Chapter 40

"So none of those leads panned out?" he asked, leaning forward.

I nodded, rubbing my eyes absently. We'd been at this for hours. "Not one,” I admitted with a sigh, “but the lack of bodies—"

The library door creaked open, interrupting my train of thought. Jordan appeared, balancing a tray of steaming dishes. My stomach growled at the savory aroma, but my heart skipped a beat when I saw Jordan’s eyes widen in surprise.

"I... I didn't realize you'd be here, Alpha," Jordan said, nearly dropping the tray as she set it down.

For a moment, I was transported back to that mortifying laundry incident where Elroy all but dragged me away from a maid – the servant’s startled face, my own embarrassment, Elroy's thunderous expression. I held my breath. He had said he didn’t hold the same views as the council, but this was the first time I was seeing him interact with a working-class pack member since.

I was praying he wouldn't lash out at my friend's unexpected presence. I didn’t think I’d be able to forgive him.

To my shock, Elroy just gave her a small smile. "You must be Jordan. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Jordan shifted uncomfortably. "Oh! I... It’s an honor to be in your presence, Alpha. Allow me to retrieve a second plate for you.”

“That would be great, thanks,” Elroy said casually. Jordan carefully placed down the tray meant for me and hurried away like her skirts were on fire.

Elroy looked over at me. “Is she always like that?” I sighed.

“She did this with Astor too,” I told him. “She’ll look more natural when she comes back, but she’ll maintain a distance until she trusts you.” Elroy frowned.

“She doesn’t trust me?”

“She can’t afford to,” I said plainly. I watched emotions play across Elroy’s face.

“Because she’s an Omega,” he guessed. I nodded.

“And a commoner. Everyone in this manor is a threat to her until proven otherwise.”

Elroy went silent, and I let him mull over that reality. I knew it hurt him to know that so much of the pack he’d sworn to serve wasn’t sure he was on their side, but I wasn’t going to sugarcoat things for him. Especially things he’d probably never had the chance to hear.

“Is she different with you?”

“Yes,” I admitted. “But I started our relationship treating her as an equal, and I come from a more progressive pack.” Elroy went quiet again.

Jordan came back moments later and, as expected, she had put her perfect maid mask back on. She was pleasant and neutral, easy to overlook. It was disconcerting to see her that way, but I understood.

“Thank you, Jordan,” Elroy said, also playing casual. It was clear he was trying not to make her uncomfortable, and that was a good sign at least. “Care to eat with us?”

Jordan smoothed over her shock very quickly, returning to plastic placidity. “I wouldn’t dare sit with my Alpha and Luna,” she said, the perfect picture of rehearsed duty. I stepped in.

“It’s alright, Jordan, I would like you here,” I said softly, encouraging her with a smile. “As my friend.”

She glanced at me, unsure, and I nodded in response to her silent question. He’s safe, I tried to say with my eyes, desperately hoping it was true. She curtsied a little and joined us stiffly, sitting on the edge of her seat like she would startle away at any movement, but she sat.

Elroy started the conversation first. “So I’ve been hoping to meet you,” he said, slurping at his soup. “I wanted to say your work on Olivia’s Luna ceremony gown was incredible.”

Jordan flushed bright red. “Oh! That--that's very kind of you to say."

"Not at all," Elroy continued, his eyes crinkling. "In fact, I was wondering if you might be interested in a commission. I'd love some accessories with that same exquisite flower embroidery - subtle touches to show my support for our Luna."

I felt a lump form in my throat, touched beyond words by this gesture. Elroy wanted to wear a symbol of our union? The thought made my heart swell.

Jordan looked stunned but pleased. "I... of course, Alpha! I'd be honored. What did you have in mind?"

As they discussed potential designs, I couldn't tear my eyes away from Elroy. This thoughtful, supportive side of him never failed to take my breath away. In moments like these, I was reminded of why it was so hard to keep my distance.

The peaceful atmosphere was shattered as the library doors swung open, admitting a group of chattering Eclipse members. Their voices echoed off the high ceilings, drawing Elroy's attention away from our intimate lunch circle.

His brow furrowed as he turned back to me. "Olivia, why have you chosen to work here? It seems you're constantly at risk of interruption."

I shrugged. “Where else would I go?" Elroy blinked, quickly realizing what I meant. I hadn’t realized he didn’t know.

“That won't do,” he said, “you need a proper workspace, especially now." He lowered his voice, leaning in closer. "With Rita free to roam, we can't have you exposed like this."

The mention of Rita's name sent a chill down my spine. I swallowed hard, trying to push away the memories of her venomous glares in the dungeon.

"I'll have one of the spare rooms cleared out immediately," Elroy declared. "We'll set you up with a private office where you can work in peace."

"That's... very thoughtful of you," I managed, though the reminder of Rita's freedom had soured my appetite. I poked at my remaining food, no longer hungry.

Jordan must have sensed the shift in mood, gathering the sketchbook she’d pulled from her pocket as she’d gotten excited about design ideas. "I’ll pass that message to Beta Sam for you,” she said. “Thank you both for lunch, and Alpha, I'll start sketching those designs right away."

As Jordan hurried away, an oppressive silence fell over Elroy and me. I tried to focus on finishing my meal, but my mind kept drifting to Rita. Where was she now? What was she planning?

I glanced up, catching Elroy's concerned gaze. "I'm sorry," I murmured. "It's just... hard to feel chatty with everything hanging over us."

Elroy nodded, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand. "I know, my Luna. We'll get through this together."

But as I looked around the suddenly too-open library, I couldn't shake the feeling of exposure. Rita could appear anywhere, at any time, and there was nothing I could do to stop her. My unborn child – our future – suddenly felt terrifyingly vulnerable.

Last time she hadn’t actually hurt anyone, but I couldn’t be certain about next time. And I knew there was going to be a next time—it was in her eyes that day in the dungeon, an unhinged kind of hatred that frightened me deeply.

I felt like I needed eyes in the back of my head. Every shadow, every unexpected noise – it all felt like a threat now. And worse, it was a threat Rita seemed willing to follow through on no matter what it cost her.