CHAPTER FOUR: The Storm and the Rooftop
1216 Words
The cool night air touched Elara’s cheeks while she sat on the glass railing at the top of Kael’s mansion. She had her fingers on the cold steel edge. The world glowed under her, not like the small and worn-out pack houses she used to know. There were neat streets and bright windows. She could see rooftop gardens, and the pools glowed in the night. A soft silver light from the moon covered everything. It was quiet and calm.
She looked over and said softly, "I have not seen anything like this before."
Kael came over and stood by her. His arm brushed against hers. “You can come here when you feel down. This place is for you now.”
She gave a small smile, but her voice was sad. “I feel like I am living someone else’s life. That is why I did not think it was real at first.”
“No,” he said in a soft voice. He got close so his words were right by her ear. “You have started to live your own life… maybe this is the first time you are doing it.”
Her eyes met his, and she could see how strong and calm he was. For a moment, she thought his eyes changed. There was a shadow in them, as if he was thinking about how much of this new world she could handle.
She did not get time to think about this. He got closer and closed the gap between them.
His kiss was slow. He did it with care, like he was asking something without words, not trying to take anything. For a second, she stopped and didn’t move. The strong walls she made over the years were still there. Then the walls broke. She leaned into him, feeling warm in her chest.
But the moment broke.
“Alpha.”
They turned together.
Luke stood by the doorway leading down from the roof, hands clasped behind his back, gaze lowered in careful respect.
Kael didn’t move. “Everything’s in place?”
Luke nodded once. “It’s ready.”
Kael’s mouth curved slightly as he turned back to Elara. “Come on. Let’s eat before it gets cold.”
Dinner was quieter than Elara expected. Not awkward, peaceful.
Kael ate with his usual composure, speaking little, though his glances at her lingered. They weren’t the cold, measuring looks Ryder used to give, but something gentler… mixed with that same guardedness she’d glimpsed on the rooftop.
It made her wonder, if he doubted her place here?
Afterward, he walked her to her room.
“I’ll be gone early,” he said at the door. “Security meeting at the border. I’ll be back before noon.”
“Be careful,” she said softly.
His lips tilted in a faint smile. “Always.” Then he was gone.
Morning sunlight painted gold across the sheets. Elara blinked awake, half-expecting the thin, worn mattress of her old room in Ashfang. But she was still here.
The mansion was hushed when she padded to the kitchen. Too hushed, no clatter of dishes, no barked orders. Out of habit, she began tidying, folding towels, rinsing cups, straightening cushions.
She nearly dropped a glass when a voice spoke behind her.
“You’re Elara, right?”
She turned quickly. A tall, sharp-eyed woman stood in the archway, effortlessly elegant.
“Yes…”
“I’m Camelia. Kael’s sister.”
Elara blinked. “I didn’t know he had siblings.”
Camelia laughed. “He forgets to mention things like that. Always brooding over security and battle plans.” Her gaze flicked to the dish in Elara’s hand. “Why is our future Luna washing dishes?”
Elara flushed. “I… didn’t know what else to do.”
“Now you do.” Camelia strode forward and took her by the wrist. “Come on. Shopping.”
What followed was dizzying, boutiques, perfume counters, silk dresses she’d never dare touch before. Elara tried to protest, but Camelia wouldn’t hear it.
“You’re Kael’s mate,” she said, “and that means something. Start walking like it.”
By the time they returned, Elara was carrying three bags and had laughed more that afternoon than in the past three years. They kicked off their shoes on the stone patio, sipping iced tea under the sun.
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt this… normal,” Elara said.
“Stick with me,” Camelia grinned. “We’ll make you the Luna they didn’t know they needed.”
The click of approaching heels cut through their peace.
A woman rounded the hedge and stopped, arms folded.
“So,” she said coolly. “You’re the one.”
Elara sat straighter. “I’m sorry?”
“I’m Sophie,” the woman said, eyes raking over her. “Kael’s first. You might be his mate now, but I’ve had his loyalty far longer.”
“I didn’t—”
“You think being his mate means something?” Sophie’s tone sharpened. “He’s an Alpha. His duty is to the pack, not to weaklings who need saving.”
Camelia stood, voice like steel. “That’s enough. You’re speaking to your Luna.”
Sophie’s lips curled. “Yours, maybe. Not mine.” She stepped closer to Elara. “You’ll break under the weight. And when you do, I’ll be here to watch.”
Then she turned on her heel and left.
Elara’s pulse thundered in her ears.
“Don’t let her get in your head,” Camelia said, settling back into her chair. “She’s harmless. Just loud.”
But Elara wasn’t sure.
That night, Kael returned as promised.
Meeting him in the front hall, Elara forced a smile.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” he murmured, brushing hair from her face.
“Maybe I have.”
His brow furrowed, but he didn’t press.
They sat together as she told him about her day, Camelia, the shops… and Sophie.
His jaw tightened at the name. “I should have warned you. She’s old packs blood. Still clinging to the past.”
“She said you were hers.”
Kael’s eyes cooled. “She thinks that. I never gave her reason.”
Silence stretched. Then Elara said, “I want to train.”
He stilled. “Train?”
“To fight. To lead. I don’t want to be just a symbol beside you.”
He stayed silent for a while. The look in his eyes was back, the same one she saw up on the roof. She could tell he was thinking about dangers she still didn't know about.
“That’s not necessary,” he said at last.
“It is to me,” she replied.
His eyes became dark, but it was not because he was mad. It was something harder to feel. "Strength is not just about fighting, Elara."
"Maybe not," she said. "But I want to stand with you, not behind you."
He did not say yes or no out loud. He got up and put his hand on her hair. He said, “We will talk about this later.”
The warmth between them was still there. But now, something colder went through it. She felt her wolf starting to feel worried.
- Writer
