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Breaking Ties
Last Updated:
2025-01-20 20:51:34
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ELDER'S BLOOD Letting Go.
Elena's point of view.Mom heads south towards the closest border. A man looks out of one of the houses along the path, and I gesture to him."Are you a guard?" I ask.The man steps onto his own porch attached to a substantial house. "I'm fourth rank under the Alpha, Luna.""Good. Follow her and let her past the border." I point after my mom. "You have my permission."The young man nods once and proceeds off of his property towards my mother, who's struggling to carry her bag. I whip around and see Serena standing on the guest house porch, watching. My heavy breaths start to slow. I swallow and go to her.The Moon Goddess pendant around her neck hits the sunlight. I wave for her to come down the steps. "Come on. There's something we have to do.""Elena... Are you okay?" she asks as she joins me."I should have never let her stay here. I'm sorry.""It's not your fault.""It is," I disagree. "I'm the Luna. I should have never allowed her to stay with you. She should have never made you
Last Updated : 2025-01-22ELDER'S BLOOD A Tangle of Heart and Heat.
Elena's point of view.As Vanda heads toward the staircase, he notices me and changes course, coming around the railing instead. Like every other day he returns from Kane, he looks utterly exhausted—it can’t be easy making that trip so frequently—but somehow, he still manages to flash a grin that instantly lightens my mood."I just thought I’d welcome you home," I say softly, my voice barely above a whisper.Vanda tilts my chin upward, his lips brushing mine in a kiss that sends a pleasant jolt through me. I wish it would last longer, but he pulls back, leaving me to slowly open my eyes.Taking a sharp breath, I grab his hand, suddenly unwilling to let him walk away just yet."Is everything alright?" he asks, his hand warm in mine as he lets me hold onto him.I glance down at his much larger hand, my fingers absentmindedly tracing along his. "Can I come with you to Kane tomorrow? You’re going back, right?""I am," he confirms, tilting his head slightly. "Why do you want to come?""I w
Last Updated : 2025-01-23ELDER'S BLOOD The path to Kane's territory
Elena's point of view.Vanda jerk his head back, stunned. "What?""You've touched me twice now," I accuse, my voice trembling. "Yet, you keep your distance—you won’t even undress. You said it’s difficult to control certain things without mating, but I can’t believe there isn’t something I can—""This is about you wanting to touch me?" Vanda interrupts, his tone sharp.Crossing my arms, I feign confidence while embarrassment heats my skin."Come here, then," he challenges, motioning for me. "Go ahead."Vanda slides his chair back, and my fingertips go cold. My eyes widen, my mouth opens to protest, but no words come out—just a rush of air that nearly chokes me.I realize, despite how Vanda is in bed, I have no idea how to please him.He lifts his shirt, revealing his toned, tattooed body, crisscrossed with scars, each telling its own story. My breath catches. I thought we’d talk about this, ease into it like he always insists. But this—this isn’t what I expected.Standing, his height i
Last Updated : 2025-01-24ELDER'S BLOOD Home InfiItration
Elena's point of View.We arrive at Kane in due time, but the guard accompanying us doesn’t shift when we do or turn to run back.Once Vanda and I are human and dressed, Vanda says, “He’ll stay with you, watch over your family’s house and wherever else you go.”“Should I meet you at a certain time?” I ask.“I’ll find you. I like to leave before sunset.”That’ll give me plenty of time to do whatever it is I feel I have to do here. My shifted guard comes to my side and waits for my command, so I say my temporary goodbye to my mate and head south toward my family’s house. The guard stays a few paces behind me—a silent shadow—until we come upon the plain, two-story building I used to call home. The guard stays outside and monitors the perimeter like the wolves who guard the VuK pack house.Everything goes seamlessly until I turn the door handle, and it doesn’t budge. I stare at it; of course, it’s locked, but I no longer have a key. I haven’t had one since I fled the night of my sister’s
Last Updated : 2025-01-25ELDER'S BLOOD Mistrust and Broken Bonds.
Elena's point of view.The conversation between Vanda and me had taken a sharp turn, morphing from gentle murmurs to something defensive and accusatory—much more than I had intended. Yet, I couldn’t dismiss my emotions or ignore the pain constricting the bond we shared. It felt like an invisible force was trying to suffocate it.I had wanted to believe the unfolding events were merely coincidental—that Vanda had sent me to visit my family for my own good. But my need for answers betrayed my doubts.Vanda rose from the bed, his expression unreadable. “This doesn’t change anything between us.”My fingers traced the fabric of my bedsheets as I avoided his gaze, but Vanda wouldn’t let me hide. He grabbed my chin, gently but firmly, ensuring I faced him. His grip wasn’t painful, yet I wished it came with the reassurance I desperately needed.But no such truth followed. My hope dwindled with his silence.Frustration bubbled to the surface, my voice trembling with emotion. “You’ve already us
Last Updated : 2025-01-27ELDER'S BLOOD Back to Being lover Birds.
Elena's point of view.When I look up, Vanda is inspecting my injury with concern. "We need to get to the healer woman," he says, gently touching the small of my back to guide me forward."Wait." I turn to face him. "You said the secret was for my safety—for my benefit, which is technically true. But why did you think I’d risk it?""I had to say it was for your benefit.""Why?""I couldn’t tell you to tell the truth and risk their reaction. If you thought I’d knowingly put you in danger, you’d never come back.""If you thought I might disobey your orders, I shouldn’t have stepped onto Kane territory at all. I didn’t realize how bad things were between you, Alpha VuK and Kane."He hesitates, not out of indecision, but as though choosing his words carefully. Finally, he says, "What I did was wrong. But if they hadn’t let you leave, I thought your family might comfort you until I got there. I never wanted you to feel afraid."A sinking feeling twists my stomach. "Oh.""Truthfully, Elena
Last Updated : 2025-01-28ELDER'S BLOOD Weight of Loss, Burden of Decisions.
Elena's point of view.Rose returned to me and Vanda, stirring a salve that I was certain would smell awful. But when she brought it over and I took a cautious sniff, I was pleasantly surprised—it smelled of chamomile with a touch of jasmine.I stayed curled up in Vanda's lap as Rose gently applied the mixture to my injured wrist."Apply the ointment three times a day—morning, midday, and before bed," Rose instructed, handing me a roll of stretchy bandage material. "Wrap it like I showed you and wear this over it." She handed me a sturdy leather brace.I gathered the supplies in my lap as she secured the brace around my wrist."If you stick to this routine and keep it immobilized—no shifting—you should be fine in about a week," she said. "Come back if it still hurts after seven days, alright?"Vanda helped me stand even though my legs were fine. "She will," he assured Rose.The sky had darkened by the time we left. Vanda held the door open for me, steadied me as I descended the front
Last Updated : 2025-01-28ELDER'S BLOOD Unspoken Understanding.
Elena's point of view.Dinner is served an hour later than usual, but Vanda doesn’t seem to notice. He’s occupied in the study with Charles and Alex, and after they leave, he heads upstairs.He joins me at the table just as Ben brings out our meals. A round steak is placed in front of me, and I instinctively grab my knife—only to pause and stare at my fork. My stomach rumbles, but I can’t use my left hand.Ben immediately realizes the issue. “Goddess, I’m sorry, Elena. That was careless of me. Let me cut that for you.”Before he can, Vanda reaches for my plate. “I got it.”Ben bashfully leaves the dining room as Vanda sets my plate in front of him, momentarily pushing his own dinner aside to cut my steak into bite-sized pieces.“We’re going somewhere tomorrow,” he tells me, though I had already overheard part of the discussion while he was with Charles and Alex.“Where?” I ask, feeling slightly better.“We’re visiting Alpha Gold for two nights. If we don’t go now, we won’t have anothe
Last Updated : 2025-01-29
Latest chapter
ELDER'S BLOOD A Family within a Family
Elena's point of view.The next morning, I receive a message from Alexa about our plans for the day. Vanda informs me that he’ll be spending time with Alpha Gold until it’s time to go to the beach, so Serena and I head to the pack house for an early lunch with Alexa, Corinne, and the former Luna, Olivia Gold, on a stone patio in the garden.The patio is shaded by tall trees and decorated with beautifully arranged flower beds. When we arrive, the pack house workers are already setting out platters of finger sandwiches, cookies, and neatly cut fruit for us.Alpha Gold’s mother carries the same elegance as Corinne but is more reserved and introverted. She greets us politely, introducing herself as Olivia Gold. When Alexa joins us after overseeing the food preparations, Olivia quickly asks how she’s feeling in the early stages of her pregnancy.Corinne then turns to Serena. “Are you mated, dear?”I watch my sister, wondering how she will respond.“I was twice.”“Twice?” Corinne echoes, cl
ELDER'S BLOOD Mating with my Mate.
Elena's point of view.I press a hand to my chest, nervous that I might do something wrong.Vanda unbuttons his pants, pushing them down, making his arousal even more evident. My heartbeat quickens as anticipation fills me. Lying back against the bed, I raise my hips to remove my underwear, but Vanda takes over, sliding the delicate fabric over my knees, down my legs, and off my feet."You're quite eager," he murmurs, pulling me toward the edge of the mattress. He parts my legs and presses against me, the last barrier between us being his underwear.As the realization of the moment washes over me, a strange calmness settles within me."I keep having this dream—a recurring one—where we're like this, but you're about to..." I hesitate, searching for the right words. Elizabeth had used a more clinical term, but it felt too formal. "You're about to be inside me," I decide.Vanda hovers above me, bracing himself on either side. "And then what happens?""Then I wake up," I admit softly, my
ELDER'S BLOOD Whispers to Devotion
Elena's point of view.Alpha Gold grins, likely already aware of his mate’s condition, but Corinne gasps in surprise. "You’re pregnant?" she asks, the shock still evident on her face. "For how long?""The wise woman believes I’m about three weeks along, so I must have already been pregnant when I visited Vanda and Elena without realizing it. She mentioned that my scent hasn’t changed as much as expected, but there’s nothing to worry about."I glance at Alexa’s empty spot where a wine glass should be, recalling how much she drank while visiting us. Then, I focus on my own drink. Maybe when Vanda and I start trying for a child, I should avoid alcohol altogether."Wonderful, absolutely wonderful. I thought you refused to taste my special bottle out of spite, but no, my dear little Alexandra is expecting a child," Corinne exclaims, her voice rising with excitement."Bryan and I are thrilled, and his mother is, too," Alexa says, squeezing her mate’s hand affectionately."The previous Luna
ELDER'S BLOOD Tangled Dinner Table.
Elena's point of view."I know what I'm talking about. You won't get anywhere if you're not respectful towards your mate." Vanda's mother says."I'm... respectful," Vanda replies."Are you? And does your mate feel respected? I know how you can be, Vanda. You can't just go silent on her—she's going to need constant communication and reassurance. All this war business must be taking a toll on her, you know. You may be the one fighting out there, but it's not easy being home, worrying—believe me. She needs to feel safe."I press myself against the hallway wall, trying to be as still as possible. I can feel every small movement—the twitch of a finger, the ache in my back, my heels hovering just slightly off the floor."She is safe," Vanda says."No, I know she may be safe, but does she feel safe?"I swallow hard. The rational part of me says I should leave, give Vanda and his mother their privacy. But I can’t tear myself away."I have everything under control. Nothing is going to happen t
ELDER'S BLOOD Meeting Vanda's Family.
Elena's point of view.As we walk inside, I turn to Vanda. “Do you get along with him?”Vanda lifts our bags effortlessly. “As much as you can expect me to.” He leads me toward the back of the house where the bedrooms are. “My mother, Corinne, will be at the pack house tonight for dinner.”“Well, I should clean up. We only have a few hours before dinner, and it’s going to take me longer with one hand.”“I’m more than willing to help,” Vanda says, setting our bags on the floor of the master bedroom.“You know how to style women’s hair?” I tease.“I think I’d be more useful with the showering and dressing part.”I stifle a laugh and dig through my bag. “I think you’d be more of an obstacle.”Vanda steps closer, sliding a hand around my waist, his fingers lightly grazing the top of my backside. “I think you’re right. I’ll lie down then.”I raise a brow. “Lie down? I never thought I’d see you nap.”“It only happens on rare occasions.” His hand drifts away as he sits on the large bed. “I d
ELDER'S BLOOD Journey to Gold's Territory.
Elena's point of view.As I have only seconds to suppress the surge of anger that rises at the thought of replacing Vanda, I force a pleasant expression onto my face—something surprised yet joyful."Kevin? Really?" I ask, feigning breathlessness.Kevin—a brown-skinned man with buzzed hair and a few visible tattoos—flashes a broad smile. "Finally, I can put a face to the name. Elizabeth talks about you all the time, Luna.""Oh, please, it’s Elena. I can’t imagine Elizabeth’s mate calling me anything else—she’s incredible, I don’t know what I’d do without her; she’s brilliant.""Is she? Even after the wolfsbane incident?" Kevin chuckles nervously. "I was pretty horrified when she told me what happened, and I think she scared herself straight—no more experimenting with strange potions from old books.""Well, we’ll see," I tease. "I’m always willing to entertain her ideas.""I’m just glad you two get along so well. She says you’re like a younger sister to her.""Speaking of sisters," I sa
ELDER'S BLOOD Shadows of the past.
As Vanda's lips curve into a smile, he shakes his head, unfolds his arms, and heads into the closet."It's not funny, Vanda. My heat. What about my heat?""I'll take care of it," he calls from within the closet.I push off the covers that somehow ended up over me. "I don’t want to go into heat in front of your family. Goddess above," I mutter."If it happens, it happens. It’s only natural—every mated woman goes into heat—and they know you can’t control it."I cover my face with my hands and collapse onto my side.His footsteps approach as he exits the closet. "Elena.""It’s embarrassing," I murmur into my palms, not even caring about the pain at this point. "You don’t understand."The bed shifts as he sits beside me. "I’m sorry, but I’m not going to wake you from a dead sleep to mate with you for the first time.""I shouldn’t have fallen asleep," I say, uncovering my face. "It’s my fault.""It’s no one’s fault, and if you go into heat while we’re there, I’ll do whatever I can to make
ELDER'S BLOOD Moon bond Desires
Elena's point of view.I can’t help but wonder if Serena’s struggle is at least partially due to the distance between her and Ben, not just because of Mark’s death. I know how the bond can be when mates avoid one another; it would make sense if Serena is having a harder time healing when she’s suffering from two wounds and only attempting to treat one.When Ben finishes for the night, I walk him to the front door, give him a hurried yet tight hug, and shut the door behind him. Charles arrived sometime during our clean-up—I can hear his and Vanda’s voices like a soft hum through the walls.I yawn against the back of my hand and trek upstairs to change clothes.I think Vanda’s plan to visit the Kane pack is a great idea—especially since a war with Alpha Walter means sticking to Alpha VuK’s land—but I wonder if she’s forgotten about my heat issue. If my tracking is accurate, it’s due to happen as soon as tomorrow, and the thought of going into heat in front of her family is extremely mor
ELDER'S BLOOD Unspoken Understanding.
Elena's point of view.Dinner is served an hour later than usual, but Vanda doesn’t seem to notice. He’s occupied in the study with Charles and Alex, and after they leave, he heads upstairs.He joins me at the table just as Ben brings out our meals. A round steak is placed in front of me, and I instinctively grab my knife—only to pause and stare at my fork. My stomach rumbles, but I can’t use my left hand.Ben immediately realizes the issue. “Goddess, I’m sorry, Elena. That was careless of me. Let me cut that for you.”Before he can, Vanda reaches for my plate. “I got it.”Ben bashfully leaves the dining room as Vanda sets my plate in front of him, momentarily pushing his own dinner aside to cut my steak into bite-sized pieces.“We’re going somewhere tomorrow,” he tells me, though I had already overheard part of the discussion while he was with Charles and Alex.“Where?” I ask, feeling slightly better.“We’re visiting Alpha Gold for two nights. If we don’t go now, we won’t have anothe
