CHAPTER <b>34 </b>
I understood that Elias really needed to get some rest, but at the same time, reaching that pack and <fn8197> Discover more novels at f?ndnovel</fn8197>
rescuing those children was urgent.
The pack was an eight–hour drive away, and Elias had made up his mind to get some sleep in the car
during the trip.
I waspletely on board with that–as long as he actually got the rest he needed. Thest thing I wanted was for him to end up getting hurt or making a mistake during the mission, especially if it turned <i>into </i>a
fight. Ideally, they would get in and out without being seen, but realistically, that was unlikely.
While Elias was busy packing his bag, I could feel the weight of his thoughts–he was tense and clearly trying to focus, but it wasn’t himself he was worried about.
“You don’t have to stress about me,” I said, breaking the silence. He paused and looked up at me, puzzled.
“How did you know I was thinking about you?” he asked.
“I just knew. You’ve already arranged for twelve warriors to be stationed around the house at all times. They’re rotating in two shifts–six on each, twelve hours apiece. There’s no way anything could get past them without me noticing or without me having time to escape,” I replied.
“I know that’s all true. But it doesn’t really ease my mind. I still need to know for certain that you’ll be alright,” he said.
“I will be. You’re taking thirty warriors with you, which means I still have a hundred and seventy left here keeping watch,” I reminded him.
“Yeah,” he said with a faint nod.
“I’m sure I’ll be fine,” I reassured him.
“I’ve left Chris in charge while I’m away. He’s fully informed about everything that attacked us while we were on our own. He knows about the werebear and the vampires. So he’ll be keeping a close eye out for them specifically. And he also knows the werebear was cloaked by a witch’s magic,” Elias exined.
“Alright. Sounds like everything’s under control,” I said.
“What do you think you’ll do while I’m gone?” he asked.
“I’m not sure yet. Maybe try to get to know some of the pack better. Something like that. But I don’t really know how to go about it,” I admitted.
“I get that. But you’ll figure it out,” he said reassuringly.
“I’m not exactly the best at starting conversations. Honestly, I’ve never really had to before,” I told him.
“And they’ll understand that. Which means they’ll probably go out of their way to make it easier for you. Don’t stress about it. They’re all good people, and even though they haven’t lived your exact experience,
< CHAPTER 34
they’ve been through simr things,” he said.
“Alright. I’ll give it a shot,” I said.
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I followed Elias downstairs, where the warriors were already waiting outside next to the vehicles. Elias kissed me goodbye, and I stood there, watching as they all drove off.
After they were gone, I headed back inside. I made myself a cup of coffee and sat down at the table, opening the book I had been reading about the royal family.
By the year 1410, the King and Queen had ten children, and those children had produced a total of forty–one grandchildren and one hundred seventy–two great–grandchildren.
By that point, their eldest child had assumed the throne, making him the second King in the line. He went
on to have seven children of his own and sixteen grandchildren.
But then the war began, and those numbers dropped drastically. Arge number of the King’s nieces and nephews were pulled into the conflict with the vampires, and many of them died. The royal bloodline suffered heavily as a result. Still, the reigning King managed to keep his immediate family away from the
front lines. They somehow seeded in keeping the vampires from breaching the castle, managing to
preserve the lives of the royal household.
Yet I couldn’t forget that this King had been willing to sacrifice his own mate just to ensure his and his
children’s safety–simply because she didn’t have the pure royal blood.
Now I had reached the year 1450 in the book. His eldest son had risen to the throne, bing the third King. I couldn’t even pronounce most of their names–some weren’t written in English at all–so I had taken to giving them nicknames in my notebook as I tracked the lineage. Just trying to keep it all straight.
While I was sitting at the table, absorbed in my reading, a knock sounded at the front door. I stood up to
answer it and found Chris standing there.
“Hey,” I greeted him.
“Hey. Hope I’m not interrupting anything important,” he said politely.
“Not at all. I was just doing a bit of light reading. Nothing urgent,” I replied.
“Good. Elias mentioned you were thinking about getting to know the pack a bit more,” he said.
“I was considering it. Are you here to y the role of my guide?” I asked with a half–smile.
“Elias told me you were feeling a little uneasy about it, and he asked if I could show you around,” he
exined.
“No problem. That actually sounds good,” I said, then closed the door behind me as we began walking
away from the house.
We made our way toward a wide, open field where several warriors were in the middle of training
exercises.
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We stayed off to the side, watching them for a while. Chris exined what they were doing since most of it wentpletely over my head. Before long, a few others joined us.
“Lyra, this is Cee, Hailey, Joey, Theo, Roan, and Carl,” Chris said, introducing the group.
“It’s nice to see you again. I’m guessing you’ve probably forgotten all of our names<b>,” </b>Joey said with a
teasing smile.
“Yeah, I did. I’m sorry,” I admitted, a little embarrassed.
“No worries. You’ve had a lot of names thrown at you,” she said kindly.
“Yeah, I guess that’s true,” I replied.
“Don’t let this crowd intimidate you. We’re all pretty sure Elias will have you fighting alongside us in <i>no </i>
time,” Cee said.
“That’s kind of the intimidating part,” I said with a nervousugh.
“So, what are you all up to now?” Chris asked.
“We’re heading over to Hailey’s ce for lunch–it’s her turn to host today,” Roan answered.
“Mind if wee along?” Chris asked.
“Not at all. Come on,” Hailey said, motioning for us to follow.
We walked back into town to one of the houses, and there was plenty of room to sit around in the living
area. Everyone talked casually with me, and I appreciated that they weren’t treating me like I was
someone special–no Luna, no royalty, just one of them. And I really liked that feeling.
I wasn’t great at making conversation, and they clearly noticed, but they did their best to include me.
Whenever I started getting quiet, they gently pulled me into whatever topic they were discussing.
After being shut away in an attic for most of my life, socializing was definitely not something I had any
experience with. It was something I’d have to learn. But they were patient, and their efforts didn’t go
unnoticed. I was grateful for how weing they were.
Still, it felt strange, sitting there talking casually like this. I’d never experienced anything like it before. And
honestly, this was the first time I hadn’t been attacked since Elias rescued me from my father. That
absence of danger made me feel a little off–bnce.
It was like my mind was still waiting for something bad to happen. I was so used to chaos, I had to remind
myself that there would be calm days too. And this one–I actually liked.
The people in this pack were warm and genuine, and that meant a lot. They didn’t look at me with
suspicion or disdain. No one acted like I didn’t belong. And for once, I felt like I truly fit in somewhere. It
was strange, but also something I hoped I could hold on to. Maybe even grow into.
I ended up leaving Hailey’s house around sunset after spending the entire afternoon with them. Chris walked me back to the house, and I thanked him for what had turned out to be a really good day. Then I
stepped inside and closed the door behind me.
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I made my way to the kitchen and flipped on the light. But the moment the room lit up, I saw a shadow
move across the floor behind me.
I spun around, and standing across the room was a shadowy, spectral figure–staring directly at me.
“Hello, princess,” he said.
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