Come In, Martha

Come In, Martha
Chapter 63
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Elena

The hope that had flickered in my chest was a stubborn little thing. It didn’t erase the pain, but it made the darkness feel a little less absolute. He’d seen me. He’d looked… sorry. Maybe not sorry enough, but it was a start.

I must have finally fallen asleep there on that old couch, because the next thing I knew, grey morning light was filtering through the dusty window. My body was stiff, my eyes swollen, but the hollow feeling had receded just a bit.

A soft knock came at the door. It wasn’t Rhea’s confident rap. This was hesitant.

“Come in,” I croaked, my voice still rough from crying.

The door opened slowly. It wasn’t anyone i expected. It was Martha, one of the older, kinder housekeepers. She held a tray in her hands, her face etched with sympathy.

“Luna,” she said softly, bringing the tray over. On it was a steaming bowl of oatmeal with cinnamon sprinkled on top, a cup of ginger tea, and two pieces of dry toast. Exactly what I could stomach. “I thought you might be hungry.”

“Thank you, Martha,” I said, sitting up. I was surprised. This wasn’t the bland “livestock” meal. This was thoughtful..

She set the tray on my lap. “The Alpha… he mentioned you might not be feeling well this morning,” she said carefully, not meeting my eyes.

“I’m okay,” I whispered.

She gave me a gentle smile and left me alone.

I ate the food slowly. It was warm and comforting.

The day passed in a strange, quiet limbo. I stayed in the little sitting room, expecting Elara to show up at any moment to gloat and officially take over. But she never came. No one bothered me. It was like the pack was holding its breath, waiting to see what would happen next.

As evening fell, a different kind of restlessness took hold. I couldn’t hide in this little room forever. I was still the Luna, even if it was in name only for now. I needed to shower. I needed my own clothes.

Taking a deep breath, I left the safety of the sitting room and walked down the hall to mine and Kael’s bedroom. My heart hammered against my ribs. What if he was in there? What would I say?

I pressed my ear to the door. Silence. I turned the knob and slipped inside.

The room was empty and neat. It seemed as if he didn't sleep here either.
The loneliness I’d felt on the couch came rushing back, but it was sharper here, in our space. This room held so many memories. Good ones. Now it just felt like a museum of a relationship that was falling apart.

I went into the bathroom and started the shower, letting the steam fill the room. I stood under the hot water for a long time, trying to wash away the ache, the doubt, the fear. When I got out, I felt a little more human. I wrapped myself in a soft towel and walked back into the bedroom.

I froze.

Kael was there. He was standing by the window, looking out into the dark, his back to me. He’d changed into a simple black t-shirt and sweatpants. He looked… tired. His broad shoulders were slumped, not in their usual proud, Alpha stance.

He must have heard me come in, but he didn’t turn around.

I stood there, rooted to the spot, my wet hair dripping onto the floor. I didn’t know what to do. Should I say something? Should I leave?

He spoke first, his voice low and gravelly, still facing the window. “I didn’t know where else to go.”

The confession was so quiet, so un-Alpha-like, it made my chest tighten.

I didn’t say anything. I just waited.

He finally turned around. His eyes were dark, shadowed with exhaustion and something else. Remorse. He looked at me, really looked, taking in my damp hair, the towel, the vulnerability I couldn’t hide.

“I couldn’t sleep in here,” he said, his gaze dropping to the floor. “It felt wrong. Without you.”

My breath caught. This was it. This was the opening. This was him, trying.

“You told me to go,” he continued, finally meeting my eyes. “And I did. Because you asked me to. But I’ve been going out of my mind all day, Elena. I can’t… I can’t think. I can’t focus. The bond… it’s been screaming at me.”

He took a tentative step toward me. Then another. He stopped a few feet away, close enough that I could feel the heat from his body, but not close enough to touch.

“I was so angry,” he admitted, his voice rough. “And I was scared. The thought of anything happening to you… or the baby… it makes me crazy. And then the rumors… I let my fear and my pride get the better of me. I failed you.”

Tears welled in my eyes again, but this time they weren’t tears of despair. They were tears of relief. He was finally saying the words.

“You did,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “You failed me when I needed you most.”

He flinched like the words were a physical blow, but he didn’t look away. He nodded, accepting it. “I know. And I am so sorry. So sorry, Elena. I don’t doubt you. I don’t doubt our child. I never should have let that poison in.”

He took the final step, closing the distance between us. He didn’t reach for me. He stood there, giving me the choice. “Please,” he said, his voice barely a whisper, full of raw need. “Please don’t shut me out. I can’t bear it.”

I looked up into his eyes, seeing the man I fell in love with…the strong, powerful Alpha who was brought to his knees by the thought of losing me. The anger was still there, the hurt too, but behind it… love. So much love it crushed me.

I didn’t speak. I couldn’t. His look…God, that look…it tore through my anger, left me bare, shaking. My chest ached, my body betrayed me. My fingers loosened, and the towel slipped, falling to the floor, because I couldn’t fight him anymore.

His eyes darkened, his breath catching. It wasn’t an invitation for sex, but it was me showing hi I was his. Showing him I was vulnerable. Showing him I was choosing to let him back in.

He reached out a hand, his fingers trembling slightly as he brushed a stray, wet strand of hair from my cheek. The touch was electric, a spark that jumped between us after days of cold silence.

“Elena,” he breath fanned against my neck, my name a prayer on his lips.

“You really know how to drive me crazy.”