Chapter 49 My Patience Has Limits
Elara's POV
The question was simple but the way he asked made it feel intimate, his voice dropping to that low rumble that made my pulse race. I felt heat creep up my neck as I registered the sudden silence and the way Damian had gone very still beside me.
"I slept fine," I managed to say, though my voice came out softer than I'd intended.
Something warm and possessive flickered in Kaelen's eyes as he smiled at me like we were the only two people in the room. The contrast between his attention to me and his complete dismissal of Aurora was stark enough that even someone oblivious would notice, and I saw Aurora's face go pale as her hands clenched in her lap.
Aurora made a soft sound and leaned forward again with determination bordering on desperation. "Oh, that reminds me," she said brightly, though I could hear the strain underneath. "Elara, wasn't that Nicholas who was here earlier? The one who sent you all those red roses?"
I felt Astraea snarl with anger and watched Kaelen's body go rigid, his eyes finally moving to Aurora with a look that would have made a smarter person immediately regret speaking.
"He seemed very interested in you," Aurora continued. "You must be so popular lately with all the attention you've been getting from different males."
The implication was clear, the suggestion that I was somehow encouraging multiple males or behaving inappropriately. I felt Damian tense beside me and watched Sebastian's expression shift to disapproval.
"You should be careful though," Aurora added with fake concern that made my skin crawl. "A girl's reputation is so important, especially for someone from a high-ranking family like ours. People might get the wrong idea if they see you entertaining so many suitors at once."
The veiled insult hung in the air and I felt anger rise hot and sharp in my throat as Astraea howled for blood, but before I could respond Kaelen's voice cut through the tension like a blade.
"That's enough," he said, ice in his tone making Aurora flinch visibly. "I don't recall anyone asking for your opinion on Elara's behavior. Perhaps you should focus on your own concerns instead of spreading thinly veiled insults."
Aurora's eyes went wide with shock, her mouth opening and closing as tears began to well up with practiced ease. Sebastian's expression had gone cold as he looked at Aurora.
"Aurora," Sebastian said quietly, but his voice carried enough authority to make her attention snap to him immediately. "If you're not feeling well, perhaps you should return to your room to rest. Elara is perfectly capable of managing her own social interactions without your commentary."
I watched calculation flash through Aurora's eyes as she weighed her options, and after a moment she let out a soft sob that sounded rehearsed. "I'm sorry," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "I didn't mean to upset anyone. I was just worried about Elara because I care about her so much."
The lie was so blatant I couldn't stop the soft sound of disgust that escaped me. Nolan immediately moved to Aurora's side, helping her stand with gentle hands and concerned murmurs, and I watched her lean into him heavily while shooting me a look of pure hatred when she thought no one else was watching.
"Come on," Nolan said softly, guiding her toward the door. "Let's get you back to your room."
As they left, Nolan turned back to glare at me like I was responsible for Aurora's distress, and I met his gaze with cool indifference. The door closed behind them and the tension eased slightly.
"I apologize for Aurora's behavior," Sebastian said once they were gone. "That was inappropriate."
Kaelen nodded shortly, his jaw still tight. "I don't tolerate anyone questioning Elara's character or reputation."
Sebastian's eyes sharpened at the possessiveness in Kaelen's voice, but before he could comment Damian stood abruptly. "I need to discuss some security protocols with you," he said to Sebastian. "In your office. Now."
The excuse was transparent and I watched Sebastian's lips twitch with amusement before he nodded. "Of course. Kaelen, Elara, please excuse us for a moment."
They left quickly and suddenly I found myself alone with Kaelen, no buffer between us and the bond screaming at me to close the distance. Kaelen stood and crossed the room before I could process his movement, and then he was right there in front of me, close enough that I had to tilt my head back to meet his eyes.
He reached out slowly, giving me time to move away, and when I didn't he brushed a strand of silver hair back from my face. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I didn't mean to be so aggressive earlier, but seeing that male touch you made me lose control."
His fingertip grazed my earlobe, the contact so light it was almost accidental, but the bond amplified the sensation until I couldn't suppress the small shiver that ran through me. I watched his pupils dilate as he registered my reaction, his breathing getting heavier.
"I don't allow anyone to question you or disrespect you," Kaelen continued, his voice dropping to that low rumble that made Astraea whine. "You're mine to protect and I won't apologize for that."
Before I could respond his other hand came up to grip my waist, fingers spanning my ribcage as he pulled me closer. We were close enough now that I could feel the heat of his body, close enough that his scent surrounded me completely, and I watched his gaze drop to my neck again with intensity that made my pulse jump visibly in my throat.
His eyes had gone almost completely gold, Fenris so close to the surface I could see his wolf in every line of Kaelen's face, and I watched his throat work as he swallowed hard. His gaze was fixed on the unmarked gland on the side of my neck and the naked want in his expression made heat pool low in my belly.
I could feel myself leaning into him without conscious decision, my body responding to the mate bond with eagerness that overrode logic, and Astraea was practically purring as she pushed against my control. Kaelen's breathing had gotten ragged, his chest rising and falling in rhythm that matched my accelerated heartbeat, and I watched his head start to lower toward my neck like he was being pulled by invisible force.
His lips were centimeters from my skin, close enough that I could feel his breath ghosting over my throat, when some last shred of self-preservation made me press my hands against his chest and push. "You promised," I managed to say, my voice shaking. "You said you'd give me time."
Kaelen froze immediately, his entire body going rigid, and for several long seconds he just stood there with his face buried in the curve of my neck, his breathing harsh and uneven against my skin. Then he laughed, the sound rough and pained and tinged with self-mockery, and slowly straightened to look down at me with eyes that were still more wolf than human.
"I know," he said, using his thumb to brush over his own lower lip. "I remember what I promised and I'm trying to keep my word. But Elara, you need to understand that being this close to you and not being able to touch you the way I want to is the hardest thing I've ever done."
He took a deep breath that seemed designed to center himself, his hands flexing once on my waist before he forced himself to step back and put distance between us that felt like a physical ache. "I'll keep my promise," he said, determination in his voice undercut by the hunger still burning in his eyes. "I'll give you the time you need. But my patience isn't infinite."
He stepped back further, creating more distance between us, and I watched him take another deep breath as he fought for control. "I'll endure it," he said finally, his voice low and rough. "But Elara, my patience has limits."