[Kaelen's POV]
But if it wasn't their death benefit, where else could she have found that much money all at once?
My mind flashed back. I remembered her grief when the news of her parents' sacrifice arrived, a raw, bottomless sorrow.
I remembered my own gnawing anxiety, the sleepless nights spent worrying about my lack of funds.
In my moment of greatest desperation, she had come to me with a chest of Origin Crystals. "Use these to build your dream," she had said.
"How did you get all this?" I had asked, stunned.
"My parents left it for me," she had whispered, her gaze on the crystals filled with a profound, aching sadness.
But I had been so blinded by the sudden rush of hope, so intoxicated by the promise of success, that I had never even noticed her pain.
I walked toward her now, each step an immense effort. My voice was a dry, ragged whisper. "Why didn't you tell me? That it was your… your parents' death benefit?"
The weight on my chest was crushing, stealing the air from my lungs.
"Because I didn't want you to feel burdened," she said, her voice flat, devoid of emotion. "I didn't want the money to feel heavy in your hands."
That day, when she had placed her parents' legacy in my hands, she had also placed her hopes for our future there. She thought we would grow old together.
Instead, we had ended up here.
"Brother, who knows if she's even telling the truth! Don't believe her!" Giselle was still shouting, her voice a shrill annoyance. "She's just saying whatever she can to get the money…"
"Enough!" I roared, cutting her off. My eyes were a storm of regret, of agony, and of a deep, soul-shattering remorse.
If I had known. If I had known the foundation of my power was built on the ashes of her parents' sacrifice, I would have been better to her. I would have stood by her side when we received their Spirit Stones. And I would have thrown the money at her feet without a second thought.
The heavy ache in my chest sharpened into a piercing pain, a pain that spread through my entire body, leaving me lost and ravaged with guilt.
"I will get you the money by tomorrow," I said, the words tasting like ash in my mouth.
Tomorrow. The day we were scheduled to finalize our rejection at the Elder Council.
In that moment, I could never again suggest paying her with some worthless future mining rights.
This money was hers. It had always been hers.
It was a debt I owed her.
"Good. I'll be waiting," Elara said, her gaze as cold as a winter stone. If I failed to produce the money, I knew she would drag me through a legal battle I couldn't win.
I stared at her, at the woman who had once looked at me with such unwavering warmth and devotion. She had once made me feel as if, with her by my side, I could conquer the world.
Now, all that remained was ice.
She would never be by my side again.
A feeling of loss so profound it was a physical ache washed over me, a feeling I couldn't even begin to name.
The Pack assembly had been a disaster.
After it was over, Elara sent Ethan and Liana away, choosing to remain with the Great Elder.
"I can come with you to the Council tomorrow," Ethan offered, his concern clear.
"There's no need. If he causes any more trouble, we'll settle it in court. And at that point, I'll be asking for far more than one hundred and fifty-three Origin Crystals," Elara replied. Liana was still muttering curses about my family.
After they left, Elara turned to the Great Elder. "Elder Elias, I'm sorry you had to see that."
The Elder looked at her, his eyes filled with a paternal pain. "Child, if I had known what you were enduring, I would have stepped in long ago. Never forget, the Elder Council will always be your shield."
"…Yes," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion.
"And your parents' Spirit Stones? When will you take them home for their final rest?" he asked.
"Tomorrow. After the paperwork is finalized, I'm going straight to the sky-port," she said.
He nodded. "I will be there to see them off."
Just then, Malachi approached, stopping beside the Great Elder and clearing his throat softly.
The Elder seemed to remember something. "Ah, Elara, there is a matter I need to discuss with you."
"What is it?" she asked.
"Well…" the Elder seemed almost embarrassed. "The Lycan royal enterprises have… cooperative ventures with the Council. And with the recent passing of the former Lycan King, the succession is still volatile."
"King Malachi has also been the target of several assassination attempts."
"He has requested that the Council provide him with a personal guard to ensure his safety and the stability of our joint ventures."
Elara understood. The Council couldn't afford for Malachi to be killed. The chaos that would follow was too great a risk.
"However," the Elder continued, "King Malachi has specifically requested you."
"What?" Elara was stunned.
"Miss Elara has saved me from danger on several occasions. I have the utmost confidence in her ability," Malachi said, his voice a low, smooth baritone.
Elara was speechless. Now she understood why the two had arrived together.
"Your Majesty, if you require protection, the Council has warriors far more skilled than I," she said.
"But you are the only one I trust," he replied simply.
"But I am leaving for Stonewall Citadel tomorrow to bury my parents. After that, I have to handle their estate. I'm afraid I don't have time to serve as your guard."
"What a coincidence. I happen to be traveling to Stonewall Citadel myself. You can handle your family affairs while also protecting me. I don't require 24-hour protection. Simply being with me when your time allows will be sufficient."
"…" Elara's brow furrowed. Malachi clearly didn't lack for protection. Why was he insisting on her?
The Great Elder pulled her aside, his voice a low whisper. "You are no longer bound to any clan. I do not wish to drag you into this mess. But others on the Council insisted we at least ask. You are free to refuse. I will handle the fallout."
Elara knew he was genuinely concerned for her. But if she refused, the political pressure would fall squarely on his shoulders.
Her gaze flickered uncertainly toward Malachi.
"I only require your protection for three months," he said, his voice calm and steady. "In three months, I will have secured my position as the Lycan King, and I will have rooted out the conspirators who want me dead."
She looked at him, a challenge in her eyes. "And if you fail to do so in three months?"
"Then I will accept whomever the Council assigns. After three months, Miss Elara, you are free to go or stay as you please," he replied.