جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 70

Liena’s POV I got a message from Kael’s mother early that morning. Luna Elena’s words were short and clear. She and Alpha Marcus were back in town. She needed me to bring Kael to the house. I read the text twice, then set my phone down. A small smile pulled at my lips, I’ve missed her so much. Kael sat on the couch in the living room of the apartment we shared in grandfather’s house, staring at his laptop. He had barely spoken all morning. His face stayed blank, the same cold look he had worn for weeks. I walked over and spoke coldly. “We should go shopping today,” I said. “I need a few things, and you could should drive me there.” He did not look up. “I have work.” “It will not take long,” I answered. “Come with me.” He closed the laptop without a word and stood. That was how it always was with him now. He did not argue. He did not smile. He simply followed. I drove. Kael sat in the passenger seat, eyes fixed on the road ahead. When I turned off the main street and headed to

Liena’s POV Just then, thunder rumbled low and suddenly across the sky. Outside, the rain had started falling hard, sheets of water slamming against the glass. I stepped closer and looked out. There she was. Helena stood on the wet road that led up to the front steps. She looked pale under the downpour. Her hair clung to her face and neck. The simple dress she wore are already soaking through and stuck to her body. She did not move. She just stood there with her arms wrapped around herself, staring at the closed door as if she still hoped someone would open it. My stomach twisted with pity. I kept my face soft and worried. “She’s still out there,” I said quietly. Alpha Marcus and Luna Elena stood near the fireplace. Kael remained a few feet away from the window. He had not moved since Helena first appeared at the door earlier. He had not spoken more than a handful of words. His hands were tied obviously that he could not help her now even if he wanted to I turned to them.

Helena’s POV The next day they sent me from the house back to the hospital. I woke before the sun fully rose. Rain still tapped against the windows of the guest room where I had slept alone. My wolf stirred restless inside me, sensing the shift of tension before I even opened my eyes. Elena’s voice came through the door, cool and steady, telling me the car was ready downstairs. Marcus waited in the hallway with his arms crossed over his chest. Neither of them looked at my stomach to pity me, I’d just undergone an operation and still healing. They only said the hospital bed was waiting and that a few days of rest there would be better than staying under their roof right now. I did not argue. There was no point. I packed the small bag they handed me. A change of clothes. The thin sweater I had worn the night before. Nothing more. My mate bond with Kael felt like a cold chain around my ribs, heavy and uncontrollably in pain. I climbed into the back seat of the waiting car without

Liena’s POV Later that day I drove to the hospital and I paid the remaining balance on Helena’s bill at the front desk, signed the papers, and walked the quiet hallway to her room. She sat propped against the pillows, pale but awake. Ethan played with a plastic truck on the floor near the bed. When she saw me her eyes lit with hope. “Liena. You came.” I closed the door behind me and set my purse on the chair. “I paid the bill. You’re cleared to leave.” Her smile wavered. “Thank you. Karl is here…” “Kael isn’t here.” I kept my voice even. “I found you a job.” She blinked, her mood changed. She had expected him to be the one to come for her but unfortunately, her darling man was not here. He is too broke to afford her bills. “Live-in caregiver. An older couple outside the city. Their mother had a stroke. Ninety years old, can’t walk, can’t speak clear. You’ll sleep in a small back room, get meals, and look after her. Pay’s low, but it’s steady. You start as soon as you walk out

Liena’s POV I had spent several quiet days at my grandfather’s house. Little Ethan ran through the halls with his small energy, laughing and asking the maids different questions on the beautiful portraits on the wall and they always answered him. He seemed comfortable and not even missing Helena. Grandfather watched him with soft eyes and told me more than once that the boy was strong and he liked Ethan. Then I knew it was time for me to leave. Staying longer would only make the goodbyes harder. That morning I knelt beside Ethan on the front porch. I kissed the top of his soft hair and held his small face in my hands. “I’ll check on you later, okay? You stay with Grandfather and be good.” He nodded, eyes wide and trusting. “Okay, Mama Liena.” Grandfather stood behind him, leaning on his cane. He placed a steady hand on my shoulder. “Take care of yourself, girl. The road can be rough. Call if you need anything.” I nodded, gave him a quick hug, and walked to my car. Etha