Chapter 13
Elvira
The silence in the room was supposed to make me relax but I couldn’t. I ignored the thoughts playing in my head and stepped into the shower. Warm water poured over me, washing off the remnants of sleeplessness and confusion. I needed this, silence, water, time alone.
I stepped out of the bathroom, and nearly screamed.
“Brielle!” I gasped, clutching the face towel tighter against my chest. She stood a few steps away, blinking at me with an amused smile. “The door wasn’t locked?”
“I… I must’ve forgotten when she left last night,” I whispered to myself.
My heart skipped at the thought. What if it hadn’t been Brielle? What if it had been one of the brothers? Or worse… Alpha Jaxon?
A wave of goosebumps ran over my arms. The mere thought made me shudder.
Brielle turned her gaze respectfully toward the mirror and started brushing back her sliver curls, pretending she hadn’t seen a thing. That didn’t help my embarrassment. I had never stood naked in front of anyone before—ever. It was awkward, mortifying, and oddly intimate… but somehow, I was glad it was her. I rushed to the table and grabbed a towel and wrapped it over myself.
“I came to deliver a message,” she said softly, still facing the mirror. “Alpha Kale has invited you to dinner. I’ll wait outside so I can lead you to the royal dining hall.”
I stared at her reflection in the mirror. Dinner? In the royal hall?
“No,” I said quickly, tightening the towel. “I’d rather eat here. I… prefer the silence.”
I didn’t mention Celina. I didn’t have to. Just the thought of her glaring eyes across the table was enough to ruin my appetite.
“And besides,” I added, “Alpha Jaxon told me not to leave this room.”
Brielle hesitated. I saw it in her eyes, something in her wanted to say more, but she simply nodded and turned to leave.
Once she was gone, I followed and locked the door firmly behind her. I pressed my back against it, breathing deeply. One thing was certain, I didn’t want to draw attention to myself. Especially not now. Especially not when Alpha Jaxon wasn’t here. I quickly dressed myself up.
Just minutes passed before another knock with a voice echoed at the door. This time, it was different, masculine, soft, but assertive.
“Elvira,” came the voice. “Open up. It’s me.”
I hesitated. Alpha Callen? Or Alpha Kale?
I reached for the handle with shaky fingers. The last thing I wanted was to upset anyone of higher rank. I cracked the door open and—
“Good morning, Alpha,” I said quickly upon seeing Kale’s face.
He smiled, and I blinked. There was something disarming about that smile. It wasn’t just handsome, it was bright and full of life, my brothers had never smiled at me, not even once. The smile stretched all the way to his eyes. For a second, my chest fluttered unexpectedly.
“How’s your wound?” he asked, his voice full of genuine concern.
“My wound…” I touched my side gently, the dull ache still present. “It’s healing.”
“I’m glad. Now come join us for lunch,” he said. “You’re practically family now.”
Family? The word landed heavy in my chest. That word didn’t belong to me.
“What?” I asked, not hiding my confusion.
“Aren’t you hungry?” he grinned. “Come eat with us. I promise it’ll be better than sulking alone.”
“I…” I tried to object, to mention Jaxon again, but he cut me off.
“Don’t worry. I’ll speak to him when he returns this evening.”
Jaxon… was coming back?
I didn’t expect my heart to react the way it did. A thrill of hope zipped through me. Why? Why was I so happy? He’d probably return with more cold rules and distant orders.
Still… my stomach flipped.
Before I could gather my thoughts or properly object, Kale gently took my wrist, guiding me out of the room. His grip was firm, but not forceful, just enough to remind me that refusal wasn’t really an option.
The royal hall was bigger than I’d imagined. Ornate chandeliers swung gently above, casting golden hues over the long table adorned with silverware and steaming dishes. I paused just at the threshold.
And then I saw her. Celina.
She sat like a painting, flawless, poised, deadly. Her sharp eyes met mine like a dagger thrown from across the room. A chill slid down my spine. Her gaze reminded me so much of Mother Felen… possessive, controlling, dangerous.
I looked away instantly.
“Come,” Kale said, gesturing to the empty seat beside her.
Nope.
There was no way I’d sit next to her. My body moved toward the spot, but the vibe around Celina felt like ice, annoying and suffocating. She shifted slightly, a single flick of her hand warning me off like I was a stray animal.
Without another word, I veered toward the seat across the table and settled in. Alpha Callen sat near the end. He smiled and waved at me, but I noticed how quickly he dropped his hand when Celina’s eyes landed on him.
Conversation echoed around me, but I couldn’t focus on a single word. Every laugh felt forced. Every clink of cutlery was too loud. The table may have looked royal, but it felt more like a stage, and I was the unwelcome prop.
I ate slowly, mindlessly stirring the rice on my plate.
“So,” Alpha Kale said suddenly, loud enough for everyone to hear. “Elvira, how do you see Morrien so far?”
Morrien? That was the moment I reliazed that Alpha Jaxon never made mention of his pack name. I looked up. All eyes were on me.
“It’s… beautiful,” I said softly, not knowing what else to say. I didn’t want to draw attention. I didn’t want more stares.
“She’s still recovering,” Celina said coolly, her voice like ice melting over a fire. “Perhaps she’s not quite ready for royal dinners.”
I froze.
“I’m fine,” I replied, my voice barely audible.
Alpha Kale cleared his throat and changed the subject, trying to lighten the mood. But the tension lingered. I picked at my food. Every bite tasted like cardboard now.
Then, I heard footsteps echoing from behind. My fingers froze around my spoon. The room shifted. Even Celina straightened in her chair. Something about the energy changed, just slightly, but unmistakably.
And then I heard it. His voice.
“Elvira.”
I turned slowly, heart thudding in my ears. There, standing just inside the hall, framed by the open double doors, was Alpha Jaxon. He wasn’t smiling. His eyes scanned the room like he’d been hunting for someone, and found her.
Me.
I stood up instinctively, not knowing why. My throat felt dry. My body went rigid. He walked forward, his steps steady. There was no playful sarcasm in his expression. Only something serious, curiosity, maybe even anger, but more than that… something I couldn’t place.
“Alpha Jaxon,” Celina stood quickly, walking toward him. “You’re back.”
But he walked past her like she was invisible. My feet stayed rooted to the marble floor as he approached. I didn’t know whether to curtsy or run.