Chapter 63 Elara's POV
I woke up feeling better than I had in weeks.
The exhaustion that had been weighing me down for days seemed lighter somehow. My stomach didn't immediately protest the idea of food. And for the first time in what felt like forever, I had slept through the entire night without waking up five times to use the bathroom.
I stretched carefully, my hand automatically going to my stomach. The bump was more noticeable now undeniable, a constant reminder of the life growing inside me.
Memories of yesterday flooded back. The breakfast with Kaden, Damian, and Ethan. Selena's vicious comments that had bounced off me like water off stone. And then the drive with Kaden.
I smiled despite myself, remembering his laughter when I had emerged from that store with hot sauce and peanut butter. The way he had looked at me not with pity or obligation, but with genuine warmth. Like he actually wanted to spend time with me.
Maybe this could work, maybe we could build something real for our child's sake.
I got out of bed and went to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face. When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized myself.
I looked... My skin had a glow I had never seen before. My hair was thick and shiny. Even my eyes seemed brighter somehow.
Pregnancy was changing me in ways I couldn't fully understand.
I dressed in one of the looser dresses Kaden had bought for me pale green, soft fabric that didn't cling to the bump but didn't hide it either. There was no point trying to conceal it anymore. Everyone would know soon enough anyway.
I had plans today. Elder Miriam had asked me to visit her again, and said she had more to tell me about Kaden's family history. Things that might help me understand the changes happening to my body.
But first, I needed to find Kara. She had been such a good friend through all of this, and I wanted her company for the walk to Miriam's estate.
I left my quarters and headed toward the servant wing. The hallways were busy with pack members going about their morning routines. Several of them stared at me as I passed. I heard whispers but couldn't make out the words.
Let them talk. I was done caring what they thought. As I approached the servant quarters, I heard raised voices. One of them was unmistakably Selena's.
"I told you to have my breakfast ready by eight! It's eight fifteen!"
"I'm sorry, ma'am the kitchen was backed up this morning. I brought it as soon as-"
"I don't want excuses! I want competence! Is that too much to ask?"
I turned the corner and saw them. Selena stood over a young maid who couldn't have been more than seventeen who was holding a breakfast tray with shaking hands. The girl's eyes were red like she'd been crying.
"Please, ma'am I will take it back to the kitchen and have them remake it-"
"You will do no such thing, you will stand there while I decide what to do with you."
Other servants had gathered, watching the scene with fearful expressions. No one was intervening, no one was helping this poor girl.
I felt anger building in my chest.
"That's enough, Selena," I said, stepping forward.
Selena turned, her expression shifting from anger to false sweetness. "Elara. How lovely to see you. I was just dealing with a staffing issue. Nothing that concerns you."
"It concerns me when you are terrorizing a child."
"She is not a child, she is a servant who failed to do her job properly."
I looked at the young maid. "What's your name?"
"L-Lily, miss," She stammered.
"Lily, you can go take the tray back to the kitchen and don't worry about remaking anything."
"She will do no such thing!" Selena snapped. "I gave her an order-"
"And I'm countermanding it. Lily, go."
The girl looked between us, terrified of making the wrong choice.
"Go," I said more firmly. "Now."
Lily practically ran from the room, the tray rattling in her hands.
Selena's expression turned cold. "You have no right to give orders to the staff."
"And you have no right to abuse them."
"I'm maintaining discipline, something this pack desperately needs." She took a step toward me.