Chapter 20
## Elara's POV
"You don't want a mate..." I continued, my eyes fixed on Caius's back; I noticed how his entire posture changed in that moment. "So why haven't you rejected me?"
"Would you like me to do that now?" Caius turned his head to look at me, his expression unreadable; I wasn't sure how to answer.
"If you don't want to be with me, then..."
"You're my student; it's more complicated than that," he cut me off quickly. "If word got out that I rejected my destined mate, it would make me look bad as an Alpha."
"So you're trying to protect your image?" I raised an eyebrow, trying hard not to let the hurt show in my voice, but I knew Caius could see the disappointment in my eyes. "Is that the only reason?"
I thought he might say something else, but Caius's expression grew serious, and he gazed silently at my face.
"Something like that," he said quietly, then turned and left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the soft crying of my wolf inside.
He doesn't want us, Anna whimpered in my mind.
"I know," I whispered, pulling my knees to my chest and staring at the closed door.
Sleep eluded me that night. I tossed and turned, replaying Caius's words in my head. By morning, dark circles had formed beneath my eyes, and I felt emotionally drained.
---
Breakfast with Marlene was a quiet affair. She kept glancing between Caius and me, clearly sensing the tension but wise enough not to comment. Caius barely looked at me, focusing intently on his food before announcing it was time to leave.
"Marlene is nice," I said as we drove away from Thalassian Reach, trying not to think about our conversation from the night before.
"She seems to like you too," Caius responded, his tone emotionless.
"She said she's like a mother to you," I found myself saying.
"You two talked about me?" He didn't sound angry, perhaps a bit curious. My face warmed slightly.
"She brought you up first," I clarified. "You're important to her."
Caius remained silent, his eyes fixed on the road ahead, gripping the steering wheel tightly.
I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. "What happened to your real mother?" I asked boldly.
Caius's jaw tightened, his eyebrows twitching slightly.
"I don't discuss that."
The remainder of our journey passed in uncomfortable silence. I stared out the window, watching the landscape change from coastal to inland hills. Part of me was relieved to be returning home—away from Caius and the constant reminder that my destined mate didn't want me.
We'll be okay, Anna assured me, though I could feel her sadness mirroring my own.
---
As we approached the borders of Thorn territory, I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. Home. Safety. Family.
We hadn't even fully stopped the car when my mother burst through the front doors, red hair flowing behind her like a flame. She wore a simple green dress that complemented her eyes.
"Elara!" she called, rushing toward me as I stepped out of the car.
I laughed as I welcomed my mother's embrace.
"I've missed you, Elara," Rhiannon whispered.
"You saw me last week," I chuckled, hugging her back.
"Yes, but it feels like ages ago..." Rhiannon paused, pulling away to look at me from arm's length. "You have your wolf! I'm so happy for you, my love."
"Tonight, you and I will run together in our wolf forms," Rhiannon said, as if reading my thoughts.
Yes! Anna exclaimed excitedly within me.
My father, Alpha Alaric, emerged from the house moments later, his golden hair catching the sunlight. He approached us with a warm smile, first embracing me before turning to Caius with an extended hand.
"Thank you for bringing my daughter safely," he said, clasping Caius's hand firmly.
"It was no trouble," Caius replied formally.
"I've prepared a guest room for you. You can make yourself comfortable. As I said, you're welcome to join us for dinner if you change your mind," Alaric told Caius.
I frowned and glanced at Caius; I had assumed he would be joining us for dinner regardless. Did he not want to? He seemed tense at my father's words.
"Yes, Caius. I do hope you'll join us," Rhiannon said, looking at him with a kind smile. "I'm preparing a feast with plenty of food."
"Thank you," Caius nodded to her. "I'll consider it. I need to get settled in my room and handle some work. I just caught some thieves in my territory yesterday, and I need to file some paperwork for the authorities."
Alaric frowned. "Thieves?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, some intruders from the Umbra Wastes," Caius explained.
Alaric motioned for Caius to follow him inside. "Walk with me; tell me everything."
Caius followed him without hesitation.
---
"Was anyone hurt?" Rhiannon asked as we entered the house.
"A woman was assaulted yesterday," I told her. "I found her about to be..." I stopped, unable to say the words. "She was naked..." I continued.
Rhiannon's heterochromatic eyes widened as she studied my face. "What happened to her?"
I explained everything—how I'd heard her screams, fought off the attackers, and how Caius had arrived with his wolves to arrest them.
Rhiannon gave me a small smile, draping an arm around my shoulders. "I'm proud of you for helping someone in need," she told me. "I'm glad you're okay."
---
Back in my bedroom, I took time to reacquaint myself with the familiar space. The walls were still covered with my architectural sketches and drawings. My bookshelf remained filled with my favorite novels and textbooks.
As I was brushing my hair before dinner, my bedroom door suddenly opened. I smiled when I saw Margaret in the mirror.
"What's her name?!" Margaret asked, bouncing onto my bed. I knew she was asking about my inner wolf.
"Aeliana," I answered. "I call her Anna."
"Beautiful! What does she look like?"
"Like my mother's wolf," I laughed. "Snow-white fur with starlight markings. She's beautiful."
"I can't wait to see her. Are you nervous about your first shift?"
"More excited." I knew the first shift was supposed to be extremely painful; bones would practically break during the process, but I was excited to finally become a complete wolf. I'd heard there was nothing more exhilarating, and I couldn't wait to experience it.
"We need to go running together. I'm so excited for you," Margaret said with a grin. "I think dinner will be ready soon. Are you coming down?"
"I'll be there in a bit. I need to talk to someone first," I told her; Margaret nodded and left the room.
---
## Caius's POV
"Your pack isn't the only one that's been infiltrated recently," Alaric said, leaning over my shoulder to look at the report I was creating. "I'm concerned this might be related to your father's followers. I'll alert the other Alphas to watch for any suspicious activity."
"I was hoping it was just my pack and that Ulric's followers weren't involved," I admitted. "But it's a possibility. The rogues in the Umbra Wastes still have loyalty to him. Is there anything you need me to do?"
Alaric placed a hand on my shoulder. "Not yet, son. But I'll let you know. Just got a mind-link from the Luna that dinner is ready. Are you coming?"
"I think I'll just finish this and get some sleep. I'm tired after today."
"Alright, suit yourself," Alaric said, leaving without another word.
Just minutes after I finished writing the report, I heard a knock at the door.
"Yes?" I waited for the door to open.
The door cracked open slightly, and there stood Elara.