Chapter 41

Elena

“Obviously, this is a publicity nightmare.”

Kana was across the table from me, printed articles splayed out between us. A photograph that will not live rent-free in my mind, perhaps become a symbol of my legacy as a disgraceful Luna.

The picture is not fake, of course— that is really me with Jaxon Adler, heading into an establishment fit for a romantic dinner date. The picture is not real, either— there was no kiss or intimate moment as the angle of the picture presents.

But the public doesn’t know that, nor do they care. The story is written for us, and we can only hope it doesn’t turn the world upside down.

“We will make a statement, eventually, but not so soon that people think we are trying to squash it,” Kana continued. “The real goal is to spin it to our advantage. We can make it seem like the packs are working together, you’re an envoy the greater good.”

I nodded, impressed with Kana’s pursuit of the positive.

“Your appearance yesterday is luckily still fresh in everyone’s minds,” Kana said. “Clearly the publication of this photo is a direct response to your rise in popularity among members of both packs. You’re making my job easy with that one.”

I almost smiled in response, but knew Kana didn’t mean to compliment me. She was a straight-shooter, even when rewriting social narratives to put her clients in the best light.

“But he is our political rival!” Tiffany chimed in, looking upset but somehow not ill-at-ease. “This could ruin Killian’s chances of being elected, everything we’ve worked for would be gone in an instant.”

I looked at her with curiosity, wondering how I was ever intimidated by her sharp suits and perfectly made up face. This woman was a ball of nerves and ego, a volatile combination. But she was not my issue today.

“I won’t let that happen,” I said, taking the floor after being scolded like a child. “I simply won’t give this the weight they want it to have. And I will have Jaxon do the same.”

“I have already reached out to his team,” Kana nodded, “but nothing back yet.”

“He’s traveling right now,” I replied absent-mindedly. “I’m sure I’ll hear from him when he is back, once he hears about all of this.”

Kana gave a quizzical look but let it go. Tiffany’s eyes narrowed at me.

“You seem to know a lot about his personal schedule,” the Beta said, accusing, “for someone who is ‘not close with him,’ as you say.”

I looked at her, my face serene even as I scrambled to respond. “He didn’t show up for his Pack yesterday, not contact us after. I can only assume the errand that kept him away still keeps him. Perhaps I shouldn’t make assumptions based on the imperial data I collect.”

I let the sarcasm drip off my last phrase, turning back to Kana.

“If there’s nothing else, I do have other things to do today besides worry about the gossip mill grinding away at my dignity.”

I stood, a sign to both of them that our meeting was over. I went to my bedroom, frustrated that I still had not heard from Jaxon.

The next hour or so I spent in my room drafting statements to the press while sporadically exercising. The oxygen flowing through my body and brain helped me focus on the present while distracting me from the past and future. With all the information I had from living this life once before, it was good for me to have this new grounding practice to look after myself.

Sometimes I still woke up not knowing what day it was or whether or not I was even real.

Killian returned that evening looking tired from the road. I could tell immediately that he already knew everything, and I wasn’t sure whether that was better or worse than having to explain it all myself.

I went to find him in his office once I heard her was home. If we could talk before meeting with the others, get on the same page at least, maybe I could keep him from blowing up about the whole thing.

When I walked into the room, he was standing by the window, looking out over the front garden. On his desk was the same folder of printed articles that Kana had shown me, a damning compilation of salacious slander.

“Killian, let me explain,” I said.

He didn’t even look at me when he spoke, just gestured toward the couch next to him.

“Sit.”

Killian

I could feel Elena’s anxiety telepathically. She wasn’t afraid as much as annoyed, like she’d been called to see the principal for something she didn’t do.

Before she arrived, looking over the facts, I had already decided to trust her. I just hoped I wasn't losing my edge in leading with my heart on this one. Once she had settled on the coach, I went to sit on the cushion next to her. I kept space between us, though I had the urge to take her hands. I settled for resting my gaze on them.

“I know you’re going to defend yourself,” I started slowly. “This photo surfacing right now could do terrible things to my campaign, to the reputation of the Pack.”

“I know that, and I swear it’s a lie,” she said, leaning towards me. Her small hands had become fists on her thighs. “I told you nothing is going on with Jaxon, not like that. Someone is trying to set me up, and I hoped that maybe you would see that.”

Ouch. These days she always assumed I was against her. Sure, I’d been a bit neglectful, but I don’t think I’d ever done this much to cause her harm. It seemed she was about to rev up into more of a diatribe, so I gave into my urge and place my hand on one of those balled-up fists.

“Elena, please, stop talking,” I said, meeting her gaze. “I believe you.”

Her mouth fell open.

“You do.”

“Yes,” I said with as much sincerity as I could muster. “The timing of this photo is more than coincidental, and I know that it is probably expected that I will go berserk and reject you.”

She gulped and her eyes were cloudy for an instant. Perhaps she had been imagining that potential future, fearing I would do the worst.

“Not a huge leap, considering how I acted around him last time,” I smiled slightly, taking ownership of my past foolishness. “But it won’t work, we are going to stand up to this together.”

Her fingers twitched, and I squeezed my fingers a little tighter as her hand relaxed under mine.

“Thank you,” she said, her eyes still wary. “Kana thinks we will be okay.”

“And we know she would never sugar-coat the truth to us,” I said conspiratorially.

Elena’s shoulder softened, her eyes falling to the floor. I gazed at her eyelids, the delicate pale skin and pure white eyelashes still alive even at rest. Her lips were still turned slightly downwards, and I wanted to kiss the frown off her face.

I settled for lifting my hand to cup her chin, guiding her face back up to mine. She didn’t pull away, but looked at me like an animal unsure if it was about to become prey or not.

“I will always protect you, my Mate.”

Her eyes flickered in response, a sultriness appearing at the edges. It was almost a dare, and I felt my body reacting to hers. I leaned towards her, and was pleasantly surprised when she leaned into meet me.

My face was inches from hers, I could smell the sweet scent of her hair. Her eyes were closing in anticipation of our lips meeting.

And then her phone vibrated, and the moment was shattered.

She jumped and looked embarrassed, shifting away from as she looked at the screen. Then her face scrunched up, and my heart left my chest.

“What is it?” I asked.

“It’s a message from Alice,” she said, looking up at me.

Natalie’s mother.