Chapter 85 Public Declaration
Elara's POV
The afternoon combat session had left my muscles pleasantly sore and my mind buzzing with the techniques Professor Chen had drilled into us. I walked out of the obstacle course area, still brushing dust off my training uniform, when I spotted a familiar figure standing near the camp entrance.
Dad stood there in a deep gray suit, looking completely out of place among the students in their combat gear, like a parent waiting at the school gates. My heart jumped with surprise and joy, and I quickened my pace toward him, watching as his typically cold expression melted into something softer the moment our eyes met.
"Dad! What are you doing here?" I called out.
Before he could answer, the distinctive sound of a luxury car engine made me turn. Kaelen's vehicle pulled up on the opposite side of the camp entrance, and my boyfriend stepped out with that easy confidence that always made my pulse skip. He was dressed more casually than Dad, but still impeccably put together in dark jeans and a fitted black shirt that emphasized his broad shoulders.
The two Alphas acknowledged each other with polite nods, their postures radiating mutual respect.
"Elara!" Iris's voice called out behind me, and I turned to see her jogging over with Rowan close behind, both of them wearing matching expressions of concern that immediately put me on alert.
"What's wrong?" I asked, my hand instinctively moving to the protective charms I kept in my jacket pocket.
Iris gestured toward my father, her eyes slightly unfocused in that way they got when she was reading energies. "Your dad has some weird aura around him. There's this gray and dark pink energy all tangled together, like someone's throwing bad intentions his way. It's really strong, Elara. I've never seen anything quite like it."
Rowan nodded seriously, crossing his arms as he studied Dad from a distance. "It's a classic sign of romantic trouble mixed with malicious intent, and it's all coming from the same source. Someone's got it bad for him and they're not taking no for an answer. Whoever it is, they're willing to use underhanded methods to get what they want."
I felt my stomach drop as I turned back to Dad, studying his face with new concern. The protective instinct that rose in me was fierce and immediate. "Have you been having any problems with someone lately? Anyone acting inappropriately toward you?"
Dad's expression shifted, his jaw tightening as something clicked in his mind. His eyes darkened.
I dug through my bag quickly, pushing past training notes and water bottles until my fingers closed around the white talisman. "Here, take this. It's designed to ward off malicious schemes and unwanted romantic entanglements. Just keep it close to your body."
Dad accepted the paper charm with unexpected seriousness. His fingers traced the edges carefully before he tucked it into his inner suit pocket, right over his heart. "Thank you, sweetheart. I'll keep it safe."
The drive to the restaurant gave me time to process everything. Kaelen drove with one hand on the wheel and the other holding mine, while Dad followed in his own car.
By the time we reached the cliffside restaurant overlooking the bay, the sun had begun its descent toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and gold that reflected off the water below.
We settled at a table by the floor-to-ceiling windows, the sound of waves crashing against the rocks below providing a soothing backdrop to our conversation. The restaurant was elegant without being pretentious, the kind of place where powerful people could have private conversations without drawing too much attention.
I found myself talking animatedly about the training exercises, demonstrating hand positions for spell casting while Dad watched with undisguised pride. "Professor had us working on combat casting today—maintaining spell formation while under physical attack. It's incredibly difficult because you have to split your concentration between defending yourself physically and maintaining the mental focus for magic."
"You're excelling," Dad said, his voice carrying that particular warmth he reserved for moments when he forgot to be the intimidating Alpha everyone else saw. "But remember, the stronger you become, the more important it is to protect yourself. Power attracts attention, not all of it welcome. There will always be people who see your abilities as either a threat to be eliminated or a tool to be controlled."
"I'll make sure she's protected," Kaelen said quietly, his hand finding mine under the table. His thumb traced gentle circles on my palm, a gesture that had become familiar and comforting.
Dad studied us both for a long moment, and then his expression shifted into something more serious, the kind of look that meant he was about to ask something important. "When are you two planning to complete the marking?"
I felt heat flood my cheeks, but I met his eyes steadily, refusing to be embarrassed about something so important. "I want to wait until after graduation next year. Right now, I need to focus on my studies and training. I don't want to rush something so permanent, and I want to be absolutely certain I'm ready for everything that comes with being marked. It's not just about us—it's about pack politics and responsibilities I need to be prepared for."
Kaelen squeezed my hand gently, his voice filled with quiet conviction. "I respect her decision completely. I'll wait as long as she needs. Her education and personal growth come first, and I want her to come to this choice without any pressure or rushed timeline. When we do this, it needs to be because she's ready, not because anyone expects it."
Dad's features softened with unmistakable approval, and he nodded slowly. "Good. That shows wisdom and genuine care. You're exactly the kind of partner she deserves, Kaelen. Too many young wolves rush into marking without understanding the weight of that bond."
The restaurant staff arrived with a surprise fireworks cake, apparently having been tipped off about our gathering by someone—probably Kaelen, knowing his tendency to plan these romantic gestures. We posed for photos by the window as the sky darkened outside.
I found myself laughing genuinely for the first time in days. Dad pulled out his phone with uncharacteristic enthusiasm, his fingers moving across the screen with purpose.
"What are you doing?" I asked, leaning over to see.
"Posting this," he said simply, showing me the image he'd selected—all three of us smiling genuinely, the sunset behind us creating a perfect backdrop. His caption read: [Spending a wonderful evening with my daughter and her mate. #Proud #Family]
My eyes widened. Dad never posted personal content on his social media, which was followed by every major Alpha and council member in the region. This was essentially a public announcement to the entire werewolf community, a declaration that carried political weight.
Kaelen had already pulled out his own phone, selecting a photo where his arm was around my shoulders and our faces were close together, my head tilted slightly toward him in a gesture of trust and affection. His caption made my heart flutter: [My Luna, my everything. #Blessed #ForeverYours]
Within seconds, both posts exploded with notifications. Dad's phone started buzzing continuously with incoming messages, likes, and comments from council members, allied Alphas, and pack leaders. I watched the numbers climb rapidly—fifty likes, then a hundred, then two hundred—each notification representing another member of werewolf high society acknowledging our relationship and the political implications it carried.
"You just announced to everyone that I'm dating the future Alpha King," I said, my voice caught between embarrassment and something that felt dangerously close to happiness. "The entire council is going to be talking about this."
Dad looked at me with absolute certainty in his eyes, the kind of unwavering confidence that had made him one of the most respected Alphas in the region. "You're my daughter and he's your chosen partner. Why would we hide that? This way, everyone knows you're under the protection of both the Silverstone Pack and the future Alpha King. Anyone who might have considered causing you trouble will think twice now."
Kaelen's thumb traced circles on the back of my hand, his voice low and intimate. "Are you okay with this being public? I know it changes things. There will be expectations now, political considerations you'll have to navigate."
"I'm more than okay with it," I said firmly, squeezing Kaelen's hand. "You're my partner. I don't want to hide that from anyone. Let them talk, let them have their expectations. We'll handle it together."
Kaelen's eyes darkened with emotion, and under the table, his fingers tightened around mine in a grip that spoke of possession and promise and something so deep it made my breath catch.