Chapter 98 Kaden's POV
I didn't sleep. How could I? Every time I closed my eyes, I saw scenarios. Nightmare possibilities.
Elara leaving the pack, Erebus's followers ambushing her convoy. She died alone while I was too far away to save her.
Or worse her leaving and never coming back. Deciding she was better off without me. Taking our child and disappearing forever.
I sat in my office all night, staring at maps of the territories between Blue Moon and Red Stone Pack reviewing security reports calculating risks.
By dawn, I had consumed an entire pot of coffee and made lists of every possible danger Elara might face.
The list was long, terrifyingly long.
But the alternative of keeping her here against her will, watching her slowly break under the pressure of my protection was worse.
She needed this, needed space, needed freedom. And I needed to be strong enough to give it to her, even if it killed me.
Around seven in the morning, Ethan found me still in my office.
"Have you slept at all?" he asked.
"No."
"You look terrible."
"I feel worse." I pushed the maps aside. "I need you to do something for me."
"Anything."
"Select a security team of five guards. The absolute best we have. People you would trust with your own life. People are loyal to me personally, not to the pack elders or anyone else."
Ethan's expression shifted. "You are letting her go."
"Yes."
"Are you sure about this?"
"No. But I'm doing it anyway." I pulled out a fresh sheet of paper and started writing.
"I need the guards equipped with the best weapons we have. Silver bullets, wolfsbane antidotes, emergency communication devices, everything."
"What about transport?"
"Armored vehicle, the one we use for Alpha travel. It has reinforced windows, run flat tires, and bulletproof plating. Helena will meet them at the border with her own security, but I want our people escorting Elara the entire way."
Ethan took notes as I listed requirements. Communications protocols. Emergency extraction plans. Contingencies for various attack scenarios.
"This is extensive," Ethan said when I finished. "You're preparing for war."
"I'm preparing for the worst while hoping for the best."
"And Elara? Have you told her your decision?"
"Not yet. I'm still figuring out how to let her go without completely falling apart."
I spent the rest of the morning finalizing arrangements. Meeting with the selected guards, explaining the mission, making it absolutely clear that Elara's safety was their only priority.
"If something happens," I told them.
"If you're attacked or compromised in any way, your job is to protect her. Not to win the fight, not to capture enemies just to keep her alive and get her to safety. Understood?"
"Understood, Alpha."
I was reviewing supply lists when there was a knock on my office door.
"Come in."
Damian entered, carrying his medical bag. He looked as exhausted as I felt.
"I heard you're letting Elara go to the Red Stone Pack," he said without preamble.
"News travels fast."
"It's a small pack house." He set down his bag. "I'm going with her."
I looked up sharply. "What?"
"You heard me, I'm going with Elara as her personal physician. To monitor the pregnancy, to handle any medical emergencies, to make sure she's taken care of."
"Damian, you have responsibilities here-"
"Which can be handled by the other healers for a few weeks. Elara needs specialized care because of the lunar pulse pregnancy. I'm the only one who fully understands her condition."
His expression was determined. "I'm going, Kaden, you can either approve it officially or I'll follow her convoy anyway."
We stared at each other.
"You care about her," I said. "More than just as a doctor."
"Yes. I do and before you get territorial, I know she's your mate. I know she loves you despite everything. I'm not trying to steal her away."
Damian's voice was firm. "But I've been taking care of her since I found her in that forest. I'm not going to stop now just because it's inconvenient for you."
Part of me wanted to refuse to keep Damian here where I could control the situation.
But he was right. Elara needed specialized medical care. And Damian was the best person to provide it.
"Fine," I said.
"But you report to me daily any changes in her condition, any concerns about the baby, anything at all you tell me immediately."
"Agreed."
I added Damian to the convoy list and continued planning.
By afternoon, everything was ready. Guards selected and briefed. Vehicle prepared route mapped with multiple alternatives. Emergency protocols established.
All that remained was telling Elara.
I found her in her old quarters, packing the last of her belongings. She looked up when I entered, her expression guarded.
"I've made my decision," I said.
"And?"
"You can go with Helena to learn about your past."
I saw relief and surprise cross her face. "Really?"
"Really. But there are conditions." I pulled out the list I'd prepared.
"Five guards will escort you the entire way. Damian is going with you as your personal physician. You will check in with me twice daily morning and evening. If there's any sign of trouble, any threat at all, you come back immediately."
"Kaden-"
"I'm not finished, you will wear a tracking device. It's small, fits on a bracelet. If something happens and you can't call for help, I will know where you are. And you'll take the protective necklace Helena gave you everywhere. You don't take it off for any reason."
She looked at the list. "This is a lot of security."
"This is the minimum I need to let you go without losing my mind. Do you accept these conditions?"
She was quiet for a moment, then nodded. "Yes. I accept them."