THE FOUR WORD

Elaris's POV

The four words remain visible in Averic's hand.

Elaris rereads them.

The child dies first.

Her mind will not allow her to move on in the sentence.

Her palm covers her stomach before she is even aware of the movement. There is not yet anything to be felt beneath it, but suddenly the knowledge of what grows inside her is impossibly fragile.

Neryss lets out a small frightened noise behind her and covers her mouth.

The young warrior who discovered the parchment stares at the floor.

Even the captain seems unwilling to speak of what they have read.

Averic tightens his fingers around the paper.

"Seal this room."

The command is controlled but Elaris hears the tension beneath.

The captain immediately gestures to the warriors.

"No one enters unless the Alpha authorizes it."

Elaris turns to Averic.

"She knows."

He looks at her.

"She knows about the baby."

It is not necessary to explain what it means.

Virelle had watched her.

She had waited.

She had gathered information while under the pretense of residing in the palace.

And now she had left a message where Elaris knew she would be certain to read it.

Elaris's fingers press tighter against her stomach.

"She wants me afraid."

Averic answers immediately.

"Then we make sure fear is the last thing she gets from you."

Averic's gaze flicks down to Elaris's hand before he meets her eyes again.

He does not question the child's existence.

Maevra's words had already revealed what Elaris had tried to conceal and the silver manifestation had given him solid proof of his own wolf essence within the pregnancy.

Instead he asks something far more disturbing.

"Has Virelle ever been alone with you?"

Elaris shakes her head.

"Not completely."

Averic waits.

"She has been near me when other people were present. At meals. In the corridor. Outside Maevra's chamber."

She pauses.

"But she has watched me."

"How?"

Elaris recalls the occasions in which she had dismissed the woman as merely unpleasant rather than dangerous.

"She watched what I ate."

Averic's expression becomes guarded.

"She asked whether I was feeling sick."

"When?"

"Before I understood why she cared."

Elaris looks down.

"She also watched my stomach."

The captain shifts uncomfortably.

Averic asks, "Did she touch you?"

"Once."

The recollection washes over her with an uncomfortable clarity.

"She reached towards me as though she wanted to bless the child. Then someone entered the room, and she pulled her hand away."

Averic's hands tighten around the parchment.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I didn't know what it meant."

Elaris meets his eyes.

"I have spent too much of my life turning strange behavior into harmless explanations."

That answer silences him.

She has learned the cost of ignoring warning signs.

She will not make that mistake with her child.

The memories are falling into place with an ugliness that Elaris had not recognized at the time.

Virelle asking whether the morning sickness had improved.

Virelle noticing which medicines Elaris refused.

Virelle watching whenever Averic placed a hand near Elaris's waist.

Even the seemingly innocent encounter in the garden returns to her.

The smile.

The raised hand.

The deliberate choice of where Virelle had positioned herself so that Elaris could observe her from the window.

It had never been simple provocation.

Virelle had been studying her.

Counting.

Learning how far Elaris had progressed in her pregnancy.

Learning how often she was alone.

Learning which corridors she used.

Elaris whispers, "She wasn't admiring the child."

Neryss looks at her.

"What?"

"She was measuring the danger."

Averic turns to her.

"Explain."

Elaris forces herself to remember.

"Whenever you were beside me she watched you instead of me. Whenever you left her attention returned to my stomach."

Averic's face darkens.

"She was checking whether I knew."

Elaris nods.

"And whether you had publicly claimed the baby."

The realization carries another implication.

Virelle had waited for uncertainty.

As long as Averic remained cautious with the announcement of the pregnancy Virelle had room to manipulate the story.

The child could be called illegitimate.

Elaris could be portrayed as an outsider.

And the old families could be swayed to believe that Averic's succession had become unstable.

The threat against the baby was not isolated.

It was part of everything Virelle had been building.

Averic meticulously folds the parchment up.

For a heartbeat Elaris believes he will keep it.

Instead he extends it towards the captain.

"Put this in the evidence room."

The captain takes it with both hands.

Averic then turns towards the warriors that have gathered outside.

"Everyone hears this once."

The corridor falls into attentive silence.

"That message is a kill order against my unborn heir."

The word leaves his mouth without hesitation.

Heir.

Elaris feels the weight of it.

Averic is no longer speaking about an unnamed pregnancy.

He has publicly identified the child as part of his Alpha line.

The captain bows his head.

"Yes, Alpha."

"If anyone inside this palace helped deliver that threat they have chosen an enemy against the entire Thorne line."

His gaze sweeps over the gathered warriors.

"Find them."

No one moves.

Averic's voice is sharper.

"And if Virelle is found she is brought back alive."

Elaris looks at him.

"You want her alive?"

"I want answers."

His attention returns to the captain.

"Who opened the east gate? Who disabled the guards? Who knew the patrol schedule? I want everything."

The warriors scatter to follow the orders.

Elaris watches them go.

The word heir continues to echo in her thoughts.

For the first time Averic has claimed the child publicly before witnesses.

But he has not claimed her.

She tells herself she should be grateful for what he has done.

Still, gratitude does not remove the uncertainty from her heart.

Averic turns to her.

“You’re moving rooms.”

She looks at him.

"Where?"

"The inner apartments."

" Why?"

"Because there are no exterior windows."

Elaris immediately understands.

The room she had occupied since arriving at the palace suddenly feels incredibly exposed.

Averic continues.

"You'll have direct access to my chambers, Maevra's medical wing, and the central guard passage."

"I don't want to be hidden.“You won’t be.”

His answer is firm.

"You'll be protected."

He gestures to the warriors.

"The child in your body is pack blood. Anyone assigned to protect you will understand that failing you means answering directly to me."

Elaris swallows.

The declaration should comfort her.

Instead she is reminded of the distinctness she has been trying not to examine.

He is protecting the baby.

He is protecting his heir.

That does not automatically mean he has chosen Elaris.

She does not allow her face to betray the thought.

"I can walk there myself."

Averic nods.

"I know."

He does not reach for her, instead walking beside her as the guards form a protective perimeter.

Elaris notices the change.

He is no longer treating her as fragile property that must be carried from danger.

He is giving her space to move while making sure no one can approach her.

It is a small change.

But after everything that had happened with Caedmon, small changes matter.

Harwin arrives before Elaris can settle into the inner apartments.

"I was told there was a threat against the pregnancy."

Averic steps aside.

"Check her."

Elaris sits upon the edge of the bed while Harwin begins the examination.

His diagnostic spell moves gently over her abdomen before a faint silver shimmer appears beneath her skin.

Harwin watches it carefully.

"The child is alive."

Elaris's relief is so quick that her shoulders sag.

"Is everything normal?"

"No."

The answer strips any comfort from the news.

Harwin studies the readings.

"Your wolf essence is still thinner than it should be."

Elaris looks at him.

"Because of the donation?"

"That damage did not disappear when the bond ruptured."

He pauses.

"And the blood moon will place additional strain on your system."

Averic asks, "How much?"

"I can't give you an exact measure."

Harwin looks at Elaris.

"But heightened fear, exhaustion, or another essence shock could destabilize the pregnancy."

Averic's gaze sharpens towards her.

"Then she will not be exposed to any of them."

Elaris gives him a tired look.

"You can't control every feeling I have."

"No."

His answer is softer.

"But I can control what happens inside these walls."

Harwin finishes the examination before giving Elaris another restorative draught.

"The child is holding well for now. Keep her calm. Keep her nourished. And do not allow anyone unapproved to administer medicine."

The last instruction hangs heavily in the room.

Afterward, when Harwin leaves, Elaris looks at Averic.

"Even the healers?"

"Especially the healers."

The room empties until only Elaris and Averic remain.

Averic stands at the foot of the bed.

"I won't let that message become reality."

Elaris looks at him.

"You can't promise that."

"I can promise what I will do."

His words are steady.

"I will find Virelle. I will find the person who helped her. And I will protect this child."

Elaris nods.

"Thank you."

She means it.

Averic studies her for several seconds.

"I should have protected you sooner."

She does not answer immediately.

There are too many memories between them.

The accusations.

The confinement.

The poison.

The nights when she had wondered whether he had believed Virelle more than her.

"You protected me when you knew enough to do it," Elaris says.

Averic absorbs the correction.

"And before that?"

She looks down.

"Before that, I was still trying to convince myself you would."

The words hurt him.

She can see it.

But she does not take them back.

"I'll have the guard remain outside."

He turns towards the door.

"Averic."

He stops.

"I am grateful for what you're doing."

He waits.

"But don't mistake that gratitude for forgiveness."

His shoulders ease slightly, as if the honesty is preferable to false reassurance.

"I won't."

Elaris watches him leave.

She touches her abdomen again.

She has learned not to name love before the other person is ready to carry it.

Neryss returns from the lower kitchens looking pale.

Elaris rises halfway.

"What happened?"

"Two scullery girls were questioned."

"About Virelle?"

Neryss nods.

"They saw a woman near the east gate before the alarm."

Elaris's stomach tightens.

"Virelle?"

"They couldn't see her face."

Neryss glances towards the corridor before continuing.

"She wore a hood. But they said she wasn't alone."

Elaris moves closer.

"Who was with her?"

"They don't know."

"What did the second person do?"

Neryss lowers her voice.

"They opened the gate."

Elaris stares.

"From inside?"

"Yes."

The implications are far worse than she anticipated.

The second person had not escaped with Virelle.

They had opened the way and then returned to the palace through the service passage.

Neryss grips the edge of her sleeve.

"The girls said the person never spoke."

"Did they see a face?"

"No."

"Any uniform?"

"One thought they were wearing servant's clothing."

Elaris's thoughts immediately return to the earlier footsteps outside her chamber.

Not guards.

People who knew the palace.

People who knew where to walk without drawing attention.

"Then the person who helped Virelle is still here," Elaris says.

Neryss nods.

"And they may have been here all along."

The two guards who had been assigned to Virelle are brought to a side chamber after the healers confirm they are conscious.

Averic insists on questioning them personally.

Elaris remains nearby with Neryss.

The first guard looks ashamed.

"Alpha, we failed."

"Tell me exactly what happened."

"We heard someone enter through the service corridor."

"Who?"

"I didn't see them."

The second guard touches the bruising at the back of his head.

"I heard a woman's voice."

Averic's attention sharpens.

"What did she say?"

"An instruction."

"What instruction?"

The warrior swallows.

"She told us to stand down."

"Virelle?"

"No."

The answer comes immediately.

"It wasn't her voice."

Elaris exchanges a glance with Neryss.

Averic asks, "Could you recognize the woman?"

" Not by face."

"By voice?"

The guard hesitates.

"She sounded familiar."

"To whom?"

"I don't know."

The second guard speaks.

"She sounded like someone accustomed to being obeyed."

That detail unsettles Elaris far more the attack itself.

The woman had not shouted.

She had not threatened.

She had given an order, and the guards had apparently obeyed long enough for her to strike.

Averic orders the captain to obtain a complete list of women with unrestricted access to the private wing.

The captain nods.

The list will not be short.

Maevra's attendants.

Healers.

Household officials.

Senior servants.

And women from old families who have been visiting the palace for years.

Elaris realizes that the investigation has entered dangerous territory.

Someone who can move unnoticed does not need to be powerful.

They only need to be trusted.

Elaris stands at the doorway while the captain begins to sort the names.

The private wing suddenly feels quite different.

She remembers people passing her room at night.

A servant bringing fresh water.

A healer carrying herbs.

An attendant checking Maevra's blankets.

Someone delivering tea.

Someone collecting empty medicine bottles.

Someone asking whether Elaris had eaten.

Ordinary moments that carry uncomfortable possibilities.

The traitor has not merely entered the palace.

They have been close enough to observe her routines.

Neryss whispers, "Could it be one of Maevra's attendants?"

Elaris does not answer immediately.

"I don't know."

"Or one of the healers?"

"I don't know."

The uncertainty frustrates her.

"We cannot accuse everyone."

"No."

Elaris looks towards Averic.

"But we cannot trust everyone either."

Averic hears her.

"That is why the investigation stays quiet."

He turns to the captain.

"No public accusations. No rumors. If the traitor realizes we're looking for them, they'll disappear."

The captain agrees.

Elaris understands the danger.

They are hunting someone who may be listening to the hunt.

And somewhere within these walls, that person may already know that Virelle's message had been found.

They return to Maevra's chamber.

She is awake.

Barely.

Her eyes pass over Elaris first before settling on Averic.

Elaris approaches the bed.

"Maevra."

The older woman lifts one hand.

Elaris takes it.

When she shows her the broken silver chain Maevra's fingers tighten weakly around her's.

"Virelle," Maevra whispers.

"Yes."

Maevra closes her eyes briefly.

"She has friends."

Averic moves nearer.

"Where?"

"Old families."

The words are strained.

"Families that remember... when power changed hands."

Elaris looks at Averic.

"Does she mean the succession?"

Maevra's breathing becomes uneven.

"The blood moon..."

She struggles to continue.

"Desperate people become brave when they believe... no one will stop them."

Averic asks, "Who is helping her?"

Maevra's lips part.

She seems to fight for the name.

"Ser—"

Her voice breaks.

Harwin immediately steps forward.

"That is enough."

Maevra attempts to speak again.

The healer shakes his head.

"She needs rest."

Elaris reluctantly releases her hand.

As they leave the chamber, Averic looks troubled.

"She was trying to give us a name."

Elaris nods.

"She may still be able to."

"But we don't know who."

Elaris looks back through the closing doorway.

"Then we have to keep her alive long enough for her to tell us."

Neither of them say what they are both thinking.

The traitor may already know Maevra remembers.

They have barely reached the outer corridor when hurried footsteps approach.

A young warrior rounds the corner and nearly collides with the captain.

"Alpha!"

Averic turns.

"What happened?"

"The trackers found Virelle's trail."

"Where?"

The warrior struggles to catch his breath.

"The eastern grounds."

Elaris waits.

"Did she reach the woods?"

The warrior shakes his head.

"No."

Averic's expression becomes unreadable.

"Then where did the trail lead?"

"Back."

Elaris feels her stomach fall.

"Back where?"

"To the palace."

The warrior explains that Virelle's scent had initially moved towards the outer grounds, but the trail had abruptly turned around near the old garden wall.

She had doubled back.

The trackers had followed it to the east cloister.

Averic orders them to search the area immediately.

The warrior hesitates.

"We found something else."

He produces another scrap of parchment.

It is pinned to the door of Elaris's old chamber.

The broken clasp from Virelle's chain has been driven through the parchment.

Elaris recognizes the handwriting before Averic unfolds it.

Virelle.

Again.

Averic reads the message aloud.

"I can come and go as I please."

No signature.

No explanation.

Nothing else.

Elaris stares at the words.

Virelle had not been fleeing.

She had been demonstrating that confinement meant nothing to her.

She could enter.

She could leave.

She could reach Elaris's chamber.

And she could leave a message behind whenever she wanted.

Averic slowly turns towards the guards surrounding them.

His expression reveals that he has come to the same conclusion she has.

The enemy is not simply outside the walls.

Someone has been opening the doors for her.

And Virelle has just proved that she can return whenever she chooses.