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Chapter 104: Shadows Between Us
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2025-07-01 15:18:51The night air was heavy with anticipation. Serena stood at the edge of the balcony, her fingers gripping the wrought iron rail as the moonlight painted soft silver lines across her bare shoulders. The estate was unusually quiet tonight, and every silence echoed a promise she couldn’t decipher.
She could feel the weight of everything pressing on her—the council’s suspicion, Theron’s ever-watchful eyes, the secrets she still hadn’t spoken aloud, even to herself. Her heart was a tangle of questions she didn’t know how to answer. Behind her, the door creaked open. She didn’t have to turn to know who it was. Elias. “You always disappear when something’s bothering you,” he said softly, the gravel in his voice settling deep in her bones. “I needed air,” she replied, not meeting his gaze. “You needed space,” Elias corrected. “From me?” She turned slowly, her eyes meeting his. He was leaning casually against the doorframe, but his posture was taut, eyes dark with concern. He wore a simple black shirt and jeans, but the power that radiated from him was undeniable. Dangerous. Irresistible. “I needed to think,” Serena said. “Everything’s moving so fast. The prophecy, the council, your Beta staring at me like I’m about to go rogue. And you—sometimes I feel like I don’t know where I stand with you anymore.” Elias stepped closer, the moonlight catching in his eyes. “Then let me make it clear.” She held her breath. He stopped just inches away, so close she could feel the heat of his body. He raised his hand and tucked a loose curl behind her ear, letting his fingers linger at her cheek. The touch made her heart thunder in her chest. “You’re mine,” he said, voice low and rough. “Not because of the bond. Not because of prophecy. But because I choose you. Every day. Every moment.” Her lips parted. “Elias…” “I know I’ve made mistakes,” he continued, his voice thick with something that sounded like regret. “I’ve been guarding too much—my thoughts, my heart. I didn’t want to overwhelm you. But hiding things from you... that’s not love. And I’m done with that.” Serena’s breath hitched. She reached up and rested her palm against his chest, feeling the steady thump of his heart beneath her fingertips. “I don’t want to be kept in the dark,” she whispered. “If we’re going to fight through this together, I need to know all of it. Even the ugly parts.” He caught her hand and held it tightly. “Then I’ll show you. Everything. But right now, I need you to believe one thing—I love you, Serena. I may not have said it before, but I’ve felt it in every cell of my body since the moment you challenged me that first night in the clearing.” The words landed with weight, pressing into her chest until she felt she might crumble from the force of it. “I love you too,” she said quietly, fiercely. “Even when I’m afraid. Even when I don’t understand what’s coming next.” He leaned down slowly, giving her the space to pull away—but she didn’t. Their lips met, and this time it wasn’t about desperation or fear. It was steady, deliberate. A vow sealed with breath and skin. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her flush against him, and she melted into the warmth of his embrace. The kiss deepened. Her hands tangled in his hair, his mouth exploring hers with slow, aching reverence. He kissed her like she was his only source of oxygen. Like he’d been starved for this moment. When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathless. “I’m scared,” she admitted, her voice trembling. “Not of you. But of how much I need you.” Elias rested his forehead against hers. “Then we’re both terrified.” A sharp knock on the door shattered the intimacy. They froze. “What is it?” Elias called, his voice still thick from emotion. “It’s Theron,” a voice said from behind the door. “There’s been an attack on the northern border. Someone breached the barrier.” Elias’s expression darkened. “I’ll be there.” He turned back to Serena, cupping her face again. “Stay inside. No matter what. Promise me.” Her throat tightened. “I promise.” He kissed her one last time—short, urgent—before pulling away and disappearing into the shadows. Serena stood there for a long moment, listening to the fading echo of his footsteps, and tried to ignore the icy knot of fear forming in her stomach. Because deep down, she knew. This wasn’t just another patrol gone wrong. It was the beginning of the end.
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