Chapter 151 Elara's POV
Adrian's cries woke me at dawn.
I opened my eyes slowly, my body protesting every small movement. The pain from the surgery was still intense, made worse by Selena's attack that had torn everything apart again.
But Adrian needed me and no amount of pain would stop me from taking care of my son.
I carefully sat up, biting back a groan reached over to the bassinet beside my bed and lifted Adrian into my arms.
"Shh, baby moms here I've got you."
He was hungry. I could tell from the way he rooted against my chest, his little mouth searching.
I positioned him to nurse, wincing as he latched on. Everything hurt but seeing him feed, seeing him content, made it all worthwhile.
I looked down at my son in the early morning light.
He was beautiful, perfect in every way, dark hair like Kaden's. Green eyes like mine and that glowing crescent mark on his chest that pulsed softly with each heartbeat.
"You are going to be so handsome when you grow up," I whispered. "Just like your father. But hopefully with better judgment about who to trust."
Adrian's tiny hand wrapped around my finger as he nursed. The gesture was so small but it filled my heart completely.
My phone rang. I answered it one-handed, careful not to disturb Adrian's feeding.
Helena's face appeared on the screen. "Elara! You are awake! How are you feeling?"
"Like I've been through a war. But I'm alive. Adrian's healthy, that's what matters."
"Let me see him!"
I angled the camera so she could see Adrian nursing. "Helena, meet Adrian. Adrian, this is your Aunt Helena."
Helena's eyes filled with tears. "He's perfect. Absolutely perfect and that mark the lunar pulse is so strong. I can see it even through the video."
"It saved him when Selena tried to take him, the mark burning her rejected her darkness."
"Good that's what it's supposed to do." Helena wiped her eyes. "I'm calling to check on you both and to give you an update about your people."
"My people?"
"The Silver Moon Pack survives the ones you met when you visited our territory. They've been asking about you constantly. Asking when you will come back, when you will help them rebuild."
I looked down at Adrian, at the responsibility I already carried. "I want to help them. But right now, with the war coming, with Adrian just born-"
"I know and they understand but Elara, they need hope. They need to know their Alpha's daughter hasn't forgotten them."
"I haven't forgotten, I could never forget."
I adjusted Adrian as he finished nursing. "Tell them this: when the war with Erebus is over, when my family is safe, I will come to them. I will help them reform the pack. Rebuild what was destroyed and give them a home again."
"They will be grateful to hear that they've waited fifteen years, they can wait a little longer."
We talked for a few more minutes about pack politics and alliance matters. Then Helena had to go and I was left alone with Adrian.
I tried to stand and tried to walk to the changing table to get a fresh diaper. Pain shot through my abdomen sharp and intense . I gasped and nearly fell.
Kara rushed in immediately. "What are you doing? You shouldn't be out of bed!"
"Adrian needs to be changed-"
"Then I will change him. You need to rest."
She took Adrian from my arms gently and began changing his diaper with practiced efficiency. "You just had major surgery twice, you need to let your body heal."
"I can't just lie here doing nothing while everyone else fights and works!"
"You are not doing nothing. You're recovering so you can be there for Adrian. That's important work too."
But sitting still made me irritable and snappish. I'd never been good at being helpless.
When a servant came in with breakfast, I criticized the food. "This is too cold and there's not enough protein. I need protein to heal."
"I'll have them remake it-"
"No. Just leave it. I'll eat it anyway."
The servant fled, clearly upset.
Kara gave me a look. "You are being difficult."
"I'm in pain and frustrated. I'm allowed to be difficult."
"You're snapping at people who are trying to help you."
"Then maybe they should help better!"
A knock at the door interrupted our argument. Kira entered, and I barely recognized her.
She had gained some weight, her hair had been cut and styled. She wore clean, comfortable clothes instead of the hospital gown. Her scars were still visible but makeup helped conceal some of them.
She looked alive like a person instead of a broken shell.
"You look amazing," I said.
"Thanks, the pack healers have been helping me physically and mentally."
She looked at Kara. "Can I have a moment alone with Elara?"
Kara nodded and left with Adrian, promising to bring him back when he needed to feed again.
Kira sat in the chair beside my bed. "You're being awful to everyone."
"I know I just can't help it I feel so useless lying here while there's so much to do-"
"That's not why you're being awful. You're being awful because Kaden isn't here."
I blinked. "What?"
"He's at the borders coordinating defenses. Preparing for the siege and you miss him. You want him here. But you're too proud to admit it so instead you're taking your frustration out on everyone else."
"That's not-" I stopped. Because she was right. "How did you know?"
"Because I know my brother. And I know what it's like to miss someone and be angry about missing them."
She leaned forward. "Just admit you want him here, call him and tell him you need him."
"I can't he is busy important work-"
"You and Adrian are his most important work. He would drop everything if you asked him to come home."
"That's exactly why I can't ask. People are depending on him, the pack needs him focused."
"And you need him too, that matters just as much."
I wanted to argue to insist I was fine alone. But the truth was I wasn't fine. I was scared and in pain and desperate to see Kaden to have him hold me to feel safe in his arms.
"I'll think about it," I said finally.
Kira smiled knowingly but didn't push further.