Chapter 21
ELARA’S POV
The sharp, earthy smell of pine and wet soil, mixed with the fresh, pure air free from any hint of sickness, washed over me as I climbed down from the carriage. It had taken a full day to reach the Mountain Dew Pack, but every minute had dragged on endlessly.
“Home at last,” I whispered. Two new guards I didn’t recognize escorted me, while Cael, Silas, Mia, and Selene busied themselves unloading my things with help from palace maids. I hadn’t grasped just how much stuff and gifts I had until now.
Yikes—no surprise Alpha Kane lent us an extra carriage.
They led me straight to the throne room, with a few Moon White Pack representatives Alpha Kane had sent along. The massive doors creaked open, revealing Ronan and, unfortunately, Marcelline. My smile soured into a scowl when our eyes locked. They perched on their thrones, Ronan in his commanding stance, but as my gaze shifted from her to him, a subtle, genuine smile tugged at his lips.
A deep sense of ease flooded me. Thank the Moon Goddess, he was the same—or maybe even warmer. Marcelline, on the other hand, wore a face of barely hidden rage, her jaw locked tight like it might shatter, her nails biting into her skin. She looked ready to explode any second.
“Your Highnesses,” I said, bowing in the center of the vast room. “I’ve returned.”
“Welcome home, Elara,” Ronan replied, his voice a rich, powerful echo that carried an unexpected gentleness. The Moon White delegates offered their greetings too.
“Karl,” Ronan said, nodding to a guard. “Escort our guests to my office. I’ll meet them there.”
“Yes, Sire,” the guard said, stepping forward. “This way?”
The group exchanged glances before agreeing, and I watched them file out.
Heavy footsteps approached then. I turned, my eyes meeting Ronan’s. His amber gaze, usually so guarded, held a mix I couldn’t pin down—relief, contentment, and something softer, almost affectionate. Clearly, he was truly glad and at peace.
He halted inches away, lifting a hand to rest it lightly on my shoulder, giving a gentle squeeze. The touch was kind, steadying, sparking little tingles along my back. It caught me off guard, a brief, surprising glimpse of warmth that made my pulse stutter.
“Good to have you back unharmed,” he murmured quietly.
I stood frozen, just gazing at him, trapped in the instant, afraid that speaking might ruin it or tempt me to press closer.
Though part of me craved that.
The spell shattered as he stepped back, clearing his throat, his Alpha facade snapping into place.
“Rest for the day,” he ordered, his voice firm again, though laced with lingering care. “You seem exhausted, and you’ve lost weight,” he noted, his eyes roaming over me as if gauging the wear from my time away.
I let out a soft laugh. “The Moon White Pack was a real challenge—they had a brutal outbreak.”
“Oh,” Marcelline interjected, her tone dripping with fake sympathy. “Really?” As if she’d known all about my struggles.
“Yes, my lady,” I replied, facing her with matching sarcasm.
“Well,” she said, pouting as she dragged a finger along Ronan’s throne. “That’s too bad. You should listen to Ronan and rest… maybe even longer,” she tacked on.
Ronan glanced at her over his shoulder, silent, then turned back to me. “Head back now.”
I nodded with a smile. Over his shoulder, Marcelline’s mouth twisted into a furious grimace, and she let out a hiss loud enough for the room. A tiny win for me.
“I’ll head to my quarters, Alpha.”
He nodded, his eyes still on me. I bowed once more and left, a swirl of fatigue, comfort, and that strange heat from his touch churning inside.
My face burned. Deep down, my wolf pranced with joy—which she had no business doing. Getting involved with Ronan would be a disaster, yet why did it feel so right?
I shook it off and aimed for my room, craving a deep, undisturbed sleep. But a sudden realization hit.
Oh no—Martha! I hadn’t seen her since arriving. As I veered toward the kitchen area where she’d likely be, she exploded into view, a blur of red hair and fierce energy.
“Elara? Is that really you?!” she gasped, eyes huge. “Elara!!!” She charged, arms flung wide.
“Martha!” I beamed. She threw her small arms around me, hugging with surprising force. For someone so tiny, she packed a punch, like a compact powerhouse.
“I’ve missed you! I was out of my mind with worry!” She pulled back, pouting, then scowled. “You only wrote once—do you know how freaked out I was?!” she shouted, making me wince.
“Sorry,” I said, guilt hitting hard. “I was swamped. Barely had time to breathe, let alone write. Moon White drained me completely, you know?”
She stepped back, eyeing me up and down critically. “Yeah, I can tell,” she huffed, scanning my slimmer figure. “You’ve dropped a ton of weight.”
“Uh-huh,” I agreed. “But hey, it shows how hard I worked.”
“You’ll keel over if you don’t slow down,” she said flatly, dead serious.
“You make it sound like I’m on death’s door…”
She shook her head and released me. “We’ll chat later. Go freshen up—I’ll grab something good from the kitchen. You need to bulk up those bones.”
“Aww,” I said, tugging her into another hug. “You’re such a mom, you know that?”
“Mom?!” she yelped, jumping back with a frown, hands on hips. “Excuse me, miss—I’m only five years older!”
“Still…” I tilted my head teasingly. “You’re ancient.”
“Get lost, you pest.”
“Missed you too!” I laughed as I walked off toward my room. Not only was I settling into Mountain Dew life, but it felt like I belonged… maybe not with everyone, but with the ones who counted.
By ones who counted, you mean Ronan? my wolf poked.
I rolled my eyes inwardly. Shut it. But yeah, she had a point. I was beyond relieved he’d warmed up to me, and a quiet hope flickered that it would last.