The Fox's Heart

Chapter 17 - Elora POV (Part 1)

A day or two had turned into a week since the harrowing events in the woods, but the echoes of that day lingered like a heavy fog. Elora had given up her plans to move out, swallowed by the urgent need to care for her brother, who was still grappling with the trauma of his kidnapping. Rome felt safest when he was with her, insisting on sleeping in her bed each night. She would pull him close, feeling his warmth seep into her skin as she wished she could be the one having the nightmares. Yet, at times, she felt like she was losing her grip on her own strength.

“Can I have some water, Elora?” Rome’s voice, thick with the remnants of fear, broke through her thoughts. She glanced down at him, nestled against her side, his face a picture of innocence that contrasted sharply with the recent events.

“Of course, buddy. I’ll be right back,” she replied, easing herself out of bed to avoid disturbing him. The house was quiet, the only sound was the faint creaking of the floorboards as she padded down the hallway toward the kitchen. As she filled a glass with water, her thoughts drifted to the recent changes in their family. Carly had announced her pregnancy earlier that day, another miracle that felt surreal.

Carly had accepted Elora as her own when Elora’s birth mother dropped her off at Elora’s father's doorstep. At that time, Carly had known for a couple of months it might be nearly impossible for her to have kids. And she did not blame Elora’s father for Elora’s presence being thrust in their lives. Elora’s father and birth mother had a one-night stand and slept around with more than one partner before they found your mate was common among werewolves.

Elora should have been overjoyed about Carly’s pregnancy, and she was, in a way, but the news added another layer of complexity to their lives. She couldn’t shake the worry about how this would affect Rome. Would he be able to adjust to a new baby after everything he’d been through? It felt as though she had taken on the role of caretaker not just for her brother but for the entire household.

“Hey, you!” Carly’s voice came from the living room, bright and warm. She was wrapped in a cozy blanket, looking radiant despite the late hour. “I thought I heard you in here. Everything okay?”

“Just getting Rome some water,” Elora replied, stepping into the living room. “How are you feeling?”

Carly beamed at her, her joy infectious. “I’m good! Just tired, but it’s a good kind of tired. I can’t believe it’s happening again. Having Rome was already a miracle but to be blessed again…I just hope this baby also knows how lucky they are to have you as a big sister.”

Her words sent a wave of warmth through Elora, but the weight of responsibility felt heavier. “I’ll do my best,” she said softly, setting the glass on the table. “But right now, Rome needs me more than ever.”

“I know,” Carly replied, her smile faltering slightly. “But don’t forget to take care of yourself, too. You can’t pour from an empty cup.”

Elora nodded, but the truth was that she didn’t quite know how to take care of herself anymore.

Elora paused for a moment, her fingers lingering on the edge of the water glass, before sitting down beside Carly. Her eyes flickered to the soft, golden light from the lamp on the table, the room bathed in the quiet comfort of the night. But despite the warmth surrounding her, a knot tightened in Elora’s chest.

Carly’s gaze softened, sensing the change in Elora’s mood. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and shifted in her blanket. “I know this is probably too soon,” Carly began gently, her voice laced with concern. “But are you still thinking about moving out?”

Elora bit her lower lip, the question pulling at her. She had been thinking about it for days now, but the idea felt so distant compared to the reality she was facing. Moving out had seemed like the only way to gain control, to escape the weight of everything pressing on her. But with Rome so fragile, the idea of leaving him behind was unthinkable.

“I don’t know, Carly,” Elora said, her voice barely above a whisper. She glanced toward the hallway, where she knew Rome was probably still waiting for her to return. The thought of being away from him, especially now, felt impossible. “I guess… I guess I’m not sure anymore. I’ve been thinking about it, but with everything that’s happened, I don’t think it’s a good idea. Not now.”

Carly nodded slowly, her expression one of quiet understanding. “I get it. I really do,” she said softly, reaching for Elora’s hand. “But I never wanted you to feel like you had to run away from everything, Elora. You’ve already been through so much, and you’ve shown more strength than anyone could’ve imagined. When you saved Dimitri and Rome, it was proof that you don’t have to go anywhere to find your strength. You’re stronger than you think.”

Elora felt a pang of guilt twist in her stomach. Carly was right and Ryder and Talia (earlier that day) had said the same thing. She had fought and had done everything in her power to protect the ones she loved. And yet, here she was, at a crossroads, still questioning whether she could face what was next. Could she continue to hold it all together?

“I know what you’re saying,” Elora replied, her voice thick with emotion. “But it’s not that easy. I thought leaving might be my way of taking back control, of getting away from the pain. But... but the truth is, I don’t know how to stay, either. I don’t know how to carry all this weight without breaking.”

Carly’s eyes softened, her hand tightening gently around Elora’s. “The weight of responsibility can be overwhelming, but you’re not meant to carry it alone. The Moon Goddess doesn’t give us more than we can bear, Elora. And sometimes, staying—facing what’s hard—is the way she shows us who we’re truly meant to be. You saved your brother. You saved Dimitri. Now you have to save yourself. Not by running, but by staying strong.”

Elora’s heart thudded painfully in her chest. She looked at Carly, seeing the love and wisdom in her eyes. She knew Carly was right. But accepting it felt like a battle within herself. The Moon Goddess, fate, whatever it was that was pulling her to stay—it didn’t feel like a choice anymore. It felt like a force beyond her control, pushing her into a role she wasn’t ready to embrace.

“Maybe… maybe you’re right,” Elora said quietly, her words tinged with uncertainty. “I don’t know. It just feels like everything’s falling on me, like I’m supposed to be this anchor for everyone. But sometimes I feel like I’m drowning, Carly.”

Carly’s thumb brushed over Elora’s hand in a comforting motion. “I understand more than you think. But you don’t have to do this alone. Stay with us, Elora. You’ve already proven your strength. And now, the next step is accepting that staying is your way forward. It’s not weakness. It’s where you’ll find the most growth.”

A part of Elora wanted to pull away from this moment of clarity, to hold on to the idea of running. But deep down, she knew Carly was right. The thought of leaving Rome—of leaving her family, of leaving everything she had worked for—no longer seemed like a solution.

She leaned back into the couch, her eyes closing as she let out a long breath.

“I’ll stay,” Elora said at last, the decision settling in her chest, heavy but resolute.

Carly smiled warmly, squeezing her hand. “ Just remember, you have everything you need right here. And that’s more than enough.”

After the chat with Carly, Elora returned to her room, where Rome was already back to sleep, his little chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. She tucked the blanket around him and climbed back into bed, allowing herself a moment of peace. She had to stay strong for him, to be his safe space until he felt whole again.