Chapter Sixteen: The Prince's visit

"What in the seven hells do you think you're doing?" Kaelen's voice, low and resonant, cut through the tense silence like a blade. Damon, knife still trembling in his hand, froze. His carefully constructed facade of alpha dominance crumbled.

"Alpha Prince," Damon stammered, his voice betraying a nervousness that belied his usual bluster. "It's... it's not what it looks like." He glanced at Elara, her face pale and drawn, a silent testament to his actions.

"Then enlighten me," Kaelen said, his gaze unwavering, fixed on Damon. The air crackled with unspoken accusations.

Damon's mind raced. This wasn't just some random pack member or pack leader; this was the Alpha Prince, heir to the throne. One wrong move, and his carefully cultivated image, his hopes of currying favour and securing lucrative contracts with the royal family, could shatter. He had to think fast.

"She... she had the knife, Your Highness," Damon blurted out. "She was... agitated. I was just trying to... disarm her." He shifted uncomfortably, his explanation sounding unconvincing even to his own ears.

"Agitated? Why?" Kaelen's voice was laced with skepticism. His eyes, sharp and intelligent, moved from Damon to Elara, lingering on the subtle tremor in her hand. He knew Elara; like he knows her enough to not believe Damon's shit. He knew the quiet strength hidden beneath her gentle exterior. This story didn't ring true.

Damon sputtered, grasping at straws. "She... she was... performing a... a dramatic interpretation of a tragic play! I was trying to break her out of character! A bit of theatrical license, you understand." He offered a weak, nervous chuckle that died in the air.

Kaelen raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. The silence that followed was thick with unspoken understanding between him and Elara. It was clear to both of them that Damon's clumsy attempts at deception were pathetically transparent.

"I see," Kaelen said, his voice devoid of any emotion that hinted at belief. He subtly shifted his weight, his eyes never leaving Elara's. "Perhaps you could enlighten me further, later. For now..." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the room, taking in the details – the untouched surfaces, the atmosphere of quiet dread. He knew he knew the truth - perhaps not the full extent, but enough to know that Damon's words were fabrications.

Damon, relieved but wary, nodded vigorously. "Of course, Your Highness. Anything you require."

Damon turned his attention to Elara again. "Elara, dear, please, excuse us for a moment." 'Elara, dear, please?' That sounded nothing like Damon.

Elara, still trembling slightly, nodded mutely and fled to their bedroom, leaving the two alphas alone.

The Alpha Prince's gaze shifted to Damon. "Tell me about your business ventures, Mr. Robin." He settled into a chair, his posture relaxed but his eyes alert.

Damon, eager to regain some control of the situation, launched into a detailed (and heavily embellished) account of his architectural firm's success. He spun tales of groundbreaking designs, lucrative contracts, and the overwhelming demand for his services. He waxed lyrical about the immense value of his company, weaving a tapestry of lies designed to impress the royal heir.

Kaelen listened patiently, his expression unchanging. He didn't interrupt, but his silence was more damning than any outright accusation. When Damon finished, Kaelen simply nodded.

"Impressive," he murmured. "To solidify my understanding of your business acumen, I'd appreciate samples of your recent work."

"Perhaps we could schedule another meeting for that purpose?"

"You can just fetch me some samples right now, that way our next meeting will hold a more productive discussion."

Damon eagerly agreed, his relief palpable. He hadn't anticipated such a smooth resolution.

"Excellent," Kaelen said, a subtle hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "While you fetch those samples, I think I'd like to take a look around your pack house. Perhaps your wife could guide me."

"As you wish, Your Highness. It's really a privilege to have you visit my pack. Thank you for your benevolence, Your Highness." 

Damon, thoroughly convinced he'd successfully navigated the treacherous waters of a royal encounter, readily agreed. 

He turned to Elara's bedroom. "Elara! Show the Alpha Prince around. Behave yourself! Don't mention... anything about earlier. Understand?" He shot her a warning glance before hurrying out.

The moment the door closed, Kaelen moved towards Elara's bedroom but stopped short, releasing a calming pheromone before proceeding to enter the room. She inhaled deeply, his scent a subtle blend of pine, rain, and something deeper, something uniquely his own; a scent so rich and comforting that it brought to her an immediate relaxation which eased her tense muscles immediately and washed the residual fear away. The subtle scent of Elara's fear was quickly replaced by the much more comforting and soothing comfort of the Alpha Prince - his very presence was a fragrant balm to her anxieties.

"Elara," he said softly, his voice a warm counterpoint to the chill that lingered in the air from Damon's presence. His touch, light as a feather, brushed against her belly. Two tiny kicks answered him, a sweet confirmation of the life growing within her.