Chapter Six: Kaelen

(Elara's POV)

I awoke disoriented. The softness beneath me was a stark contrast to the hard, unforgiving ground I remembered collapsing upon. 

Sunlight streamed through the long windows, painting dust motes dancing in the air. I was in his room. It was filled with a subtle masculine scent that both soothed and stirred me, an intoxicating and dangerous combination. Guilt twisted in my gut. I shouldn't be here.He wasn’t in the bed, but I could hear the clinking of china from an adjoining room. I sat up slowly, my muscles screaming in protest, and smoothed down the unfamiliar silken nightgown I was wearing. It felt luxurious, almost indecent against my skin. Wait! Did he put this on me? He undressed me and put me in a nightgown?

He appeared moments later, carrying a tray laden with what looked like a feast: scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, fresh fruit, and steaming rolls. 

His green eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. Heavens, that smile totally made me push back the thought of him changing my clothes.

"Good morning," he said, his voice still a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. "I hope you're feeling better. I wasn't sure what you'd prefer, so I brought a little of everything."

I managed a weak smile. "Thank you. This is... a lot."

"You earned it," he countered, placing the tray on a small table near the bed. He pulled up a chair and waited patiently. "Eat. You need your strength." I obeyed, surprised by how ravenous I was. 

As I ate, he watched me with an intensity that made me both nervous and strangely flattered. 

"I don't even know your name," he said finally when I’d managed a decent portion of the food.

"Elara," I replied, my voice still a little hoarse. "My name is Elara."

"Kaelen," he responded with a charming smile. "It's a pleasure to meet such a beautiful, gracious being. You saved me, and I'm really grateful to you."

I blushed, ducking my head. "I... I don't know what happened. It was instinct. I just… saw you lying there, and I couldn't let you die."

He leaned forward, his eyes piercing. "You healed me, Elara. You did something extraordinary. How?"

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "I… I have a gift. I can channel energy, sometimes… to heal." It was a watered-down version of the truth, but it was all I felt comfortable sharing. The full extent of my abilities, my heritage, was a dangerous secret.

Kaelen didn't press, but I could see the questions swirling in his gaze. "I'm grateful," he simply said, his voice laced with sincerity. "More than words can express."

“I'm glad I could be of help.”

His hand found its way to my hair, and he started stroking my hair gently while staring at me like I'm unreal.

“I'd need a bath.” I hesitantly said.

“Of course, I've prepared a bath and a dress for you.” He helped me get on my feet and led me out of the room.

My jaw threatened to unhinge as he ushered me through a door that could easily have been mistaken for the entrance to a small apartment. He didn't say a word; just a subtle pressure on my back guided me forward. And then, the bathroom.It wasn't just a bathroom; it was a sanctuary of gleaming marble and soft light. A massive, freestanding tub, easily big enough for three people, sat on a raised platform near a wall of windows overlooking… well, I couldn't quite see yet. Steam curled lazily from the chrome faucet, teasing me with the promise of warmth. The air smelled of something floral and expensive, like a thousand blooming roses distilled into a single scent.There were plush, white towels stacked neatly on a heated rack, a vanity laden with lotions and potions I couldn't even begin to identify, and a walk-in shower with a head the size of a dinner plate. My own bathroom back at the pack house felt suddenly…primitive.

Kaelen stopped just inside the doorway, his eyes, those intense, captivating eyes, softening as they met mine. “Relax, Elara. Bathe. I’ll be in the garden. Take your time.” He turned, the heavy door closing silently behind him, leaving me alone in this opulent space.

I stood there for a long moment, a little overwhelmed. A bath. I hadn’t had a proper bath in…well, I couldn't remember the last time. Slowly, I began to shed my worn clothes, feeling the weight of dirt and exhaustion slough off with each layer. The water was perfect, just the right temperature to soothe my aching muscles. The scent filled my senses, washing away the lingering fear and replacing it with a sense of peace I hadn't felt in months.

Later, wrapped in the softest robe I'd ever touched, I found the dress Kaelen had left for me draped on a nearby chaise lounge. It was pale pink, almost the colour of a sunrise, and made of silk that shimmered like water. The design was simple and elegant, with a fitted bodice that flowed into a gently swaying skirt. It was the most beautiful dress I'd ever seen, something out of a fairytale. Sliding it over my head, I felt a transformation. I was still Elara, but… a more refined, more confident version.

Finding the garden, however, proved to be an adventure in itself. The mansion was a labyrinth of hallways and grand staircases. I wandered past rooms filled with antique furniture, portraits of stern-looking wolves, and sculptures that looked impossibly delicate. I got lost at least three times, panicking slightly each time, before finally stumbling upon a set of French doors that led to the outside.

The garden was breathtaking. A riot of colours exploded in carefully arranged beds, roses climbed trellises, and a fountain gurgled merrily in the center. Winding pathways led through hidden nooks and secluded benches, and the air hummed with the buzz of bees and the sweet perfume of flowers.

Kaelen was standing near the fountain, his back to me. He was dressed in a simple white shirt and dark pants, and he looked… at peace. As I approached, he turned, a slow smile spreading across his face."I knew you would look ethereal in that dress, Elara," he said, his voice low and husky. He stepped closer and gently took my hand, his touch sending shivers down my spine. In his other hand, he held a delicate flower crown woven from wildflowers. Carefully, he placed it on my head, the sweet scent of the blossoms intoxicating me.

The morning sun was starting to rise above the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold. We stood in silence, watching the dawn break, the quiet broken only by the gentle sound of the fountain. He was so close; I could feel the warmth radiating from his body. He turned towards me, his gaze intense and searching. I tilted my head up, anticipation fluttering in my chest, wanting nothing more than to close the space between us. He lowered his head, his eyes never leaving mine, and I held my breath; that's when I finally knew that this was it. Our lips were just a hair's breadth apart when he stopped, a look of internal conflict warring on his face. 

The moment was suspended, charged with unspoken desires and undeniable attraction.The silence stretched, filled with an unspoken tension that vibrated between us. I felt a strong pull towards this man, a connection that defied logic and reason. It was intoxicating, dangerous, and utterly wrong."I should go," I said abruptly, dragging my feet backwards. "I have to get back home.”