Chapter 226: Chapter 226
Elara POV
One week later.
I open my eyes, reaching out to Axel, but he is not in bed. Frowning, I sit up and rub over my eyes. Then it hits me.
“Kane’s coming home,” I exclaim happily, jumping out of bed. “Axel!”
“What?” He shouts from the bathroom. “Are you okay?”
“Kane’s coming home,” I yell, running to the bathroom.
“I know, love,” Axel replies, getting out of the shower and draping a towel around his waist. I’m picking him up in an hour.
“Good,” I nod. “I’ll be ready.”
“I said me, not us,” Axel says, walking to the room.
“What?” I ask, confused, following him. What makes him think I will stay here? “Naturally, I’m coming, too.”
“No, you’re staying here,” Axel replies nonchalantly.
“But why?” I argue as my blood starts boiling. I have missed Kane every second of every day. I am not missing him one more moment.
“Because I need you to keep the fort here,” Axel replies. “Things are still a mess after we came home. Malachi and your family will be here with our kids in a week, and their rooms aren’t ready.”
“Their rooms were ready three days ago,” I protest weakly. Sure, the rooms are ready, but pack members have been lining up to see Axel daily, requesting help to find loved ones who went missing under the Council’s rule.
“Please,” Axel pleads, and I know I lost the fight when he looks me in the eyes, and my bones melt like butter. I cannot refuse him when he looks at me like that.
“Fine,” I grunt, turn my back on him and walk to the bathroom.
“Thank you,” Axel shouts.
“Whatever,” I bark, stepping into the shower.
My good mood has been spoiled. I do not want to be a despondent child, but I have been looking forward to this moment.
I clean up, get dressed and walk to Mindy’s room. Monroe is getting stronger each day, but he will wear the scars for life. I am about to enter her quarters when an Omega bumps into me.
“Oh, I found you,” she says politely. “Your presence is requested in the lobby.”
“By whom?” I ask, still moping about staying behind.
“I ... I don’t know,” she stutters. “Eloise just asked me to find you.”
“Fine,” I say, rolling my eyes and walking to the lobby.
I walk to the lobby and realise that I am not even curious about who is here to see me. If it is not Kane, I do not care. But when I reach the lobby, I stop in my tracks and gasp for air.
“Stella,” I whisper, stunned.
“You’re here,” I whimper, tears streaming down my cheeks as I storm forward and take her from Malachi’s arms.
“I missed you so much,” I sniff, kissing her face and cheeks until she squirms with laughter.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, settling Stella on my hip and looking at Malachi. “We weren’t expecting you until the weekend.”
“Ask your mates,” he smiles mischievously. “They planned the surprise.”
“I’m so happy you’re home,” I sigh, burying my face in Stella’s neck and inhaling her scent. “Goddess, I’ve missed you.”
“And I’ve missed this place,” Gabriela says, entering the room with the twins, my mother and Selena.
“You’re all here,” I mutter, my bottom lip quivering as I hug them.
My heart is so filled with love, gratitude and happiness that I can hardly contain it.
“All who’s missing is ...”
“Us?” Kane asks, entering the room with Axel behind him.
“Oh, Goddess,” I sigh, and burst into tears. I have never, ever been this happy.
Kane wraps me and Stella into his embrace, and I shamelessly cry against his shoulder.
“Luna Gabriela,” an Omega says, entering the lobby. “Welcome home, your quarters are ready.”
“Thank you, dear,” she smiles. “If you’ll excuse me, it has been a long trip, and I need a bath.”
“I’ll take the twins,” Axel says, taking Lanie.
“I’ll help,” Selena offers. “I grew fond of them.”
“Do you want a job?” Axel asks thoughtfully. “We’re in dire need of a nanny with three babies.”
“Really?” She gapes at him.
“Really,” I sniff, wiping my face. “We were planning on having interviews for a nanny next week. But if you want the job, it’s yours. You’ll get your own quarters.”
“And you’ll pay me with real money?” Selena teases.
“Real money and a car,” Kane chuckles. “We won’t take advantage of you because you’re family.”
“Awesome,” Selena smiles. “I accept.”
“We prepared rooms for you, as well,” Axel says, looking at Mom and Malachi. “You can stay as long as you want.”
“I appreciate it,” Mom says, smiling. “But if you don’t mind, I would like to go home. My husband is finally home, and we have some reconnecting to do.”
“Please don’t elaborate,” I say, holding up a hand, and Mom blushes beet red.
“Dad and I will visit tomorrow,” she replies, and kisses me goodbye.
“I’ll come back later,” Malachi says. “I’m first checking in on Braden and my cottage. Oh, by the way, thanks for not destroying it.”
“Let’s get Stella to her room,” Kane says, looking at me. “And tonight, I’m taking you out to dinner.”
