Chapter 154 Elara's POV
I woke to the smell of bacon and fresh coffee.
Kaden sat in the chair beside the bed, holding a tray of food. "Good morning. I made you breakfast."
"You made this?" I sat up carefully, wincing at the pull of my stitches. "You cooked?"
"Don't sound so surprised. I'm capable of basic cooking." He set the tray across my lap. "Eggs, bacon, toast, fresh fruit, and coffee. Your favorites."
I looked at the perfectly cooked eggs, the crispy bacon, the toast buttered exactly how I liked it. "This looks amazing."
"Taste it before you give me too much credit."
I took a bite and smiled. "It's perfect thank you."
He leaned over and kissed my forehead. "You barely ate yesterday."
We ate together in comfortable silence, Adrian sleeping peacefully in his bassinet. For a few minutes, it felt almost normal. Like we were just a regular couple having breakfast in bed, not two people preparing for war.
"I need to head back to the borders soon," Kaden said eventually. "Check on the defenses. Make sure-"
"I know we will be fine."
"Kara will be here if you need anything. And Kira's around somewhere and Damian-"
"I said we will be fine and stop worrying."
He kissed me once more and left reluctantly.
I finished breakfast and managed to shower and dress myself, though every movement hurt. By the time I emerged from the bedroom, Adrian had woken up demanding to be fed.
I settled into the rocking chair in the sitting room, nursing Adrian while looking out the window at the pack grounds below.
Everything looked like normal people going about their daily routines. But I could see the underlying tension. The extra guards the warriors training harder than usual. The supplies are being stockpiled.
War was coming, everyone knew it.
After Adrian finished nursing and fell back asleep, I decided to check on Damian. I hadn't seen him much since giving birth, and I'd noticed he seemed more distant than usual.
I found him in the medical wing, reviewing patient charts.
"Knock knock," I said from the doorway. "Is the doctor available for a visit?"
He looked up, surprise crossing his face. "Elara you should be resting."
"I've been resting for days. I'm going stir-crazy." I came in and sat in the chair across from his desk. "How are you? You look exhausted."
"I am exhausted but that's normal these days." He set down the charts. "How are you feeling? Any pain? Bleeding? Dizziness?"
"Some pain but manageable no bleeding. No dizziness."
I studied his face. "You've been avoiding me."
"I haven't been avoiding you. I've been busy-"
"Damian. I know you are avoiding me. Why?"
He was quiet for a long moment then."Because it's hard being around you knowing you're happy with Kaden. Knowing you have this perfect family. It reminds me of what I can't have."
"Your feelings for me haven't changed."
"No. But I'm managing them better. Keeping my distance helps."
"I don't want distance, I want my friend back."
I reached across the desk to touch his hand. "You're important to me, Damian. Not romantically. But as someone I care about deeply, someone I trust, I miss talking to you."
He looked at our hands touching them slowly, he squeezed mine. "I miss talking to you too."
"Then talk to me and tell me what's going on in that brilliant medical mind of yours."
He smiled slightly. "You think my mind is brilliant?"
"Of course you have saved my life multiple times. Delivered my son kept half the pack alive during constant attacks. You're basically a miracle worker."
"I'm just a doctor doing his job."
"You are much more than that and you know it."
We talked for over an hour about his work. About the wounded warriors he was treating. About his research into breaking dark magic curses.
It felt normal like old times before everything got complicated.
At some point, Kara brought Adrian to me for another feeding. I nursed him while continuing to talk to Damian about medical advancements and healing techniques.
"You're such a natural at this," Damian observed, watching me with Adrian. "Motherhood suits you."
"I'm terrified most of the time, afraid I'm doing everything wrong."
"All new parents feel that way but you're doing great. Adrian is healthy and happy. That's what matters."
The door opened and Kaden walked in, followed by Kira.
"There you are," Kaden said, his eyes immediately going to where I sat with Adrian. "I've been looking for you."
"Just visiting Damian catching up."
Kaden's expression was neutral but I could sense his tension. His eyes flickered between me and Damian, noting our comfortable positions, our easy conversation.
"We brought lunch," Kira announced, holding up bags of food.
"Thought we could all eat together like a family gathering."
"That sounds nice." I said.
Kara helped me set up a space in the medical wing's break room. We spread out food sandwiches, salads, fruit, and pastries from the pack bakery.
Adrian was awake now, alert and looking around with those big green eyes.
"Can I hold him?" Kira asked.
"Of course."
She took Adrian carefully, cradling him like he was made of glass. "Hi, nephew. I'm your Aunt Kira. We are going to be great friends, you and I."
Adrian made a small cooing sound and Kira's face lit up.