Chapter 110: Chapter 110
Elara POV
My feet drag as I make my way upstairs to my attic bedroom, my conversation with Mother still fresh in my mind. It is not so much what she has said, but it is more about the feelings the conversation brought forward. Insecurities and fears I have forgotten about.
But the insecurities and fears subside when I enter my room and see Kane gently rocking Stella, her eyes fluttering shut.
“Here,” he whispers, gently handing Stella to me without waking her. “I’ll grab the bassinet downstairs.”
I smile as I watch him leave. Our situation is less than favourable, but I am so glad that he has the opportunity to see his daughter grow up. He is a terrific father.
Kane quickly returns and places the bassinet in the rec room off the landing. I lay Stella down and tuck her in.
“Does it feel strange to be back?” he asks softly. “It sounds like things with your mom and sister are ...”
“Complicated?” I finish for him and shrug sheepishly. What else was new? Even with my memories back, my life was nowhere near stable. Quite the opposite.
“Yeah, it does feel strange not sharing this room with my sister,” I continue, sitting on the bed. It has two twin beds separated by a small nightstand. We slept in there together our whole lives until I left for the mating ceremony. But now she is downstairs in the guest room while Kane, Stella, and I are staying here.
“Do you think everything’s going to be okay with her?” he asks, his eyebrows knitted in concern.
“I don’t know,” I sigh, shaking my head, suddenly feeling emotional. “I wish I knew exactly what was happening. I’m scared I’ll find out too late.”
“What if I track her?” Kane suggests sitting down beside me. “I’ll put one of my best men on the job.”
“As much as I love and appreciate the idea, I don’t think so,” I sigh. “It might attract unwanted attention.”
“Why don’t we just start over now?” he sighs deeply. “Pretend for a bit like none of that shit with the spell and Constantine even happened.”
He moves his hand up and down my thigh absentmindedly, sending shivers through me.
“I know it’s unrealistic,” he continues, “but there’s enough for you to worry about here with your family.”
“Sounds idyllic,” I smile, and my lids flutter close as he kisses me softly on my forehead.
My cheeks prickle with warmth. In a way, now that I have my memories back, it is like meeting him all over again. Except ... I do not remember feeling this giddy over a little kiss.
“I feel like a sixteen-year-old sneaking a boy up to my room.” I am even blushing like a fucking teenager. “Not that I ever did that before I was mated.”
“Really?” Kane says, raising an eyebrow. “I find it very hard to believe that every wolf in town wasn’t scaling the walls of this house to get to you.”
“Oh, please,” I snort, rolling my eyes. “I was like the least boy-crazy she-wolf to ever exist. I hated the concept of mating because I thought it was sexist and stupid. I used to drive Selena crazy with my rants.”
“I can totally imagine you doing that,” Kane smiles.
“I was a walking cliche, too,” I continue. “My style when I landed in Stillborn was much more minimalist, Mom, but back then I wore black, and had my hair up all the time, the whole nine yards.”
“So punk rock of you,” Kane teases, and I laugh softly.
“I probably have a whole closet of rocker chick shit in here still,” I say, motioning to the wardrobe across the room.
“Ah, nice,” Kane says, his eyes lighting up. “You’ve got to try something on for me.”
“No way,” I roll my eyes.
“Please,” he pouts theatrically.
Curiously, I look at him, considering my options. Maybe I should do it. It is only a little harmless fun, and goddess knows, we can all do with a little fun.
I walk over and pluck out a black lace-up corset and leather skirt. I do not bother mentioning that these had sat in my closet for years because they were entirely too sexy and uncomfortable for me to leave the house in. They have been impulse purchases, egged on by Selena.
“Hell yes,” Kane’s eyes hungrily glide over me, and my instincts take over.
“Close your eyes,” I instruct.
“I will, but I don’t want to,” he says hoarsely.
He sits back on the bed and puts his hands over his eyes while I strip down and pull on the outfit. The corset is a pain in the ass to lace up. No wonder I never wore it. But when I told him to open his eyes, the look on his face made it all worth it. His eyes turn dark and animal, like he wants to devour me.
“Get over here,” he growls, and his commanding tone sends a surge of heat straight to my centre.
I climb on top of him on the tiny bed, straddling his lap.
“How are we going to fit?” I ask. His huge, muscular body takes up so much space.
“We’ll figure it out,” he says, tugging me down and claiming my mouth as his.
My skin ignites where his hands touch me, and crazy butterflies flutter inside my gut. I feel his erection harden and desire pulses through me like never before. I am defenceless against the overwhelming need for him, and I reach down between my legs, rubbing him slowly and feeling him throb beneath my touch.
“Elara,” he whispers. “I want you so bad.”
“I feel the same,” I mumble as his hands travel up my thighs, under my skirt, and grabbing my ass.
But a thump outside interrupts us, and we both freeze.
“You heard that, too?” I ask, looking at Kane, and he nods.
I jump up, run to the window and peek through the slats of the shutters.
“It’s Selena,” I gasp, concern clenching my gut and dousing my arousal.
I watch Selena stumble out into the yard, stripping down and throwing her clothes to the ground. She shifts before my eyes, snatches up her clothes, and then she is sprinting into the woods.
“Fuck,” I curse. “She just shifted. She’s leaving.”
“Then I’m following her,” Kane jumps up from the bed and strips off his shirt.
