Chapter 26 Kaden's POV
Elara had fallen asleep on the drive back.
I kept glancing at her in the passenger seat, watching the way her chest rose and fell with steady breaths. She looked peaceful when she slept young, vulnerable, nothing like the guarded, frightened woman she became when she was awake around me.
Damian's words kept echoing in my mind.
"This child might be blessed by the Heavens ."
A lunar pulse is something so rare that most wolves never encountered it in their lifetime. And it was happening inside Elara. Inside our child.
My child was specially chosen by the Heavens. The thought filled me with awe and terror in equal measure.
I pulled into the garage and turned off the engine carefully, trying not to wake her. She didn't stir. The exhaustion from the examination and the revelation had clearly taken its toll.
I sat there for a moment, just watching her sleep. My wolf was calm for the first time in days, content just to be near her.
'She's here. She's safe. Our child is safe.'
"Yes," I whispered. "They're both safe."
But she couldn't sleep in the car. I needed to get her inside, back to her room where she could rest properly.
The question was how to do it without waking her and dealing with her fear again.
Carefully, slowly, I got out of the car and walked around to her side. I opened the passenger door as quietly as possible.
She shifted slightly but didn't wake.
I hesitated, my hands hovering uncertainly. I hadn't touched her since she'd flinched away from me. Hadn't dared to get that close.
But I couldn't just leave her here.
Taking a breath, I slid one arm under her knees and the other behind her back. She was so light. Too light. She needed to eat more, and needed to regain her strength.
I lifted her gently from the car.
She made a small sound and turned her face into my chest, but her eyes stayed closed.
My wolf practically purred. 'She's in our arms. Our mate, our child finally.'
I walked slowly through the garage, into the pack house, down the hallways to my private quarters. Every step is careful. Every movement is measured.
Her scent filled my nose that unique combination that was purely Elara, now mixed with something new. Something that came from the life growing inside her.
My wolf wanted to bury his face in her hair. I wanted to hold her like this forever, wanted to keep her close and never let go.
'Mine,' He whispered. 'Ours.'
"She doesn't want to be ours," I reminded him quietly.
'Then we make her want it. We prove we've changed.'
I reached her room and managed to open the door without jostling her. The bed was already turned down Damian must have done that before he left for the hospital.
I laid her down as gently as I could, pulling the blankets up over her. She shifted again, turning onto her side, her hand instinctively moving to rest on her stomach.
Protecting our child even in sleep.
I stood there longer than I should have, just watching her. Breathing in her scent letting my wolf settle in a way he hadn't since she'd returned.
Then I forced myself to step back to leave before she woke up and saw me standing over her like some kind of stalker.
I was almost to the door when I heard footsteps in the hallway.
Heavy, purposeful. Elder Rowan.
I stepped out and closed Elara's door quietly behind me.
"Alpha," Rowan said, his expression stern. "We need to talk."
"Not now. I have things to attend to."
"This can't wait." He glanced at the closed door. "It's about her omega."
My jaw tightened. "What about her?"
"The pack is talking, Kaden. They are concerned and confused. You brought back a rogue woman-"
"She's not a rogue, she was a member of this pack."
"She left pack lands that makes her a rogue by definition. And now you're housing her in your private quarters, treating her like she's someone important, all while your Luna coronation approaches."
Rowan's voice was firm. "People are starting to ask questions. Questions I can't answer because you won't explain anything."
"I don't owe anyone an explanation about my private life."
"You do when it affects pack stability. And this is affecting stability. The younger wolves are confused about your loyalties. The elders are concerned about your judgment and Selena-"
"I don't care about Selena's feelings."
"Well, you should care about pack unity. Because if you keep this up, if you keep protecting this woman without explanation, you're going to face real opposition."
"Is that a threat?"
"It's a warning. From someone who's known you since you were born. From someone who actually cares about your success as Alpha."
Rowan stepped closer. "Whatever this woman is to you, she is causing problems. Big problems and if you don't address them soon, those problems are going to turn into rebellion."
"Let them rebel. I'm the Alpha. I decide who stays in my quarters and who doesn't."
"And Alphas who ignore their councils get challenged and get overthrown."
Rowan's voice softened slightly. "I don't want that for you, Kaden. But you are making it very difficult to support you right now."
Before I could respond, I heard more footsteps lighter this time female.
Selena appeared at the end of the hallway, perfectly dressed as always, a sweet smile on her face.
"Elder Rowan," She said warmly.
"I was hoping I might have a word with you. In private."
Rowan glanced at me, then at her. "What about?"
"Just some concerns about the upcoming coronation. Details I wanted to discuss with someone experienced."
She tilted her head. "Perhaps we could talk in the garden? It's such a lovely evening."
Rowan looked like he wanted to continue our conversation, but finally he nodded. "Very well."
They walked away together, Selena's hand lightly touching Rowan's arm as she spoke in low tones.
And I saw something that made my blood run cold.
The glint of something passing between them. Something small. Something that looked very much like an envelope.
Selena was bribing him.
Bribing an elder of my pack.