[Elara's POV]
I saw the picture Giselle posted on the social crystal.
In it were Kaelen's hands, carefully pouring a potion that glowed with a soft light into an exquisite crystal vial.
The caption read: My brother, brewing a Moonpetal Draught for his future mate. It smells divine!
Looking at that picture, I finally understood what Kaelen had been so busy with in the Temple's alchemy lab all last night.
When I was ambushed by Rogues, burning with a fever so high I was delirious, so wounded I couldn''t move, Kaelen had only sent a cold mind-link saying the Pack was busy and I should take care of myself.
My fever had barely broken when he was demanding I return to handle Pack documents.
I had dragged my weakened body back to the Pack Hall, and he had taken it all for granted. He never brewed me a potion. He never even poured me a glass of water.
But now, he was willing to spend an entire night brewing a precious Moonpetal Draught for Seraphina.
The chasm between being loved and unloved had never been so stark.
I pulled my gaze away and walked calmly down the stairs, ready to leave.
"Where are you going?" Kaelen asked, the question a reflex.
"I'm not as idle as some," I said without looking at him. "I'm going to the Elder Council's Sanctum to see my parents."
I walked out of the Alpha's House and headed toward the Sanctum.
I used to think Kaelen owed my parents an apology. I wanted him to come, to stand before their Spirit Stones, and say he was sorry.
But now… there was no point.
I reached the Hall of Heroes and stood before the obsidian box draped with the Moon Goddess's banner.
"Father, Mother, there's no need for his apology anymore, is there?" I whispered.
Only silence answered me.
I clasped my hands and bowed my head in reverence.
"Just wait a little longer. Once the Full Moon Cooling-Off period is over, I can take you home to our clan lands," I said.
"You're leaving?" A sudden voice came from behind me.
I spun around, startled. Malachi's inhumanly beautiful face filled my vision.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, surprised.
"Since Miss Elara rejected the messengers I sent, I had no choice but to extend the invitation myself," Malachi said.
I pressed my lips together. He'd come in person. It seemed I couldn''t avoid this meal.
"Are these your parents' Spirit Stones?" Malachi's gaze fell on the Moon Goddess's banner covering the box.
"Yes," I nodded.
He didn't ask any more questions, just stood quietly, looking at the banner.
"Since the King has come himself, let's go," I said, turning back to my parents' Spirit Stones. "Father, Mother, I'll come see you again soon."
I turned to leave but saw Malachi was still standing in the same spot.
"Aren't you coming…" My words trailed off.
I watched as Malachi approached my parents' Spirit Stones. Then, with the utmost respect, he placed a fist over his heart and performed three slow, perfect bows—the traditional salute for a fallen hero.
I was stunned. His expression was solemn, each bow precise and full of reverence.
Only after he had finished did Malachi walk back to me.
"Let's go," he said.
My mouth opened. "Why did you…"
"They were heroes. It was the right thing to do," Malachi said simply.
A strange, indescribable feeling washed over me. Everyone called Malachi a volatile madman. I had seen his madness myself, seen how easily he would take a life.
But just now, he had shown my parents the highest form of respect.
The person who should have done this was Kaelen. Instead, it was Malachi.
We left the Sanctum, where a black magi-tech vehicle was waiting.
Malachi took me to an exclusive club in the Neutral Zone.
Exquisite dishes were served one after another. I was hungry, so I ate, figuring the sooner I finished, the sooner this would be over.
When I was nearly done, I paused and realized Malachi had barely touched his utensils.
"Is Miss Elara interested in becoming my personal guard?" he asked suddenly.
"What?" I blinked. "You want me to be your guard?"
"You have skill, and you saved my life. I think you are well-suited for the role," Malachi said. "If you agree, you can name your price."
Just then, his butler, Alfred, placed a document in front of me.
I opened it. It was a completed land deed for the construction of the wolf cub sanctuary.
In such a short time, he had already fulfilled his promise.
"If you wish to rename the sanctuary, you may do so now," Malachi said.
I looked at the document, then back up at him, a genuine smile spreading across my face. "Thank you."
The raw, uncalculated smile made Malachi pause for a fraction of a second. Those ice-blue eyes, now bright with warmth, were so clear.
All because he had funded a sanctuary.
He had seen so many people approach him for fame or fortune, people who would do anything to please him, to climb the ladder of power.
But this woman… she didn't want fame or fortune. What did she want?
"I'm sorry, I've officially joined the Azure Fang. I have no plans to change jobs at the moment," I said, declining his offer.
"A pity," Malachi said, but he didn't press the subject.
I let out a breath of relief. After the meal, as I was about to leave, Malachi spoke. "Miss Elara, I am not often in need of saving. But if someone is to save me, they must see it through to the end."
I froze, meeting his deep-sea eyes. What did that mean? See it through to the end?
He had countless powerful guards. If he were ever truly in danger, it wouldn't be up to me to save him.
But I didn't ask, and Malachi didn't explain.
Meanwhile, back at the Alpha's House, Kaelen was staring at the defense proposal submitted by Giselle. It was a complete mess.
"This is what you've produced since taking over the project?" Kaelen roared. "You think you can attract any investment with this garbage?"
"Brother, it was Elara's fault! She didn't do a proper handover and left out all the important details. That's why I couldn't do it right!" Giselle retorted, shifting the blame entirely onto me.
"Silence!" Kaelen snapped. "How can I possibly entrust you with this project going forward?"
"It's all Elara's fault! She did it on purpose! Brother, you should have rejected a bitch like her long ago!" Giselle urged him again.
Adelina chimed in. "Your sister is right! And it's all that Elara's fault that I can't even get an appointment with Shaman Fara anymore!"
Kaelen's frustration mounted, but he still defended our bond. "Enough! I don't want to hear that again! I am not rejecting her!"
To make matters worse, the next day, Kaelen received even more infuriating news.
"What did you say? A major mineral trade deal was rejected?" Kaelen stared at his Beta, Lucian.
"Yes," Lucian answered, his face grim. "The Prosperity Guild, which had expressed interest in investing, just sent a message terminating the partnership."
Kaelen immediately sent a message to the Guild Master.
The reply was cold and direct.
"We were only interested in investing because of Miss Elara's strategic vision. Since she has resigned, the partnership is naturally void."
Kaelen stared at the communication crystal, unable to believe his eyes.
Because of Elara?
How much more value did Elara possess that he knew nothing about?