeans. He stood in front of me naked and I couldn't help myself. Trailing from his face to his feet he was beautiful every single inch I smirked to myself. "Not just yet little butterfly" he said knowingly. "You ready?" He said stepping a few feet back from me. I shook my head in agreement. Then I heard the snapping of bones and Shalom dropped to the ground grunting. "Shalom!" I went to reach for him when Alex cut into my thoughts. "He's fine, just stay back since you don't remember what it looks like his first time shifting in front of you A won't be pretty" she said reassuring me. I watched as his bones popped in and out of place as his breathing got heavy and his voice became a low growl hair sprouted from his skin up his harms and back, his nails elongated into claws before paws began to form from his fingers. As I heard more bones crack he grew substantially in size. It felt like forever but after about 5 minutes everything stopped and what stood before me was a giant beast midnight colored fur and blue piercing eyes starting back at me. He took a cautious step toward me lowering his head. I reached out my hand and he nudged it with the top of his head. His fur was soft like cotton and slid through my fingers he was larger than I imagined almost towering over me on all fours. "You must have a good coat conditioner" I joked at him. He playfully nudged me in my chest forcing me back a few steps. "Easy boy" Alex called to him. "I don't know if we can" she replied. "What's he saying?" He wants us to shift too." She said "What? Can we do that" I said concerned. "We've mated already we should be able to but we've never shifted before so I'm not sure." She said sounding worried. And I couldn't blame her. He licked the side of my face and some how I felt he was trying to reassure me. "How?" I asked him. "He said let me take over. It should come naturally now that we've mated." She said. "Ok then" as I said that I felt myself drift back into my consciousness and I could tell Alex had taken over. I felt a sharp pain in my arm looking down at my hand claws began to grow were my nails were. But as fast as they grew they went back to normal. "What happened" I said. "I don't know." Alex replied trying again but it didn't work. "I'm trying I don't know what I'm doing wrong" she shouted back seemingly responding to Harlou. "Shift now!" A loud voice echoed from his mouth. As quick as he said those words I felt pain through my whole body and my feet gave way beneath us. Alex began shouting in pain as I heard the bones in my body snapping in and out of place. I could feel the fur growing from my arms and teeth elongating from my gums. "Aaahhhhh!!" Alex writhed in pain. "Stop it Alex!" I shouted feeling the pain with her but I couldn't verbalize it out loud. "I can't It won't stop!" She shouted back as the pain went through my body I felt like passing out but I held on to my conscious. Before I knew it I could feel Alex panting and the pain subsided. Looking through her eyes I could see my hands were now giant paws covered in white fur I could feel her hind legs and tail I could feel her fur it felt weighted but light at the same time. Harlou stepped forward licking her face and nudging her neck. She snapped at him nipping his face. He whimpered in response and lowered his head exposing his neck. "Asshole!" She shouted at him. After a moment she nudged his neck and he stood upright. I could feel that Alex was large but he still towered over her. "What the hell just happened?!" I snapped. "He commanded me to shift!" She spat back. "What does that mean??" I said confused. "It means he's an alpha..our alpha" she said stern. "Alpha? what is that?" I said even more confused. "We'll talk later" she said. As she said that she turned and took off running she was fast I could feel the wind cutting through her fur and it felt exhilarating I could be sure she was going every bit of 40 miles an hour. But just before I could feel pride in that fact Harlou came speeding past us leaving us behind. Alex grunted in response and picked up speed catching up to him jumping on his back knocking him to the ground he rolled from under her knocking her over and pinned her to the grown with his weight. "I don't think she's ready for that part mr" Alex chuckled at him kicking him off her with her back legs. "Ready for what?" I paused for a second before I realized. "Oh.." I said understanding. Alex snorted

and took off again she ran jumping and playing with Harlou until I could feel the exhaustion in her body. Nudging her he motioned in the direction we came and we headed back to the inn