Chapter 19
ELARA’S POV
I returned to my chambers, the grand but slightly worn room feeling like a haven after the exhausting day. Even in this cozy space, a prickling sense of discomfort lingered, like an invisible hand brushing my skin. The idea of someone—or something—lurking in the trees, staring with that eerie focus, kept nagging at me. It was like living as a caged bird, with eyes tracking every move.
“Is something bothering you, Elara?” A deep voice rumbled. I looked up to see Cael, one of Ronan’s guards assigned to me, standing outside my door.
“Not really,” I said, shaking my head, unsure if I should trouble him with my suspicions.
He’s here to keep you safe, right? my inner voice pushed, encouraging me to speak up in case it turned serious. But what if it was all in my head? Could I be imagining things?
“Where’s Silas?” I asked instead, spotting that his partner was missing. Silas was the silent type, always fading into the background like a ghost.
“Mia needed him,” Cael answered, his face neutral. “She didn’t say why.”
“Oh,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck. “Alright.”
He moved aside, letting me reach for the heavy wooden door. My fingers wrapped around the knob, but I stopped, turning back to him slowly.
My instincts were yelling at me—I couldn’t brush this off.
“Actually,” I started, keeping my voice low, “there’s something that’s been on my mind for a while.”
“Hm?” His brows knit together as he focused on me. “What is it?”
I stepped closer, whispering even though the dimly lit hallway was empty. “I think I’m being watched.”
“Oh,” his confusion grew, brows furrowing more. “What makes you think that?”
“From the second day I got here,” I explained, detailing the creepy moments. “That first day treating patients, I spotted a shadow in the forest—a person’s outline—staring right at me. I tried to shrug it off as fatigue or bad lighting…”
“But?” He folded his arms, his stance sharpening with alertness.
“But it’s happened twice more since. And today, by the lagoon during my walk with Elder Theo, there it was again. This time, I could tell it was aimed at me.” I swallowed hard, the memory tasting bitter. “It seemed… intentional.”
He stayed quiet for what felt like ages, his eyes locked on mine, absorbing every word. The silence dragged on, thick and charged. I fidgeted, rubbing my hands and exhaling short breaths.
Finally, he spoke, his tone steady and resolute. “From now on, I’ll go with you whenever you step out. Silas can hold down the fort here.”
“Are you sure?” Guilt twisted in my chest. “I don’t want to impose, Cael. You’re already on duty around the clock. You need rest too.”
A small, subtle smile flickered on his lips, softening his serious demeanor. “It’s no trouble, Elara. This is what I’m here for. The Alpha gave Silas and me direct orders to protect you. If you sense someone watching, it’s my responsibility to stick close from here on out.”
“But—”
“No arguments. Besides, Silas isn’t exactly chatty—he’s too reserved,” he said with a chuckle. “He can manage solo.”
“Thank you,” I said, exhaling in relief. The constant worry had been crushing, and Cael’s steady confidence eased some of it. “It means a lot.”
“No worries. Get some sleep—you look wiped out.”
“I will,” I replied. “You should too. You and Silas are out here all day. A break wouldn’t kill you.”
He raised an eyebrow, a playful edge in his tone. “You just told me about a stalker, and now you want me slacking off and leaving you exposed?”
“Well, you’ll need your strength, won’t you? Just think about it. I want to stay safe, but you matter too.”
He paused, mulling it over, then a real smile spread across his face. “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.”
I nodded and slipped inside, shutting the door. I peeled off my clothes and headed to the bathroom for a quick, steamy bath. Afterward, I slipped into a soft nightgown and flopped onto the big, cushy bed.
When I stirred awake, night had fully fallen. The room glowed softly from the oil lamp on my nightstand. My stomach growled loudly. Drawn by a tempting aroma, I turned to see a tray on the small table by the window, loaded with covered bowls.
I scrambled out of bed, my hunger doing flips as I hurried over. Without hesitation, I dove in, sighing with bliss as the warm, flavorful stew melted on my tongue—rich broth with soft chunks of meat.
It was just what my worn-out body craved.
Once finished, I summoned Selene, who showed up right away and cleared the dishes. Alone again, I drifted to the window, leaning against the stone sill as I stared out.
The night painted everything in deep blues and purples, lit by the slender crescent moon.
A soft rustle of leaves nearby shattered the peace. My senses sharpened. I narrowed my eyes, scanning the darkness beyond the palace garden’s edge. There, in the shadows, I made out a figure’s outline.
Oh, it was Silas.
Relief trickled through me. But then doubt crept in: shouldn’t he be at my door with Cael?
Maybe he’s just getting some air or walking off the stiffness, my mind suggested.
“Fine, time for bed,” I muttered, stretching. As I started to turn away, another shape stepped from the forest’s gloom, approaching Silas. My breath caught— was he in danger? But my confusion grew as they headed to a thick bush together. Silas pulled something from his pocket and passed it to the stranger. They exchanged a few words, nodding like they’d agreed on something, before Silas walked off. The other stayed put, frozen like a statue.
Then, its head lifted, and despite the deep hood, I felt the stare—sharp and icy—locked right on me.
This wasn’t accidental. It was on purpose.