The Fox's Heart

Chapter 17 - Elora POV (Part 2)

Elora moved through her routine at the hospital, the next day, with a sense of detachment. Her focus only broke when Alpha Gavin’s assistant informed her that the Alpha wished to see her. Elora felt her heart skip, she hadn’t seen the Alpha since the night she saved Dimitri and Rome and didn’t quite know what to expect.

As she entered his office, Elora bowed respectfully, meeting the Alpha’s warm but discerning gaze.

“Thank you for seeing me, Elora,” he began, his voice calm but also carrying the weight of someone used to being obeyed. “I’ve been meaning to speak with you since that night. I haven’t had the chance to thank you properly for saving my son and your brother. We have searched everywhere for the men who kidnapped the boys, but they seem to be using some sort of concealing spell to hide their scent. Talon, Falon, Calin, and Ryder could not pick up their scents at the school either, and we thought all hope of finding them was lost. I am so grateful you happened to be driving by at that time.”

Elora straightened, attempting to keep her composure. “There’s no need to thank me, Alpha. I would have done it for anyone in the pack, especially Rome.”

Alpha Gavin gave a slight nod, studying her with a depth that made Elora slightly uneasy. “Even so, you put yourself at great risk. That’s not something I take lightly, and I imagine your family doesn’t either. I understand you had plans to move out?”

Elora hesitated, then nodded. “Yes, but it seems life has other plans. Rome needs me now more than ever, so it feels right to stay.”

“I admire your resilience, Elora,” Alpha Gavin said, his tone shifting to something lighter. “It’s rare to see someone so young handle so much responsibility with such grace. Which brings me to why I called you here.”

Elora blinked, surprised by his shift in tone.

“We want to honor you, Elora,” Alpha Gavin continued, “for your bravery, selflessness, and dedication to the pack. I’m planning to host a gala in your honor and present you with a special award.”

Elora felt her stomach twist. The idea of being in the spotlight, of having the entire pack’s eyes on her, made her deeply uncomfortable. She valued her work, and she valued her family, but she never thought of herself as someone who deserved accolades. She tried to maintain her composure as she replied, but stuttered “I… I appreciate the gesture, Alpha, but it really isn’t necessary.”

Alpha Gavin chuckled, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. “I’m afraid this isn’t a suggestion, Elora. Preparations are already underway. You’ve done something extraordinary, and it’s time the pack recognizes it.”

The finality in his voice left no room for protest, and Elora forced herself to nod, even as apprehension clawed at her insides. This was an alpha command and it is something she could not ignore. “Thank you, Alpha. I’ll do my best to… enjoy the honor,” she said, though it sounded weak even to her own ears.

Alpha Gavin seemed to notice her discomfort and softened. “This pack is more than just a community, Elora. We’re a family, and you’ve reminded us all of what it means to protect each other. Let this be a celebration of that, if nothing else.”

Elora nodded, his words sinking in and resonating with a part of her that longed for belonging, even if the idea of a gala in her honor felt overwhelming. “I’ll try to see it that way, Alpha.”

As she left his office, her thoughts raced, her mind split between gratitude and a quiet dread at the impending event. She wasn’t sure how she would handle the attention or the inevitable conversations that would come, but for her family and her pack, she would try.

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Three days later Talia fussed over the finishing touches on Elora's makeup. She took a step back to admire her work. "You look stunning, Elora. They won’t know what hit them."

Elora glanced at her reflection in the mirror. The off-the-shoulder navy blue dress fit like it was made for her, the sweetheart neckline accentuating her figue like a glove. She felt a strange mix of confidence and vulnerability looking at herself in this way.

Talia smirked, her eyes sparkling with pride. "Now, it's perfect. You deserve this, Elora. Every bit of it."

Just then, Carly peeked into the room, dressed elegantly in a flowing gold gown that complemented her warm features. "The limo’s here," she said softly, a proud smile playing on her lips. "It’s time."

“And that is my cue to go home and finish getting ready myself,” Talia said. She gave Elora a tight hug before leaving.

Elora took a steadying breath and rose from the chair, feeling the weight of the moment settle over her. She followed Carly downstairs, where her father was helping Rome adjust his tiny bowtie. The sight made her heart swell. Rome looked up, beaming at her. "Elora! You look like a princess!"

She smiled, bending down to fix a stray hair on his head. "Well, you look like a prince," she replied, feeling a rush of love and protectiveness for her little brother.

As they stepped outside, the crisp evening air wrapped around them, and Elora felt a strange calm settle over her. They climbed into the limo, and soon, they were en route to the pack rec hall where the gala would be held. It was the same location that had the graduation gala earlier at the beginning of the summer. Every monumental pack event was held there.

The limo glided smoothly down the road, its soft hum the only sound in the quiet interior. Elora sat back, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of her dress as her mind raced. It was strange, this mixture of excitement and dread. The night ahead, full of expectations and unspoken judgments, seemed to loom larger the closer they got to the rec hall. The gala was a major event for her— and yet, Elora couldn't shake the feeling that it was a stage she never quite fit on.

Her thoughts were interrupted as the limo came to a stop in front of the grand entrance. The sound of tires against gravel pulled her back to reality, and she noticed Carly's hand resting on her arm reassuringly. "We’re here, sweetie. You’ve got this," her stepmother said with a soft smile, her voice filled with warmth.

Elora nodded, trying to summon a fraction of the calm Carly radiated, but her nerves were still taut, stretched thin by the weight of the night. The door opened, and just as they began to step out, Elora’s eyes caught something—or rather, someone—unexpected.

There, stood Ryder holding out his hand to her. His presence struck her with a jolt, a brief pause in time as she locked eyes with him, his green eyes never leaving hers, a quiet understanding passing between them.

"Thank you," Elora said, grabbing his hand.

As she stepped out of the limo, his gaze dropped momentarily, his lips curling upward slightly. “You look… stunning, Elora.” His compliment was unexpected, but it warmed her in a way she hadn’t expected.

Elora blinked, trying to suppress the rush of emotions his words stirred. She wasn’t sure why his simple praise meant so much, but it did.

With one fluid motion, Ryder gently escorted her to the entrance, her hand resting lightly on his elbow. As they walked, her parents and Rome followed close behind. Elora could feel her breath catch in her throat as the massive doors to the hall swung open. The moment they entered, the entire room seemed to pause, and then—just as quickly—it erupted into applause.

The sound hit her like a wave, a roaring tide that swept over her. Her heart thudded loudly in her chest, her mind racing with an instinctive desire to flee, to turn back and disappear into the shadows. She didn’t want this attention. She didn’t want the spotlight. The idea of standing there, exposed in front of so many people, felt suffocating.

But before she could react, Ryder’s grip on her arm tightened, steadying her. His touch was firm but not forceful, a grounding force amidst the overwhelming noise.

"Stay with me," he murmured his voice a soft command that she found she couldn’t argue with.

She looked up at him, her anxiety still clawing at her, but there was something in his eyes—something kind and reassuring. She nodded slightly, feeling her legs move forward, guided by him as though his presence alone could make her strong enough to endure this moment.

As they walked toward the front of the hall, Elora’s mind kept spinning, caught between the desire to shrink into the walls and the realization that she had come so far. Ryder led her to her seat, right at the front, in full view of everyone. Her stomach twisted, but she took the seat without protest. As she settled into the chair, Ryder stepped back, giving her a final, reassuring nod before moving to join his own family’s table nearby.

Elora sat, surrounded by the clapping of pack members, her pulse still racing. It was as though her body hadn’t quite caught up with what was happening. She couldn’t believe this moment was really hers. It felt as though everything was happening in a blur.