Excuse Me?

Excuse Me?

Chapter 55
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Elena

I stayed in bed for all of five minutes before curiosity got the better of me.

Quietly, I got up and walked towards the kitchen doorway and leaned against the frame, watching him at the stove. He was barefoot, hair still a mess and frowning in concentration like breakfast was a military operation. I couldn't help but giggle a little.

“You’re really going all out,” I murmured, still leaning against the doorframe.

He glanced over his shoulder, a mischievous spark in his eyes. “Told you I’d impress you.”

On the counter beside him, a plate was already half-filled with toast and cut fruit. The smell of coffee was stronger here, mingling with the buttery scent of whatever he was cooking.

I padded over, perching on one of the high stools. “You know, you don’t have to do all this.”

His expression softened just a fraction. “I want to.”

I glanced at the plate. “You do know I can’t live on toast and fruit forever, right?”

He smirked. “Relax, Luna. There’s more.”

The word still made me twitch. Luna. I had been officially his mate for what… a day? It still felt strange. Not a bad type of strange, just… new. And now, we were already expecting a baby. My life was moving at the speed of light, and I couldn’t tell if it was exciting or terrifying.

I propped my chin on my hand. “You’re in a good mood this morning.”

“Shouldn’t I be?” he said, sliding the pan off the burner. “My mate is having my child. That’s… something worth being in a good mood for.”

I smiled faintly, but there was a flutter of nerves in my stomach. “You make it sound so simple.”

He set the pan down, his back to me. “It is simple, Elena. You and the baby—nothing else matters more than that.”

The words should have warmed me, but there was a quiet warning underneath them. Nothing else matters also meant he would put us before everything and everyone else. I wasn’t sure how that would sit with the rest of the pack…or with me if it got to the point where he started treating me like glass.

I didn’t have to wonder for long.

By the time he set the plate in front of me, the front door swung open without warning. Rhea’s voice rang through the house.

“Elena! Are you alive? Or did Alpha over here lock you in a room and throw away the key?”

I nearly choked on my coffee. Kael’s eyes narrowed instantly. “Does she ever knock?”

“No,” I whispered back.

Rhea appeared in the kitchen, eyes lighting up when she saw me. “There you are—” She froze mid-step, gaze darting between the food, Kael’s bare feet, and my rumpled hair. Her grin widened. “Oh. I see how it is.”

Kael gave her a flat look. “It’s not what you think.”

“Uh-huh.” She slid onto the stool beside me like she owned the place. “So… how does it feel officially being a Luna? And oh I heard from one of the omegas who overheard your sister bragging about becoming an aunt.”

I blinked. “Wait. Elara knows?”

“Apparently, yes,” Rhea said, rolling her eyes. “And she’s already telling people like it’s her baby or something.”

The bite of toast I had been chewing turned dry in my mouth. “She’s what?”

Kael’s voice cut through, low and dangerous. “I saw her wandering close to the gardens yesterday. She must have overheard us talking.”

A heavy knot formed in my stomach. The last thing I needed was Elara using my pregnancy as gossip fodder. She’d twist it into something ugly—she always did.

“I’ll handle her,” Kael said firmly.

“No,” I said quickly. “If you go after her, she’ll just play the victim. Let me talk to her first.”

He looked like he wanted to argue, but Rhea jumped in. “Honestly, maybe you should let him handle it. Elara respects exactly no one except people who can intimidate her. Which is… not you, babe.”

I shot her a glare.

“What? I’m just saying,” she said, hands up in mock surrender.

Kael pushed his plate aside. “Either way, no more wandering around without telling me where you’re going, and no heavy pack duties until further notice.”

My head snapped toward him. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” he said calmly, like it was the most reasonable thing in the world. “You’re pregnant, Elena. You’re not risking yourself for anything.”

I stared at him. “Kael, I’m still the Luna. I can’t just hide in this house for the next nine months.”

“You can and you will, if that’s what it takes,” he said, eyes locking onto mine. “I won’t have you or the baby in danger.”

Rhea made a face. “Ooo, this is going to be fun.”

I ignored her. “Kael, I’ve spent my whole life being told what to do. I thought this was different.”

His jaw tightened. “It is different. This isn’t control, Elena. It’s protection.”

“Feels the same from where I’m sitting,” I muttered.

The silence that followed was heavy. Rhea shifted uncomfortably in her seat, clearly sensing the tension.

Finally, Kael stood, running a hand through his hair. “We’ll talk about this later.”

That usually meant I’m not changing my mind.

I didn’t get to confront Elara until that afternoon. She was in the training yard, leaning casually against the fence while a group of young warriors sparred. She looked up when she saw me, her smile sweet but her eyes sharp.

“Congratulations, sister,” she said, voice dripping with fake warmth. “I hear you’ve finally found a way to secure your place.”

My teeth clenched. “What are you telling people?”

“Only the truth,” she said innocently. “That my dear sister is expecting an heir. Oh, and that Kael must be thrilled… considering you didn’t waste much time after becoming Luna.”

The implication burned hot in my chest. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She tilted her head. “Don’t I? You did have a rather… complicated history with Lucian, didn’t you?”

I stepped closer, my voice low. “Stay out of my business, Elara. I mean it.”

Her smile widened, unbothered. “Don’t worry, Elena. I wouldn’t dream of getting in your way. I’m just… making conversation.”

I walked away before I said something I couldn’t take back, but her words stuck like splinters under my skin.

By the time I got back to the house, Kael was pacing in the living room, phone in hand.

“There was a disturbance at the southern border,” he said without looking up. “A rogue sighting.”

My pulse spiked. “Is anyone hurt?”

“No,” he said. “But this makes twice in one week. I’m going to check it out myself.”

“I’ll come—”

“No.” The word was sharp, final. “You’re staying here. End of discussion.”

I wanted to argue, but he was already halfway out the door.

Between Elara’s games, Kael’s protectiveness, and the whispers starting to spread through the pack… this pregnancy was going to be a battlefield.

And I wasn’t sure which fight I needed to win first.