Chapter 6 : Faded Trails

ELIAS’ POV

I hunched over the scarred wooden table in the diner’s back room during my break with the faded photo clutched in my fingers. The edges curled yellowed from years tucked away in my wallet, it was the only remnant of Mom from when she left me at seven. Her smile blurred soft and her distant eyes were warm like she held some secret I never learned. I traced her face with my thumb whispering silent questions that echoed in my head.

Where are you Mom? I need you now more than ever.

It’s been a month since I ran away from Silverfang, at first I didn’t think I would make it but it seemed like fate was still very much on my side. I made it to the realms of the human and to be honest, life here has been amazing that it was in Silverfang. Nobody treated me like trash here, nobody looked down on me because I was wolf-less.

I told myself that I would never go back to them, to the people that hurt me, to the people that once destroyed me. I would never allow them to bully me, I would never allow them to make me believe that I was small and worthless just because I was an omega with no wolf. I would never allow Kai to see me as a fool again.

I was happy being here despite how painful Kai rejection still hurt me. The thought of him claiming me, accepting our bond, refusing to reject me, fucking me like there wasn’t a tomorrow only to stand on that platform the very next night and chose Seraphina like I was nothing, made me sick to my stomach.

The truth of the matter is that I didn’t run away just because I felt safe here with the humans, I came here to find my mother or to find the answers to the questions I’ve been asking myself since I was a boy.

“Elias, table four is requesting for a three cups of latte and four cookies,” Mr Harlan the diner manager called out.

“On it,” I replied as I ran inside to get the orders ready.

Mr Harlan was the man who saved me a month ago from the woods, I’d been attacked by rogues and left to die when he found me and brought me to a hospital and eventually he took me in like I was his son. When I opened up about finding my mother, Clara, he helped me by searching online at the library for any trace of her using that photo as his only lead. Despite the futile result he hadn’t given up.

I placed the tray of latte and cookies on the table as I flashed a smile to the three ladies seated at the booth, I could see the way their eyes lit up when they saw.

“Enjoy your meal,” I muttered to them with a smile.

They nodded. I didn’t wait around to hear what more they had to say.

The minute I got back to the counter, my stomach twisted suddenly and violently, pulling me from whatever thought that was running in my head. Bile rose hot in my throat as I shoved through the swinging door and bolted to the bathroom. My knees hit the tiles immediately I got in as I heaved over the toilet, my stomach clenching until nothing remained but dry retches.

Sweat beaded on my forehead, my breaths coming ragged and shallow. This marked the fourth morning in a row of weakness dragging at my limbs like weights and constant fatigue that no amount of sleep chased away. I splashed water on my face, stared at my reflection, my skin looked pale.

What the hell? This isn’t some type of sickness now, is it? Or maybe it’s stress.

I stepped out wiping my mouth on my sleeve when I saw Mr. Harlan waiting for me with his arms crossed as he leaned against the counter. His graying beard twitched, concern etching his weathered face.

"Elias, you look like death warmed over,” he started with a tease. “This is the third time this week I've seen you dash to the bathroom to puke. What's going on kid?"

I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, avoiding his steady gaze. "I don't know sir. I just feel off every morning, it’s more like morning sickness.”

He studied me as he tilted his head and narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "Your symptoms sound familiar but there’s no way it’s possible. Are you sure there’s nothing else? Maybe you ate a bad food or maybe you’ve been stressed from whatever chased you here.”

I shook my head as my throat tightened. "No, just this. It’s been like it for days now."

Mr. Harlan rubbed his chin, then nodded decisively. "Alright we're getting you checked out. I can’t have my best busboy keeling over mid-shift. Grab your coat, we're going now."

"But the lunch rush..."

"Forget it. Your health comes first. Come on."

I followed him out the back door into crisp afternoon air, snow flurries dusted the sidewalk as we climbed into his beat-up truck. We drove silently, the only sound was the sound of the radio humming low.

The drive stretched for about twenty minutes, winding through suburbs until he finally pulled up to a modest house tucked on a quiet street, with white picket fence framing the yard. There was no sign that marked it as a clinic, and this brought confusion to my mind.

"Is this a hospital, Mr. Harlan?” I asked.

He chuckled softly. "Something like that, Elias. Trust me Mrs. Elara knows her stuff. She helped me through rough patches before."

We knocked and an elderly woman opened the door, her silver hair was pulled into a bun, her blue eyes strangely glittered the second they landed on me.

She froze, her mouth parting slightly, then she murmured in a low voice. "Hail the white wolf."

My heart slammed against my ribs as shock froze me in place. White wolf? How did she know pack lore? Who is the white wolf?

I scanned her face searching for fangs or amber glow but she looked human, frail even. There was no werewolf scent lingering here in the human world where I hid from everything supernatural. It’s a month without a single shifter encounter and now this?

Panic edged in but Mr. Harlan stepped forward smiling warmly. "Elara, good to see you. This is Elias, my new hire. He’s been under the weather and I think he needs your expertise."

She nodded as her eyes lingered on me, then she gestured us inside. The living room doubled as an exam space, herbs drying on shelves, crystals glinting on windowsills, and a worn table centered under soft lamplight. Mr. Harlan pulled her aside, their voices dropping to whispers while I stood awkwardly, fidgeting with my glasses.

He gestured at me explaining the nausea, the weakness in the mornings, and her expression. Her brows shifted, shooting up as shock widened her eyes. She whispered back urgently as she placed her hand on his arm before they approached me slowly.

"Lie down on the table, young one. Let's see what's ailing you."

I hesitated, my pulse racing but complied stretching out on the padded surface staring at the ceiling fan whirring lazyly. She placed cool hands on my abdomen pressing gently as she probed with her fingers that knew exactly where to go. Energy hummed faintly under her touch like static raising hairs on my arms. Minutes ticked by silent except for her soft hums then she straightened gaze piercing mine.

"When did you last lay with a man?"

Heat flooded my face as confusion twisted my gut. "What? That doesn't make sense. Why ask that?"

"Answer truthfully. It's important."

I swallowed hard as my memory flashed to Kai's room on the night we made love. It was the only time I’d ever slept with anyone. "About a month ago."

She exhaled slowly as her eyes closed briefly then she opened them as they shone with awe. "Hail the Moon Goddess."

My breath caught sitting up fast. "What does that mean? What's wrong with me?"

She placed a steadying hand on my shoulder, her voice calm but reverent. "Nothing's wrong child. You're pregnant."

The world tilted as the words crashed, it was impossible and absurd. Me? Pregnant? How?