Chapter 38: Uncontrolled Sparks

Uncontrolled Sparks

Elena stood in the kitchen of the pack house, the smell of sautéed garlic filling the air. She had promised Alexander a nice dinner—something that felt normal in the midst of everything spiraling around them. After the intense conversations about loyalty, powers, and Lucien's ominous intentions, she craved a moment of peace.

As she stirred the bubbling pasta, her thoughts wandered. The memory of the last confrontation with Lucien loomed heavily over her. He had been so close—his eyes dark with ambition and a strange familiarity that sent chills down her spine. What did he want with her?

"Just a normal dinner," she whispered to herself, trying to shake off the tension that had settled in her shoulders.

A sudden spark of energy coursed through her, unlike anything she had felt before. It tingled at her fingertips, and she shook her hands, trying to dispel it. The last thing she needed was another display of her powers, especially after that embarrassing moment at the last pack meeting when her emotions had sent a flurry of wind through the hall, knocking over chairs.

As she continued to cook, she felt a surge of heat radiating from the stove. "Focus, Elena," she muttered, taking a deep breath. She turned to grab a pot from the shelf when a loud crack echoed through the kitchen.

"What the—?" The lights flickered violently above her, and she glanced up just in time to see a small flash of blue light leap from her fingertips, igniting the gas flame on the stove.

"Elena!" Alexander's voice broke through her panic, and she turned to see him standing in the doorway, his expression a mixture of concern and bewilderment.

"I— I didn't mean to!" she stammered, heart racing. The flame flared, but instead of panicking, Alexander stepped forward, his gaze steady.

"It's okay. Just breathe." He moved closer, his presence grounding her, but the energy in the room felt volatile, like a storm about to break.

"I can't control it," she admitted, her voice trembling. "I thought I was getting better."

Alexander reached out, taking her hand in his. The warmth of his grip seeped into her, calming the tempest inside. "We'll figure this out together. You're not alone in this."

His words wrapped around her like a protective blanket, but the fear still lingered. The memory of Lucien's face flashed in her mind, and a chill crept into her veins. What if her powers were tied to him? What if she could hurt someone she loved?

"What if I hurt you?" she whispered, her eyes searching his.

"You won't. I trust you," he said, his voice firm.

Suddenly, she felt another wave of energy, but this time, it was different—focused. As if drawn by an invisible string, a flicker of light formed between their clasped hands. She gasped, the glow illuminating the room with an ethereal blue light.

"What is that?" Alexander asked, his eyes widening.

"I don't know! It feels… powerful," she replied, the fear morphing into a strange exhilaration.

The glow intensified, and she could feel Alexander's heartbeat sync with hers, creating a rhythm that pulsed through the air. It was beautiful yet terrifying, a representation of everything she feared and desired.

"We should—" Alexander began, but the lights overhead shattered, showering them in tiny shards of glass, accompanied by a loud crash.

Elena instinctively flung her other hand out to shield them, and a barrier of shimmering energy erupted around them, absorbing the shards before they could touch the floor. "I did that!" she exclaimed, shock rippling through her.

Alexander stared at her, awe replacing the fear in his eyes. "That's incredible! You created a shield!"

"But what if I can't control it? What if it goes too far?" Her voice trembled, doubt creeping back in.

"Then we'll find a way to help you. Together," he reassured her, his voice steady. "You can't doubt yourself, Elena. Not now."

The words hung in the air, a promise and a challenge all at once. She nodded slowly, determination igniting in her chest. "Okay. I'll try."

As they stood there, enveloped in the glow of her magic, something shifted within her. She felt the connection between them deepen, intertwining their fates in ways she couldn't fully comprehend.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and a familiar figure strode in—Katherine, Alexander's beta, with her usual confident demeanor.

"Hey, I just came to check on you both. What's with the light show?" She froze in the doorway, her eyes wide.

Elena quickly released Alexander's hand, the glow dimming as she tried to suppress her powers. "I… I was just practicing," she stammered, embarrassment flooding her cheeks.

Katherine raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Practicing, huh? Looks more like you're about to start a rave."

"It's not what it looks like," Alexander interjected, stepping protectively in front of Elena. "We were—"

"You don't have to defend me," Elena interrupted, irritation bubbling up. "I'm the one who needs to learn control."

"Well, it seems like you're making progress," Katherine said, crossing her arms. "Just be careful. We can't afford any mishaps, especially with Lucien lurking around."

"I know," Elena replied, her heart heavy with the weight of that reality. "But what if he knows about my powers? What if he's coming for me?"

Katherine's expression hardened. "Then we'll protect you. Alexander's got your back, and so do I."

The three of them stood in the kitchen, the atmosphere thick with tension and unspoken fears.

"I should get back to the office," Alexander said suddenly, breaking the silence. "I've got a lot of catching up to do, and the community is starting to wonder why I've been absent."

Elena nodded, but the thought of him leaving sent a pang of anxiety through her. "What if something happens while you're gone?"

"I'll be fine. You're learning to control your powers, and I have my team watching your back. Besides," he added with a teasing smile, "I can't have you distracting me all day."

She rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips despite herself. "Just be careful. I don't want to lose you to paperwork."

"I'll be back before you know it," he promised, leaning down to press a soft kiss on her forehead, grounding her once more.

As he stepped out, Elena's heart raced with a mix of excitement and fear. She would spend the evening alone, practicing her powers and trying to understand what they meant. Would she truly be able to protect those she loved?

Katherine lingered for a moment, then sighed. "He cares about you, you know."

"I know." Elena glanced down, tracing patterns on the counter with her fingers. "But it feels like I'm a burden. He's got so much to handle already."

"You're not a burden. You're part of the pack now. And every pack needs its strengths." Katherine stepped closer, her expression softening. "Just keep practicing. You have a gift, and it could be the key to keeping Lucien at bay."

As Katherine left, Elena stared at the remnants of the shattered lights above. The anxiety settled in her chest again, heavy and persistent. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the evening ahead.

"I won't let you down, Alexander," she vowed softly. "I'll control this. For both of us."

As she focused on the cooking, the warmth of the stove providing comfort, she felt a flicker of determination. Tonight, she would take steps to harness her powers—not just for herself, but for the safety of everyone she cared about.

And perhaps, by mastering her abilities, she could find a way to reclaim her place in this world without fear of Lucien's shadow looming over her.