Chapter 80 Chapter 80

Chapter 80 Chapter 80
E L A R A

I stood before the full-length mirror in the corner of the chamber, my fingers trembling slightly as I twisted my damp hair into a loose bun.

The steam from the basin I'd used to freshen up still lingered in the air, carrying the faint scent of lavender soap that the maid had left out earlier.

My body ached in places I didn't want to dwell on, reminders of the night before, of Kane's hands and the wild pull of our bond but I'd forced myself out of the tangled furs, determined not to spend the day wallowing in his absence.

The reflection staring back at me looked pale, shadows under my eyes from a restless morning, but at least I felt a fraction more myself now, my skin clean and my nightshift swapped for a simple linen dress that hung loose over my curves.

Luca's laughter had echoed down the hall when the maid took him off to play in the courtyard, his small hand waving goodbye as he clutched that rag doll Hunter had given him.

I'd caught the maid's arm before she left, my voice firmer than I felt. "Bring him back here for the night," I'd said. "He sleeps with me." She nodded without question, but inside, my chest tightened.

This massive chamber, with its heavy drapes and the wide bed that still smelled of Kane's musk, felt too empty without him. Without Luca's warm weight beside me, I wasn't sure I could close my eyes at all.

The rogue pack's ways were still foreign.

A sharp knock at the door jolted me from my thoughts. I smoothed my hands over my dress and called out, "Come in."

The heavy oak creaked open, and Lila slipped inside, balancing a wooden tray laden with steaming bowls and fresh bread.

Her steps were soft on the stone floor, her dark hair pinned back under a simple scarf, and she dipped her head in a quick bow as she approached.

"Miss," she said, her voice gentle but laced with that deference all the servants showed me now, "I hope I haven't disturbed your rest. I brought food, some stew from the kitchens, and cheese with apples. The Alpha said to make sure you ate well while he's away."

She set the tray on the low table by the window, the aroma of rich broth and herbs wafting up, making my stomach twist with sudden hunger. I managed a small smile, stepping closer. "You didn't disturb me, Lila. Thank you. Sit with me? I could use the company."

Her eyes widened for a split second, surprise flickering before she nodded and pulled up a stool. As we settled, I untied my bun just a bit, letting a few strands fall loose around my face.

The warmth of the food chased away some of the chill in the room, but my mind kept drifting back to Kane, to the border, to the danger he had ridden into without a backward glance.

What if he didn't come back by dawn?

What if Alric's shadows reached us here?

I glanced across the table at Lila, her hands folded neatly in her lap, eyes fixed on the tray as if it were a sacred offering. She hadn't so much as reached for a slice of apple or dipped a spoon into the stew, waiting for me to take the first bite.

It was one of those rogue customs I'd picked up on servants deferring to the Luna's lead, even in something as simple as a meal.

My fork hovered over the bowl, steam curling up like a question mark, but my appetite faltered under the weight of her quiet presence.

Her face was composed, cheeks flushed just a touch from the room's warmth, but I couldn't shake the image that had lodged itself in my mind since waking. The other night, in the haze of that hidden alcove, with Kane's fingers working me open and the sounds of the pack's revelry filtering through the curtains, Lila's mouth on my breast, warm and insistent, her tongue circling my nipple until it hardened under her touch.

It had been a blur of sensation, my body arching into it without thought, but now, in the stark light of afternoon, it replayed with vivid clarity.

Had she been coerced? Pushed into it by Kane's command, or had she chosen?

"The other night..." I started, my voice barely above a whisper, setting the fork down with a soft clink.

Lila's head snapped up, then immediately bowed again, her shoulders hunching as if bracing for a storm. "I wanted to, miss," she said quickly, cutting me off before I could finish. "The Alpha didn't force me to. If I had said no, he wouldn't have pushed for it. He... he knows the pack's ways, but he respects boundaries when they're spoken."

Her words hung in the air, sincere and steady, but they stirred a knot in my gut. I studied her bent head, the way her fingers twisted the edge of her apron.

Part of me wanted to press, to unravel the truth of that moment had she truly desired it, or was this loyalty to Kane talking? But another part, the one still raw from his claiming bites and the ache between my thighs, understood the pull of submission in this place.

The rogues didn't chain you with iron, they bound you with expectation, with the thrill of surrender.

I reached out, touching her hand lightly to still its fidgeting. "Lila, look at me." She lifted her gaze slowly, eyes wide and unguarded, a mix of fear and resolve in them. "I'm not angry. I just... it was all so new. Overwhelming. I needed to know you weren't hurt by it."

She shook her head, a small smile breaking through. "Not hurt, miss. Honored, if anything. To be chosen for the Luna's first night... it's a mark of trust from the Alpha. And you...you were so beautiful, lost in it. I felt... part of something bigger." Her voice trailed off, and she glanced at the food again. "Please, eat miss. You'll need your strength while he's away."

I nodded, picking up the fork and taking a bite of the stew. The flavors burst on my tongue, savory meat, tender roots, a hint of spice that warmed me from the inside. As I chewed, the tension eased a fraction, and Lila finally helped herself to a piece of bread, tearing it slowly.