Rejected, Not Broken

Chapter Ten

Elara’s POV

The first rays of sunlight slipped through the curtains, painting soft golden streaks across the guest room. I yawned but I had been awake long before dawn.

Sleep came in restless fragments, each one interrupted by the memory of Kaden’s hand against my cheek, the warmth in his icy blue eyes, the way he’d leaned in until I could feel his breath.

Then he’d stopped.

I groaned and buried my face in the pillow willing myself to forget it, that It hadn’t happened. I wasn’t here to lose myself in stolen moments with a vampire who had opened his home to a broken stranger. I had a purpose. A promise to keep.

Pushing myself out of bed, I folded the borrowed clothes I’d worn over the past few days and packed the few belongings I owned into my small bag.

Today, I was leaving, Adelaide would already be waiting and once I got back everything would change.

The mansion was unusually quiet with only the distant clink of dishes and the occasional footsteps of servants echoed through the halls as I made my way downstairs.

The scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm bread drifted from the dining room.

Kaden was already seated at the long table, dressed in a black shirt with the sleeves rolled to his forearms. A newspaper rested in one hand while a cup of coffee sat untouched beside him.

He looked up the moment I walked in. For a brief second, our eyes met, memories of last night settled between us like an uninvited guest. Neither of us acknowledged it.

“Morning,” I said as I pulled out the chair across from him.

“Morning.”

A maid placed breakfast in front of me before quietly leaving the room. For several minutes, the only sound between us was the clink of cutlery against the plates.

“You barely slept,” Kaden finally spoke.

I looked up. “Am I that obvious?”

“You’ve yawned three times in the last five minutes.”

A small smile tugged at my lips “I guess I had a lot on my mind.”

“I figured.”

His answer was simple, but it was clear he wanted to say something, the unfinished conversation lingered in his eyes like he was holding a part of him back wondering if it was worth the risk. But he said nothing and neither did I.

After breakfast, one of the servants carried my bag to the front entrance. The black SUV that had brought me here was already waiting.

I had arrived bruised, terrified, and with nowhere else to go, the only thing keeping me going was vengeance and now I was leaving stronger than I ever was, although nowhere near strong enough.

Kaden stood beside the front steps with his hands tucked into his pockets.

“You’ve recovered well,” he said.

“I had a good doctor.”

“You were a difficult patient.”

“I wasn’t that bad.”

He raised an eyebrow “You argued with every instruction I gave.”

“I questioned them.”

“You ignored half of them.”

“They were suggestions.”

A quiet laugh escaped him.

“There you are.”

I frowned. “What?”

“The stubborn woman who keeps pretending she’s fine.”

My smile faded… He noticed, a loud sigh escaped my lips, of course he did Elara. I pinched the skin between my brows trying to relax.

“You’ll be staying with Adelaide?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“And her mother?”

“I’ll see her too.”

He nodded.

“Good.”

Silence settled between us again.

This one felt heavier.

He studied me for a long moment before speaking.

“You have that look.”

I frowned.

“What look?”

“The one that tells me you’re planning something.”

My heart skipped so fast I almost choked. Was I really that easy to read?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“No?”

I shook my head.

“No.”

His crimson eyes searched mine for what felt like forever.

“So whatever Adelaide wants to discuss…”

“It stays between us.”

The words left my mouth before I could think, they weren’t lies, just not the whole truth.

He sighed quietly.

“I won’t force you to tell me.”

Relief washed over me then guilt quickly followed, he had spent this past weeks telling me to build myself and let go of my hurt but I couldn’t, I just couldn’t.

“But whatever it is,” he continued, “don’t let your anger convince you that you’re invincible.”

I swallowed.

“I know.”

“I’m serious, Elara.”

There was no teasing in his voice now.

“You’ve survived things that would’ve broken most people. Don’t throw your life away chasing revenge.”

My chest tightened, for one reckless moment, I wanted to tell him everything. About my crazy plan to sneak into the Lycan King’s palace, about becoming the pack doctor, about the suicide mission Adelaide, her mother, and I were about to discuss. I wanted to tell him.

Instead…

“I’ll be careful.”

The promise felt hollow the moment it left my lips.

As the driver stepped out and opened the rear door of the SUV, I adjusted the strap of my bag before turning back to him.

“Thank you.”

He tilted his head, “For what?”

“For giving me a place to breathe.”

His expression softened.

“So that’s what this was?”

I nodded, “I’d forgotten what it felt like.”

For the first time since I’d met him, Kaden looked like he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.

Instead, he stepped closer, his hand resting gently on my shoulder.

“Take care of yourself.”

“I will.”

“And if things become more than you can handle…”

I looked up at him.

“…come back.”

Three simple words, no orders nor conditions, just an open invitation, my throat tightened.

“I’ll remember that.”

Before I could change my mind, I climbed into the SUV.

As the gates slowly opened, I looked back through the window. Kaden hadn’t moved, he was still standing where I’d left him, watching the car disappear down the long driveway.

He didn’t wave and neither did I but somewhere at his back I spotted a little hand waving, it was Luna. I couldn’t help the little wiggle of my fingers but I doubt she saw it.

Only when the mansion disappeared behind the trees did I finally let out the breath I’d been holding.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered to the empty seat beside me.

Because I knew if Kaden ever discovered what I was about to do…

He would’ve never let me walk away.