Chapter six
1795 Words
Elara’s POV
The morning air carried the crisp scent of dew as I stepped onto the front porch with a single duffel bag slung over her shoulder. For the first time in weeks, I wasn’t running from something. I was walking towards it, willingly.
Behind me, the front door creaked open.
“You don’t have to look so miserable,” Adelaide teased, leaning against the doorframe with her arms folded. “You’re acting like Kaden is taking you to your execution.”
I forced a smile. “Who says he isn’t?”
Adelaide laughed, the sound warm enough to ease some of the tightness in my chest.
“If he wanted you dead, he wouldn’t have agreed to help you.”
“That isn’t exactly comforting.”
“No?” Adelaide arched a brow. “Trust me, that’s practically a declaration of affection coming from him.”
“I still don’t understand why he agreed”
I frowned.
“You don’t need to.”
“I think I do.” Adelaide’s expression softened. “Some people don’t explain themselves until they’re ready.”
Before I could ask another question, the low growl of an approaching engine echoed. We both turned. A sleek black SUV rolled through the gates before coming to a smooth stop in front of the house.
The driver’s door opened, Kaden climbed out, dressed in a charcoal shirt with the sleeves rolled neatly to his forearms and black trousers that somehow made him look even more intimidating than usual.
His sharp icy blue eyes swept over me once before settling on Adelaide.
“I’m on time.”
“You always are,” Adelaide replied.
“We should leave.” He announced nodding once.
No greeting, or unnecessary conversation. I wasn’t sure why I had expected anything different. Adelaide stepped closer until only I could hear her.
“He’s difficult,” she whispered.
“I noticed.”
“But he’s a man who keeps his word.”
I looked toward Kaden. He had already opened the passenger door and was waiting with the patience of someone who expected to be obeyed without repeating himself.
Adelaide squeezed my hand.
“You’ve survived far worse than a grumpy man.”
A small laugh escaped me before i could stop it. “I hope you’re right.”
“You’ll be fine.”
The words carried more confidence than certainty, still, I nodded then hugged Adelaide tightly.
“Thank you… for everything.”
Adelaide hugged me back just as fiercely. “You don’t owe me thanks.”
“I do.”
“No.” Adelaide pulled back and smiled gently. “The only thing you owe me is to come back one day as the woman Blackwood should have feared from the beginning.”
I felt determination fill my chest as I inhaled slowly, adjusted the strap of my bag, and walked toward the waiting SUV.
Without a word, Kaden reached for my duffel and placed it in the back before closing the trunk. He circled to the driver’s side.
“Seatbelt.”
I blinked. “What?”
“I don’t repeat instructions.”
I quickly fastened it, only then did he start the engine. As Adelaide grew smaller in the side mirror, I rested my forehead lightly against the cool window, maybe I should have waited for ms Bennett but then again she’s my biggest supporter.
This time I’m also leaving the frightened omega who had arrived there with nothing but heartbreak.
The silence lingered long after they left Adelaide’s house. I rested my elbow against the window, absentmindedly tracing invisible patterns into the fogged glass as the scenery outside blurred past. Towering trees gradually replaced the rows of houses, and the farther they traveled, the quieter the world became.
I stole a glance at the man beside Kaden, he hadn’t said a word since reminding me to fasten my seatbelt. His hands rested loosely on the steering wheel, his expression unreadable. There was something unnervingly composed about him, as though nothing in the world had the ability to shake him.
Not once had he reached for the radio, or sighed, or at least looked in my direction. The silence was suffocating.
“So…” I began carefully,“I was wondering something.”
“If it’s important, ask.”
I rolled my eyes “You couldn’t have sounded less interested if you tried.”
“I wasn’t trying.”
I bit back a sigh and a retort “You know, normal people usually make conversation during long drives.”
“I’m not normal.”
I scoffed loudly, at least he admitted it “Fair enough.”
Another stretch of silence settled between, I tried my best but lasted exactly three minutes before curiosity won again.
“Can I ask why you agreed to help me?”
His gaze remained fixed on the road “No.”
“No… I can’t ask?”
“You already did.”
“…Can you answer?”
“No.”
I let out a small groan. “You’re impossible.”
“So I’ve been told.”
A laugh slipped past my lips, it wasn’t funny, no, I was pissed. The corner of Kaden’s mouth didn’t so much as twitch.
“You really don’t smile, do you?”
“I don’t have reasons to.”
“Not even today?”
“No.”
I tilted my head to look at him properly “I think if you smiled once, the world wouldn’t end.”
“It might.”
“I was trying to imagine it.” I laughed again this time amused.
“Don’t.”
“You know what? I think I’m going to make it my personal mission.”
Kaden finally looked at me, his icy eyes met mine for only a second, but it was enough to make my heart flutter, I held my breath.
“We are not friends, Elara.” His voice was steady, the kind of voice that never needed to rise to command attention. “I agreed to help you because I saw value in doing so. Do not mistake that decision for familiarity.”
I felt my smile disappear completely.
“And be careful,” he continued, returning his attention to the road, “some jokes are better left unspoken.”
The words weren’t cruel if anything, they sounded like advice, still , they stung.
“I understand.” I said turning to face the window
“Good.” Neither of us spoke again.
Nearly an hour later, the road narrowed into a winding path surrounded by dense forest, taller trees, very cold air.
“I didn’t realize we had driven this far.”
Kaden offered no response, I regretted saying anything at once.
A few moments later, towering black iron gates emerged from the mist ahead.
They were unlike anything I had ever seen, it felt ancient, powerful, and honestly eerie.
Before the SUV even came to a complete stop, several figures appeared from seemingly nowhere, they moved with unnatural speed.
Vampires, I recognized them instantly, each dressed in black, standing with military precision. Their expressions remained blank as one approached the driver’s side. The moment he recognized Kaden, he bowed his head.
“My lord.”
Kaden acknowledged him with a brief nod, without another word, the massive gates swung open.
Creepy! I screamed internally holding my seatbelt tight, as we crossed the gate the estate slowly revealed itself and wow.
The mansion stood proudly atop a gentle rise, surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens, ancient fountains, and towering trees that looked as though they had stood there for centuries, stone pathways stretched in every direction, statues lined the entrance.
Beyond them,I caught glimpses of separate buildings scattered across the enormous property. Training grounds, guest houses, a glass conservatory.
Even from the car, she could see armed guards stationed at strategic points throughout the estate.
Not a single movement escaped their attention.
“This…” my voice barely came out as a whisper. “…is your home?”
“Yes.”
Just one word, I looked at him again for the first time since meeting him, I think understood. Kaden wasn’t simply a vampire. He was someone powerful enough that an entire estate moved at his command.Someone Blackwood had probably never stood a chance against.
I couldn’t help but stare, who is this man. The SUV came to a smooth stop before the grand entrance. Before I could reach for the handle, the door opened up, that alone made me feel like royalty I gasped turning to stare at Kaden again.
A middle aged woman dressed in an immaculate black uniform bowed respectfully.
“Welcome home, Lord Kaden.”
He stepped out first “Thank you, Miriam.”
His tone was calm, yet the woman visibly relaxed at having been addressed. I climbed out after him, clutching the strap of my duffel bag, I suddenly felt so small, like a speck of dust.
Several servants stood near the entrance. Some glanced at me with curiosity before quickly lowering their eyes. Still no one uttered a word.
Kaden faced me “You are a guest here.”
I met his gaze, barely.
“You are free to leave whenever you wish. No one will stop you.”
Something inside me relaxed
“But,” he continued, “as long as you remain under my roof, you will follow my rules.”
I gave a small nod “I understand.” I replied surprisingly calm.
“I don’t tolerate disobedience.”
His tone remained even.There was no threat behind it, it was so powerful I was tempted to bow.
“And one more thing.”
I held my breath heart hammering.
“We are not friends.”
“I gathered that.”
“I doubt you have.”
His eyes held mine for a brief moment.
“My willingness to help should never be mistaken for affection. Be respectful, know your place, and we will have no problems.”
For reasons I couldn’t explain, I felt a flicker of embarrassment. I was only trying to lighten the mood now his making me sound like an insolent child.
“I’ll remember that.” I murmured head bowed.
“See that you do.”
Without another word, he turned toward the woman waiting patiently beside the entrance.
“Miriam.”
“Yes, my lord?”
“Prepare the room in the east wing.”
The woman’s composed expression flickered, unnoticeable, except I noticed.
“As you wish.”
She reached for my bag with a polite smile.
“If you’ll follow me, miss.”
I glanced once at Kaden, he had already started walking away without looking back, I humphed this might have been a bad idea.
- Writer
