Chapter 113
Kael's POV
The silence between us felt like it had weight. Physical weight pressing down on my chest.
I stared at Elara. Her face was flushed. Her eyes wouldn't meet mine. She'd just said "it's not what you think" and then... nothing.
My wolf stirred inside me. Confused. Hurt.
I'd thought last night meant something. The way she'd looked at me. The way she'd responded to every touch. That hadn't been fake. I knew it hadn't been fake.
But now she was standing here telling me it wasn't what I thought.
What the hell was I supposed to think?
My chest felt tight. I wanted to ask her what she meant. I wanted to demand an explanation. But the words stuck in my throat because some pathetic part of me was terrified of the answer.
Maybe last night really had been nothing to her. Just... scratching an itch. Solving a problem.
The thought made my stomach turn.
I remembered helping her and Mom reconcile. The way Elara had fought for me. Told my mother all the things I'd never been able to say.
I'd thought she did that because she cared. Because I mattered to her.
But maybe I'd been wrong. Maybe Elara was just the kind of person who helped everyone. Maybe I wasn't special.
Just another person she'd fixed and moved on from.
The realization hit me like a punch to the gut.
Elara opened her mouth. She looked like she wanted to say something.
I couldn't do this. I couldn't stand here and listen to her explain how last night didn't mean anything. How I didn't mean anything.
I forced my face into something neutral. Calm. Like my insides weren't twisting into knots.
"I understand," I said. My voice came out flat. "Last night didn't mean anything."
Her eyes widened slightly.
I kept talking before she could. Before I could change my mind. "I was just returning the favor. You've helped me a lot. With my mom. With... everything."
The words tasted like ash in my mouth.
Elara's lips parted but no sound came out.
I couldn't look at her anymore. Couldn't see whatever expression was on her face. Relief probably. Or worse—pity.
I turned and walked toward my house. Each step felt wrong. My wolf was snarling inside me, telling me to go back. To make her explain.
I ignored it.
I made it to my front door. Unlocked it. Stepped inside.
Then I shut the door harder than I needed to. The sound echoed through the empty house.
I leaned back against the door. Closed my eyes. Took a deep breath that didn't help at all.
What the hell was wrong with me?
I'd never reacted like this before. Never felt this... raw over a girl.
Girls threw themselves at me all the time. I'd always been able to keep it casual. Keep my distance.
But Elara...
Damn it.
I pushed off the door and headed for the living room. My hands were shaking slightly. I curled them into fists.
Her words kept playing in my head. "It's not what you think."
The more I thought about it, the more it stung.
Was she saying last night was just physical? That I'd been convenient? Available?
That the sex meant nothing?
My jaw clenched so hard my teeth hurt.
I'd been with plenty of girls. I knew the difference between meaningless hookups and... and whatever last night had been.
Last night had been different. Intense. Real.
At least it had been for me.
Apparently not for her.
My phone rang.
I pulled it out. Warren's name flashed on the screen.
For a second I considered not answering. I wasn't in the mood to deal with Council business.
But Warren didn't call unless it was important.
I answered. "What."
"Kael." Warren's voice was crisp. Professional. "Elara Grey just submitted a request to the Council. She wants to launch an operation against the Wild Hunt."
My entire body went still.
"What?"
"She's asking for equipment support. Weapons. Intelligence. She claims the Wild Hunt poses an active threat to Misty Creek and the surrounding territories."
My first instinct was to say no. To tell Warren to shut it down.
I was still angry. Still hurt. I didn't want anything to do with Elara right now.
But then I remembered the look in her eyes earlier tonight. When she'd been standing at her front door.
That determination. That fierce protectiveness when it came to her family.
I knew Elara well enough by now. If the Council said no, she'd go anyway. Alone.
And the Wild Hunt would kill her.
My hands tightened on the phone.
Damn it.
"Kael?" Warren's voice cut through my thoughts. "What do you want me to tell the Council?"
I closed my eyes. Took a breath.
I was angry at her. Hurt. But that didn't mean I wanted her dead.
"Give her the equipment," I said. My voice came out rougher than I intended. "Everything she needs."
"Are you sure? This is highly irregular—"
"No additional agents," I interrupted. "She goes in alone or with her own people. But make sure she has the best gear we've got."
Warren was quiet for a moment. "I'll need Council approval for this."
"Then get it. Tell them I'm vouching for her capabilities. And tell them..." I paused. "Tell them if they don't approve this, she'll do it anyway. Better to support her and have some control over the situation."
"Understood. I'll handle the Council."
Warren hung up.
I stood there in my empty living room. Phone still in my hand.
My wolf had gone quiet. Settled.
Because even though Elara had just crushed whatever I'd thought was between us... I couldn't let her walk into danger alone.
I couldn't.
Even if she didn't want me. Even if last night meant nothing to her.
I'd still make sure she came back alive.