Chapter 153 Kaden's POV
I woke before dawn, as always.
But this time, instead of immediately jumping out of bed to check borders and defenses, I stayed still just watching.
Elara was asleep beside me, her face peaceful in the dim light. Her dark hair spread across the pillow one hand resting protectively on Adrian's bassinet beside the bed.
She looked so young when she slept so vulnerable nothing like the fierce woman who'd survived torture, imprisonment, and nearly dying twice to bring our son into the world.
I loved her so much it physically hurt sometimes. Adrian made a small sound in his sleep. I leaned over to check on him.
Our son is perfect and tiny and glowing faintly from the crescent mark on his chest.
The child Erebus wanted the child I'd die before surrendering. We had two days left before Erebus's deadline.
Two days to find a solution to break the blood debt. To figure out how to protect Adrian from forces that had been planning this for centuries.
The weight of it pressed down on me but looking at Adrian's peaceful face, I pushed the fear aside.
We had found a way we had to.
My stomach growled. I needed food. And Elara would be hungry when she woke up.
I carefully got out of bed, making sure not to disturb her headed downstairs to the kitchen.
Several staff members were already up, preparing breakfast for the warriors and pack members.
"Alpha!" One of the cooks looked startled to see me. "What are you doing here? We can bring food to your quarters-"
"I'm making breakfast for my mate. Don't worry about me."
"But Alpha, you shouldn't have to cook-"
"I want it to be fine, just pretend I'm not here."
They looked uncertain but went back to their work, giving me space.
I started pulling ingredients from the refrigerator. Eggs bacon fresh fruit bread for toast.
I was halfway through cracking eggs when Kira entered the kitchen.
"Couldn't sleep either?" She asked.
"Woke up early. Thought I'd make Elara breakfast."
"The mighty Alpha, cooking for his mate. How domestic." She smiled and pulled up a stool next to the counter. "Need help?"
"I've got it. But keep me company?"
"Gladly."
We worked in comfortable silence for a few minutes, me cooking, and her watching.
"Remember when we were kids?" Kira said suddenly. "You tried to make Mother breakfast for her birthday and nearly burned down the kitchen?"
I laughed. "I was seven and in my defense, I didn't know you had to add water to oatmeal before microwaving it."
"It exploded everywhere and took servants hours to clean it all up."
"Mother thought it was hilarious. Father was furious."
"Father was always furious about something." Kira's smile faded. "I missed this, missed talking to you, missed having a brother."
"I miss you too every single day."
Before the moment could get too heavy, Ethan walked in.
"Is that bacon I smell?" He headed straight for the stove. "I'm starving-"
"That's for Elara," I said, swatting his hand away.
"Come on, just one piece-"
"Don't make your own breakfast."
Ethan turned to Kira instead. "Well if it isn't the long-lost princess. Looking much better than when you arrived."
"Thanks. I think."
"So tell me, fifteen years in a torture cave. What'd you miss most? Food? Freedom? Sunshine?"
"Annoying my brother. Which I see you've taken over in my absence."
"Someone had to, he gets too serious without someone to keep him humble."
Kira laughed. "I like you. You're exactly the kind of friend Kaden needs."
"Aw, she likes me." Ethan moved around the counter toward her. "Does that mean I get a hug from the returned princess?"
"Don't push your luck."
He chased her around the kitchen island, both of them laughing like children. It was good to see Kira smile. To see some lightness return to her after everything she'd been through.
The kitchen door opened again. Damian entered, looking exhausted.
"Morning," he said, heading for the coffee maker. "Rough night?"
"Always is these days." He poured coffee with shaking hands.
Kira stopped running from Ethan and went completely still staring at Damian.
I watched her expression change and saw interest flicker in her eyes as she took in Damian's appearance.
He was objectively handsome. Tall. Well-built. Dark hair, strong features even when exhausted and stressed, he had a presence.
Kira straightened her posture and smoothed her hair. Moved toward him with what I recognized as her attempting-to-be-charming walk.
"You must be Damian," she said. "The famous pack doctor who saved my sister-in-law's life. Multiple times."
"That's me." He didn't look up from his coffee.
"I'm Kira. Kaden's sister though I suppose you already know that."
"I do."
"I wanted to thank you for taking care of Elara. For helping her when she needed it most."
"Just doing my job."
Kira tried a different approach. "You look tired. Have you been working all night?"
"Yes."
"You should rest and take care of yourself. Can't take care of others if you're exhausted."
"I'm fine."
She moved closer, her voice dropping to something more intimate. "If you ever need someone to talk to about stress. About everything going on. I'm a good listener."
"Thanks. I will keep that in mind."
Damian finished his coffee and left without another word. Without even really looking at Kira.
She stood there, deflated, staring after him.
Ethan whistled low. "Wow. Shot down hard. That's got to sting."
"He's just tired," Kira said defensively. "Busy. Stressed from the war preparations."
"Sure. That's definitely what that was."
Kira glared at him. "Shut up, Ethan."
She left the kitchen quickly, embarrassment clear on her face.
I finished Elara's breakfast and was plating it when Kira returned. Alone this time looking troubled.
"Can we talk?" She asked.
"Of course."
Ethan took the hint and left, closing the door behind him.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Damian. Why did he... why was he so cold to me?"
I sighed I had known this conversation would come eventually. "It's not personal, Kira."
"It felt personal."
"He's dealing with a lot right now in the war. The wounded. The stress of keeping everyone alive."
I paused. "And he's in love with someone."
"Oh." Kira's face fell. "Is it serious?"
"Very. Though it's complicated and painful for him."
"Who is she?"
I looked at my sister and saw the disappointment in her eyes. The hope that had been building since she'd seen Damian.
And I knew telling her the truth would hurt. But she deserved to know.
"It is Elara," I said quietly.
"Damian is in love with Elara."
Kira's eyes widened. "Your mate? Your Elara?"
"Yes."
"Does she know?"
"Yes, he confessed his feelings. She turned him down. Choose me but the feelings are still there. He's been dealing with them while still being her doctor. Her friend. It's been torture for him."
"And you're okay with this? With him being around her knowing he loves her?"
"No. I hate it. But Damian has been honorable about it. He has never tried to come between us. Never acted on his feelings. He is a good man dealing with an impossible situation."
I met her eyes. "So when he was cold to you, it wasn't because of you. It was because he's protecting himself. Not letting anyone else in while he's still struggling with feelings he can't have."
Kira nodded slowly. "I understand. That's... that's actually kind of noble. Suffering in silence like that."
"It is also heartbreaking that he deserves to be happy. To find someone who loves him back. But he can't seem to move past what he feels for Elara."
"Maybe someday when the war is over when things calm down."
"Maybe."
But looking at my sister's disappointed face, I wasn't sure. Damian had been carrying his love for Elara for months now. It didn't seem to be fading.
And now Kira, who'd just started healing from her own trauma, had developed feelings for someone who couldn't return them.
Just another casualty of this impossible situation we were all trapped in.