Chapter 72
ELARA’S POV
I gazed at him, completely taken aback. He had actually ended things with her? Just out of the blue like that?
“Why?” The question escaped my lips before I could hold it back. “What made you decide to do something like that?”
Kael’s gaze grew shadowed, his tone deep and unwavering. “Because she was never truly the one I wanted. I told you I was committed to fixing everything. I’m starting to follow through on that now, and the first step was letting go of Seraphina.”
I blinked rapidly, struggling to process his words. “What are you really getting at here?”
He dragged a hand through his dense locks, then locked his stare onto mine with an intensity that sent my pulse racing. “You know precisely what I’m implying, Elara. Don’t pretend like it’s a mystery to you. Deep inside, I’m certain you grasp exactly what I’m attempting to convey.”
I parted my lips to respond, but he jumped in before I could utter a single syllable.
“This might not be the ideal moment,” he continued, his words edged with a raw quality. “But Elara, I need you to hear me out. I have to get this off my chest, or I’ll be stuck carrying these regrets forever.”
I swallowed thickly and averted my eyes. I was fully aware of what he was aiming for, and that was precisely the issue. Every time he made a move like this, it grew tougher to rein in my own emotions. I’d worked so diligently to suppress them, yet the more he persisted, the more they rose up unbidden, even with all the valid reasons why they had no place. It felt so improper—my loyalty belonged to Ronan… but why did it seem split in two? Could it be due to the mate connection I had with both of them? Or was my affection genuinely divided?
“Kael,” I started tentatively. “Whatever was between us is over, and—”
He shook his head firmly, cutting me short. “And the same goes for you and Ronan. Can’t you see it? He wouldn’t be able to comprehend this. And truthfully, I can’t hold it against either of you—this mess is on me, I accept that. I deceived everyone and came rushing back for you, but none of it would have been required if I’d handled things correctly from the beginning. Darius wouldn’t have gone after Ronan either.”
I swallowed again, the gravity of his statement pressing down on my chest like a heavy stone. “Kael… I’m pregnant with his baby. It’s not as straightforward as you’re making it sound.”
His eyes tightened, but his demeanor stayed composed, almost unnervingly steady. “That doesn’t matter to me. If that’s what it takes, I’ll step up and raise the child as if it were mine.”
I blinked in surprise, thrown off by the sheer resolve in his voice. “Kael, you’re talking about things you might not fully grasp the implications of. Perhaps it’s wiser to just maintain the status quo.”
“But that’s not what I desire,” he murmured softly.
“But it’s what I need,” I replied in a hushed tone, the words almost too faint to hear.
He moved nearer, closing the gap until our faces were mere inches from each other. I could sense the warmth emanating from his body, his exhale brushing warmly against my face, triggering a cascade of tingles along my back.
“Are you absolutely certain?” he pressed, his voice deep and charged with emotion.
My breathing faltered as he inched even closer.
“You’re truly convinced that there’s no spark left for me? That we should simply walk away and leave it all behind?” He then retreated a step, slipping his hands into his pockets. “All you have to do is say it, Elara. Tell me straight, and I promise I won’t bother you anymore.”
I swallowed with effort, utterly disarmed by his direct challenge. I couldn’t bring myself to affirm or deny it. I let out a profound sigh and shifted backward, desperate to wrap up this exchange. But how? What could I possibly say to deflect?
“Well, Elara?”
“I… I…” I faltered, scrambling for the proper response. “During my walk earlier today, I got the distinct impression that someone was observing me… or more like, following me.” The confession tumbled out uncontrollably before I could rein it in.
His features tightened right away. Without missing a beat, he bridged the space between us in a couple of swift steps, gently but securely gripping my arm, and peered intently into my eyes. “Who was it? Where did this happen?” His inquiries fired off rapidly, precise and urgent.
“I have no idea,” I confessed, my tone wavering slightly. “But I swear I sensed it. As if eyes were fixed on me from afar. And this isn’t the first occurrence—it’s been going on for some time. This marks the second instance I’ve experienced it right here in the palace. The initial one was back at the Moonwhite Pack, where I went to assist with treating some pack members, not long before you showed up.”
“The Moonwhite Pack?” His forehead creased in confusion.
“What? Are you familiar with them?”
He shook his head and released my arm. Then he started pacing back and forth, raking his fingers through his hair in evident agitation. “Why on earth didn’t you mention this to me earlier?”
I dropped my gaze, filled with regret. He had a point—I never seemed to handle things at the appropriate moment. “I’m truly sorry, Kael. With all the chaos unfolding recently—it’s been overwhelming. I wasn’t sure how to bring it up. I realize I should have said something sooner. I’m sorry.”
He released a long, heavy breath and rested his hand on my shoulder. I lifted my eyes to meet his—they were brimming with genuine concern.
“Starting immediately, you’re to remain inside the palace at all times. And I’m assigning guards to you, plus make sure Clara accompanies you wherever you go. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. I won’t accept any arguments—your well-being is paramount.”
“I get it.”
“And keep working on concealing your pregnancy,” he added, his gaze drifting downward to my belly. It was starting to become a bit more challenging to disguise. “It’s showing more, isn’t it?”
I lifted my shoulders in a casual shrug. “I can probably manage for a few more months before it becomes too obvious to anyone paying close attention.”
His expression grew somber. “That’s not sufficient—I have to take action before it reaches that point.”
“What kind of action are you talking about?”
“Put an end to all of this.” He withdrew his hand from my shoulder, and before I had a chance to reply, he pivoted abruptly and strode away, leaving me standing there, more disoriented than I’d ever felt.
I can’t even tell what’s genuine and what’s not anymore.
With a weary exhale, I turned the key in my door and entered my room, shutting it firmly behind me. Just like that other evening, an envelope sat waiting on my desk—carefully creased, positioned in a way that ensured I’d notice it immediately. I surveyed my surroundings, my eyes darting over every corner. The space was tidy and undisturbed, exactly as I’d left it earlier. The window remained securely latched, my curtains still draped precisely as they had been that morning.
What in the world was happening here?