Chapter 238
Kael's POV
I stared at the discharge request on my desk. Elara Grey's signature sat at the bottom—neat, careful handwriting that somehow felt wrong.
My wolf paced restlessly inside my chest. It had been doing that all morning. Ever since I'd decided to call this meeting.
The weird part? Every time I thought about Elara, my wolf went quiet. Almost... disinterested.
But the second Lynette crossed my mind—her voice, the way she moved during training, that cold amber stare—my wolf went absolutely feral.
That didn't make any sense.
I should feel more for Elara. We had history. That night in my car. The way she'd helped me with my mother. The connection we'd shared.
Except when I tried to remember those moments clearly, they felt... distant. Like watching someone else's memories through frosted glass.
A knock on the door pulled me out of my head.
"Alpha, Elara Grey is here," Drake said.
I straightened in my chair. Pushed down the weird tightness in my chest.
"Send her in."
The door opened. Elara stepped inside.
She looked smaller than I remembered. More fragile. Her posture was careful—shoulders slightly hunched, hands clasped in front of her. The body language of someone trying not to take up too much space.
Nothing like Lynette's predatory stillness.
I mentally kicked myself. Stop comparing them.
"Alpha Harrington." Elara gave a polite nod. Her voice was soft. Respectful. "You wanted to see me?"
"Sit down, Elara." I kept my tone gentle. Non-threatening. "I wanted to talk about your request to leave the Special Operations Unit."
She sat across from me. Her movements were careful. Controlled in a way that felt rehearsed.
"Thank you, Alpha."
I picked up the discharge form. Scanned it again even though I'd already memorized every word.
"Your application says you don't feel suited for field work. But from what I heard, you handled the Canada mission well enough."
Elara was quiet for a moment. Her fingers twisted together in her lap.
"I handled it... because I learned how to run and hide." Her voice dropped. "But actual combat? I can't do what my sister does."
My wolf perked up at the mention of Lynette.
"During my time in Canada, I spent every day just trying to survive." Elara's eyes stayed fixed on her hands. "I realized I'm not a warrior. Forcing myself to be one would just get me killed. Or worse—get my teammates killed."
I nodded slowly. "Knowing your limits is its own kind of strength."
Her shoulders relaxed slightly. Like she'd been bracing for criticism.
"You mentioned Lynette just now." I kept my voice casual. "What does she think about your decision?"
Something complicated flickered across Elara's face. Her eyes went distant for a second.
"My sister said if I don't want to do it, I shouldn't force myself. She's... always been like that. Never pushes me into anything."
I watched her carefully. The way her voice softened when she talked about Lynette. There was dependence there. Gratitude. But also something else.
Guilt.
"She sounds supportive," I said.
"She is." Elara's voice got quieter. "I know she wishes I could be stronger, though. I disappointed her."
My eyebrows went up. "Why would you think that?"
A bitter smile crossed her face. "Because she carries everything alone. I wanted to help share the burden, but in the end... I couldn't even protect myself."
Her eyes were starting to get red. Shit.
"When I was in Canada, using my sister's body—" She stopped abruptly.
Every nerve in my body went on high alert.
"Using your sister's body?" I repeated carefully.
Elara's face went pale. Her eyes widened like she'd just stepped on a landmine.
"I meant—" She stammered. "I meant I felt like I was failing the training she gave me. Like I was... wasting what she taught me."
Bullshit.
That wasn't what she'd said. And the panic in her eyes told me she knew it.
My wolf was suddenly very, very interested. It pushed forward, trying to scent her properly. Looking for... something.
I forced myself to lean back. Keep my body language relaxed even though my mind was racing.
"You and Lynette have been together a long time," I said, changing direction. "What would you say is the biggest difference between you two?"
Elara seemed relieved by the safer question. She thought for a moment.
"My sister... she's used to carrying everything alone. And me? I always need to lean on someone."
She paused. Her fingers twisted tighter.
"But in Canada, I learned to face fear by myself. I'm not as strong as her—I'll never be—but at least... I won't let her sacrifice so much for me anymore."
Sacrifice.
"Sacrifice?" I leaned forward slightly. "What has Lynette sacrificed for you?"
Elara's eyes darted away. "Nothing. I just meant... she's always protected me. I don't want to be her burden anymore."
She was hiding something. Every instinct I had screamed it.
I decided to go for broke.
"Elara." I looked straight at her. "Have we ever... spent time alone together? Before all this?"
She blinked. Confusion spread across her face.
"Alone?"
"Yeah. Like... did you ever help me with something personal? Or did we have any deep conversations?"
I watched her face carefully. Looking for recognition. For that spark of shared memory.
She frowned. Thinking hard.
Then she shook her head slowly. "I... I don't think so? I mean, we've talked at pack gatherings, but nothing..."
My chest felt like someone had punched through it.
We'd done more than talk. She'd been there for me during one of the worst nights of my life. She'd helped me face my mother. We'd been intimate in ways that should've created a bond.
And she didn't remember any of it.
My wolf let out a low, mournful sound inside my head.
Not her. Never her.
I sat back. Tried to keep my expression neutral even though my world was tilting sideways.
"Alright." I picked up a pen. Signed the discharge approval. "I'll notify the Council. You're free to go."
Relief washed over her face. She stood up quickly.
"Thank you, Alpha Harrington. Really."
She practically fled the office.
The door closed behind her with a soft click.
I sat alone in the silence. My father's desk felt massive. The whole room felt too big and too small at the same time.
My mind kept circling back to the same points:
"Using my sister's body."