Chapter 10 Shattered Glass and Broken Hearts

And just like that, Oliver's anger erupted, causing him to grab the nearest object, a chair, and hurl it out the window. The window shattered into a cascade of glass fragments, scattering around the room and cutting into his skin. Remarkably, the pain didn't register; the overriding sensation was an overwhelming hurt as if his heart had been forcibly ripped from his chest, only to be trampled upon before being shoved back into its place, subjected to the process anew.

Fury consumed him. His mate had left him, abruptly and without explanation. Surveying the wreckage he had inadvertently caused, the room looked as chaotic as his emotions. Amid the disarray, Valerian appeared bewildered, uncertain of how to respond to the outburst.

Walking away from the chaos, Oliver retrieved a bottle of scotch from the cabinet. Despite the early hour, he sought solace in the numbing effects of alcohol, his anger demanding an outlet.

Recee entered the room, accompanied by their other friends. Concern etched their expressions. "Do you know her name? Perhaps we can research and find some leads," Nick inquired.

"It was something like Elena Dawson or similar," Oliver responded curtly.

"Does anyone know where Manson is?" Recee queried further.

"He was at his mate's house last I spoke to him," Sky informed them.

"Any idea what she studied?" Nick directed his question at Oliver.

"Civil engineering, I think. I'm not entirely sure about the college," Oliver replied with a sense of detachment.

"Isn't Manson's mate a friend of our Luna?" Nick mused aloud.

"That's right. Why didn't I think of that earlier?" Recee remarked.

Recee initiated a call to Manson, relaying Oliver's concern and instructing him to ascertain Elena's whereabouts, especially if she wasn't with Manson's mate.

"He's not picking up his phone; I think he's still occupied with his mate," Recee reported, prompting a frustrated growl from Oliver.

"Try to mind-link him," Oliver suggested, his impatience palpable.

"I attempted, but it didn't work," Nick admitted with a tinge of disappointment.

"Keep calling him until he answers," Oliver ordered, his sense of urgency pushing him to take every possible action. With his emotions running high, he decided to step away from the situation for a while. "I'm going for a run to blow off some steam," he informed them before striding out of the pack house.

Oliver's heart pounded as he ventured deeper into the forest, the familiar sounds of the wilderness surrounding him. He had barely taken a moment to process the whirlwind departure of Elena from his house, and the intensity of his emotions demanded an outlet. Without hesitation, he allowed his instincts to take over, and his transformation into his wolf form was swift.

As a wolf, Oliver's senses sharpened, and his movements became fluid and instinctual. The forest was his sanctuary, a place where he could lose himself and let the primal side of him take control. Roy, his wolf, surged forward, racing through the underbrush, and the wind rushing past offered a fleeting respite from the chaos of his thoughts.

They ran, faster and faster, until the exertion left them utterly exhausted. Panting heavily, Roy finally came to a halt beneath the shade of a towering tree. Oliver's human consciousness resurfaced, his thoughts returning to the turmoil that had driven him into the woods in the first place.

After a period of rest and a refreshing drink from a nearby river, Oliver knew it was time to return home. He approached a carefully chosen spot where he had hidden an emergency set of clothes earlier. With the clothes in hand, he retreated behind a dense bush, the transformation from wolf to human a seamless transition.

Oliver entered his office, the weight of recent events heavy on his shoulders. As he settled into his chair, Recee, one of his trusted pack members, followed closely behind. The urgency in Recee's presence was palpable.

"I've mind-linked Mansion," Recee began, his voice carrying a note of urgency. "I explained everything about the current situation and asked him to inquire with his mate about Luna Elena." He paused for a moment, allowing the gravity of the situation to sink in. "He assured me that he'd do that and promised to inform us about Luna Elena, as soon as possible."

A wave of relief washed over Oliver at Recee's words. The prospect of reuniting with his mate, Elena, had been a source of constant worry, and now, it seemed there was hope on the horizon. He let out a long sigh, slumping further into his seat, the tension in his body finally beginning to ebb away. The prospect of being with Elena again filled him with renewed determination and a sense of longing that had never truly abated.

MeanwhileElena stirred from her slumber as the gentle hum of the aeroplane engines signalled their descent. With a yawn and a stretch, she glanced out of the window, her eyes widening in delight at the familiar sight that greeted her – the sprawling beauty of Los Angeles.

The captain's voice crackled over the intercom, announcing their impending arrival. "Ladies and gentlemen, in 20 minutes, we will be landing in Los Angeles. Please ensure your seatbelts are fastened, and switch off all electronic devices. We hope you've enjoyed your flight, and the crew wishes you a pleasant day."

Elena obediently secured her seatbelt, her anticipation building as the plane descended. As the wheels touched the ground, an unexpected weight lifted from her shoulders, one she hadn't even realized was there. She was eager to return home, to her room, and most importantly, to her family.

Grateful that it was a Friday and college wouldn't begin until Monday, she relished the thought of spending two precious days with her loved ones. Stepping out of the airport, she took in a deep breath of the familiar LA air, feeling a sense of homecoming wash over her.

Elena hailed a cab headed towards the city centre, her stomach reminding her of her need for sustenance. After booking the cab, she proceeded to collect her luggage and, with a plan forming in her mind, she carefully unpacked and repacked her bags, ensuring she had everything she'd need for her stay at her parents' house.

Once her preparations were complete, she summoned a taxi and embarked on the journey to her childhood home, eager to reunite with her family and savour every moment of the precious time ahead.