Chapter 42 Elara's POV
"Not here." Selena said, glancing around the hospital hallway.
"Too many people might overhear that there is a coffee shop just down the street where we can talk. Somewhere neutral."
Every instinct told me this was a bad idea. That I should refuse, call Kaden, get as far away from Selena as possible.
But curiosity won out. What could she possibly have to say that would justify what she'd done?
"Fine," I said. "But I'm only giving you five minutes and if you try anything-”
"I won't, I swear I just want to talk."
We walked to the coffee shop in silence, her guards following at a distance. It was a small place, quiet at this hour. Only a few customers sat scattered at tables, absorbed in their laptops or books.
Selena chose a table in the back corner. Private but still visible to others.
We sat across from each other. She ordered two coffees from the server. I didn't touch mine when it arrived.
"Talk.” I said.
Selena took a sip of her coffee, then set it down carefully. "I want to start by saying I'm sorry. For the poison trying to kill you it was wrong and I regret it."
"You regret getting caught."
"No. I regret doing it at all." She looked at me directly.
"I was desperate and scared and I made a terrible decision. But I need you to understand why I did it."
"Because you are jealous and cruel?"
"Because I love him." Her voice broke slightly.
"I've loved Kaden since I was sixteen years old. I was raised believing I would be his Luna. That we would rule this pack together. It was supposed to be my destiny."
"That doesn't give you the right to murder people."
"I know but I try to understand what it feels like. Everything I had worked for my entire life, suddenly threatened because of you."
"I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be his mate."
"I know that too, which is why I'm here to offer you a way out."
I frowned. "A way out of what?"
Selena leaned forward. "Elara, do you know what is happening to this pack? Do you understand how vulnerable the Blue Moon is right now?"
"I know about the Erebus attacks."
"That is part of it but there is much more." She pulled out a folder from her bag and slid it across the table. "Look at this."
I opened it reluctantly. Inside were documents. Financial reports, trade agreements, military assessments.
"What am I looking at?"
"The reality of the Blue Moon Pack's situation. We are losing money and our borders are understaffed. Our alliances are crumbling. The Erebus attacks killed some of our best warriors warriors we can't afford to replace."
I scanned the documents and the numbers were damning. Deficit after deficit trade routes closed. Ally packs pulling their support.
"Why are you showing me this?"
"Because you need to understand what your presence here is costing. Kaden canceled the Luna coronation for you.”
“He arrested me, alienating my family and all our connections to protect you. He is so obsessed with keeping you safe that he's neglecting everything else."
"That is not my fault."
"Isn't it? You are the reason he is distracted. The reason he is making terrible decisions. The reason this pack is falling apart."
Selena's voice was passionate now, urgent. "My family can fix this, we have resources. Political connections Military support we can stabilize Blue Moon make it strong again. But only if we're allowed to."
"And you can't do that with me here."
"Exactly." Selena sat back.
"I'm not asking you to die, Elara. I'm asking you to leave. To walk away and let Kaden do what's best for his pack."
"He is the one who wants me here who is protecting me."
"Because he feels guilty because you are carrying his child. But that doesn't mean it's what's best for anyone."
She paused. "Do you really want to raise a child in a pack that's falling apart? That might not survive the next year?"
The question hit harder than I expected. Because she was right. The pack was struggling. And Kaden had been distracted, focusing all his energy on protecting me instead of leading.
"What exactly are you proposing?" I asked carefully.
"Leave, take enough money to start over somewhere else. Somewhere safe somewhere far from here."
Selena's eyes were earnest. "I know you don't trust me. I know you have every reason to hate me. But I'm offering you freedom. A chance to live your life without being hunted by Erebus or trapped in a pack that resents you."
"The pack resents me?"
"You've heard the whispers of the servants calling you cursed. The pack members are blaming you for the attacks. It's only going to get worse."
She reached across the table. I pulled back before she could touch me. "I'm offering you a way out for your sake and the baby's sake."
"Kaden would never allow it."
"Kaden doesn't have to know until you're already gone, I can arrange transport protection for everything you need to disappear safely."
I stared at her. "Why would you do this? Why not just try to kill me again?"
"Because I learned my lesson violence isn't the answer. And honestly?"
She looked down at her coffee. "Because despite everything, I don't actually want you dead. I just want you gone."
"So you can have Kaden."
"So I can help him save this pack which benefits everyone, including you and your child."
I sat back, my mind racing. Everything she was saying made a twisted kind of sense. The pack was struggling. I was a distraction. The pack members did hate me.
Maybe leaving would be better for everyone.
"I need to think about it," I said.
"Of course. But Elara, there's a time limit. My father negotiated my release, but the agreement is fragile. If I'm seen trying to help you, it could void everything. So I need your answer soon."
"How soon?"
"Today tonight at the latest."
Before I could respond, Selena gestured to her guards. They approached the table carrying something.
Suitcases four large suitcases.
They set them on the floor beside our table and opened them. Money stacks and stacks of cash, neatly bundled.
"What is this?" I breathed.
"Your payment is five million dollars, enough to start over anywhere in the world. Enough to raise your child in comfort and safety."
Selena looked at me seriously. "All you have to do is take it and leave."
I stared at the money. More money than I had ever seen in my life. More than I had ever dreamed of having.
"There's one more condition," Selena said quietly.
"What?"
She met my eyes and what I saw there made my blood run cold.
"The child has to go."
"What?"
"You have to abort it and end the pregnancy before you leave."
I stood up so fast my chair fell backward. "Are you insane?"