Chapter 53
Elowen's POV
I woke up to the feeling of fingers gently stroking my hair. Warm. Safe. A welcome change from the storm of emotions that had finally exhausted me into sleep in Cassian's arms. I blinked my eyes open, finding myself in Casper's massive bed, sunlight filtering through half-drawn curtains.
"Morning, cutie," Casper whispered, his amber eyes tired but warm. He sat beside me, his red-brown hair messy from what looked like a sleepless night. "How are you feeling?"
Before I could answer, the door opened and Cassian walked in carrying a tray with steaming mugs and a plate of toast.
"You need to drink this," he said, handing me a mug filled with something that smelled like herbs and honey. "It'll help flush the suppressant from your system."
I took the mug with shaking hands. "Have you two been here all night?"
Casper's fingers continued their gentle path through my hair. "We took turns. Couldn't leave you alone."
My heart squeezed painfully. They'd stayed up all night just to watch over me. I sipped the herbal tea, the warm liquid soothing my raw throat.
"Thank you," I whispered, not meeting their eyes. Shame still clung to me like a second skin.
A knock at the door made me jump, spilling tea on the blanket.
"Shit, sorry," I mumbled, trying to dab at it.
"Don't worry about it," Casper said, rising to his feet. "I'll handle this."
He opened the door just enough to block whoever was outside from seeing me. "She's still recovering," I heard him say, voice firm and authoritative. "No visitors."
"But Alpha Austin requested—" a voice began.
"I don't care what my father requested," Casper cut in. "She needs rest. End of discussion."
The door closed and he returned to me, his expression softening instantly.
"Everyone's asking about you," he explained, sitting back beside me. "But they can all fuck off until you're ready."
Cassian placed the toast on my lap. "You need to eat something. The herbs work better with food."
I forced myself to take a small bite, though my stomach protested. The silence stretched between us, not uncomfortable but heavy with everything unsaid.
Another knock came, firmer this time.
Casper growled in frustration, but Cassian placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's Mother," he said quietly.
My heart rate spiked. Luna Ella, the Alpha female. What could she want with me now?
Cassian opened the door, and Luna glided in with graceful steps. She wore a simple but elegant purple dress, her dark hair pulled back in a perfect chignon. In her hands was a steaming bowl that smelled of herbs different from what Cassian had given me.
"How is she?" Luna asked, her blue eyes moving from her sons to me.
"Recovering," Cassian answered simply.
Luna nodded. "I'd like to speak with Elowen alone, if that's possible."
The twins exchanged a look.
"It's okay," I said, my voice stronger than I expected. "I'll be fine."
Reluctantly, they left, Casper squeezing my hand before walking out.
Luna sat where Casper had been, placing the bowl on the nightstand. "This is an old family recipe," she said, pouring some into a smaller cup. "For healing both body and spirit."
I accepted it cautiously. "Thank you."
"I wanted to apologize," she said directly, catching me off guard. "For our previous conversation. I had no idea about your... situation with Drake."
I forced a smile. "It's fine. You couldn't have known."
"Still, I should have been more welcoming." She watched me sip the broth, which tasted surprisingly good. "My sons care for you deeply."
I looked down at my hands. "They shouldn't. After what happened—"
"What happened wasn't your fault," Luna interrupted firmly. "Drake will face consequences for his actions."
I nodded, not trusting my voice. In my head, I reached for Juno again, feeling only emptiness where her presence should be. The loneliness was crushing.
"There's something else," Luna continued, her voice gentler now. "When you're fully recovered and ready... the twins have mentioned wanting to hold a proper ball for you."
My eyes widened slightly. "A ball?"
Luna smiled softly. "To welcome you properly into the Pack. As their mate." Her hand covered mine reassuringly. "But only when you're ready. There's no rush at all."
I relaxed slightly, grateful for her understanding. "Thank you. I just... need time."
"Of course you do," Luna said warmly. "Healing comes first. Everything else can wait."
Her considerate approach made something inside me soften.
Luna said suddenly, "Come here, child. Sometimes, all you need is a mother's hug."
I stared at her, shocked by this tender offer from the intimidating Alpha female. Hesitantly, I leaned forward, and Luna wrapped her arms around me.
The moment her arms encircled me, something broke inside. Tears streamed down my face as I clung to her, sobbing into her shoulder. She smelled like lavender and rain, comforting in a way I hadn't felt since I was a child. This was what a mother should be like.
"Thank you, Luna," I whispered when I finally pulled back, wiping my eyes.
She touched my cheek gently. "We take care of our own here, Elowen."
After Luna left, I sat holding the empty cup, staring out the window at the afternoon sun. Twelve hours had passed since Drake forced the suppressant down my throat. Slowly, I felt something in my mind shifting, like a fog lifting.
Juno? I called mentally.
ELOWEN! Her voice burst into my mind, loud and frantic. What the fuck did that bastard do to you?!
Relief flooded through me so intensely I nearly collapsed back onto the pillows. Juno, oh god, I missed you so much.
I'm going to kill him, she snarled, rifling through my memories of what happened. I'm going to rip his fucking throat out!
Get in line, I thought back, almost smiling despite everything. The twins might beat you to it.
I felt her presence settle, wrapping around my consciousness like a warm blanket. Did Luna really just comfort you like that? she asked, picking up on my lingering emotional warmth.
She did, and we still haven't told the twins about my father's debt, I said, feeling the familiar weight of worry return.
One crisis at a time, Juno repeated firmly. Right now, we heal.