Under Nightshade's Protection
713 Words
Chapter Twenty-Three: Under Nightshade's Protection
Elara's POV
No one spoke after Cassian's declaration.
"No one touches that girl."
The words echoed through the council chamber.
I stared at the Vampire King.
Why?
Why would a king—someone who had never met me before today—be willing to protect me?
His expression softened when our eyes met, but he quickly looked away.
Almost as if he had revealed too much.
Draven stepped closer to me.
"So they know you're here."
I nodded.
"I never wanted anyone to get hurt because of me."
"You didn't bring this danger."
His voice was firm.
"They did."
Alpha Magnus stood from his chair.
"The Hollow Court has crossed a line."
He looked around the room at every warrior and leader present.
"Effective immediately, Nightshade Pack is under lockdown."
Every warrior stood straighter.
"No one enters."
"No one leaves."
"Double the border patrol."
Ryder placed a fist over his chest.
"Yes, Alpha."
Cassian looked toward his captain.
"Send word to the Vampire Kingdom."
The captain bowed.
"My King?"
"I want two hundred Royal Guards stationed around Nightshade."
The room fell silent.
Even Alpha Magnus looked surprised.
"That's a generous offer."
Cassian's crimson eyes shifted toward me.
"It isn't an offer."
"It's a necessity."
I lowered my gaze, guilt settling heavily in my chest.
"I'm sorry."
Every head turned toward me.
"If I wasn't here..."
"None of this would be happening."
Draven gently took my hand.
"No."
I looked up.
"You don't apologize for surviving."
His words hit something deep inside me.
My entire life, I'd apologized.
For existing.
For taking up space.
For making mistakes.
For being an orphan.
For being different.
Draven slowly shook his head.
"Those days are over."
Lunara purred.
"He's right."
Vespera sounded unusually proud.
"Finally, someone says it."
A small smile tugged at my lips.
Draven noticed.
"There it is again."
"What?"
"That smile."
I rolled my eyes.
"You really enjoy embarrassing me."
"A little."
His grin widened.
"You're smiling more."
"I don't smile."
"You've smiled three times today."
"I absolutely have not."
Ryder coughed loudly into his fist.
"I counted four."
Several Nightshade warriors nodded in agreement.
Heat rushed to my cheeks.
"Oh my Goddess..."
The room erupted into laughter.
Even Cassian smiled.
For just a moment...
The weight of the world disappeared.
Then the doors opened again.
A young warrior hurried inside.
"Alpha."
Ryder immediately became serious.
"What happened?"
"The border scouts returned."
"And?"
"They found tracks."
My stomach tightened.
"How many?"
The scout swallowed.
"Too many to count."
Silence settled over the room.
"They aren't attacking."
"They're surrounding us."
Alpha Magnus folded his arms.
"They're waiting."
Cassian's expression darkened.
"They're planning something."
I looked between them.
"What do they want from me?"
No one answered.
Because none of them knew.
Or...
None of them were ready to tell me.
That realization hurt more than I expected.
I slowly stood.
"I'm tired."
Draven looked at me with concern.
"I'll walk you to your room."
I nodded.
As we walked through the quiet halls of the packhouse, neither of us spoke for several minutes.
Finally...
I broke the silence.
"Can I ask you something?"
"You can ask me anything."
"Why aren't you pushing me?"
He frowned.
"Pushing you?"
"Most Alphas would expect their mate to accept the bond immediately."
He stopped walking.
Then turned to face me.
Moonlight spilled through the hallway windows, illuminating his silver-gray eyes.
"I don't want a mate who stays because she feels obligated."
He gently tucked a loose curl behind my ear.
"I want a mate who chooses me."
My heart skipped.
"What if..."
My voice barely rose above a whisper.
"What if I'm too broken to choose anyone?"
Pain crossed his face.
Then he smiled softly.
"Then I'll wait."
"For how long?"
"As long as it takes."
His answer stole my breath.
No hesitation.
No conditions.
Just patience.
Respect.
Hope.
For the first time since Kaiden rejected me...
I allowed myself to imagine that maybe...
Just maybe...
The Moon Goddess hadn't abandoned me after all.
Behind them, hidden in the shadows outside the packhouse walls...
A crimson-eyed figure watched from the darkness.
He smiled beneath a black hood.
"The Eclipse Heir..."
He whispered.
"You won't stay hidden much longer."
Then he disappeared into the night.
- Writer
