Chapter Twenty Five

Foiling his Luna’s Plans

Edgar was dreading going to bed. He knew he would have to sooner or later. He couldn’t avoid Elena forever. He would only infuriate her even more. He glanced at the time.

23:30

He had to go to bed before she grew suspicious. He’d deliberately stalled, hoping she would sneak out of the master bedroom to search for any signs of his surrogate. He watched her sleep on his laptop. He’d deliberately installed a camera inside the light to watch Elena while she slept. He didn’t feel an ounce of guilt as she watched her sleep or pretend to sleep.

Harry had left immediately after dropping Elena off at the mansion. He didn’t want him around, influencing Elena with his theories, or warning her when Edgar was catching up to her tricks. He needed to keep the two of them as far apart as possible.

Edgar concentrated on his breathing as he shut down his laptop and made his way to his downstairs master suite. He undressed, showered, and dressed quietly.

“It’s about time.” Elena’s voice sliced through the silence.

“You should be resting,” Edgar told her, settling as far away as the confines of the bed would allow.

“That’s all I’ve been doing for the last few months,” she said.

The last thing he wanted was to start a conversation that would head in the wrong direction. “This is your first night home. It should feel different from sleeping in a hospital bed,” Edgar said.

“I guess,” Elena replied.

Edgar covered her with the blanket, turned off the nightlight, and closed his eyes. “Good night, Elena.”

“Good night, Edgar.”

He didn’t sleep a wink. Every nerve of Edgar’s remained on edge. Guilt should have eaten her by now. If she had any true feelings of fondness, or even genuine friendship, she would have revealed how she ended up in trouble in the first place. But, Elena was Elena. She was greedy for money.

The following morning dawned clear and bright. Elena had dozed off a few moments after he’d told her goodnight.

“Good morning,” he greeted when she opened her eyes.

Elena mumbled something in response.

Edgar seized the chance to get out of bed. Elena wasn’t a morning person. It would be another hour or so before her sleep grumpiness faded.

“I’ll make your favorites for breakfast,” he told her. “Would you like to have it in bed or join me on the patio?” He deliberately kept his voice chirpy, hoping some of his lightheartedness would rub off on her.

“In bed,” she muttered.

He didn’t like grumpy wolves. He’d never woken up grumpy or angry a day in his life. Elena, on the other hand, had been a learning experience.

“Sure, I’ll have Brianna bring you your breakfast.” He needed to check up on Alia anyway. He showered quickly, ate his breakfast alone on the patio, then left to see Alia.

He checked for any signs of being followed on the way to his secret hideout where Alia was currently living. He switched vehicles twice on the way there just in case Harry or Elena had found a way to track him. The second vehicle was hired under an assumed name from a wolf entrepreneur he knew wouldn’t double cross him.

Alia had already showered and was devouring her breakfast when he knocked on her apartment door. “Come in,” she murmured between mouthfuls of turkey.

He smiled when he walked inside the apartment and saw the plate of bones in the center of the table. “Good morning, Alia.”

She paused just long enough to greet him. “Good morning, Edgar.”

“Did you sleep well?” he asked.

Her radiant smile lit up the entire apartment. “I did. I must admit I was rather surprised when you moved me here at such short notice. Then I figured your Luna must be coming home and you wanted to avoid trouble.” She drank her glass of juice. “I must admit I didn’t fancy running into your Luna either so I’m glad I have my own apartment for now.”

She was incredibly perceptive, Edgar thought. “Thank you for understanding,” he said.

“No sweat. I’d rather not meet her. Once I give birth, I intend on moving as far away as possible from here.” She doubled over in the next instant.

“What’s wrong?” Edgar rushed to her side and crouched beside her.

Alia grinned. “Nothing. Your son just has the most powerful kicks.” She lifted her nightie and pointed at her stomach. “See? He even leaves behind bruising.”

Sure enough, faint red bruises covered a small part of her belly. “I’m sorry,” Edgar said.

“Don’t be,” Alia said, “it’s a sign our baby’s healthy.” She returned to her breakfast, this time devouring the assortment of mini cakes. Edgar cleared the used plates from the table. “What are you doing here?” Alia asked.

“I came to check on you,” he replied, sitting across the table from her.

“Shouldn’t you be with your Luna?” she asked.

He shook his head. “I suspect she isn’t mine anymore.”

Alia paused between scooping her chocolate slice. “What do you mean?”

He shrugged. “She’s keeping stuff from me.” He found it easy to confide in Alia. His secrets were safe with her—he’d bet his entire existence on that.

“Like what?” Alia asked.

Edgar sighed. Where did he begin? “She is jeopardizing the existence of all supernatural and magical creatures,” he said.

Alia gasped. “This is serious.”

“It’s life threatening,” Edgar said. “Exposing our kind to the wrong people will only create chaos.”

Alia pushed her plate away. “Will your Luna expose our baby as well?” She placed one hand over her belly.

Edgar shook his head. “I have no idea if she has stooped so low as to harm a child. I wouldn’t put it past her.”

Alia’s jolly countenance faded. “I’ll never let her get close to my child,” she whispered.

“Neither will I,” Edgar promised. “Neither will I.” He rose from his seat. “Your house staff will arrive in an hour or so. Dr. Carlos will also stop by to check on you.” He gave her a new cell phone. “I’ve saved my number on the phone for you. Please call me if you need anything, or if you suspect something is wrong.”

Alia took the phone. “Thank you.”

“I have posted guards inside the building. I haven’t posted anyone outside because I suspect they will draw too much attention.” He didn’t want to mention Harry’s name to her just yet. Harry would spot a guard a mile away.

“Thank you,” she said.

“I’ll do anything to keep you and my baby safe,” Edgar said. He made his way out. “I’ll call to check on you as well.”

“That will be nice,” Alia said. “I’m starting to get a little lonely here.” She gestured at the apartment. “This place is a little huge for one person.”

Edgar’s chest tightened. “There will be more people around you soon,” he promised. “People you can trust and talk to.”

“Thank you,” Alia said, her voice barely audible.

“Goodbye, Alia.” Edgar forced himself to turn away from her. It took every inch of his courage to not turn back, hold Alia in his arms, and assure her everything would be okay. He had no guarantee it would.

He rushed off before he turned back and lost the courage to face Elena.

***