Elara surfaced from sleep slowly, like drifting upward through warm water.
Her body felt lighter. Not healed — the wolfsbane still clung to her muscles like cold residue — but she didn't feel the crushing dizziness she remembered. Her breathing was easier. Her chest didn't ache as sharply.
She blinked her eyes open.
Soft sunlight spilled across a stone wall patterned with Blackridge sigils. Thick furs covered the bed, clean and warm. The faint smell of pine smoke and mountain herbs filled the room.
And—
Kael wasn't there.
Her hand twitched slightly, as though expecting the warmth of another grip. She frowned without understanding why.
Then she noticed movement.
A small figure stood near the shelves at the far side of the room, quietly folding linens and arranging bottles of salve. The young omega's shoulders were stiff, her posture neatly pulled together as though afraid of being scolded for even existing.
The girl hadn't noticed Elara was awake yet.
Elara tried to push herself up, wincing at the dull sting along her ribs. A soft gasp escaped her, and the omega jumped, nearly dropping the cloth she was folding.
"O–oh! Y-you're awake!" the girl squeaked, eyes widening.
Elara blinked, surprised by the girl's nervousness. Her ears burned awkwardly — she had never been the type to intimidate anyone.
The omega hovered near the foot of the bed, wringing the cloth between her hands like it might save her from drowning.
"I'm sorry," she said quickly. "I didn't mean to wake you — or stare — or breathe too loudly, I swear I tried not to—"
Elara's brows lifted, and she shook her head gently. "It's alright. I wasn't asleep anymore."
The omega blinked. Then blinked again, as though not expecting kindness.
Elara shifted, trying to sit upright. The room tilted only slightly this time. Better than before. Still, she placed one hand on the headboard to steady herself.
The omega stepped forward instinctively. "Do you need help?"
Elara smiled faintly. "Thank you, but I think I can manage."
The girl nodded, cheeks pink, and stepped back with a little bow. Elara tilted her head, feeling a familiar tug of empathy. She once was an omega too — half invisible, half walked over.
Now, someone was frightened of her?
She cleared her throat gently. "Um… what's your name?"
The omega froze like a startled deer. "My—my name?"
"Yes." Elara softened her voice. "I'd like to know it."
"I–I'm Nira," she whispered. "I was assigned to care for this room while you rest."
"Assigned?" Elara repeated, confused.
Nira nodded quickly. "Yes! The Alpha personally arranged it."
Elara's heart stumbled. "He… did?"
Nira's face brightened for a moment — shy but proud. "Alpha Kael left only a few minutes ago. He's been here since yesterday. He only stepped out because one of the elders from Blackridge and a patrol leader needed him urgently."
Kael had been here. All night.
Elara looked down, hands curling slightly in the furs. Her wolf pressed against her consciousness, restless and warm, trying to tell her something she wasn't ready to name.
Nira shifted nervously. "He, um… told us to keep everything quiet around you. No loud noises, no strong scents, no unnecessary visitors. He said your rest was more important than any pack meeting."
Elara swallowed.
That sounded like… too much.
More than courtesy. More than duty.
She cleared her throat, shaking the sudden heat in her cheeks. "I appreciate you being here, Nira. Truly."
The omega's shoulders relaxed, and she offered a tiny smile. "I'm glad you're awake. Everyone was worried. Well… not everyone. Some warriors don't know what to think yet, but the healers—" She stopped fast, clapping a hand over her mouth. "S-sorry! I wasn't supposed to talk about pack matters—"
"It's okay," Elara said softly. "You don't have to be afraid around me."
Nira peeked up. "You're… very different from what they said."
Elara's eyebrow arched. "What did they say?"
The omega winced. "Just rumors. Nothing worth repeating. They didn't know anything."
Elara nodded slowly. Rumors. There were always rumors. Especially about unmated wolves who didn't quite fit anywhere.
Nira hesitated, then stepped toward the table to scoop up a cup of warm infusion.
"This is for you," she said, holding it out with both hands. "It helps clear the wolfsbane faster. Mirael said you might be strong enough for it now."
Elara took the cup, fingers brushing the girl's trembling hands. The warmth seeped into her palms.
"Thank you," she murmured.
Nira's eyes softened. "Are you feeling… alright? I mean, I know the poison must still hurt, and you look pale, and I probably shouldn't ask so directly—"
Elara let out a small laugh — quiet, tired, but real. "I'm… better than before. Still weak. But better."
"That's good," Nira breathed out. "Everyone said you were brave."
Elara blinked in confusion. "Brave? Why?"
"Because you survived wolfsbane," Nira whispered. "Most wolves don't. And the Alpha—"
She stopped herself again, eyes widening.
"The Alpha what?" Elara asked gently.
Nira tucked her chin down. "He looked terrified."
Elara's heart tightened.
Terrified.
For her.
She didn't know what to do with that.
Nira stepped back, giving Elara room to sip the infusion. "If you need anything, anything at all, I'll be right outside. Mirael asked me to stay close so you aren't alone when you wake."
"Thank you, Nira," Elara said again, sincere.
The omega bowed and retreated to the door, opening it quietly. Before stepping out, she glanced back, her voice small but hopeful.
"I'm happy you're alive."
The door closed softly behind her.
Elara sat in silence, staring at the cup in her hands — warm, fragrant, steady.
Her wolf rose inside her chest, restless and pacing.
He was here, her wolf murmured.
He didn't leave us. Even when we slept. Even when we were weak.
Elara pressed a hand to her heart.
She didn't understand what was happening.
But something was shifting.
Something she had no name for—
Yet felt in every heartbeat.