Chapter 69

Killian:

I watched as Eleanor sat by herself as Liana got up from beside her.

Her heart raced against her ribcage and she clenched and unclenched her fist three times as Liana walked past me toward Natasha, who looked like she saw a ghost as her mother approached her.

She looked down at her lap for a few seconds, shaking her leg as she clearly got lost in her thoughts before deciding to approach her. I walked toward her, careful not to trigger or stir her more than she already was. The pain that I saw and read in her eyes was not one that I would lie about; however, unless she wanted to and was ready, I wasn’t going to mention it.

“I am fine, Killian,” she said, not looking at me. I took a deep breath, debating, calculating my words, knowing that too many emotions were coursing through her right now, and the last thing that I wanted was for her to shut me down.

“I never said that you weren’t.” I said, sitting beside her, making sure to let her know that I wasn’t going to force her into something that she didn’t want.

It was something that I learned about her in the short period of time that I’ve known her, and though I knew that any other Alpha could force her into answering his questions when asked, I knew better than to make that mistake. I knew that it was something that she went through for a long time, and I didn’t want to have the same effect that others did with her. 

I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to me. She looked up at me and I kissed her, loving the gentle moment that the two of us were having together. “We will be shifting in ten minutes,”

“YOU will be shifting,” she said, and I couldn’t help but find my chest aching for her. She avoided my eyes as she spoke and it took everything in me not to hold her in my arms as I knew that she might end up thinking that I was feeling more or less sorry for her. It wasn’t something that I wanted.

I kissed her forehead, not knowing what to tell her about this situation. The last thing that I wanted to do was hurt her, but I knew that this topic alone was sensitive to her.

“You know, I think that the two of us can use a day outside the pack’s ground together,” I said, and she raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, because I am not on a run…”

“You know very well that I would be killing anyone who thinks about harming you,” I said, stopping her. “Needless to say, I was sure that Elton and his men are no longer within the city.”

“I know Elton enough to know that if he wants men within the city, then they would be here one way or the other.” She said, and I tightened my arms around him. “I just don’t want to put you or the pack in a risk that you wouldn’t have to deal with if not for me.” 

“You and I both know that I want nothing more than to kill the man. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about putting me in danger because of it.” I said, and she shook her head at me. “Tomorrow, the two of us are going to go out on a small date. You know, make memories together…”

“Killian…”

“You are my woman, Eleanor.” I said, stopping her, and she blushed. “The two of us are going to go out together, and we are going to enjoy it.” 

The two of us looked up at the sky as it darkened completely and I leaned in to kiss her. Eleanor smiled into the kiss before I rested my forehead against hers. Her eyes were fixed on mine and despite her pain, I could see that she was happy to at least be part of this by my side. Normally, he would be isolated and that was something that I no longer wanted for her.

“Have fun,” she said, and I smiled before taking a step back as I knew that my wolf would be forcing my shift. I winked at my mate who smiled before I shifted. My black wolf stood in front of her, and I couldn’t help the low purr that rumbled through me as I took slow and careful steps toward her, wanting my wolf to meet her. 

She smiled and extended her hand to my muzzle, and my heart swelled when I saw how calm she looked; however, her being calm didn’t last for long as she frowned in confusion. 

Her eyes turned into a dark shade of golden, and I took a step back, standing proud of her as she took a deep breath.

“What is…?” Her body dropped on all fours and I watched as my beauty’s clothes were ripped and sprawled on the ground around the two of us. Her heart raced against her ribcage and I watched as she stood in her wolf form.

Her eyes met mine and I couldn’t help the low purr that rumbled from my chest at the sight of her beautiful white and gray coat. 

I walked around her, my steps careful as my dominance could be felt in the distance. Her heart raced and I stood in front of her before she bent her head, submitting to me as her Alpha. I leaned in and rubbed my muzzle against hers, assuring her that she was safe. 

The pack members gathered around us, all of them submitting to both their Alpha and Luna; however, I could tell that Eleanor had her eyes on me and me alone. Nothing else mattered to her right now, and that was something that I admired. 

Her eyes met mine and I wagged my tail as she walked around me, teasing me, swaying as my beauty showed off her wolf. I purred and watched as she bent down, silently challenging me. I waited before she took off, and it wasn’t long until the two of us raced. 

Her heart raced against her chest as we both came to stop in front of one another. I walked toward her and watched as she laid down on her stomach. I laid by her side and she purred as I felt her soft fur under my nose. Her heart raced against her ribcage and I couldn’t help but relax as she curled up to lay comfortably by my side.

My heart swelled when she looked me in the eye. Her message silent, yet loud and clear.

My Luna was happy to be by my side.

My beauty has broken out of her shell…