Chapter 70
ELARA’S POV
My thoughts were spinning wildly. “I… I really don’t know,” I stammered under my breath. “I only discovered it sitting on my nightstand in my room a little while ago. I figured it could be some letter that got put there by mistake or something like that…”
His eyes sharpened with suspicion. “Who could have sent it to you, Elara?”
I shook my head, feeling just as lost. “Honestly, I haven’t got a clue. Clara never mentioned anything about delivering a letter, and she’s the only person who comes into my space.”
He exhaled deeply, the sound carrying a sense of exhaustion that pulled at my emotions. Without saying anything, he pivoted and strode over to his desk, where the surface shone smoothly under the gentle glow of the lamps. He didn’t pause for a second before unfolding the paper.
I observed him closely, my pulse thundering in my ears. What if it contained some kind of warning? Or something even more awful? Terrible updates?
The atmosphere grew denser as he fixated on the sheet, his complexion gradually losing its color. My breathing caught sharply as I took in his reaction. “Kael? What’s in there? Is something bad?”
He stayed silent, his stare locked onto the letter. The tension was unbearable for me. I propelled myself ahead, moving around the desk to position myself right next to him. And that’s when I glimpsed it.
The page was entirely empty. Completely devoid of any writing.
A surge of lightheadedness swept over me. None of this added up. “But… what on earth could this signify?” I murmured, a chill of apprehension tingling along my back. Why would somebody take the time to fold a blank sheet so carefully and place it on my table?
“I don’t like the look of this at all,” Kael finally uttered, his tone deep and rough. “I’ve got a really bad vibe about the whole thing.”
Letting out a heavy breath, I lowered myself into the seat across from Kael’s desk, the cool leather pressing against my body. He remained on his feet, his attention glued to the vacant paper as though it concealed profound mysteries.
“Me neither,” I concurred. “It just doesn’t add up in any way. Who in their right mind would drop off an empty sheet like that, and for what purpose?”
He shifted his gaze toward me, his expression brimming with the same anxiety that was churning inside me. “For the time being, Elara, I need you to stick right by me. Constantly. That’ll allow me to keep an eye on you and ensure your safety. This could turn out to be harmless… but I’m not willing to gamble. The envelope was addressed to you, yet it’s blank, and that raises questions… I have to get to the bottom of it.”
His statement sent a cold ripple down my back, but it also stirred an odd warmth in my heart. “Kael, I appreciate that, but you don’t—” I started, intending to protest. He was correct that it might be insignificant, yet at the same time, it could mean absolutely nothing, and I didn’t want him burdening himself over my well-being. But he cut me off with a firm glance.
“Please, Elara. Just don’t argue.” His words carried a pressing intensity that left no room for debate. “I won’t take that risk. Not with you or the little one you’re carrying. It might not be my child, but it’s yours, and I feel obligated to safeguard both of you.”
My heart gave a sudden leap amid all the confusion swirling within me. I couldn’t refuse him, especially since Kael wasn’t the type to accept rejection on this.
I swallowed with difficulty, my mouth feeling parched. “Alright.” I gave a slow nod, keeping my voice hushed. “I’ll keep close and let you know about anything unusual from here on out.”
“Thank you.”
I rose from the chair, dragging a hand through my hair in a move that betrayed my inner chaos. “I ought to head back to my room now. You should try to get some rest too. Goodnight, Kael.”
He parted his lips as if to speak but then sealed them shut, offering a nod and a faint smile instead. “Goodnight, Elara. Rest well.”
“You as well.”
As I made my way out of his study, I couldn’t rid myself of the nagging sensation that things were gravely amiss. That empty letter, coupled with the eerie impression of being observed, was utterly terrifying. Perhaps come morning, I’d confide everything to Kael, but right now, I desperately needed some sleep.
The following morning broke with bright, crisp light, yet the discomfort from the previous evening lingered over me like a persistent gloom. Clara and I decided to go for a stroll; I needed to freshen my mind and get a little movement in. The child developing inside me would benefit from it.
“Clara?” I ventured cautiously while we meandered along the curving trail. “By any chance, did you place a letter on my nightstand in my room yesterday?”
She halted and faced me directly. Her forehead creased with bewilderment. “No, I didn’t do that. I hadn’t gotten any correspondence meant for you—did one show up?”
“No,” I replied, shaking my head, reluctant to worry her unnecessarily. “Forget I mentioned it. It’s nothing worth bothering about.”
She shot me a probing glance but, to my relief, didn’t pursue it further. We proceeded with our walk in quiet companionship for several moments. Then, something caught my eye farther ahead, causing my chest to tighten.
A young boy, probably no more than seven or eight years old, was perched on a bench not far away, his posture drooping with distress. He was holding one arm protectively, and as we approached, I noticed it was bleeding profusely.
“What’s the matter?” I inquired, hurrying over to him. “What happened to you, sweetie?”
The boy remained mute, simply gazing up at me with large, teary eyes. He raised his hurt arm a bit, exposing a deep cut that was seeping blood. He was crying audibly now.
My heart ached at the sight of the wound. “Come on, let’s get you sorted out.”
I extended my hand to examine his arm, but abruptly, I felt compelled to lift him entirely. Without hesitating, I gathered him into my embrace, disregarding the sudden twinge that shot through my spine.
Clara let out a sharp intake of breath as she dashed toward me, extending her arms. “What are you thinking? He’s too heavy for you! Hand him over to me!”
“No,” I insisted, swatting her hands aside with one of mine. “I’ve got this. We have to take him to the medical area.”
Clara’s features twisted into a blend of worry and disagreement. I paid it no mind and began heading toward the pack’s healing center. Upon stepping inside, I sensed the stares from the attendants fixed on me.
I drew in a steadying breath as I kept moving forward; it had been nearly a year since this place filled me with loathing. It had always evoked memories of my horrors and the endless vials of blood Dr. Alen extracted from me under the guise of ‘helping the pack.’ I’d been treated like a lab subject, nothing more than an instrument in their hands.
Pushing those recollections aside with a shake of my head, I gently set the boy down on an examination bed. “Gather some herbs and disinfectant for me,” I directed Clara. Initially, I’d considered using my own blood to mend it, but upon closer inspection, the cut appeared superficial—just one that had bled excessively. Besides, I didn’t want to frighten the child by injuring myself right in front of him.
I scanned the room; the healers were all watching me, their faces showing a peculiar combination of interest and discomfort. They murmured and exchanged quiet words, their gazes locked onto me.
Naturally. I wasn’t returning as a mere resource this time, but perhaps as some kind of caregiver—or at least attempting to be. I hadn’t planned on working in this medical space, but I couldn’t turn my back on the suffering child.
Clara returned with the supplies I’d requested. At last, after what seemed like forever, I finished cleansing and wrapping the boy’s arm.
I let out a relieved breath as I straightened up, extending my limbs. “Just be careful not to overwork that arm and steer clear of any sharp items or thorny plants. In a couple of days, you’ll be good as new.” I told him, softly stroking his cheek. He peered up at me with those big eyes gleaming with thankfulness. He flashed a smile, revealing a missing tooth or two, which completely warmed my soul. Then, catching me off guard, he wrapped his arms around my midsection in a fierce embrace before scampering out of the healing center.
I observed his departure, a cozy sensation blooming within me. Without thinking, my hand drifted to my abdomen. Amid all the turmoil, I was eagerly anticipating the day my own child would dash about with such energy.
“Ready to head out?” Clara approached and suggested. “It seems like everyone’s locked in a staring match with you.”
“Let them stare.”
I pivoted to retrieve my scarf that I’d left on the counter, only to come face-to-face with Dr. Alen positioned at the doorway of the infirmary. His eyes squinted slightly at me, his face betraying no clear emotion.
“Hello, Elara,” he drawled out deliberately. “It’s good to have you back.”