Chapter 168 Elara's POV
I spent the morning with Adrian, trying to ignore the fear gnawing at my stomach.
Damian would be meeting Xavier tonight. Walking into potential danger. And there was nothing I could do except wait and pray he came back safely.
So I focused on my son instead.
Adrian was awake and alert, his green eyes following my movements, the crescent mark on his chest glowed faintly, pulsing with each heartbeat.
"Good morning, baby," I cooed, lifting him from his bassinet. "Did you sleep well?"
He made a small sound and grabbed my finger with his tiny hand.
I changed his diaper, fed him, and played with him. Simple, normal things that felt precious given everything happening around us.
"You saved Damian's life," I whispered as he nursed. "Your blood broke an ancient curse. You are already a hero and you're not even a month old."
Adrian's eyes drifted closed as he fed, content and peaceful.
I wished I could feel that peace and certainty that everything would be okay but I couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was coming.
Hours passed. I played with Adrian, sang to him, watched him discover his own hands with fascination.
Kara joined us for a while, helping entertain him while I ate lunch.
"He's getting so big already." Kara said, making faces at Adrian that made him smile.
"Seems like just yesterday we were rushing you to the hospital in labor."
"It was just yesterday, well, two weeks ago. But it feels like yesterday."
"Time moves strangely during war."
Too true as evening approached, I bundled Adrian up and went to see Damian before he left.
He was standing outside his tent, dressed in dark clothes suitable for stealth. Kaden stood beside him, giving last minute instructions.
"You check in every thirty minutes," Kaden was saying. "You miss even one check-in, we are coming in."
"Understood."
"And if you sense any danger at all, you abort. Get out, don't try to be a hero."
"I'm not trying to be a hero. I'm trying to end a war."
"Same thing usually." Kaden gripped Damian's shoulder. "Come back alive, that's the order."
"Yes, Alpha."
Damian turned and saw me approaching Adrian . His expression softened. "Hey. I was hoping I would see you before I left."
"Of course I wanted to wish you luck and to remind you that if you die after I just saved your life, I will be very angry."
He laughed. "I will do my best to avoid your wrath."
"I mean it, Damian you come back you have too much to live for now."
"I promise."
He reached out and gently touched Adrian's cheek. "Thank you again, little one for your gift."
Adrian grabbed his finger, holding on tight.
"He likes you," I said.
"The feeling is mutual." Damian carefully extracted his finger. "I should go, I don't want to be late."
He hugged me carefully, mindful of Adrian between us. "Take care of yourself and that son of yours."
"You too be careful."
He nodded and headed toward where the vehicle was waiting.
I stood with Kaden, watching him drive away into the darkening forest.
"He will be okay,"
Kaden said, though he sounded like he was trying to convince himself. "He is smart and capable . He can handle this."
"I hope you are right."
We returned to the tent. I settled Adrian for sleep, rocking him gently until his eyes closed.
Two hours passed then three I was pacing the tent, anxiety eating at me, when Kira burst in.
"I'm going after him," She announced.
Kaden looked up from the maps he had been studying. "What?"
"Damian. I'm going to follow him to make sure he is okay."
"Absolutely not we have warriors positioned nearby for backup-"
"Your warriors don't care about him the way I do. They will follow orders and wait for your signal. But if he's in real danger, I will act immediately."
"Kira, this is insane-"
She grabbed weapons from the supply pile. "Now it's my turn to protect him."
"You've been tortured for fifteen years you are not in any condition to fight-"
"I'm stronger than I look and I always heal fast." She checked her weapons with practiced efficiency. "I'm going, Kaden, you can't stop me."
They stared at each other twin against twin. Both stubborn and both determined.
Finally, Kaden sighed. "Fine but you check in too. Same protocol as Damian every thirty minutes."
"Agreed."
Kira came over to where I sat with Adrian. She knelt down and kissed his forehead gently.
"You are a miracle, little nephew, keep being amazing."
Then she hugged Kaden. "I'll be careful. I promise."
"You better be, I just got you back, I'm not losing you again."
"You won't."
She left quickly, disappearing into the night.