Chapter 69
Elvira
The birthday gala had ended, but the night lingered. The halls outstretching from the ballroom were quieter now, humming only with the occasional footsteps of staff and the distant creak of doors closing. Lights flickered across the walls as I walked through them slowly, trying to unspool the chaos in my head.
Each truth carved its own wound. I made my way to my room in silence, but even as I reached the door to my room, Jaxon was already there.
Leaning against the frame, coat discarded, shirt slightly rumpled, the top buttons undone. His tie was gone, and his usually-perfect hair had fallen slightly over his brow. He looked tired. His eyes found mine instantly.
“You’ve been avoiding me,” he said quietly.
I didn’t answer right away. “It’s late.”
“I waited for everyone to leave,” he murmured. “So we could talk. Just us.”
I reached for the handle. “You’re drunk. This isn’t the time.” I said, but he stopped me from twisting the handle.
“I’ll sleep in the other room.” I said, ready to walk away.
He stepped in front of the door before I could open it. Not touching me, but blocking it all the same.
“Elvira,” he said, and this time his voice cracked, not with anger, but with something I had never heard before. “Please. Just… listen to me.”
I looked at him fully then, taking look in his face, the guarded hope behind his eyes. Something in him was unraveling.
“I’m not here to force anything on you,” he said.
“That’s never been my intention. But I’m not good at this.You must have figured that out by now.”
His laugh was dry now, bitter at the edges. “I’ve spent most of my life mastering the art of pretending. Of being strong. But I’m tired, Elvira. And I’m not pretending with you.”
Here we go again!
He took a step back, not away from me, but enough to give me space.
“You didn’t visit me,” he said, softer now. “When I was sick.”
I swallowed, Celina had stopped me from seeing him, even before I was accused of committing treason. “I was busy” I lied.
His smile was sad. “I see. I thought I could handle it. Thought I’d recover and you wouldn’t have to worry.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “But there were nights I didn’t think I’d wake up. My wolf, Lyx, he stopped answering me for days. I was drowning inside my own body.”
I stared at him, stunned. What do I say? That I’m sorry?
“I was scared,” he admitted. “Not of death. But of dying and never having told you how I really feel.”
He looked up at me again, and this time, he didn’t hide the warmth in his eyes.
“You drive me crazy, Elvira,” he whispered. “You make me question everything I thought I knew about loyalty, about power, about love. You’re unpredictable. And I don’t always know what to do with that.”
Me, unpredictable? It’s you sir!
He took a slow breath. “I know you’ve probably heard this from me a lot of times, but this time I’m serious. I want to learn. I want you to show me how to love you. Give me hints. Teach me. Because I don’t know how.”
My throat tightened. Did I hear him clearly?
“Ever since Lila’s betrayal,” he went on, “I haven’t been able to feel anything real for anyone. I shut it all off. Love, trust, everything.”
I turned slightly, unable to bear the rawness in his face.
“But you,” he said, stepping closer. “You broke through it without even trying.”
He reached for my hand, pausing before touching me. “I’m sorry if this sounds offensive. But Lila and I, there’s nothing left there. And Kara?”
I was tense. Who’s Kara?
“She’s just the pack healer,” he said. “Whatever you saw, whatever you think happened, it was a misunderstanding. I had never touched her. I would never”
His fingers brushed mine then, light as air.
“I’ve only craved to touch you,” he said. “Even when I know I didn’t deserve to.”
The silence between us stretched long and awkward. I didn’t know what to say. My chest ached. My thoughts flew like dry leaves.
He stepped even closer. “You don’t have to say anything now. I just needed you to know.”
Then, without asking, he leaned in, and kissed me, soft and slow.
I froze. The heat of him, the scent I had tried so hard to stop noticing, overwhelmed me.
And then, I felt a pulse. A strange, warmth light sparked between our joined hands. I gasped and pulled back, looking down. A silver thread. It shined faintly, connecting his hand to mine.
We both stared.
“What—?” I breathed.
The thread pulsed once. Then again. But this time it didn’t burn. But it pulsed in rhythm with my heart.
“I… I don’t understand,” I whispered.
Jaxon didn’t speak. His thumb traced over my knuckles, eyes wide with something like awe.
“It’s a bond mark,” he said softly. “You’re mine now, Elvira.”