Chapter 55

Killian

Elena hadn’t come out of her room all morning.

At first I thought she might be sleeping in, then wondered if she had gone out somewhere without anyone realizing. But her maid told me that she was still in bed, presumably feeling ill.

“She always did had a weak constitution,” said Natalie when she heard of her sister’s ailing.

“I don’t know that to be true,” I responded. “Lately she has seemed much healthier, stronger and more vibrant. This feels like a step backwards, like she is regressing.”

“Regressing, sure, acting like a baby in her bed while the other adults are busy keeping this Pack afloat.”

I looked at Natalie, not saying anything, wondering if this pettiness had always been a part of her. She noticed my concern, and pivoted her opinion.

“Though, even a leader needs to rest from time to time,” she said, dropping her chin to her chest. “Perhaps we should just leave Luna Elena alone for the day.”

On any other day I might have just agreed and gone about my day, but today her absence felt more significant. She had helped me plan a community park clean up, hoping to clear and replant plots around the compound that brought a bit of Nature into our town.

Elena had said that things were outdated and mostly dead, and drew up a whole new planting plan that was simple enough for volunteers to tackle. I encouraged her on this project, knowing that her plan also included providing me with an excellent campaign opportunity.

And now she was going to miss it.

“I really thought nothing would be able to keep her from this event,” I said, my concern growing. “If she really is this sick, I should call the doctor. Maybe she is already trying to quarantine herself and—“

Natalie put her hand on my arm. “Killian, she’s fine,” she said. “She just needs to sleep, we’ll send up some soup, and not let the day be ruined because she is not strong enough for the constant hustle it takes to be Luna.”

“Natalie.”

She knew the tone of my voice was a warning, and some Alpha aura only proved the point. She put her hands up in the air, showing her innocence and feigning disinterest in the topic.

“I’m just saying,” she continued, “that you need someone who can be here, come hell or high water. Someone who isn’t afraid of the responsibility and authority it takes to lead.”

Keeping her hand on me, Natalie had slowly moved closer to me. Not too aggressive, but just enough that I could guess her motive. I couldn’t deny the reaction of my wolf’s arousal, especially with someone whose body I already knew intimately. And here she was tempting me to remember.

I patted her hand, then pulled myself away from her.

“I’m going to check on her one more time,” I said.

Her face fell as I turned to walk away, showing her disappointment. “We should leave really soon!”

I waved a hand over my head to let her know I'd heard her, and made my way upstairs. Every time I walked to Elena’s bedroom, I felt a certain sadness. While I didn’t mind the extra room in my bed, an Alpha and Luna are better mated when they sleep next to one another.

That one night on the road gave me a glimpse of what I was missing in the past. Elena and I had lived separate lives, and it was my fault. I had called her a consolation prize, and took advantage of her affection in order to take my pleasure from her.

I may never be able to fully make it up to her, but I was willing to try.

“Elena? It’s me.”

I rapped my knuckles harder on the door, and still there was no response from the other side.

“Elena, please…” I raised my voice, in case I needed to rouse her.

My breath was held tight, but I couldn’t hear any sign of life beyond the door. I panicked, thinking that maybe Elena was in a worse state that I thought. My hand was on the doorknob when it turned and opened halfway.

Elena was in a pale purple cotton nightdress, loose and light. It hid most of her body, but there was something in that mystery that was almost more enticing than viewing every curve.

Her face was drawn, and for some reason the first image I had was of a gravestone. I reached out a hand to her by reflex, and she leaned away from it. I practically recoiled, fearing that I had offended her or perhaps she feared spreading contagion.

“Elena, are you alright? Are you sure you won’t come with me today?”

She stared at me, then turned her head slightly to stare off down the hall. When she looked back at me, her eyes were shiny and the tip of her nose was pink.

“I can’t, I don’t feel well.”

“Elena, is there something else… I knew how important this day was to you, and to us. It won’t be the same without you there, and you know I am terrible in dirt.”

I smiled, trying to lighten the mood. Her lips quivered in their downward turn, but she held herself firm. She looked so small, even given her already lower height, and I wished I could curl myself around her and cure whatever ailed her.

“My Mate, I need you by my side. I want you by my side.”

Something was triggered and she took a sharp intake of breath.

“I’m sorry,” she sighed, ”I can’t.”

And then she closed the door.

Natalie talked the whole car ride over, which was slightly redeemable in that it kept me from spiraling into myself as I thought of Elena at home. What had I done to upset her so much now?

I looked at Natalie. Obviously our situation was not ideal, but I thought I was making it work.

In a positive turn of events, the turnout was remarkable for Community Clean Up, and Kana had earned her bonus by inviting just the right number of photojournalists. I could put on my politician hat and get through this day.

Natalie was overzealous from the start, insisting on holding the plans and assigning tasks among the volunteers. After the first hour and second location was completed, I could see the reactions to Natalie changing. The young kids were a little afraid of her, and the teens rolled their eyes are her.

“Okay, okay, phones away!” She was constantly yelling, even when someone was taking photographs of plants or looking up instructions. “We all have to remain present and focused so we can hit our goals today, and remember to smile and have fun while you’re out there.”

At one point I lost sight of her, then realized she was off the side talking to a reporter. Something about it felt odd, off-the-record, but I couldn’t place why. Then I watched as Kana swooped in and removed Natalie, shooing the man away.

Natalie shook Kana’s hands off her, then said something harsh in her direction. I couldn’t hear the words, but I understood the disdainful body language and Kana’s reaction of shock. Natalie took a lap around, patting kids on the head and trying to make jokes with the women and flirt with the men. She was walking around like a queen among peasants, and I knew it could eventually turn south for her within the community.

“Alpha Killian,” Kana approached me, raising her eyebrows to draw my attention. “We’d like a few photos before we leave this site.”

“Of course.”

“It’s still too bad that Luna Elena couldn’t be here,” Kana said quietly to me as we walked over to the crowd of cameras. “She put so much work into this, and now someone else is taking the credit.”

I was taken aback by her forwardness, but respected it. “I agree.”

She brushed me off and set me up next to a newly-planted tree, then gathered a few volunteers to join in the photo op. Natalie appointed herself vital enough to be there, and stood so close to me that she was almost blocking the sapling we were meant to be showcasing. She was still clutching the landscaping plans, to be sure she was captured in time as the architect of the good deed.

“Turn to the right, over here,” Kana’s voice gave us direction over the requests of the photographers.

With every snap of a camera Natalie was clinging closer and moving into various poses. I felt like her puppet, and hoped it would end soon.

“Okay just a few more!”

As if afraid the spell would end when the photoshoot did, Natalie took her chance. She placed her hands on my chest, angling her body just enough to keep her face in the clear.

And then she kissed me.

It was chaste, not overly salacious given the nature of the event. But she held it long enough to be sure that every camera there now had it in the can.

I pushed her away, waving my arms to send the photographers away. Their group parted and dispersed, clearing a pathway for the person standing just behind them.

It was Elena.