Chapter 48 Elara's POV
The smell hit me first thing in the morning.
Someone had made eggs in the kitchen three floors below my quarters and the scent traveled all the way up here, making my stomach turn violently. I barely made it to the bathroom before I was sick.
This was the heightened senses. Everything smelled stronger, sharper, almost overwhelming. The soap the maids used. The wood polish on the furniture. Even Kara's perfume when she came to visit made my nose itch.
"Is this normal?" I asked Damian when he came for my daily check-up.
"Very normal your wolf senses are strengthening as the pregnancy progresses. It will get worse before it gets better."
"Worse? How is that possible?"
He smiled sympathetically. "Wait until you can hear conversations happening in other buildings. That's when it gets really interesting."
I groaned.
After Damian left, I tried to distract myself. Kaden had been gone for almost a full day now no word, no message, nothing.
I told myself I didn't care that whatever was happening to him wasn't my concern.
But my hands shook as I picked up another book from the stack Kara had brought me. Pregnancy guides. Stories about wolves raising blessed children. Historical texts about lunar pulses.
Anything to keep my mind occupied.
The words blurred together and I couldn't focus. Couldn't stop listening for footsteps in the hallway that might be him returning.
A knock made me jump.
"Come in."
Kara entered carrying a tray of food I probably wouldn't be able to eat. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I want to throw up again."
"That's the baby. Damian says it is a good sign."
I set down my book. "Have you heard anything? About the Alpha?"
Kara's expression shifted and became guarded. "Why would I hear anything?"
"Because servants always know what's happening before anyone else. Please, Kara. Just tell me."
She set down the tray and sat beside me on the bed. "There are rumors that he went to see Selena last night that something happened and Victor Voss' people detained him."
My stomach dropped. "Detained him? Is he hurt?"
"I don't know but the elders have been in meetings all morning and they look worried."
"What else are people saying?"
Kara hesitated. "Selena is coming back to the pack. That the elders agreed to let her return as part of some deal to get the Alpha released."
The room tilted. "What?"
"It's just a rumor It might not be true-"
"She tried to kill me, Kara, she poisoned me. And they are letting her come back?"
"I don't know the details. I'm just telling you what the servants are whispering about."
I stood up and started pacing. Selena back in the pack. Back where she could get to me. Back where she could try again.
"I need to talk to someone," I said. "I need to know if this is true."
"Who would you talk to? The Alpha's not here. Damian doesn't know about pack politics. And the elders-"
Another knock interrupted her.
This time, an older woman entered. Silver hair, kind eyes, wearing simple but elegant clothes. I recognized her vaguely from somewhere but couldn't place where.
"Hello, dear," she said. "I'm Elder Miriam. May I come in?"
I looked at Kara, who seemed surprised but nodded. "Elder Miriam is one of the good ones you can trust."
The woman smiled at Kara. "Thank you, child. Would you mind giving us some privacy?"
Kara looked at me, I nodded, and she left.
Elder Miriam closed the door and moved to sit in the chair by the window. She gestured for me to sit on the bed.
"You don't know me," She said.
"But I've known Kaden since he was born. Helped raise him after his mother died."
I stayed standing, wary. "Why are you here?"
"Because Kaden asked me to check on you. To make sure you're alright while he's... dealing with other matters."
"You know where he is?"
"Yes, he has been detained by Victor Voss. But he'll be released soon and the negotiations are almost complete."
"And Selena? Is it true she's coming back?"
Miriam's expression grew troubled. "Yes, the elders agreed to it without Kaden's consent. It was the only way to secure his release and avoid a larger conflict."
I sank onto the bed. "She tried to kill me."
"I know."
"How do you know?"
"Because Kaden told me everything about you being his mate. About the rejection. About the baby."
She leaned forward. "About how desperately he wants to make things right."
I stared at her. "He told you all that?"
"He trusts me and now I'm here because he is worried about you. Worried about how you will handle this news."
"Handle it? How am I supposed to handle the woman who poisoned me moving back into the same building where I'm living?"
"With strength, with intelligence, with determination."
"I don't feel strong, I feel terrified."
Miriam stood and walked over to me. She took my hand in hers. Her skin was warm, her grip firm.
"Listen to me very carefully, Elara. What I'm about to say may sound harsh, but you need to hear it."
I nodded.
"You can't afford to be a weakling anymore."
The words stung.
"Selena is coming back," Miriam continued.
"And she is not the only threat you are facing. Erebus is hunting you and the pack members whisper about you being cursed. The elders question why Kaden protects you so fiercely. You have enemies everywhere you turn."
"I know that-"
"Do you?”
“Because right now, you are hiding in this room reading books and hoping someone else will solve your problems. But no one else can protect you, not really, not the way you need."
"Kaden is protecting me."
"Kaden is one man dealing with multiple crises. He is doing his best, but he can't be everywhere at once. He can't watch you every second of every day."
Miriam's eyes bore into mine. "So I'm asking you how you will protect yourself?”
“How will you protect your baby? How will you even protect Kaden when Selena comes after him again?"