Chapter 171: Chapter 171 Written in Red
Elara
The screech of metal against pavement cut through my dream like a knife.
I don’t know why I’m standing here, somewhere near campus, watching the twisted wreckage of a car. Shattered glass covers the pavement like deadly diamonds. I can’t make out the driver’s face through the broken windshield.
But there’s so much blood.
I jolt awake, heart pounding against my chest. My nightgown sticks to my skin, damp with cold sweat. The nightmare felt so real I can still taste the metallic fear on my tongue.
That bloody face in the car looked familiar somehow.
Outside my window, storm clouds hang low and dark, pressing down like a heavy blanket.
I wonder if this is what Dominic’s world looked like during those months after his accident. If every day felt this heavy, this impossible.
My chest tightens with pain I can’t name.
God, I want to hear his voice. I need to know how he survived those years alone, how he fought his way back from the edge.
Since we got married, I’ve never felt anything like this. This desperate, overwhelming need for him.
Before I can think twice, I’m dialing his number, calling him halfway across the country.
Three rings. Then his voice, rough with sleep.
"Elara? Everything okay?"
I pull my knees to my chest, pressing the phone against my ear like it’s a lifeline. "When are you coming home?"
A pause. Then I hear that low rumble of laughter that always makes my stomach flip. "Miss me?"
Maybe it’s because I’m still shaken, or maybe I’m just tired of lying to myself. "Yes. A little."
"Just a little?" I can practically hear him smiling. "Maybe I should travel more often. Get you to miss me properly."
"Dominic."
"Day after tomorrow. Four o’clock flight, landing at six-thirty. Dad wants us for dinner at the estate, so head there straight from work. I’ll meet you there."
He pauses. "Don’t worry about picking me up. I’ll have the driver get me."
Something rebellious flickers in my chest. "I wasn’t planning to anyway."
"Of course not. My mistake for assuming." His voice is warm with amusement. "Feel better now?"
"It’s three in the morning. Go back to sleep. Don’t you have meetings tomorrow, Mr. Workaholic?"
I settle back into my pillows, the tight knot in my chest finally loosening. "I’m hanging up now."
"Goodnight, Elara."
"Goodnight."
Author
Elara arrived at Luna Academy right on time to meet Professor Williams.
Professor Williams handed her a beautifully wrapped gift. "Elara, congratulations! I wish you both a lifetime of happiness."
"It’s nothing fancy, just a little something from your old professor."
"Thank you so much, Professor Williams."
Elara’s gratitude was genuine. The woman had been like a second mother to her.
"Don’t mention it. Though I have to say, I never saw you and Dominic coming." She glanced at her watch. "You should head out. I’ve got an etiquette class starting soon."
Elara smiled. She hadn’t seen it coming either.
As she walked out of the building, about to leave, she suddenly remembered that wall with her name on it.
Since she was already here, Elara decided to take a look.
This was Luna Academy’s famous "Wishing Wall"—an ancient stone wall where generations of female wolves carved their wishes and the names of their beloved.
But today, she wasn’t alone.
A young student crouched by the wall, carefully etching something into the stone.
She looked about eighteen, with honey-brown hair in a messy ponytail and the customized uniform that screamed rebellious teen wolf.
Elara didn’t want to interrupt, but a twig snapped under her foot. The girl spun around, golden eyes flashing with alarm.
Once she realized Elara wasn’t a threat, she relaxed. That bright energy of youth took over.
"Jesus, you scared the hell out of me! Don’t you know sneaking up on people is terrifying? My wolf almost went into defense mode!"
Elara apologized quickly.
The girl tilted her head, nose twitching as she caught Elara’s scent. "You’re not faculty, are you? Alumni?"
Elara nodded.
She jumped up excitedly. "Really? Can you tell me how you survived all those brutal etiquette classes? I can never remember which fork goes where!"
Then she frowned. "Weird though, we’ve had tons of visitors lately. People coming back to relive their glory days or something?"
"A lot of visitors?" Elara caught the detail.
"Yeah! About two weeks ago, this incredibly powerful Alpha showed up. Older guy, maybe thirties, with this commanding presence that made us all want to submit on the spot. My friends and I could barely stand upright."
Elara’s heart stopped.
"And get this. Mr. High and Mighty comes to our sacred tradition and starts claiming territory like he owns the place! Writing some woman’s name like he’s performing a religious ceremony or something!"
"What did he write?"
She pointed to bold red lettering carved deep into the stone. "Look at that dedication! Total romantic, actually. He said the original writing had faded, so he was tracing over it. We were all watching, and the focus in his eyes... like nothing else in the world mattered."
With shaking hands, Elara pulled out her phone and showed her Dominic’s photo. "Was this him?"
The girl leaned in, amber eyes widening. "Yes! That’s definitely him! That face, that ’bow down to me’ energy. No question!"
Then her jaw dropped. "Wait. Hold up. That name he carved... is that you? Oh my God, are you that Alpha’s mate?"
Elara said nothing. She just stared at the red letters through blurry eyes.
The girl watched Elara’s tears fall, panicking. "Hey, hey! Why are you crying?"
"Are you that moved? Is this like true mate bond stuff we read about in romance novels?"
Elara wiped her cheeks, voice breaking. "Thank you."
Thank you for showing me I was the only one who didn’t understand.
The girl scratched her head, looking like a confused puppy. Watching Elara hurry away, she muttered, "What is it with mated couples? They’re all so dramatic."
She turned back to the wall, then thought about Elara’s reaction. "But damn, that Alpha was hot. And so powerful... Lucky girl! I hope I find a mate like that someday."
