Chapter 92 Elara's POV
Kaden insisted I stay in his room again that night.
"The guard is dead but whoever cast the original spell is still out there," He said. "You are not sleeping alone until we figure out who that is."
I didn't argue the thought of being alone after learning someone had been watching me for weeks made my skin crawl.
But being in Kaden's room, in his space, created a different kind of tension.
He gave me one of his shirts to sleep in soft, worn, smelling like him. I changed in the bathroom while he checked the locks on the windows and doors for the third time.
When I came out, he was standing by the bed, clearly uncertain.
"I can take the chair again," He offered.
"The bed is big enough for both of us."
"Are you sure?"
"We conceived a child in this bed, Kaden. I think we can manage to sleep in it without it being awkward."
But it was awkward.
We lay on opposite sides, a careful distance between us. I could feel the heat from his body. Could hear his breathing in the quiet room.
"Goodnight," I said finally.
"Goodnight."
Silence.
Then. "Elara?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you for trusting me enough to stay here. I know things between us are complicated."
"They are but I do trust you at least with this."
More silence. I was almost asleep when I felt the bed shift slightly. Kaden had moved closer, though still not touching.
My wolf quietly for so long stirred at his proximity. Recognizing her mate wanting to close the distance.
But I didn't move, just let myself feel safe in his presence and drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, I woke to find Kaden already gone. A note on his pillow said he had early meetings but would be back by afternoon.
I got dressed and headed to the dining room for breakfast.
Selena was there, sitting with several pack members I didn't know well. She saw me enter and her smile sharpened.
"Elara. How nice of you to join us. We were just discussing the celebration."
I got food and sat at the opposite end of the table.
"I heard you've been staying in the Alpha's quarters," Selena continued, her voice carrying. "How cozy."
I didn't respond.
"Of course, Kaden has always preferred experienced women, women who know how to please an Alpha properly. Not..."
She gestured vaguely at me. "Well….you understand."
The other pack members looked uncomfortable but said nothing.
"I'm sure it must be difficult," Selena went on. "Knowing you can't satisfy him the way a real woman could. That he's only with you out of obligation to the child."
"Are you finished?" I asked quietly.
"Finished? I'm just being honest. Surely you've noticed how much time he spends in his office. Away from you how he barely touches you. An Alpha has needs, Elara. Needs you clearly can't meet."
The words dug in deeper than I wanted to admit. Because there was truth in them. Kaden and I barely touched. Rarely spent time together outside of necessity.
What if he did prefer experienced women? Women like Selena who knew what they were doing?
I left the dining room without finishing my breakfast, Selena's laughter following me out.
The worry stayed with me all morning. By the time Kaden returned, I'd worked myself into a state of anxious uncertainty.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Ready for what?"
"Shopping for the celebration. You need a dress for the formal dinner."
"I can find something in my closet-"
"No. This is important because you're sitting beside me at the head table. You deserve something new. Something that makes you feel beautiful."
The compliment helped a little.
We drove to an expensive boutique in the nearest city. The kind of place I'd never have entered before.
"Try whatever you want," Kaden said. "Price doesn't matter."
I tried on several dresses, most made me feel awkward and exposed. Too formal, too fancy. Not me.
Then I found one. Deep blue, the color of midnight. It hugged my growing bump without hiding it. Made me feel elegant instead of just pregnant.
"That one," Kaden said when I showed him. "Definitely that one."
"You don't think it's too much?"
"I think you look stunning."
We bought the dress along with shoes and accessories. On the drive back, Kaden seemed lighter. Less tense.
"Thank you," I said. "For this…for making me feel like I matter."
"You do matter more than you know."
When we arrived back at the pack house, Helena was waiting in the entrance hall. She looked worried.
"I heard about what happened with the guard," she said. "The shadow binding spell. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Kaden's been keeping me close."
"Good. But that spell... It's dangerous. Especially if whoever cast the original suppression is still unknown."
Helena pulled something from her pocket. "I want you to have this."
She held out a necklace. Silver chain with a small pendant a crescent moon made of what looked like moonstone.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Protection, passed down through my family for generations."
Helena fastened it around my neck. "It won't stop physical attacks, but it will protect you from shadow magic. Dark spells. Anything designed to harm you through supernatural means."
The moment the pendant touched my skin, I felt something shift. A warmth spreading through my chest. A sense of safety I hadn't felt in weeks.
"The shadow won't be able to touch you while you wear this," Helena said. "It creates a barrier that dark magic can't penetrate."
"I can't take this. It's your family heirloom-"
"And you're family too. If you really are Elena Silvercrest."
Helena's voice softened. "Even if you're not, you deserve protection. Consider it a gift. From one woman to another."
I touched the pendant, feeling its warmth. "Thank you."
"Wear it always, don't take it off. Not even to sleep."
Helena's expression was serious. "The shadow will try to kill you next time it appears. This necklace might be the only thing standing between you and death."