Chapter 4
Elara's POV
"Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?" my mother laughed softly.
"Caius is Ulric's son?" I asked in complete shock. "I didn't know he had a child."
Mother nodded. "I believe Caius was never close with his father. From what I understand, he lived with his mother in another pack. When his father passed away, he returned to Thalassian Reach. He was Ulric's only living relative, after all."
"If I had known he was Ulric's son, I wouldn't have invited him. I'm sorry..."
"Sorry? Why would you be sorry? I'm glad you invited him. Your father will be pleased. He quite likes Caius. Says he has a level head on his shoulders. He's nothing like his father, that's for certain."
"So, we trust him?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Elara dear, we can't blame Caius for the things his father did. You should know that better than anyone." Mother gave me a warm smile, studying my worried face. She placed her hands on my shoulders, making me meet her gaze. "I promise, if there was anything you needed to worry about, I would tell you. But there isn't. Caius is no rogue. Those days are behind us."
I nodded, trusting her judgment. My mother had always been honest with me.
"So, when were you planning to tell me about Jaxon?" she asked as we were leaving my apartment.
I stopped in my tracks and turned to her. "How did you know about that?"
Mother raised one elegant eyebrow. "I'm your mother. You can't hide things from me."
I couldn't help but laugh; she always knew when something was happening.
"Does Dad know?" I asked.
"Would you prefer he didn't?"
"I just don't want things to be awkward with the Alpha Council," I explained. "Since Jaxon's father is a member..."
"Your father is very professional. He wouldn't let something like that interfere with his work," my mother answered. "But if you don't want me to say anything, I won't. I take it we won't be seeing Jaxon tonight."
I shook my head, grateful for her understanding.
The packhouse was already bustling with activity when we arrived. Elegant decorations adorned every corner, and soft music played in the background. I smoothed down my pink dress, nervously checking my appearance.
"Oh, Goddess, Elara!" Margaret exclaimed, twirling me around. "You look gorgeous! How does it feel? Feel like eighteen yet?"
I sighed, shaking my head. "I feel the same as before. I was hoping I'd get my wolf today..."
"You still might," Margaret reassured me with a bright smile. "The day is young. Either way, you will get your wolf, and when you do, it will be glorious!"
Margaret had gotten her wolf a few months ago and had been talking about it ever since. She described it as having a true friend who knew you inside and out.
She paused when she saw my expression and added, "No offense. It's just different... you know."
"I know," I replied softly.
Deep down, what I truly wanted was what my parents had—true love. Someone who would make me feel less alone, even without my wolf.
As the party progressed, my mother brought out an enormous red velvet chocolate cake—my favorite flavor. Tears welled in my eyes as everyone sang the birthday song. For a brief moment, I forgot about Jaxon's betrayal and my wasted first kiss.
Then I felt it—a strong scent of cotton candy. Looking up, I saw him standing at the packhouse entrance. Caius wore a dark button-up suit with dress pants. His hair was still somewhat disheveled, but this time not damp with sweat.
Several Alphas, including my father, greeted him warmly. My mother immediately stood beside me.
"Caius looks quite handsome tonight," she remarked.
"Yes, he does," I admitted. "I really didn't think he would show up."
"You're Alpha Alaric's daughter; of course he would appear when invited. Nearly every Alpha is here."
My mind flashed back to our kiss days ago, my cheeks warming at the memory. But then I remembered he was Ulric's son. Did he know what had happened between his father and my parents? Did he know I was a Volana wolf?
Caius scanned the room, seemingly searching for something. When his eyes landed on me, they darkened slightly. I offered him a polite smile, but his expression remained impassive as he eventually looked away.
I felt a flicker of annoyance. It was my birthday, after all. The least he could do was come say hello.
"Happy birthday, kid," Beta Lucas said, giving me a quick hug.
"Thank you," I replied with a bright smile.
"How did you get Alpha Caius to come?" he asked, following my gaze toward Caius, who was still ignoring me. "That guy hates parties."
"How can anyone hate parties?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"He's always been strange like that. Since he was a child. Always had one focus, and that was reaching the top. Honestly, I admire his ambition, but it would be nice to see him smile once in a while."
"He doesn't smile?"
"I don't think I've ever seen him smile," Beta Lucas answered.
I recalled the ghost of a smile I thought I'd seen when I stood up to Isolde in class, but perhaps I had imagined it.
When I looked toward Caius again, I found his eyes fixed directly on me.
Third Person POV
"She completely humiliated me in class," Isolde whined to her new plaything, Jaxon.
She didn't consider Jaxon her boyfriend; she had only wanted to see if she could take him from Elara. She had succeeded.
Ever since Elara started at the academy, all attention had been on her. Isolde had once been the best student—now it was Elara. Isolde had once been the center of attention—now everyone talked about Elara.
She didn't care if Elara was Alpha Alaric's daughter; in Isolde's eyes, Elara without a wolf was a nobody, less than an Omega.
"You should have heard what she said to me, Jaxon," Isolde continued complaining. "She even said you weren't man enough to handle her."
"That's rich coming from someone who wouldn't put out," Jaxon rolled his eyes. "Forget about her. Who needs her."
"You're right..." Isolde agreed, "but that doesn't mean I'm going to let this go."
"What's that supposed to mean? What are you planning to do?"
"I overheard her talking to Professor Caius after class today. She invited him to her birthday party."
"So?" Jaxon prompted.
"I think it's time we crashed a party..."