What, No?

What, No?
Chapter 66
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Elena

I watched him walk away, naked and perfect. The blanket was still in my hands, and I pulled it up to my chin, suddenly shy. My heart was beating too fast.

I heard the shower turn on in the bathroom. My cheeks got hot thinking about him there alone. I squeezed my eyes shut. Get a grip, Elena.

But I couldn’t. My mind kept replaying his voice. “I don’t want to let go of you.” The way he said it, like it was being torn out of him. And me, stupid me, whispering back, “Then don’t.”

The shower stopped. I quickly lay back down and pretended to be asleep. I wasn’t ready to face him yet. Not with the sun up and everything so clear.

I heard the bathroom door open. I kept my eyes closed, my breathing even. I felt him moving around the room. I heard the soft sound of him pulling on clothes. Then, silence.

I could feel him watching me. My skin prickled. I tried not to move a muscle.

He walked over to the bed. I felt the dip in the mattress as he sat down beside me. His fingers brushed my hair away from my face. The touch was so gentle it made my throat tight.

“I know you’re awake, princess,” he said, his voice low and warm.

I sighed and opened my eyes. He was dressed in a simple grey t-shirt and sweatpants. His hair was still damp from the shower, curling a little at the ends. He looked… calm. Different from the angry, tense man from the last few days.

“I wasn’t,” I lied, my voice scratchy.

He smiled a little. It wasn’t a big smile, but it reached his eyes. “Liar.” He leaned down and kissed my forehead. “I’m going to get us some food.”

He stood up and left the room. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. The spot on my forehead where he kissed me felt warm.

I sat up, holding the sheet to my chest. I felt sore and achy, but in a good way.

Finally, I got up and went to take my own shower.

The hot water felt amazing on my sore muscles. I stood under the spray for a long time, just letting it wash over me. When I got out, I felt a little more like myself. I wrapped a towel around myself and walked back into the bedroom.

Kael was there. He had come back with a tray. There were pancakes, crispy bacon, and a big glass of orange juice. My stomach growled loudly.

He looked up at me and his eyes darkened. He looked at me like I was the only thing in the world. It made my knees feel weak.

“You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?” he said, his voice rough.

I looked down, suddenly very aware that I was only wearing a towel. “What? No.”

He put the tray down on the small table by the window. “Come eat before it gets cold.”

I went to my dresser and pulled out some clean underwear and a soft, long t-shirt. I could feel him watching me the whole time. I ducked into the bathroom to change, my face burning.

When I came out, he was sitting at the table, waiting for me. I sat down across from him. For a few minutes, we just ate in silence.

He finished his food first and leaned back in his chair, just watching me eat. It should have been weird, but it wasn’t.

“We need to talk,” he said finally.

My fork froze halfway to my mouth. I put it down. “Okay.”

He ran a hand through his damp hair. “About what happened. With the council and…Elara.”

I looked down at my plate. “Do we have to?”

“Yes,” he said, his voice firm.

I nodded slowly. He was right. I knew he was right, but I was scared. Scared that talking about it would bring all the anger back.

“I was wrong,” he said. The words were simple, but they hung in the air between us. “I was so scared of losing you, of something being wrong with the baby, that I listened to the wrong people. I let my fear control me, and I hurt you in the process. The one person I’m supposed to protect above everyone else.”

Tears filled my eyes, but I blinked them away. “You did.”

“I know.” He reached across the table and took my hand. His hand was big and warm, covering mine completely. “It will never happen again. I promise you, Elena. I will never doubt you again. You are my Luna. My mate. The mother of my child. That is the only truth that matters.”

I looked at our joined hands. His promise felt solid. Real. I wanted to believe it so badly.

“What about Elara?” I asked, my voice small.

His jaw tightened. A flash of the angry Alpha was back in his eyes. “Elara will be dealt with. She played her games and she almost won. But it’s over now. She will learn what happens when you try to come between an Alpha and his true Luna.”

“And the pack? The rumors?”

“I will handle it,” he said, his thumb stroking the back of my hand.

I pulled my hand from his and stood up. I walked around the table and climbed onto his lap, straddling him. His eyes widened in surprise, but his hands immediately went to my hips, holding me there.

“Elena…” he said, a warning in his voice. But his eyes were full of heat.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my forehead against his. “Okay,” I whispered.

“Okay what?” he asked, his voice husky.

“Okay, I forgive you.”

I felt his whole body relax under me. He let out a long, shaky breath, like he’d been holding it for days. He pulled me closer, burying his face in my neck. “Thank you,” he breathed against my skin.

Finally, he pulled back. He cupped my face in his hands. “I love you, Elena. More than anything.”

My heart felt like it was going to burst. “I love you too, you stupid, possessive Alpha.”

He laughed, a real, happy laugh, and then he kissed me.

When we broke apart, he smiled. “Now, let’s go show the pack their Luna is back.”