A Bastard's Allure-Chapter 127: Hello, El

Elena was cradled by the wall when something stirred around her neck. It was an itch at first, but it grew into a desire for something she had no comprehension of. She could feel the blood rush to the mark on her neck, the urge to be bitten suddenly taking the hold of her.

Restless, she stood up and started pacing back and forth. This feeling... It was strange yet calming at the same time. The only person she had in mind was Gabriel. His scent never felt so strong!

’I need to get out of here,’ she thought, tightening the grip around her hair. She had never been this impatient her entire life. But one thing she was certain of, she needed Gabriel now more than ever.

But this place... There was no exit! She searched around for the umpteenth time to no avail.

’...a prison of your own making...’

The words echoed in her mind. If this was a prison of her own making, then it meant she was trapped within her own mind. But how would she escape from herself?

She leaned on the same corner she’d been using before she softly closed her eyes.

*****

Elena stood on the edge of a cliff, the cold wind blowing against her flawless face. Below, the trees formed a beautiful canopy that stretched as far as the eye could see.

Her heart raced when she felt a light touch from behind before feminine arms encircled her from behind.

"Beautiful, isn’t it?" She heard a voice ask.

Turning around, she came to face the person she least expected.

"M-Mother?" She asked, her voice laced in disbelief.

The woman smiled at her sweetly, her blue eyes locking with hers. Was this another one of her dreams, or was it just another reverie?

"Why are you looking at me like it’s the first time you’ve seen me? Come along love. We don’t want to keep your father waiting," she said. Before Elena could say anything, her mother grabbed her by her hand and led her into a barn not too far from the cliff.

The interior was simple yet elegant in it’s own way. A fire burned low in the hearth before a young man walked from the other room with a deer stranded in his shoulders.

He placed it on the chop table and tied his messy hair to reveal his face.

"Rian?" Elena whispered, afraid he’d disappear if she called out loud.

But he heard her the first time. His lips curved into a smile before he walked towards her with measured steps.

"You should get married soon before I make you one of my mistresses," he said, a smirk curved on his thin lips.

"Rian!" Their mother called him out, and that was enough to know he was being reprimanded.

"The prince will be coming soon to ask for her hand in marriage," her mother said, gently squeezing Elena’s shoulders.

"A prince?" Elena asked. "Gabriel?" She turned towards her mother, her orbs lighting up in enthusiasm.

Andrian and his mother exchanged confused glances. "Who’s Gabriel?" Andrian asked, taking a bite of an apple.

"The prince of Eldoria," she stated the obvious.

"I never knew you could be more dumber," Andrian remarked. He looked at the other side, his eyes rolled in annoyance.

"Darling, everyone knows the vampire prince died years ago in the great war of the Ashen Accord." Her mother explained, gently stroking her hair.

Elena looked around. This didn’t feel right. Everything didn’t feel right here. The pain burned again against her neck.

"Are you alright, dear?" Her mother asked.

Elena’s eyes found hers. She was looking back at her with genuine concern in her eyes. All this gentleness, she was not used to it.

The door swung open at the same time to reveal a man in his late fifties standing by the doorway. He had a knife in his hand but a smile laden on his face.

Her mother moved from her side and approached him before planting a kiss on his cheek.

"I trust your hunt was good," she said.

"Your son is outrunning me nowadays," he commented, stealing a glance at Andrian.

And stepping inside, he said, "Hello, El."

The words echoed in her mind like a distant call, and with it came the memories of her childhood. Her father used to call her little El, kissing her goodnight and reading her bedtime stories. And now, he was right in front of her, in the flesh.

Overcame by her emotions, Elena walked the remaining distance and embraced him tightly. He was solid flesh, so good to be true. She could feel his tout muscles as he stroked her hair.

"You and your surprise hugs," he said, a chuckle escaping his lips.

"I have to venison out of this," he said pointing at the dear lying on the table. Elena let go of him. Her eyes swept across the room, a smile curving on her lips. Everyone she loved was here and happy.

But why did it feel as if she was missing something...or someone. The pulsation came again making her mark hurt. She scratched her neck but it only grew stronger.

"I could use a hand," Her mother said. She was chopping vegetables on a board. And her smile, how could Elena refuse her? The pulsating somehow disappeared for a moment as she helped her mother.

"The prince you were talking about," she started while sorting the vegetables, "who is he?"

Her mother smiled before turning to look at her. "He’s the most dashing young man I’ve ever met as you’ll find out. His name is Brandon," she informed.

The mark pulsated at the mention of the name, making Elena to drop a knife. The edge hit her toe creating a wound.

"You should be more careful," her mother said, already inspecting the wound. She pulled a drawer just nearby and took out a clothing that she used to wrap the wound until the bleeding stopped.

"We’ll have to clean this," she said, looking at Elena from her kneeling position. Her teeth were pearl white, she realized. Her face was spotless, almost near perfection. And just as she was about to thank her, she saw it: a mark on her neck!