Chapter 6

[Elara POV]

I sat there for an hour thinking of everything, lost in my head and the thought that maybe my life would be better in Boston just as Ares had said. Moreover, I had nothing in the Blood Moon pack to hold onto anymore.

The sound of the door opening got my attention, and I looked toward it as Ares walked in, taking slow steps as if he was thinking whether it was the right time for him to come in or not.

"Have you thought about it?" he asked, standing a little away from my bed with his hands shoved in his black pants pockets. "I know it's hard to make a decision, but..."

"I'll go with you to Boston," I said, my voice so weak it barely sounded like mine.

Ares stared at me with sympathy, but then brushed it off with a small smile. "That's good. I'm happy you thought about it. I'll have everything you need ready, and..." He paused. "You're going to be fine."

I lowered my gaze, my eyes filled with tears, but I refused to let them fall. "Before we go, I have something to do first."

"Alright," he said with a little nod before he turned to leave me alone once more.

After spending a few more hours in the hospital, I finally got myself up and made my way out of the ward. My feet on the tile ground felt like lead, like I could barely move them, but I couldn't care less. The pain in my chest hurt more than anything else.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Ares asked, looking at me. "If you need to spend a few days in the hospital, I understand."

I shook my head. "No, I'm fine. I hate hospitals anyway."

He didn't say anything else as we took the elevator down to the bottom floor. The cold air outside the hospital hit my face once more, and this time it came with every memory I had held onto, the times I had comforted myself and gave myself hope that everything would be fine, how hard I had tried to please everyone, not caring once about myself.

Truly, I had been a people pleaser.

Ares opened the car door for me, standing beside it as he waited for me to get in. When I did, he closed the door and took the driver side. Before he turned on the car, he looked back at me. "Where would you like me to take you first before our trip to Boston?"

I didn't answer immediately, because the thought of seeing Lucian made my chest ache. I had loved him for three years, and I hated the fact that I did.

"The pack house," I said, looking away from him and out the window. "I need to see Lucian first before we leave."

Ares didn't say anything. He looked back ahead, turned on the car, and pulled out of the hospital driveway.

I closed my eyes for a while, letting myself breathe and braving myself for what I was about to do. I had never thought it would come to this, and I hated the fact that it did.

I didn't realize that I was lost in thought until the car stopped in front of the pack house. Ares got out of the car to open the door for me. I stepped out, wrapping the jacket Ares had given me before I left the hospital ward tightly around my body as I started walking toward the door.

"If you need my help, just call out to me," Ares called out, resting his back against the car.

I walked further to the door, hesitating before I grabbed the knob, pushed open the door, and walked in. Everywhere was quiet, and for once I thought Lucian hadn't come home.

I looked around for a while in search of him and then made my way up the stairs heading to our room. I was about to climb up to the top floor when a door opened and Lina came out wearing my clothes.

Her eyes widened when she saw me, and a smug smile pulled up on her lips. "Luna Elara," she mumbled, wrapping her arms over her chest. "How did you get well so soon? I thought you were badly injured, or were you faking it?"

"Where is Lucian?" I asked, ignoring her mocking smile.

She rolled her eyes, biting her lower lip. "He is not here. He went out to get me some things. He cares about me so much. I'm sorry for taking your place in his life."

I scoffed, feeling the sadness in my chest turn into bitter anger. "I'm happy for you. If I'm not mistaken, your husband must have been a pain to you when he was alive."

Her smug smile faded, and she stepped close to me as if she wanted to push me, but the sound of the front door opening made her stop. She pulled her hand back and walked past me down the stairs.

"Lucian, I'm having a little cramps," she mumbled with a fake cry.

I turned toward them, watching as Lucian dropped the bags in his arms and pulled her into his chest, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. "I told you not to stress yourself too much. Why did you leave your room?"

"I was missing you so much," Lina said loudly, making sure I could hear.

I walked down the stairs, my heart burning with anger compared to the pain that I had felt when I first walked in. "Lucian, we need to talk!"

The moment Lucian saw me, he immediately moved his hands away and pushed Lina back a little, walking over to meet me. "Elara, you're back from the hospital? Why didn't you call me to pick you up?"

"That wasn't necessary. You were clearly busy," I said, looking toward Lina before looking back at him.

Lucian reached out to touch my hand, but I stepped back, avoiding his touch. His pine scent hit my nose, but it didn't bring me the comfort it used to. Now, it only made me feel sick.

"Elara, please," Lucian said, his voice soft as he looked at me. "I brought Lina to live here in the pack house. Her house is too far, and I need to watch her. Her heat was hard on her, and I need to make sure she is safe."

I stared at him, a cold smile touching my lips. "You moved her into our home."

"It's just to protect her, Elara," he said, taking another step toward me. "I love you. You are my mate. But I have to protect Lina. Her mate died taking a blow meant for me. Every time I look at her, I feel guilty. I am doing all of this because I owe it to him."

"Stop it, Lucian," I said, my voice steady even though my chest burned. "I was blind to that lie for three years. I let you use his death as an excuse to ignore me, to leave me alone, and to run to her whenever she called."

Lucian shook his head quickly. "That's not true. I care about you, Elara."

"No, you love her," I said, looking straight into his eyes. "And that is why she is pregnant with your pup."