"She wasn't the one who nearly bled out," Elena said quietly.
His jaw tensed. "You're right." I didn't protect you the way I should have.
"You've never protected me, Sebastian. Not once."
"That's not fair."
"No? When have you ever chosen me?"
He looked down. "I married you."
"You didn't want to. You married me out of guilt. You gave me your name, but you never gave me your heart."
He didn't argue.
Elena let out a shaky breath. "The rogues were coordinated. This wasn't random."
"I know."
"You think it was someone inside the pack?"
He nodded. "I'm already investigating it."
She raised an eyebrow. "And I suppose I'm your prime suspect?"
Sebastian flinched. "Don't do that."
"Why not? That's how it always goes, right? When something bad happens, the wolfless Luna must be the problem."
He stepped forward. "You're not the problem, Elena."
"Then say it out loud," she challenged. "Say that I didn't cause this."
"You didn't."
She blinked. "Well. That's a first."
Sebastian sighed. "I'm not proud of how I've handled things. I'm trying to fix that."
"Too late for that, isn't it?"
"I don't know. Maybe. But I still want to try."
Elena looked away, unsure of how to respond.
"Will you let me help you?" he asked.
She paused, then whispered, "Not if you're going to leave again the moment Aurora calls your name."
The words landed hard.
Sebastian stepped back. "I'll check on Leo."
He turned and left.
Alone again, Elena closed her eyes and rested her hand on her bandaged side. Everything inside her felt raw; her body, her heart, her trust.
This time, she had nearly died.
And still, no one had chosen her.
Later that evening, Damien came by.
He knocked before entering, which had already made him the most respectful visitor so far.
"How are you holding up?" he asked.
"Barely."
He pulled a chair closer and sat beside her. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For not stepping in sooner. I saw how they treat you. How Sebastian treats you."
She raised an eyebrow. "That's bold, coming from his twin."
"Doesn't mean I agree with him."
She studied him for a moment. "Why are you really here, Damien?"
He leaned in slightly. "Because I heard something." About the rogues."
Elena's pulse quickened. "What?"
"They were watching us for weeks. Listening. Someone gave them details about the funeral, specific details."
"Who?"
"I don't know yet. But someone is trying to stir up chaos inside the Sterling Pack."
Elena's thoughts raced.
"Be careful," Damien said quietly. "Someone doesn't want you alive."
She stared at him. "That makes the two of us."
The next morning, Elena sat up slowly, pushing herself against the headboard. Her bandages felt tighter today, but the pain had dulled to a bearable ache.
She reached for the glass of water on the tray beside her just as the door opened.
Roman stepped in.
Of all the people she expected, he was dead last.
"Didn't expect you," she said without looking up.
He closed the door and stood there awkwardly. "I heard you were awake."
"That was yesterday."
"I was… busy."
Elena gave a dry laugh. "Of course. Someone had to keep the pack running while Sebastian hovered over Aurora."
Roman didn't respond.
She glanced up at him. "What do you want, Roman?"
He let out a short breath. "I'm here to warn you."
"About what? That my presence at the funeral embarrassed everyone again? Or that I'm making things complicated by not dying when I should have?"
"Elena."
"No. Say it. That's what you were all thinking, wasn't it?"
He sat in the chair beside her bed. "You think I hate you."
"I don't think it. I know it."
Roman shook his head. "I don't hate you. I resent you sometimes, yes, but not for the reasons you think."
"Then enlighten me."
"You made everything harder. Not because of who you are, but because of how everyone treats you. Father. Mother. Even the pack. You were always this… a fragile wound no one knew how to handle."
She blinked. "That's the worst apology I've ever heard."
He laughed, and it startled her. Roman rarely laughed. Especially not with her.
"I'm not here to apologize," he said. "I'm here because something's off."
Elena narrowed her eyes. "Off how?"
"There's too much silence. Too little outrage. Normally, if rogues attack, the pack unites. This time? Everyone's quiet. Nervous. Avoiding eye contact. It's like they're afraid of something."
"They are afraid. Someone leaked the burial location. That means someone among us is working with them."
Roman nodded. "And that means we're vulnerable." And if someone wanted chaos, hitting us during Alpha's funeral was the perfect opportunity."
Elena crossed her arms. "Do you think they were targeting someone specific?"
Roman didn't answer right away.
Then he looked at her. "I think they were targeting you."
She felt her blood run cold. "Why?"
"You've been a symbol of weakness in the pack for years. To some, your survival, your presence is an inconvenience. Especially now."
"Now that Aurora's back."
He didn't deny it.
Roman stood. "Watch your back, Elena. And watch who Leo spends time with."
That last part made her stomach twist.
As he walked out, she stared at the door for a long time.
Later that day, Elena was strong enough to walk down the hall with help from the nurse. They passed several visitors in the corridor. Some nodded. Most just looked away.
When she returned to her room, Leo was already there, sitting on the couch with a tablet on his lap.
"Hey, baby," she said, easing into her bed.
He smiled and climbed up beside her. "I saved a video of a cat jumping onto a cake. Want to see?"
She laughed softly. "I would love to."
Halfway through the second video, the door opened again.
This time, it was Aurora.
She didn't bother knocking.
Leo lit up. "Aunt Aurora!"
She walked in like she belonged there. "Hi, sweetheart. I brought you something."
From behind her, she pulled out a new action figure still in its box.
Leo gasped. "Whoa! Thank you!"
"You're welcome, champ. Why don't you go show the nurse? I think she mentioned setting up the playroom for you."
Leo looked at Elena for permission.
She nodded. "Go on." I'll be fine."
Once he was gone, Aurora turned.
"That was subtle," Elena said. Manipulative. But subtle."
"I was just being kind."
"You were setting the stage. Like you always do."
Aurora folded her arms. "You still think you're the victim here?"
Elena stared at her. "Am I not?"
"You chose this, Elena. You stayed in a marriage that never had love. You stayed in a pack that never accepted you. That's not noble. That's desperate."
"Is that what you tell yourself to sleep at night?"
Aurora took a step closer. "Let's be honest for once. You've always been jealous of me."
Elena raised an eyebrow. "Jealous of what? Being the favorite? Being chosen?"
"Exactly."
Elena leaned forward, ignoring the pain. "You think I wanted this life? You think I wanted to raise a child alone, to be looked at like a parasite, to love a man who couldn't even pretend for my sake?"
Aurora's expression flickered, just for a second.