247- When Sleep Carries His Scent
POV Aldren Valmorin:
“You will be surprised by what she has become, then.”
“What do you mean?” Her blue eyes widened.
“It’s better you see with your own eyes when you meet. But don’t be afraid—she hasn’t changed for the worse.”
“What a relief. So many questions… how did she meet the alpha of Eldoria?”
“You two can talk about that. I need to send the invitation for her to come, but I doubt she will refuse, because she longs deeply to find you.”
Elowen bit her lip, thoughtful.
“If she needs an invitation, does that mean that even if she wanted, she couldn’t have come after me at your house?” She began to understand on her own.
“Exactly. Only alphas move freely between all territories.”
“Wow, I didn’t know. How many are there again? Are you all friends?”
That dinner conversation showed me we still had much to clarify.
“We coexist with respect, for the good of our people. We are all under the laws of the Elders.”
“Korlina told me you’ve been here since before these Elders. Who are they?”
“There are three. They look the same, but one has no eyes, another has no mouth, and the last has no ears.”
“My God!” she gasped.
“They are not frightening, but kind and just figures. They communicate through telepathy and are a paternal representation for us. The territories were once scattered, and families lived isolated. They named the first alphas and coordinated the formation of the packs.”
“I’m curious to see them. And your family?”
Her question struck a place where open scars still lived.
“Did I say something wrong? God, Aldren, I’m sorry.” Unable to hide my discomfort, she held my hand on the table.
“It’s all right, don’t worry.”
“I don’t want to upset you…”
“You don’t upset me, Elowen.” I kissed her hand before pulling mine away.
“I’m so happy now that I know Lunara is well. I want you to be happy too.”
“I repeat, don’t worry about me.”
She pursed her lips, as if to say: impossible.
Part of me found comfort in hearing from her that she was happy, even as another part gave in to worries. A small flame of insecurity also lit in my chest. Would Elowen ask to live in Eldoria when she reunited with her sister?
Suddenly, a pungent and uncomfortably familiar odor clouded the air—a scent mixing the metallic of blood with something wild and ancient.
My heartbeat spiked, and a stab of alertness shot through my being.
“Aldren, a cute crow landed on the window behind you!” she said, confirming what my nose had already detected. Her voice carried a lightness that clashed bitterly with the tension taking hold of me.
(...)
POV Elowen Grimwald:
I went to sleep alone.
Even though my chest could have burst with happiness at the thought that I would soon see my Lunara, I worried about Aldren and his sudden withdrawal the night before.
He was no longer rude to me—far from it—but something seemed to pull him back every time we took two steps forward. I wanted to know what tormented him so deeply and, if the reason were me, I would do anything to change things.
Lying on my stomach, I noticed that no light filtered through the small gap beneath the door, which told me that my anxiety had made me wake much earlier than I should have.
I closed my eyes again, searching for sleep, even though I doubted it would come.
I didn’t know if it was just in my head, but suddenly the most delicious scent in the world filled my nostrils—eucalyptus and dry wood, mixed with his bath soap.
He was close.
The door slid open slowly and my heartbeat leapt. I knew it was Aldren. But why? I kept my eyes closed, waiting for what would happen.
His steps were so careful that I didn’t even hear them; I only felt his breath near my face and, soon after, a gentle kiss on my forehead.
With the back of his fingers, he caressed my cheeks.
Even if I tried, I couldn’t explain the peace I felt from that touch. The care, the… love.
Wanting to pull him into the bed, I opened my eyes and tried to lift my torso.
“I know you couldn’t sleep, that’s why I’m here. It’s still early morning—I want you to rest.”
“Aldren…”
He leaned over me and left a trail of kisses from my neck to my mouth.
I wanted to kiss him with all my strength, but I was taken by the opposite effect. Calm. Somehow, Aldren held the power to soothe all my demons.
And the sleep I had been searching for found its way to me through him.
…
I got myself completely ready, just as I did whenever I wanted to impress Aldren.
I didn’t know if I would see my sister today, but I wanted to be ready to meet her at any moment.
Sava loved me and, unlike what I had believed, she had never stopped loving me. It would be good for her to find me well dressed, so she would know there was no reason to worry.
I went downstairs excited to meet Nerin, and she greeted me with a worried expression on her face. Accustomed to bad news, I held my breath and approached her at the counter sink.
“God, what is it?” I asked, touching her shoulder.
“I’m worried about you. Are you all right?”
She rested her hand over mine, her hawk-like eyes fixed on me.
“I’m fine… did something happen?”
“Today?”
“I don’t know, it’s just that you seem worried.”
“Oh, forgive me. Nothing happened, I’m just worried about you. I haven’t seen you since yesterday.”
“Whew!” I could finally breathe.
“Are you sure you’re all right?” she asked again, turning back to the sink where a few dishes still needed rinsing.
“Aldren is going to let me see Lunara, so it’s impossible to be sad,” I commented, feeling a pleasant vibration in my chest.
“It’s true. She’s coming to have lunch here.”
“NERIN!” I screamed, bringing my hands to my lips. Her thin body jolted.
“Girl! You scared me!”
“I can’t believe it!”
Suddenly I was running and jumping around the kitchen. I would have done cartwheels if there had been space without crashing into furniture. Nerin crossed her arms and laughed, watching my little outburst.