The journey back to Ravenhollow was markedly different from our arrival at Ironvale. Where before we had traveled as Alpha and Lama, now we returned as King and Queen. The difference was subtle but unmistakable–in the deeper bows of the guards, the more formal address from pack members, the increased deference from those who had previously treated me with mere tolerance.
When we finally arrived at the pack house I felt a surprising sense of relief washing over me.
“It suits you,” Kaius remarked as we walked through the main hall, nodding toward a group of wolves who had immediately lowered their eyes at our approach.
“What does?” I asked, still not entirely comfortable with the intensified attention.
“Power,” he replied simply. “The crown becomes you, Elowen.”
I wasn’t sure I agreed, but I appreciated his confidence in me.
“My father’s pack members have been merging with ours since we go back,” Kaius said as we entered our private chambers, closing the door behind us. “But his territory is empty now. The Alphas need to discuss what to do about it at tomorrow’s meeting.”
“I should be there, shouldn’t I?” I asked, realizing I actually wanted to participate rather than being relegated to the sidelines.
“Of course. You’re their Queen now.”
A knock at the door interrupted us again, though this one was gentler than Thalia’s had been. Kaius tensed slightly, but his expression relaxed when he scented the visitor.
“It’s my mother,” he said, moving to open the door.
Ophelia stood in the hallway, her beauty undimmed despite the strain evident in her posture. “Can I at least come in?” she asked, her eyes moving past Kaius to find me.
“Oh, yeah, come in,” I replied, somewhat surprised by her visit. She had barely acknowledged
me
during our time at Ironvale.
Ophelia stepped inside, glancing briefly at her son. “Kaius, I’d like to speak with Elowen alone, if you don’t mind.”
“I’ll give you two some time.” His eyes met mine, silently asking if this was acceptable. I gave him a slight nod, and he left, closing the door behind him.
“So… I didn’t expect you,” I said once we were alone.
“I know, I’m sorry for coming in unannounced. I just had to tell you that I am leaving,” Ophelia said, her voice steady though I could see tension in the way she held herself.
“Leaving?” I hadn’t expected this, especially not so soon after Kaius’s coronation.
“Yes. I want to get out there; that had always been my dream. I wanted to be free of everything and start over. Maybe it is too late, but I would never know if I don’t try. Who knows, maybe even find something that’s mine alone.” There was a wistfulness in her tone that I’d never heard before.
“I would have expected you to be done with connections after everything,” I said carefully, thinking about what she’d endured with
Alarie
“What Alaric and I had was never love, and maybe that had been why I was never satisfied. The admission seemed to cost her something, a slight flinch crossing her features as she spoke his name.
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Chapter 123
“So I guess this is goodbye,” I said, uncertain how to respond to this new, vulnerable version of the woman who had always seemed
so remote.
“You don’t really think I came all this way just because I wanted to say goodbye to you first. Do you?” Her lips curved in a knowing smile that reminded me suddenly of Kaius.
“Then why are you here?” I asked, though I suspected I already knew
“It’s Kaius. I know he had told you a little about me, and from all you have seen, it seems like I do not love him, but I do. I love him so very much, even if it is too late to play some vital roles in his life But he has you now. I had never seen him look at any other woman the way he looks at you and…” Her voice hardened slightly.” want to warn you that if you do anything to hurt him, then he would not be the only one coming for you.”
The threat surprised me it was both a warning and a mother’s strange way of showing she cared.
–
“Goodbye, Luna Ophelia,” I said, using her formal title as a subtle reminder that this was no longer her territory–either the pack or her son’s heart.
She nodded once, accepting both my dismissal and the message behind it. With a last lingering look at the chambers that had once been hers, she turned and left.
I stood alone for several minutes, processing the interaction. Before could fully gather my thoughts, the door opened again and Kaius returned.
“She’s gone?” he asked, though it was clear he already knew the answer.
“Yes. I was just about to come find you to tell you what she wanted, I said, studying his face for any reaction.
He moved to the window, his expression distant. “I know why she came. She’s leaving now that Alaric is gone. Without him, there’s nothing binding her here anymore.”
“You’re quite the mind reader,” I remarked, surprised by his accuracy. It seems you do care about what happens to her, after all.”
Kaius remained silent, his profile sharp against the afternoon light.
“She really does love you, you know,” I said softly, breaking the silence.
“In her way,” he agreed, turning back to me. “Too little, too late, but believe it’s genuine.”
“Will you miss her?” I asked, curious about his feelings toward the mother who had failed him so profoundly.
He considered the question, his amber eyes reflecting the afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows. “No,” he decided finally. “But I hope she finds what she’s looking for.”
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