Chapter 36

Chapter 36
## Caius's POV

I stared down at my abdomen in disbelief. Minutes ago, a silver dagger had left a gaping, poisoned wound there. Now, thanks to Elara's Volana powers, my skin was unblemished—not even a scar remained. The lingering pain from the silver poisoning had vanished completely.

As we walked back toward campus, Elara followed silently, her head down but unable to suppress a small smile. I had conceded to her using my portrait for her architectural design project, cleaning up the mess with Miss Calliope. She seemed to take this as a victory.

Quite generous of you, Max commented within me. Interesting that you haven't formally rejected her as your mate yet. Why is that?

I'm just waiting for the right moment, I replied internally, not believing the words myself.

The truth was more complicated. Every time Elara was near, I forgot my resolve to reject our mate bond, forgot about the danger posed by Ulric's followers. Tonight's attack only confirmed what I already knew—she would be in constant danger around me.

Have you considered that accepting the mate bond might be what keeps her safe? Max challenged. Why push her away? That leaves her unprotected.

If she's not around me, there's less chance of Ulric's followers discovering her, I countered. These people have been tracking me, watching my every move. If they see Elara, especially if they discover she's a Volana wolf AND my destined mate, they'll stop at nothing to capture her. I won't let that happen. As far as they know... Elara means nothing to me.

Elara suddenly stopped walking, as if she'd sensed my thoughts through our bond. Her face paled as she lifted her mismatched eyes to meet mine.

"I'll paint another portrait for you," she said softly. "Come to the art room tomorrow evening and we can begin. This one is for your mother, and I won't mix them up again."

## Elara's POV

"I'm truly pleased that you've decided to submit your design to the Lunastride art exhibition," Miss Calliope said, gathering her papers as the evening light faded.

"If it gets accepted," I replied, arranging my supplies at the easel. "It's just one among hundreds of submissions. Do you really think I have a chance?"

"Absolutely," she affirmed. "Your talent is evident, both in architectural design and portraiture."

Miss Calliope glanced at her watch. "It's getting late. You should go to the dining hall and rest a bit."

"I will soon. I just want to finish some work first."

She hesitated, then handed me a small key. "Leave this in the usual place when you're done."

"Goodnight, Miss Calliope."

"Goodnight, Elara. Good luck."

After she left, I stared anxiously at the blank canvas. I'd told Caius to meet me here after hours, but he hadn't confirmed whether he'd come.

He didn't refuse either, Anna pointed out. Have some faith in our mate. He'll show up. Besides, this is for his mother.

I wasn't convinced. Everything about Caius suggested he despised having a Volana wolf as his destined mate. As the minutes ticked by and moonlight streamed through the windows, my certainty that he wouldn't come grew stronger. I began packing my supplies.

The door creaked open, and that familiar scent of fresh pine and rain-dampened earth filled the room. Anna immediately perked up inside me, sending waves of excitement through our bond that made my heart race.

Caius stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame, his deep blue eyes studying me. I momentarily forgot how to breathe.

"I thought you weren't coming," I managed, my throat tight.

"I almost didn't," he admitted. "Then I remembered my mother in the Umbra Wastes, how much she wants that portrait. I figured it's the least you could do, considering you made me lie to Miss Calliope."

He closed the door behind him and approached, his Alpha presence filling the art room. I cleared my throat and gestured toward an empty chair across from my canvas.

"You can sit there."

Without hesitation, Caius sat, crossing one leg over the other, fingers interlaced—resuming the exact pose from the previous portrait. His posture exuded Alpha confidence and authority.

I began working quickly and efficiently, utilizing both moonlight and lamps. I wanted this portrait to be as good as the previous one, if not better.

When I reached his lips, my gaze lingered longer than necessary, remembering our brief kiss in the moonlight. My heart raced, and I looked away, continuing to paint.

The silence stretched between us until Caius unexpectedly broke it.

"How long have you been interested in architecture and art?" he asked.

I glanced at him briefly before continuing. "For as long as I can remember. My mother taught me to draw when I was very small. I wanted to capture everything I saw. Photos don't show the full truth—they're just pixels. A painting is like seeing the world through someone else's eyes. Architecture combines art with practicality."

"So that's what you want to do with your life? Painting and architecture?"

I raised an eyebrow. "You make it sound like a bad thing. But I wouldn't say it's all I want to do. As an Alpha's daughter, I understand responsibility. But I also want to paint the journey ahead of me. I want to capture it on canvas and display it at the Lunastride exhibition for everyone to see and appreciate. I want them to see the beauty of the Sovereign Realms through my eyes."

Caius didn't respond, just watched me intently as I finished the portrait. The moonlight seemed to enhance my Volana abilities, making the painting more vibrant.

I stood and turned the canvas toward him. "What do you think? Will your mother like it?"

"It's perfect," he said after a long pause. "Seraphina will love it."

I relaxed, my mismatched eyes glinting in the moonlight.

"Can I ask you something now?" I looked down at him, still seated. "You clearly don't want me as your destined mate... so why haven't you formally rejected me yet?"

Caius stared at me for a long moment, his blue eyes flashing with a hint of red.

I immediately regretted asking, feeling foolish and embarrassed. My cheeks burned with mortification, certain he would reject me now.

Instead, his arm circled my waist, pulling me onto his lap. Before I could process what was happening, his lips were near mine, his eyes burning with Alpha intensity and determination.

And then he kissed me.