Chapter 15 I'll Move Out
Elara's POV
"What's all this noise about?" Sebastian's voice cut through the chaos as he appeared at the top of the stairs, his suit jacket slung over one arm and his tie loosened. He had clearly just returned from pack business, and the exhaustion etched into his features deepened as he took in the scene before him.
Moira was faster than me. She stepped forward, her voice taking on that careful, reasonable tone that made everything sound so simple. "Alpha, thank goodness you're here. There's been a misunderstanding. I mentioned to Sophie that she might be able to use that lovely room with the star charts, and when I tried to discuss it with Elara, she refused to even consider switching to a different space."
Allen appeared behind Sebastian, shaking his head with that disappointed expression I was becoming far too familiar with. "It's just a room, Alpha. The child is six years old. Surely Elara can be reasonable about this. Why make such a fuss when there are so many other beautiful rooms available?"
I opened my mouth to explain that Moira had done far more than simply mention the room, that she had made promises she had no right to make, but Sebastian's phone rang before I could get a word out.
He glanced at the screen and his expression shifted immediately. "Colin," he answered, his voice clipped and professional.
My stomach dropped. I couldn't hear the other end of the conversation, but I watched Sebastian's face darken with each passing second, his jaw tightening until I thought it might crack.
"She went to your house?" Sebastian said, his voice dangerously quiet. There was a pause, then, "What did she say?"
When he hung up and turned to look at me, the temperature in the hallway seemed to drop ten degrees. His Alpha presence pressed against me, deliberate and unmistakable, demanding answers. "You went to the Hawthorne estate today? I told you to stay out of the situation with Sunny."
The hallway erupted into shocked gasps and horrified whispers. Moira's hand flew to her mouth. "You went to their house? Do you have any idea what this could do to the alliance between our packs?"
Aurora appeared from somewhere down the hall, her eyes already filling with tears. "This could make things so difficult for Father. How could you do something so reckless?"
James crossed his arms, his face hardening with contempt. "You just got here and you're already causing political incidents. Do you have any idea the kind of trouble you've brought to this family?"
Nolan leaned against the wall with a smirk. "Bet she did it for attention. Couldn't stand not being the center of drama for five minutes."
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself against the wave of accusations. "I went there to warn them. I saw Sunny's in danger of being attacked again. I went to tell Vera to keep Sunny safe, to keep her home where she would be protected."
The silence that followed was worse than the shouting.
Then Moira's voice rose in horror. "You told them their daughter was cursed? That she was going to be attacked? Are you insane?"
Aurora's voice quivering with worry and reproach. "How could you say something so cruel? That poor girl has been through enough already. Why would you curse her like that?"
"I didn't curse anyone," I tried to explain, but James was already talking over me.
"You might have just started a war between our packs," he said, his voice shaking with anger. "If the Hawthornes think we're spreading malicious rumors about their daughter, they'll see it as a hostile act."
Nolan's laugh was harsh and mocking. "Of course she did it for attention. Look at her, playing the mystical seer. Bet she thought everyone would be impressed with her special visions."
I looked desperately at Sebastian, hoping for some sign that he might listen, might understand, but his face was closed off and hard. He rubbed his temples as if fighting off a headache. "Colin is livid, Elara. You've damaged years of trust between our packs with one reckless visit."
"I was trying to protect Sunny," I said, hearing the desperation in my own voice and hating it.
Sebastian held up a hand, cutting me off. "I don't want to hear it. You went behind my back after I explicitly told you to stay out of this. Now I have to spend days doing damage control." He paused, his voice dropping into that tone of absolute authority. "I'll call Colin tomorrow and explain that this was a misunderstanding, that you're still adjusting and don't understand pack protocols yet. But from now on, you are to have nothing to do with Sunny or the Hawthorne family. Do you understand me?"
The small flame of hope in my chest flickered and died. I felt it go out, felt the warmth drain away until all that was left was cold, hollow emptiness. "Okay," I said, the word coming out flat and lifeless.
Sebastian's expression softened slightly, as if he thought the worst was over. "And about the room situation. Sophie has loved that space since she was old enough to notice the stars. Why don't you pick another room, any room you want, and I'll have it completely renovated to your specifications. Money is no object. You can design it however you like."
Before I could respond, Damian's voice cut through the tension. I hadn't heard him come up the stairs, but suddenly he was there, standing at the edge of the crowd. "She shouldn't have to give up her room."
But I was already moving, already turning away with a calmness that felt like ice spreading through my veins. "I don't need another room. I'll move out."
The hallway went silent. I felt Sebastian's shock, heard Moira's sharp gasp, registered the collective intake of breath.
"Elara, wait," Sebastian started, taking a step toward me.
Aurora's voice rose, thick with theatrical tears. "You can't leave. We're your family. We're trying to help you. This is just making everything worse."
I stopped and turned back to look at them, at this collection of people who shared my blood but had never tried to know me. "I'm not being dramatic. I'm being serious. I'll move out. Tonight."
Nolan's laugh was cruel. "Oh please. You're just throwing a tantrum because you didn't get your way. This is emotional manipulation. You think if you threaten to leave, everyone will give in to your demands."
James nodded in agreement. "It's pathetic, really. Using guilt to get what you want."
Moira's voice took on that false concern. "You're making this so much harder than it needs to be. A family works through problems together. You running away like this just makes you look childish."
I looked at each of them in turn, these people who had already decided who I was without ever trying to understand me. "Believe whatever you want. I'm leaving tonight."
I went to my room and closed the door. A few minutes later, Damian knocked, and when I opened it, Benedict was already behind him with boxes.
"I've arranged for a car," Damian said quietly. "You can stay at the Moonridge apartment. Benedict will help you pack."
He stepped closer, his hand resting on my shoulder, and his expression was approving in a way that made my chest ache. "You did the right thing, standing your ground. If you keep giving in to keep the peace, they'll never respect you. This was the smart move. I'm proud of you."
He thought this was strategy. He thought I was playing some calculated game to establish boundaries. He didn't understand that I was just tired, that I had finally accepted I didn't belong here.
"I'll talk to Father," Damian continued. "I'll make sure he understands he was wrong to dismiss your concerns and pressure you about the room. I'll get you a proper apology."
I nodded, not having the energy to explain that it didn't matter anymore.
Benedict worked quickly, and within twenty minutes, everything I owned was packed. Before I left, I pulled out the two moonstone pendants from my bag and held them out to Damian.
"I made these for you and him," I said quietly. "Protection talismans. I was going to give them to both of you tonight."
Damian took them carefully, his eyes widening as he examined the intricate runes. One was carved with his name, the other with Sebastian's, both surrounded by ancient protective symbols.
"You made these yourself?" There was genuine awe in his voice.
"Yes."
He looked at me for a long moment, then carefully put Sebastian's pendant in his pocket and lifted his own over his head. The moonstone settled against his chest, and he pressed his hand over it. "I'll wear it every day. And I'll make sure Sebastian gets his. Thank you, Elara."
I picked up Maple and headed down to where the car was waiting. Benedict had already loaded my belongings into the trunk, and I slid into the back seat with Maple curled on my lap. As the car pulled away from the Pack House, I watched the massive house grow smaller in the rear view mirror until it was just another light in the distance.
Sunny must have been attacked again. It probably happened right after I warned them.