Chapter 41 Chapter 41
ELIJAH’S POV
It was still morning.
The room was quiet, filled with that soft kind of silence that comes after a great sex. The curtains swayed gently, and sunlight brushed the edge of the bed where Amanda lay sleeping, her body half covered by the sheets.
I couldn’t help the small grin that tugged at my mouth.
They always sleep after that.
Every woman I’ve ever fucked, I drain them way too much and leave them extremely exhausted, and too tired to move.
Amanda was no different.
I leaned back against the headboard, staring up at the ceiling. The grin on my face disappeared, leaving something heavy behind. I should have felt powerful and satisfied, the kind of pride an Alpha feels after claiming what’s his.
Instead, I felt… nothing.
I’d done my duty. I’d taken my Luna. I’d marked her as mine, but my heart wasn't in it.
Amanda moaned my name in her sleep, her hand brushing my arm. Her touch was soft—warm even—but it didn’t faze me. I turned to look at her again. She was indeed beautiful, and gentle in a way I hadn’t noticed before. She didn’t deserve my silence or my distance. She deserved a man who wanted her completely.
And I wasn’t that man.
I sighed, dragging a hand down my face.
Anna’s name slipped through my thoughts before I could stop myself.
No matter what I did, she was still there.
Even after everything.
Even after I saw her with my brother this morning. When I closed my eyes, it was her face I saw, and of course, the memory of her on top of him—my brother. I could still remember him grabbing her ass and smirking at me as I watched them.
I pushed the thought away and swung my legs off the bed. The floor was cold beneath my feet. I pulled on my trousers and boots and stepped out quietly, not wanting to wake Amanda.
The hallway outside was bright. Morning had filled it with light, and guards bowed as I passed. I gave a short nod, moving quickly.
And that’s when I almost walked straight into him. “Elder Matthias,” I greeted, stopping short as he saw me.
Amanda’s father stood there—tall, straight, with the calm presence only the older wolves carried. His robe was covered with the markings of the council. His eyes—clear and serious—studied me like he could read every thought behind my face.
“Elijah,” he said slowly. “I was hoping to find you.”
I nodded. “Is something wrong?”
He smiled faintly, the kind that held more weight than warmth. “Not wrong. It's something that's just... important.”
I waited, silently.
He clasped his hands behind his back. “People are beginning to talk,” he continued. “About you and my daughter.”
My brow tightened. “Talk?”
“Yes.” His tone was calm, but firm. “They see you together. They know she is your Luna, but still—no mating ceremony. There has been no announcement or a sign of an heir.”
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “You are strong, Elijah. The pack respects you so much, but strength without legacy makes them scared. They need proof you are ready to lead. They need proof that your bond with Amanda is real.”
I said nothing.
His words sat heavy in my chest.
He studied me for a long moment before continuing. “You want the throne. You want the title of Alpha King, but the council will not give their full trust and support until you give them something to follow—an heir.”
An heir.
The word hit deep.
He nodded slowly, his voice softer now. “Giving them a child will silence their doubts. It will show them that you are not just leading—you are building a future. The moment they see Amanda carry your heir, there will be no more questions about your place. In fact, they'll make you the Alpha King immediately.”
I looked past him for a moment, watching the sunlight come in through the tall windows. I understood exactly what he meant.
Elder Matthias wasn’t just speaking for himself.
He was speaking for the entire council, for the pack, and for the world waiting to see if I could be the Alpha King they desperately wanted.
He took a step back, pride showing in his eyes. “You’ve already done what needed to be done by making my daughter the Luna of this Pack” he revealed slowly. “You’re on the right path. Keep going, Elijah. You can't afford to stop now!”
I forced a faint smile. “You’ll have your heir soon enough,” I replied quietly. “I’ve done what’s needed to be done. I've fucked your daughter!”
His eyes lit up, satisfied. “Brilliant then, Elijah,” he said. “That’s very good. I can't wait for her to be pregnant with your child.”
He placed a hand on my shoulder, filled with approval. “I’m proud of you. Take care of my daughter. She’s strong—but she has her mother’s heart. Don't ever break her heart, Elijah.”
“I will,” I replied simply.
He gave a small nod and walked away, his footsteps fading down the corridor.
I stood there for a long time, staring at the empty space he left behind.
An heir.
It all sounded right, but it didn’t feel real, not to me. I slowly turned and walked toward the balcony. From up here, I could see the training grounds, and the guards training to be strong warriors.
The sound of the door opening behind me pulled me from my thoughts.
“Elijah?”
Amanda’s voice—soft, still heavy from sleep.
I turned. She stood there wearing one of my shirts. It hung loose around her frame, brushing her thighs. Her hair was messy, her eyes barely open as she stared at me.
“You left the bed,” she murmured quietly, walking closer. “I thought you were gone.”
“I just needed air...”
Her gaze moved to the open balcony door. “I heard father came to see you, did he?”
That was how fast news spread. Elder Matthias was with me few minutes ago but she already knew. That was exactly how easy it was for things to spread in the Pack.
I nodded. “He did.”
She smiled faintly. “He worries too much about me and the pack.”
I didn’t answer.
“What did he say this time?” she asked, stepping beside me.
I stared out at the horizon. “He wants us to make it official,” I said. “He thinks the pack is waiting for proof that we’re… serious.”
Amanda smiled again, placing a kiss on my lips. “We are serious, Elijah.”
I looked at her then. She meant it. Every word. She truly believed in us—in me.
And I wished I could really believe it too.
She reached out, brushing her hand against mine. “You don’t have to listen to everything he says,” she whispered. “You’ve already proven yourself, especially this morning. You really give the best sex, Elijah.”
I turned to her fully and forced a slight smile. For a moment, I just looked at her. The sunlight hit her face, and she looked almost unreal—gentle, loyal, and perfect in all the ways a Luna should be.
I took a deep breath.
My jaw tightened.
Maybe Elder Matthias was right.
Maybe it was time to stop living in the past.
I’d lost Anna forever, but I wasn’t going to lose my future too. I dropped to one knee, the floor touching my skin.
Amanda froze in surprise, her lips parting. “Elijah… what are you doing?”
I looked up at her, forcing the words past the tightness in my throat. “Amanda,” I called out slowly, each word filled with guilt, “will you be my mate?”
Her eyes widened, a soft gasp leaving her lips, and I took a breath, deep and final.
I was done.
I was ready to let go of Anna. I was ready to move forward, and be the Alpha King I was born to be.
I wouldn’t think of her again.
Not after this.
Not ever.