Chapter 300

Chapter 300
【Elsa POV】

I perch on the edge of Leif's hospital bed, watching his face carefully as Edda stands in the doorway. His jaw tightens almost imperceptibly, and I notice how his free hand clenches slightly against the white sheets. The way he holds himself—shoulders squared, spine straight—screams defensive alertness.

My heart breaks a little more as the reality hits me. He doesn't just not remember me. He doesn't remember anyone. Every person who walks through that door is a potential threat in his mind.

That must be terrifying. Being surrounded by strangers who act like they know you, who expect trust you can't give because the foundation for it simply doesn't exist anymore.

I've been so wrapped up in my own pain that I missed his.

"Leif," I whisper, leaning closer and placing my hand gently on his forearm. The muscle is tense beneath my palm. "Edda can be trusted. I promise you that."

His amber eyes flick to mine, and I feel some of the rigidity leave his posture. Not much, but enough that I know he heard me.

Edda steps further into the room, her movements careful and non-threatening. "Leif, how are you feeling? Any pain or discomfort?"

"No pain," he replies, his voice carefully neutral. "The fever broke."

"Good." Edda pulls a small penlight from her pocket, moving slowly as she approaches. "May I check your pupils?"

Leif nods once, though I can see him tracking her every movement. The examination is quick and professional.

"The fever was your body's reaction to your mate's heat cycle," Edda explains, clicking off the light. "Now that you've formed the mating bond, it shouldn't be as severe. We had to evacuate all unmated males from the area when we realized what was happening."

Heat floods my cheeks. I literally caused a pack-wide emergency.

"Thank you for handling that," I say quickly. "Though maybe next time a warning would be helpful?"

Edda tilts her head, looking genuinely puzzled. "A warning about your own cycle, Luna?"

Shit. Of course she'd expect me to know my own body. I scramble for a reasonable explanation. "I meant about his condition. About what the fever meant."

Freyja, curled up between us on the bed, makes a sound suspiciously like a snort.

"Of course," Edda says, accepting my explanation. Then her expression grows serious. "Actually, Luna, I came here for a specific reason. The pack has returned from the evacuation, but there's... tension. Uncertainty. I believe we need to formally announce your Luna status tonight."

I feel Leif go rigid beside me. "What exactly does that mean?" I ask.

"A formal introduction to the pack," Edda explains. "The Alpha presents his Luna, establishes your authority and position. Usually it's a big ceremony, but given our current situation, we thought something more private would be better."

My stomach drops as I remember Karl's warnings about Alpha challenges. About how vulnerable Leif is without his wolf.

"Absolutely not," Leif says, his voice cutting through the air. "That puts Elsa in danger. Makes her a target."

"She's already a target," Edda counters firmly. "Everyone knows she's your mate. This formalizes it, yes, but it also makes clear that harming her means facing the entire pack's wrath. It could actually make her safer."

"Or paint a bigger bullseye on my back," I mutter.

Leif turns to face me fully, his eyes intense. "I won't risk you for pack politics."

Something hot and determined flares in my chest. I slide off the bed, putting some distance between us so I can face him properly.

"What if I want to take the risk?"

Both Leif and Edda stare at me. Freyja lifts her head, ears perked with interest.

"Elsa—" Leif starts.

"No, listen." I cross my arms, meeting his gaze steadily. "I've been running from responsibility my whole life. From my family, from pack obligations, from anything that felt too big or too scary. But look where we are now."

I gesture around the sterile hospital room. "You're hurt. Your pack is falling apart. People are questioning your leadership because you can't connect with your wolf. How long before someone decides to challenge you directly?"

Leif's jaw tightens, but he doesn't argue.

"I can't fix your memory," I continue, my voice getting stronger. "I can't bring back your wolf. But I can do this. I can stand beside you and help hold this pack together while you heal."

"The Luna ceremony would send a clear message," Edda adds quietly. "That the leadership is stable. That the Alpha has a strong mate who supports him."

Leif looks between us, conflict written across his features. "You don't understand the danger—"

"I understand plenty," I interrupt. "I understand that running away and hiding hasn't kept me safe. I understand that the people trying to hurt us aren't going to stop just because I keep my head down. And I understand that you need this."

I step closer, reaching for his hands. "You told me once that you'd been waiting for me to be ready to stand at your side. Well, I'm ready now."

His hands are warm in mine, callused and strong. "Elsa..."

"Are you going to try to stop me?"

A ghost of a smile crosses his face. "Would it work if I did?"

"Not even a little bit."

He's quiet for a long moment, studying my face. Then he turns to Edda. "What kind of security are we talking about?"

"Full detail," Edda says immediately. "Multiple guards, secured location, limited attendance. We'll announce it to the pack as a whole afterward, but the actual ceremony will be small and controlled."

"I want Vidar and Karl there," Leif says. "And whoever else you think we can trust absolutely."

"Already planned," Edda nods.

"When?" I ask.

"Tonight. After sunset." Edda looks between us. "Unless you need more time?"

I look at Leif. His amber eyes are still worried, but there's something else there too. Determination, maybe. Or resignation.

"Tonight works," I say before he can object.

Leif squeezes my hands. "Then we do this together."

"Together," I agree.

Edda nods briskly. "I'll make the arrangements. Luna, you'll want to dress appropriately—I can have something sent to your cottage."

"What's appropriately?" I ask.

"Something that says 'Luna' without saying 'target,'" Edda replies dryly. "I'll figure it out."

After she leaves, Leif tugs me back down onto the bed beside him. "You're sure about this?"

"Are you going to keep asking me that?"

"Probably."

I curl up against his side, feeling the solid warmth of him. "Then I'll keep telling you yes."