The corridors were silent.
Elora strolled along, her fingers lightly touching the walls made of smooth stone as she headed to Raydar's room. Tarinne was resting, her face was starting to regain its color, and her breathing was quiet and regular. Elora finally let herself relax for the first time in days.
She had no clear idea, just a strong desire to talk to him, To express her gratitude, and To recognize how he had stood up for the entire pack without any hesitation, not only as their leader, but as a father and even more than that.
She stopped at the open doorway and peeked inside.
Raydar was standing near the window, his arms crossed, his focus fixed on something far away, His shoulders were tight, but not stiff, He looked like someone lost in thought, burdened by more than he showed.
Elora knocked softly on the door,
He turned around,
Their eyes connected, and the atmosphere between them changed.
"I didn't mean to bother you," she mentioned,
"You're not," His tone was gentle and tired, yet warmer than before, "How is she doing?"
"She's sleeping."
He nodded his head,
Elora walked into the room, Her heart raced faster with each step, not because she was scared, but because she felt a strange force, like gravity, pulling her toward him.
"I wanted to thank you," she spoke softly, "For everything you've done, For keeping her safe, For keeping me safe."
Raydar shook his head and moved toward her, "You don't need to thank me, Elora, I should have protected you from the start, Years ago."
She hesitated, but he didn't wait,
He reached out and gently took her hand in his.
"I've thought about that night countless times," he admitted, "About how I let you disappear without even knowing who you were, I should've searched for you, I should've remembered you."
"You weren't aware," she whispered softly,
"I should have been," he repeated, with his voice full of regret, "I had one night with you, just one, but it changed everything. However, I didn't listen to my instincts, I didn't pursue it, And because of that, you had to raise her by yourself, You had to survive on your own."
She felt the warmth of his hand in hers, making her feel steady and real, His eyes were vulnerable now, without the Alpha persona or the powerful facade.
Just Raydar was present.
Elora swallowed hard, "You couldn't have known what was going to happen."
"I should have kept you safe."
His thumb gently brushed her knuckles, and something deep inside her awakened, a feeling she hadn't experienced in years. It felt both familiar and new, The connection between mates, worn and hidden, started to vibrate beneath her skin.
She could sense it growing, softly, like light flowing through the gaps in darkness.
Raydar moved closer to her,
Elora stayed still,
His other hand gently touched her side, pulling her nearer to him, She gasped softly, and for a second, everything vanished, the pain, the fear, and even the doubts she had. It was only them, the space between them shrinking to almost nothing, and as their lips were about to touch,
"Alpha."
The voice sliced through the moment like a knife,
They both quickly turned their heads,
Janna was standing in the doorway, her body stiff, and her lips formed into a polite smile that didn't reach her eyes.
Raydar took a step back without thinking,
"I'm sorry," Janna said, her eyes focused on Elora, "I didn't know you were.. busy."
Elora felt the cold feeling return immediately,
Raydar nodded briefly, "What is it?"
"I need to talk to you for a moment," Janna said smoothly, "About pack business."
He glanced at Elora again, something unspoken passing between them just before moving away.
Elora stayed where she was, her breath seized in her chest, and the warmth already disappearing.
Elora didn't get far down the hallway before she heard the quiet, determined footsteps behind her.
"Running away so soon?"
She stopped, her back stiffened, and she slowly turned to face Janna.
The woman stood just a few steps back, her hands folded neatly in front of her, and her chin raised with grace. The polite look on her face didn't match the harshness in her eyes.
"Did you need something?" Elora asked calmly,
Janna moved closer, slowly and smoothly, "No, I just thought we should talk, Just the two of us."
Elora didn't say anything,
Janna gave a small, almost sympathetic smile, "I saw what was about to happen in there, It looked like you were going to kiss him."
Elora's heart beat very strongly,
"You think that connection you once shared still matters," Janna continued, "That just because he knows the child is his, everything will work out."
She paused, with her voice softening, almost feeling sorry for her, "But it won't, He has a responsibility, A pack to lead,s And a Luna."
Elora's jaw tightened, "You mean you."
Janna smiled more widely, "We've built this place together, I've been by his side through every decision, every war, and every loss, You think a few loving looks are going to change that?"
Elora remained quiet, but her fingers curled at her sides,
"You'll never truly have him," Janna said, her voice became plain now, the sharpness finally showing, "Not in the way you think, He may protect you out of guilt, He may give in to a moment of weakness, But love? Loyalty? Those are mine."
Elora breathed slowly, trying to stay calm and not react.
"You shouldn't be here," Janna stated, "And soon, he will recall the reason."
After saying that, she turned and left, her heels clicking loudly on the floor like nails closing a coffin.
Elora was alone in the quiet, her thoughts were racing.
She didn't return to get anything back, She didn't desire authority, or a position, or the focus of a man with too much on his plate and too many secrets, But still, Janna's words stuck with her like a cold mist.
You will never really have him,
She walked around the hallways for a while after that, feeling weighed down. Uncertainty came in like a lingering illness, it was gradual, recognizable, and harmful. Perhaps she was wrong, Perhaps this entire palace was just a pretty prison, and she had voluntarily gone back into it.
By the time she got back to her room, the good feeling she had before was gone.
Tarinne was awake,
She was curled up under the blanket, awkwardly turning the pages of a picture book Raydar must have brought, Her eyes brightened when Elora came in.
"Mama," she mumbled sleepily, "Where did you go?"
Elora got down by the bed and moved her daughter's hair from her face,
"Just needed to think," she said quietly,
Tarinne smiled and reached out her little hand, Elora took it without thinking, holding it in her hands, finding comfort in its warmth.
"Mama?" Tarinne questioned,
"Yes?"
"You aren't going to leave again, okay?"
Elora felt her throat tighten,
"No," she whispered, holding her daughter's hand a bit firmer, "I'm staying here."
Tarinne nodded, feeling relieved, and snuggled close to her.
Elora stayed there in the silence, her heart hurting but stable,
Maybe she didn't know what would happen next,
But she knew what she wouldn't do,
She wouldn't leave,
Not this time.