Elena’s P


    Let’s go home,” I said, the words escaped my lips, bringing relief to my heart that’s been aching for so <i>many </i>


    yeats


    Rafael, still clinging to my hand, looked up at me with wide hopeful eyes. He wiped the tears that managed to escape his eyes again and nodded his head happily at me.


    The journey back to the cars was slower and filled with silence, but it wasn’t as suffocating as the tension that had built up between the three of us earlier, now that Rafael’s wariness wasn’t as high as it had been earlier.


    I kept Rafael close to me, his small hand warm in mine, showing him that I’d always be here for him and he’d never be alone again. That he could count on me.


    “Rafael,” I began softly, as we walked, with Deacon slowly following behind us like a mighty warrior who’d protect us at any time if there happened to be a sneak attack from somewhere,


    Since it was a long walk back to the car, I decided to break the prolonged silence and exin things more to him in detail after I saw his continuous nces toward Deacon.


    Looking down at him, I continued, “You asked about that other man I was with before… Bryson. He… he’s not my husband anymore. That was a long time ago, before I even knew Deacon.”


    I nced at Deacon, who gave me aforting smile and a nod that was full of trust. “Deacon is now my mate, my fiancé. He’s strong, sweetheart, just like your father was, and your grandfather. He’ll protect us.”


    Rafael nced behind us again and looked at Deacon, whose presence always brought aforting warmth rather than a looming threat, and I hope that’s how Rafael felt now as well.


    Though Rafael’s initial wariness toward him hadn’t vanished entirely, it had softened into a cautious curiosity.


    And for now… It’s enough. I’m just d that he agreed toe with us.


    Over the passing minutes, we walked together, and he started to get a bit more used to Deacon’s presence.


    He didn’t even flinch anymore when Deacon started walking beside us and helped us manoeuvre our way around the dark woods field with roots and stones scattered everywhere.


    Later on, I even saw him subtly leaning into Deacon’s side when a twig snapped loudly near us.


    And the fact that he did it subconsciously, that he was surprised and had to distance himself quickly, made my


    heart warm even more.


    Deacon also maintained a respectful distance from him but kept a watchful eye; his earlier sternness had been reced by gentle patience, a quality I rarely saw him disy.


    When we reached the cars, Tyson and the other warriors were waiting, their expressions a mix of relief and curiosity.


    Tyson’s gaze lingered on Rafael for quite some time before a flicker of understanding passed between them. Rafael, sensing the shift in atmosphere, tightened his grip on my hand, but he didn’t hide.


    “We’re taking him home, Tyson,” I announced, my voiceced with a triumph I couldn’t quite contain. “Rafael ising back to the pack.”


    Heck, if I didn’t want to see my nephew, I’d probably jump and shout in joy. Seeing me dance like crazy wouldn’t be surprising either.


    +25 Bonus


    My words hung in the cool night air as my suppressed joy still managed to exude in the air.


    My family… I have a family again.


    My father, my brothers, and my moin… They were all gone. The pack had mourned, but they had also moved on, Just like I was. And epting the tragic end of a powerful lineage like ours was hard for everyone, especially with my marriage to Deacon.


    Now, here I was, bringing back thest living, breathing sessor. Myst kin.


    News, I knew, would travel faster than the wind through the packnds.


    And I wasn’t wrong at that.


    By the time we reached the kingdom, whispers were already spreading like wildfire.


    Many were sceptical, especially those who hadn’t seen him yet.


    My family were wiped out. It was a tragic massacre that spread through every corner of the kingdom and every pack in the country. It was indeed almost impossible for a pup to have survived.


    Well, almost… but not entirely impossible.


    I could already hear the doubts, and the quiet disbelief was rippling from pack to pack.


    But what really worried me once we got back was the official matters we had to attend to, rather than the gossip.


    I could already imagine King Desmond receiving the news. Knowing him, he would surely demand verification to confirm Rafel’s identity. He’ll probably ask for a DNA test or some other more test.


    His primary concern would be the stability of the pack and the kingdom, and truth be told, an unexpected return of a lost heir who was thought to be dead would undoubtedly cause a stir, potentially upsetting established power dynamics.


    But for the others, especially the older members of my pack and the council, it might see it as a sign, a blessing, a return to the old ways.


    And then there was Glenda.


    My stomach churned at the thought of her reaction.


    She had always thrived in the shadows. But I knew her anger and grudge against me were only zing more an more each passing day.


    The return of Rafael meant a new sess for me. I’m sure she wouldn’t want to see me and Pack getting back on our feet.


    And I fear it would take her attention.


    Being Rafael, myst kin, there is no doubt that he’d be one of my weaknesses, and so would be my pack’s.


    And that meant he’d be a possible target for those who wanted to harm me.


    With fear radiating in my chest, I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him close to me, eyes looking at the passing scenery outside the window.


    And then, there’s Rafael’s mother’s family, a smaller pack rumoured to be fiercely protective of their own<b>, </b><b>would </b>likely refuse to believe it.


    They had mourned their daughter and her mate, epting their fate years ago. The idea that their daughter’s pup, whom they also had mourned, might look like it was a trick a cruel deception.


    Chatter &


    But none of that mattered right now.


    It brought me a lot of fear, yes… But I’m ready to face any


    To make me feel at ease and feelforted, Tyson was tl in the back.


    As we drove, Rafael nestled between Deacon and me in th sleeping.


    The road ahead of us was filled with uncertainty and pote wasn’t in despair… I wasn’t even afraid. I’m… hopeful.


    We had found him, and that was all that truly mattered.


    P


    Sup


    Sara Lili


    Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.