Chapter 27

Elara

As I slowly came awake, I could feel the invisible pattern being traced across my face and a small smile formed on my lips at the familiarity of it all. This was Kai's favorite thing to do, and I couldn't count how many times he had roused me from sleep in this manner. It was heartwarming, learning all the unique ways that Rhys, Rowan, and Kai expressed their affection and I loved how the routine had become so normal that it felt like I'd been with them all my life.

It was still hard to believe that only a few months ago, these wonderful men had been nonexistent in my world and my mind would never have been able to fathom this beautiful life that I had now. Looking back, I couldn't believe that I had thought sharing my past with them would make them look at me differently. It had caused some vulnerability, but they had followed it with acceptance and passion so intense that I sometimes wondered if I was dreaming.

I had bared a part of my soul to them, fearing that it might be too dark for them to handle, but they had offered their unwavering support, and it felt like a balm to my wounded spirit.

I opened my eyes, and just as I had expected, Kai's face came into focus. The smile that spread across his face as I opened my eyes made a warm feeling flutter through me. He was so incredibly handsome, and his smile never failed to give me butterflies.

"Good morning, sweetheart," he greeted me, his morning voice husky and deep, stirring sensations in my lower abdomen.

"Good morning," I said back and Kai's smile widened.

"You look so incredibly cute when you sleep, and I love your little snores too," he said, and I gasped in fake hurt.

"Take that back right now! I don't snore," I said as I pulled myself to a sitting position and Kai laughed, moving to prop the pillows against the headboard so I could rest comfortably.

"Yes, you do, and I have video evidence to prove it," he responded, and my jaw dropped for real this time.

"Are you kidding?" I asked, but he only wiggled his brows playfully at me while dangling his phone in front of my face.

"I'll never tell," he drawled, and I launched toward him, determined to snatch his phone out of his hand, but he moved out of my way just in time, wrapping his arms around me instead and pulling me into him so he could bury his face in my neck.

"You smell so freaking good, baby. It's driving my wolf crazy," he commented, and I raised a brow in question.

Over the last couple of days, Kai, Rhys, and Rowan had begun making comments on my scent and how good it was. At first, it had been pretty normal, since I was used to commenting on how good I smelled, but it had become increasingly frequent and intense. I couldn't quite understand the sudden escalation.

"Thank you," I said but he only continued to take huge sniffs of my neck.

I pried myself out of his arms, but he immediately pulled me into them again. "Are you sure you're doing okay, baby? You look like you need some more sleep," Kai said, and I raised my eyes to look into his. There was a frown marring his features as he watched my face.

"I'm okay. I have to get through my training with Rowan," I said, finally pulling myself free from his hands.

But just like I expected, he followed me as I moved out of the bed and into the bathroom.

"Kai, why are you following me around? Don't you have to go to work?" I said playfully when he just stood at the entrance to the bathroom.

"This is actually more fun, so yeah, I think I'll do this instead," he responded, and I shook my head, laughing at his words.

"I'm taking the morning off. I don't have any meetings until noon and I wanted us to spend the morning together. Rowan says you've been doing so well with your training and I'd like to see it. I might teach you a few of my tricks too. They don't call me the best warrior of the pack for nothing," he bragged lightheartedly, and I laughed, but before I could respond, his phone began ringing and he moved back into the room, closing the bathroom door behind him.

Once I finished with my business, I flushed the toilet and moved to the sink over the counter so I could wash my hands and brush my teeth. My eyes turned amber for a split second as I stared at my reflection in the mirror, and I smiled. My wolf hadn't spoken to me again since the two times, but in little moments like this, she reminded me that she was still here. I was grateful for it, because the last couple of days since Naya had woken up had been stressful.

I had told Kai, Rhys, and Rowan about Naya's escape, and they had assured me that she would be safe here. My best friend had been settling in just fine, which I felt relieved for. This one good thing came after several other bad things.

My nightmares had gotten worse, to the extent that Kai had decided that all four of us should move into one room so that I didn't always have to wake up alone and so that their presence could be comforting for me. While I appreciated the decision, it didn't seem to be doing much to stop my nightmares.

Naya had begun recovering too, and I had offered to show her around the pack. We had even made some shopping runs, along with accompanying Rose to the market. Everyone in the pack was always nice and friendly, and nothing ever seemed to be out of place. I still could never shake off the feeling of being watched and followed.

There was always an unsettling energy that seemed to be following me everywhere that I went, and it never failed to spike my anxiety and leave me feeling nervous and stressed. It didn't help that I couldn't talk to any of my men about this because it was all just feelings, and there was no evidence that I was actually being followed or watched. Keeping it all to myself was slowly starting to drive me crazy.

It also didn't help that I felt easily tired and exhausted, and I just wanted to get off my feet and lay down as often as possible. Dark circles even underscored my eyes, and a sense of weariness seemed to cling to me all the time.

I shook my head slowly to rid it of all the thoughts plaguing me, deciding to focus instead on getting through the morning and my training sessions with Kai and Rowan. I loved the training sessions. They served as a great distraction and it made me feel safer when I had to be by myself.

Once I was done brushing my teeth and taking a bath, I moved back into the room to find it empty, although Kai had laid out some clothes for me. I loved how they did these little things for me—it made me feel cared for.

As I stepped out of the room, I collided with Rowan in the hallway. His warm smile faltered momentarily as he took in my tired eyes. Concern immediately etched itself onto his features. "Are you all right, baby?" he asked gently.

I managed a reassuring smile. "I'm fine. Just a little tired," I replied, my voice softer than intended.

Rowan's gaze lingered on my face, almost as if he were searching for any sign of distress. "Are you sure you're up for training today?" he questioned, his voice laced with doubt.

Determined to push through my fatigue, I nodded firmly. "Of course, I am. After all, I can rest some more after the training," I assured. He looked like he was about to say something else, but I simply took his hand and tugged him in the direction of the stairs.

"There's my favorite girl," Rhys called as I stepped into the training field with Rowan and I immediately moved toward him, giggling when he scooped me into his arms and twirled me. He peppered kisses all over my face and neck and I was sure that my shouts of delight could be heard from a mile away.

"You smell so good, honey, and you look so pretty," Rhys complimented as he put me on my feet and I blushed, standing on the tips of my toes so I could plant a kiss on his lips.

"Thank you. How come all of you are here?" I asked, accepting the hand that Rhys offered so he could lead me to the edge of the training field where Kai was sitting.

"This grandpa and I wanted to watch you train. Rowan said you've been doing so well and I wanted to see for myself," Rhys said, but unfortunately for him, Kai heard him refer to him as a grandpa, and he threw the bottle of water that he had been nursing straight at Rhys.

"Kai! That could have hit him in the face!" I scolded when Rhys ducked out of the way just in time. Kai smirked in satisfaction.

"That was the aim. Next time, he might not be so lucky," Kai taunted, and Rhys snickered.

"Well next time, you could try to throw more like a man and less like a…"

"Don't you fucking say it," Kai interrupted.

"…little girl," Rhys said, and Kai moved out of his seat, causing Rhys to take off running across the training field. Rhys laughed loudly while Kai chased him around the field and hurled insults at him.

"Training sessions used to be so peaceful," Rowan commented as he watched them go and I laughed.

"Oh, don't act like you're not the same," I teased, and Rowan rolled his eyes, bending down to tie my shoelace that had come loose.

Finally, Kai returned to sit down, and I looked to see Rhys laying flat on the ground, laughing loudly. It caused me to shake my head. Eventually, he picked himself up and moved toward us once more.

"I don't know why grandpa is extra grumpy today," Rhys called when he got to us, and I pinched his arm, causing him to yelp.

"Don't be mean," I said and he raised his arms in surrender.

The training began, and it started out innocently enough. Rowan focused on basic drills and testing my reflexes and agility. Rhys and Kai interjected when necessary, correcting my stance, offering other strategies, and just encouraging me as I went. At first, I moved with surprising ease, the physical exertion a welcome distraction from the anxiety that had plagued me for a while now.

However, as the session progressed, a familiar weakness crept into my limbs. My movements seemed to slow, and my focus wavered. A wave of dizziness washed over me and soon the world began to spin. Panic surged through me as I struggled to maintain my balance and shake off stars danced in front of my eyes, but it happened so fast. I could hear the concerned voices of Rhys, Kai, and Rowan asking if I was all right, but before I could respond, darkness enveloped me, and I felt myself collapse.

Everything immediately went silent and the world around me seemed to disappear.