New Beginning

Chapter Forty-five

*A/N: I'm back! Hello, ya'll, I know it's been ages since I've updated, and for that I am sorry. I have been busy with life and a few fics I am co-writing with another author. Just know, I will never abandon Ellie. She is a part of me. This story is so close to being finished and I have decided to make the sequel. As long as you guys still want it and intend to read it, I will write on:) I hope you like this chapter! As always, please review; let me know what ya think.*

The female anchors' lips moved silently, her animated speech left unheard on the muted TV. Although, from the way her face was pinched into a well-practiced mask of sadness, I could easily tell that whatever story was unfolding, was one surely made of sorrow. I sat comfortably in the silence, just enjoying the moment of peace. I had always been the type of person who found comfort in the silence - and time to sort through every issue. I had created a safe space there where no one could touch me. If I ever had the opportunity to see a therapist, I was sure they would tell me that it was a response to trauma. Whatever it was, I was glad for it; the escape had saved me on more than one occasion.

My fingers tapped a nervous rhythm atop my crossed legs as I stared straight ahead, eyes glued to the screen. Elena was rushing around the kitchen, helping Aunt Jenna prepare dinner; I could already smell smoke. With my eyes burning from both my stare-off with the TV and the disaster in Hell's kitchen, I turned to look at Jeremy. He'd been stuck to my side like glue ever since I returned from Wickery Bridge; it was obvious he suspected something. I couldn't blame him, the sirens were a dead giveaway.

"Why don't you order a pizza? I doubt whatever they are cooking will be edible," I said and winced slightly at the monotone sound of my voice.

Jeremy's eyes narrowed, running over my face with uncertain intensity. I forced a smile, hoping that the weak upturn of my lips would do something to assuage his worry. It didn't work. "Sure, Elara. What do you want?"

My nose wrinkled and my stomach twisted into a solid knot at the mere thought of food. Thanks, anxiety! "Um, why don't you order the regular? Get two; just in case Alaric or the Lockwoods show up."

Jeremy rolled his brown eyes and sighed heavily. "Good idea. We wouldn't want your puppy to go hungry." I looked at him with a deadpan expression and simply waited for the backpedal. It didn't take long. "Look, it's not that I don't like Mason, it's just...he's like thirty! It's creepy the way he gawks at you. He hovers around like a freaking fly, Ellie!"

I looked up at the ceiling. "There is nothing going on. He simply feels indebted to me. I helped him and his pack a while back, that's not something their kind easily forget."

There was no way I could explain to him, or the rest of my family for that matter, that I was Mason's Alpha. There simply wasn't any chance he could understand the characteristics of werewolf culture; I hardly understand them myself. Jeremy looked at me steadily before heaving himself off the couch. "Are you sure he knows there's no hope...there?" he asked, striking a line between me and the thin air.

The couch jostled, creaking beneath a sudden onset of pressure as a shadow appeared over my left shoulder. "Who's hopeless? Oh please tell me it's Salvatore!" Enzo exclaimed, elbows balanced on the back of the couch.

Jeremy looked down at the bubbly vampire and blinked slowly, then he turned to me with an unamused expression. "Yeah...him too." Enzo grinned wickedly and Jeremy rolled his eyes before he turned to stare back down at me. "Where do you find these people? I think he and Caroline might have been separated at birth. They are both equally obnoxious."

Enzo scoffed, hand placed before his mouth in abject offense. "How dare you! I-Wait..." He stopped mid-sentence to look down at me, brow cocked. "Should I be offended?"