Aurora's eyes flicked to her for a moment, just long enough for everyone to know who those words were truly for.
Leo tugged at Elena's sleeve. "Are you going to say something, Mommy?"
Elena looked at her son, then at the casket.
"No," she said quietly. "Not today."
As the crowd stood to follow the casket to the burial grounds, Aurora made her way over.
"Elena. A quick word."
"Not now."
"Yes, now." Aurora glanced down at Leo. "Sweetheart, why don't you run to your grandma? Mommy and I need a minute."
Leo looked hesitant.
"It's alright," Elena said gently. "Go ahead."
Once Leo was out of earshot, Aurora's sweet expression vanished.
"I thought you'd be smart enough to stay in your lane after the last incident," she said.
Elena didn't flinch. "I'm not here to fight."
"Oh, I'm not trying to fight either," Aurora replied. I just want to remind you that Sebastian and I have unfinished business. And now that you've survived your little pity attack, I expect you to bow out gracefully."
"Bow out?" Elena tilted her head. "From what, exactly? The marriage that's already ending? Or the pack that never wanted me?"
Aurora's eyes flashed. "You always twist things. Just like before."
"Before what?" Elena asked. "Before you ran away? Before you left him? Before I became the one who stayed?"
"You never belonged, Elena," Aurora hissed. "Everyone knows it."
Elena leaned in. "Then stop acting like I'm a threat."
Aurora's smile returned. "Enjoy your moment, Elena. Because once today's over, I'm taking everything back. Starting with him."
Elena said nothing. There was nothing more to say.
They moved to the burial grounds, a quiet clearing surrounded by trees. Elena had chosen the location herself, her last gift to the man who never gave her one in return.
The casket was lowered into the earth. Soil was passed from hand to hand as each family member stepped forward to toss a handful into the grave.
Elena walked up with Leo and helped him drop his soil.
"Goodbye, Grandpa," Leo whispered. The ceremony was concluded; the Alpha had been laid to rest peacefully with any disruption for now.
As family members started making their way out of the burial ground, the moment of peace didn't last long.
A low growl broke the silence.
Elena's head snapped up. She had been very vigilant after the last incident a week ago.
The growl grew louder.
Then came another. And another, again and again.
From the treeline, shadows moved.
It was the rogues again. Panic erupted.
Wolves shifted instantly. Elders shouted. People ran.
"Leo!" Elena yelled, turning to grab him.
But he was gone.
"Leo, she screams out!"
She spun around, searching the chaos. Her heart racing, her body still weak from recovery.
Just then, a rogue lunged toward her.
She couldn't shift. She had no wolf. She was defenseless.
Before the creature could reach her, a massive black wolf collided with it, sending both tumbling across the burial ground.
She called on Sebastian but again, he didn't look back at her.
He was already turning toward Aurora, sprinting to protect her once again and leaving her to get fate.
Elena ran, weaving through the crowd.
"Leo!" She kept calling out his name.
Suddenly, she heard him call out to her.
"Mommy! Help!"
He was near the food tables, crouched behind a broken bench.
She rushed toward him, and that's when the second rogue appeared.
It came from the side, its jaws open, fangs dripping.
She had no time to scream, his claws ripped into her side again. The pain was excruciating.
Elena couldn't take it as the pain exploded through her ribs. She had not fully recovered from the last attack and now this.
She fell instantly and couldn't breathe. She couldn't move either.
"Mommy!" Leo's voice rang out through the chaos.
She tried so hard to reach for him.
Her vision instantly went blurred, everything went dark.
Elena opened her eyes. The first thing she felt was the pain, then came the beeping.
Elena blinked slowly, her body aching in places she didn't even know could ache. Her ribs burned. Her side throbbed. Her shoulder felt like it had been ripped apart and stitched back together by fire.
She tried to sit up, but a sharp sting forced her back against the pillows.
"You're awake."
The voice was soft, unfamiliar. A nurse. Mid-thirties, blonde hair in a tight bun. She adjusted something on the monitor beside Elena's bed.
"You've been out for two days. We've been monitoring you around the clock. The wounds were deep."
Elena licked her dry lips. "Where's my son?"
The nurse gave a small smile. "Leo's safe. He's been here almost every day, sitting right there with his tablet, waiting for you to wake up. He's with the Alpha right now. Wanted to get you something from the cafeteria."
Elena closed her eyes briefly. Relief washed through her, but it didn't last.
Because then the memory hit her.
The rogue. The attack. The second time her body had almost given up.
And once again, it wasn't Sebastian who'd protected her.
"Did they… find out how the rogues knew?" she asked.
The nurse's face shifted, her smile disappearing. "There are… whispers. Some think it was an inside job."
Elena felt her stomach twist. "Inside the pack?"
The nurse nodded slightly. "It's not official, but… the burial location wasn't public. Someone told them."
Elena turned her head to the window. Of course, it was sabotage. But who? And why?
Before she could ask more, the door creaked open.
Sebastian walked in, holding a paper cup and a juice box.
Leo followed close behind, beaming.
"Mommy!"
He climbed onto the edge of the bed and hugged her gently. "I brought you orange juice! Daddy said it helps you heal."
Elena smiled and kissed the top of his head. "Thank you, baby."
Sebastian placed the cup on the side table. "How are you feeling?"
"Sore," she said honestly. "And tired."
"You lost a lot of blood," he said. It was bad. You went unconscious before the medics even got to you."
"And yet, I'm still here."
"You are." His voice softened.
She didn't look at him.
"Leo, sweetie," the nurse said. Come with me for a minute. "Let's let Mommy rest a little, okay?"
Leo kissed Elena's cheek and followed her out.
The door clicked shut behind them, leaving her alone with Sebastian.
"You saved me," she said finally.
He looked at her, confused. "No. I didn't. I didn't get there in time."
"You still carried me here."
"I would've done more if I could."
She turned to face him. "You went to Aurora first."
Sebastian rubbed the back of his neck. "She was the closest. She was being targeted too."