Chapter 35
Elara's POV
I stood on the sidewalk watching Kael disappear around the corner, my hands trembling so badly I had to shove them in my pockets.
What the hell had I just agreed to?
Dawn. Training grounds. Prove myself to an Alpha who could probably snap me in half without breaking a sweat.
My lungs were already protesting, that familiar tightness creeping in. I fumbled for my inhaler, took a hit, and forced myself to breathe slowly. In. Out. In. Out.
The adrenaline was wearing off now, leaving me hollow and shaky. My legs felt like water.
I needed to move. Needed to get home before I collapsed right here on the street.
The walk back felt longer than it should have. Every step was an effort, my body screaming at me to stop, to rest, to give up. But I couldn't. Not yet.
I focused on the tactical problem ahead. Tomorrow at dawn, Kael would test me. He'd want to see if I could fight, if I could survive. And he'd be looking for weaknesses.
He'd find plenty.
This body was weak. Slow. Fragile in ways that made my teeth grind with frustration. In my past life, I could have taken on three Alphas at once and walked away without a scratch. Now even this walk home had my lungs burning and my legs shaking.
But I had advantages too. Twenty years of combat experience. Knowledge of wolf physiology that most fighters never learned. And the rune bracelet hidden in my bag—if I could figure out how to use it without revealing what I was.
The question was whether any of that would be enough.
I turned onto Maple Street, my home street, and felt a different kind of tension settle in my chest.
Ethan.
He'd said we needed to talk after dinner. I'd been so focused on Kael and the rogues and Derrick's blood money that I'd almost forgotten.
Almost.
I stopped at the front gate, staring at the warm light spilling from the windows. Inside, my family was probably setting the table. Marcus would be telling some story from work. Emily would be fussing over the food. Ethan would be watching the door, waiting for me.
I couldn't tell them the truth. Any of it.
Not about the two hundred thousand dollars. Not about planning to hunt down Ragnar's pack. Not about the rune weapons hidden under my bed or the fact that I'd killed a wolf in a restaurant kitchen this afternoon.
And definitely not about agreeing to meet Kael Harrington at dawn for some kind of combat trial.
I took a breath and pushed open the gate.
---
The smell of roasted chicken hit me the moment I stepped inside. My stomach growled—I'd forgotten to eat lunch. Or breakfast, actually.
"Elara!" Emily called from the kitchen. "Perfect timing, dinner's almost ready."
I dropped my bag by the stairs and headed toward the kitchen, trying to look normal. Relaxed. Not like someone who'd spent the afternoon contemplating murder for money.
Marcus was in the living room, eyes fixed on the TV. The local news was on.
"—conflict at an upscale downtown restaurant this afternoon. Witnesses report sounds of fighting, but restaurant management is refusing to comment. Police say there were no injuries reported, and the incident is under investigation—"
My heart stopped.
The screen showed the exterior of the restaurant. The same one I'd left barely two hours ago. Police tape across the entrance. A reporter trying to get past security.
No mention of wolves. No mention of Derrick Goldman. No mention of the blood I'd washed off my hands in that bathroom sink.
They'd covered it up. Fast.
Marcus sighed, shaking his head. "Good thing we left when we did. Who knows what kind of trouble we might have walked into."
I made myself nod. "Yeah. Lucky."
The word tasted like ash.
Marcus glanced at me, concern in his eyes. "You didn't notice anything strange while you were there, did you?"
"Strange how?"
"The news said there was some kind of fight. I just want to make sure you're okay."
I forced a smile. "I'm fine, Dad. I didn't see anything."
The lie came easily. Too easily.
Marcus relaxed. "Good. That's good." He turned back to the TV, and I escaped to the kitchen before he could ask anything else.
---
Dinner was torture.
Not because of the food—Emily's cooking was simple but good. But because of Ethan.
He sat across from me, and I could feel his eyes on me every few minutes. Watching. Analyzing. Every time I looked up, he'd glance away, but the weight of his attention never fully left.
Marcus was talking about some problem at the garage. A difficult customer. A part that wouldn't come in on time. Normal things. Safe things.
I pushed food around my plate and tried to look interested.
"Elara, you're not eating much," Emily said. "Are you feeling alright?"
"Just tired," I said. "Long day."
"You've been having a lot of long days lately." This from Ethan, his voice casual. Too casual. "Everything okay at school?"
I met his eyes. "Fine. Just busy."
"Busy with what?"
"Homework. Projects. The usual."
"Hmm." He took a bite of chicken, still watching me. "You seem stressed."
"Exams are coming up," I said. It wasn't even a lie. There probably were exams coming up. I just had no idea when.
Marcus nodded sympathetically. "Don't push yourself too hard, sweetheart. Grades aren't everything."
If only grades were what I was worried about.
I managed to choke down a few more bites before giving up. My stomach was too tight, my mind too busy running through scenarios for tomorrow's meeting with Kael.
What would he ask me to do? Sparring? Weapons training? Some kind of endurance test?
Whatever it was, I needed to be ready.
I stood, picking up my plate. "I should probably get started on homework—"
"Elara." Ethan stood too. "Come take a walk with me."
It wasn't a question.
Emily smiled. "That's sweet. You two should spend more time together."
Marcus nodded. "Fresh air will do you good."
I looked at Ethan. His expression was pleasant, relaxed, but his eyes were sharp. Determined.
He knew I'd try to run. And he wasn't going to let me.
"Sure," I heard myself say. "A walk sounds nice."
The lie detector in my head screamed.