Chapter 146 Elara's POV
I woke to pain.
Every part of my body hurt my abdomen felt like it had been torn apart my head pounded my limbs were heavy and weak.
But I was alive.
"Adrian," I whispered. My throat was dry, my voice barely audible. "Where is my baby?"
A nurse appeared at my bedside immediately. "You're awake, how are you feeling?"
"My baby, I need to see my baby. Is he okay?"
"He is perfectly healthy, let me get him for you."
She left and returned moments later carrying a small bundle wrapped in blue blankets.
Adrian.
She placed him carefully in my arms and I looked down at my son for the first time while fully conscious.
He had absolutely perfect dark hair. Tiny features and when he opened his eyes, they were green like mine.
The crescent moon mark on his chest glowed faintly through his blanket.
Tears streamed down my face. "Hi, baby. I'm your mama. I'm so sorry I wasn't awake when you first arrived but I'm here now I'm here."
Adrian made a small sound, his tiny hand wrapping around my finger.
My heart felt like it might burst from love.
But then I noticed something. The nurse kept glancing toward the door nervously. Her movements were tense and worried.
"What's wrong?" I asked. "What's happening?"
"Nothing you need to worry about right now-"
"Don't lie to me. I can tell something's wrong. What is it?"
She hesitated then. "The pack is under attack. Eastern border. It started about an hour ago."
My blood ran cold. "Kaden. Where is Kaden?"
"At the border leading the defense he is holding them off but it's a major assault."
"And Damian?"
"Also at the border setting up a field hospital. Treating the wounded as they come in."
Xavier this was Xavier's doing coming to finish what he started coming for Adrian.
"How many attackers?"
"Reports say at least fifty, maybe more, led by Alpha Xavier of Dark Moon Pack."
I looked down at Adrian, afraid of crushing my chest. They were coming for him for my son.
"I need to-" I tried to sit up and gasped as pain lanced through my abdomen.
"You can't move! You just had major surgery! If you tear the stitches-"
"My mate is fighting for our lives and I'm lying here useless!"
"You're not useless, you just gave birth to the future Alpha. Your job right now is to recover and take care of that baby."
She was right. I knew she was right but it didn't make the helplessness any easier to bear.
There was a knock at the door and Kara burst in, her face lighting up when she saw me.
"You're awake! Oh thank the heavens!" She rushed to my bedside. "And the baby! Can I see him?"
"Kara." I grabbed her hand. "Xavier. He's a traitor. He's working with Erebus. You can't trust him-"
"I know. Kaden told everyone. The whole pack knows now." Her expression darkened. "He's attacking us trying to get to Adrian."
"They can't have him. I won't let them take my son."
"They won't. Kaden won't let them through."
She looked down at Adrian. "Can I hold him? I've been waiting so long to meet him."
I carefully transferred Adrian to her arms. She cradled him gently, tears in her eyes.
"He's absolutely perfect." She looked at me. "You did so well. I'm so proud of you."
"I nearly died damian said I was hemorrhaging-"
"But you didn't die. You're here. You're strong. Just like always."
My body was exhausted. The pain medication they'd given me was making me drowsy.
"Stay with him," I said to Kara. "While I rest. Don't let anyone near him promise me."
"I promise. I won't leave his side for a second."
"And if anything happens. If the attack gets through the defenses. If they breach the pack house-"
"I'll protect him with my life. I swear it."
I nodded, my eyes already closing. "Thank you."
"Sleep. I've got him, both of you are safe."
I drifted off to the sound of Kara humming softly to Adrian when I woke again, it was dark outside night had fallen.
I heard Adrian crying, not his normal baby cries. This was distressed and frightened.
And I heard Kara's voice. "Get away from him! Don't touch him!"
My eyes flew open and the room was dimly lit by a single lamp. Adrian was in his crib beside my bed.
And standing over the crib, reaching down toward my son, was Selena.
"Such a beautiful baby," She said, her hand hovering over Adrian's glowing crescent mark. "Such power. I can feel it from here."
Kara stood between Selena and the crib, her arms spread protectively. "I said get away from him!"
"Make me." Selena's smile was cold. "You're just a servant. What are you going to do? Fight me?"
I tried to sit up but my body wouldn't cooperate. The surgery and the medication I was on were too weak.
"Selena," I said, my voice hoarse. "Step away from my son."
She turned to look at me. "Oh good. You're awake. I wanted you to see this."
"See what?"
"See what happens when you take everything from me."
Her hand moved closer to Adrian. "You took Kaden took my place as Luna took the life that should have been mine. Now I'm taking what matters most to you."
"Don't you dare touch him!”
"Or what? You can barely move. Kara is no threat. And everyone else is at the border fighting. No one's coming to save you."
Her fingers touched Adrian's chest and touched the glowing mark.
Adrian's cries intensified and the mark flared bright blue.
And Selena screamed.