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Just A pawn.
Last Updated:
2025-01-12 23:47:01
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ELDER'S BLOOD Beneath Her Mask.
Elena's point of view.Vanda’s grip on my hips is unyielding as he drags me to the edge of the mattress. He stands tall between my legs, as bare as he was when stepping out of the shower. I reach for him, wanting to close the distance between us, and he leans forward, hovering close enough for our lips to almost touch. But before we connect, I feel him elsewhere, and my stomach tenses in anticipation. He’s going to—My eyes snap open, and I find my face pressed deep into the pillow. Lifting my head and shoulders, I prop myself up on one elbow. Vanda’s side of the bed is empty, and the sunlight filters through the shutters in thin rays. Reality sets in—he’s gone to see to Kane's territory for the day.The dream lingers in my mind, fading with each second, leaving me frustrated. Why couldn’t I stay asleep a little longer? In reality, things between Vanda and me are strained, and the idea of mating feels like a distant dream. But in my sleep, at least, I can hold onto my fantasies—they’r
Last Updated : 2025-01-13ELDER'S BLOOD Painful Grieving.
Elena's point of view.Half an hour before sunset, people enter the pack house, and the unforgettable scent of my sister sends me hurtling to the foyer. Serena is there, stepping out of her shoes meekly next to my mate. The sense of gratitude and relief that overcomes me is so powerful I stop in my tracks—my eyes become wet and my chest vibrates—and then I see my mother.All of my excitement snuffs.The two women maneuver awkwardly around Vanda, but Serena catches sight of me in the hallway ahead, and she seems to forget he's there.Serena looks dehydrated, exhausted, and puffy-eyed, but her lips flitch a sort of smile as she comes to me. She brings her arms weakly around me and rests her head on my shoulder. My tear ducts become so full just a single blink will do me in. I hug her back."Hey," I coo.Serena's body shudders, pushing a quiet sob out of her throat. Mom watches Serena with a straight face, bothered by Vanda's presence as she side-eyes him, her arms crossed."Let's sit do
Last Updated : 2025-01-14ELDER'S BLOOD Family Reunion
Elena's point of view.I yearn to say that only Serena was wanted here and all of this was supposed to be for her, but I press my lips together and will my outburst back down my throat. "If anything runs out, we can always get more," I say hospitably.Mom gives no sign of approval. She beckons Serena to open the door, and Serena promptly obliges, holding it for her as she steps out. Elizabeth and I pass through next with our arms full, and once everyone has cleared, Serena shuts the door. Her mouth opens, but she's suddenly distracted by a wolf rounding the corner from behind the house."They're just guarding," I attest.She gives a look that she's relaxed, but her body remains stiff. "Oh, okay."We start along the path with Elizabeth and I in the lead. Serena walks beside Mom, but she speeds up and joins me at my side."I can carry some of that," she offers.I hand her the basket of produce from the gardens. "Thanks.""Elizabeth?" Serena extends her offer.Elizabeth peers over, not e
Last Updated : 2025-01-15ELDER'S BLOOD Second Changes
Elena's point of view.At exactly ten o'clock, I leave Elizabeth at the packhouse and retrace the path we took yesterday to my mom and Serena's guest house. The weather, still on its downward spiral, is cooler and darker now that summer is officially behind us. Heavy clouds drift lazily overhead, and even in their breaks, no sunlight shines through. The horizon holds no promise of brighter skies; if anything, it looks like rain will come before the hour is out.The sky isn’t the only gray thing about this morning. I woke up frustrated in my empty bed, the same recurring dream pulling me out of sleep. Unsurprisingly, Vanda never came home, and his scent is fading from our room again.But my frustration with that dream pales in comparison to the growing distance between me and my mate. It’s a rift I’ve feared for some time now, ever since our last quiet spell. I know my reaction to Vanda's decisions about the war is fueling this divide, but I can't just shift my perspective on violence
Last Updated : 2025-01-16ELDER'S BLOOD Mourning and Mating.
Elena's point of view."You're his mate?"Ben nods, void of his usual cheerful aura.I unconsciously step back and place my hands on my hips. "I'm supposed to say things to you, but I—I didn't think it'd be you. I'm supposed to be talking to some random person.""Is she inside? What is she doing?" Ben asks, understandably unconcerned with my dilemma. He looks past me and through the open front door."I'm trying to calm Serena down. I told her I would wait out here for her mate so I could tell them..." I gather myself, forcing my enclosing thoughts away. "Ben, she just lost her mate Mark two days ago. Being mated again so suddenly is really freaking her out—she doesn't know what to do.""Her mate died?" Ben pulls back, this time having heard me. "I—I forgot you said she's mated—was mated—and I didn't... These circumstances...""It's a delicate situation.""He... two days ago?"I nod. "She needs time."Ben laughs somewhat nervously. "What is the Goddess thinking anymore? She can't be. W
Last Updated : 2025-01-17ELDER'S BLOOD Mate Bond Conflict.
Elena's point of view.I knew we needed to have this conversation, but the tension between us made it hard to start. Thankfully, Vanda broke the silence."I wanted to talk last night, but something came up at Kane's," he began. "You saw my note?"I nodded."I didn't have much of a choice. I'm sorry.""It's fine. Now works. Can we go upstairs?" I asked, glancing around the foyer and hallway. "There are things I need to talk about too.""The situation with Alpha Walter and the attack?" he guessed."That, and more."Vanda hesitated but agreed, and we headed upstairs. My steps were faster than usual—I was eager to hear him out but anxious about what I had to say. The uneasy thought of rejection, which had been lurking since my talk with Elizabeth yesterday, weighed heavily on me.When we reached the bedroom, Vanda spoke first. "I know you're upset with me.""I'm conflicted," I admitted, determined to sound steady despite what was coming. "But I’m your mate.""You are," he said."And becau
Last Updated : 2025-01-18ELDER'S BLOOD Fingers and Tongue.
Elena's point of view.I stop dead. "Huh?"I look in the mirror as though 'entering heat' is written on my forehead, but other than the warmth about me, it isn’t obvious. After going into heat not even a week ago, the last thing I expected was for heat to rear its head so soon."My scent is changing?" I ask."Yes," Vanda says, remaining calm.I hold the counter and stare into the sink. A faint tingling sensation rolls around my lower abdomen, destined to grow. "I've been delaying it too much," I say. "I think that's why it's coming sooner and sooner.""You know what I'm going to say.""Mmhm," I hum, still paying great attention to my body. The tingling morphs into a heavier feeling."Is it bothering you already?" he asks.I draw my hips backward, still holding onto the counter. "It doesn’t hurt, but if the last time I went into heat is any indication..." My thought withers as the heaviness pinpoints into a cramp. I grit my teeth, irked.I want to play it off like heat doesn’t affect m
Last Updated : 2025-01-19ELDER'S BLOOD Breaking Ties
Elena's point of view.I sit on the living room couch in Charles and Emma's house, surrounded by toys and baby gear scattered across every surface. The couch feels uneven behind me, and after shifting repeatedly, I reach back to find the source—a baby doll with its head twisted awkwardly. Its eyes, designed to close when lying flat, have one stubbornly stuck open. Gently, I fix the eyelid and straighten its head before placing it beside me."I wish the girls were here to meet you," Emma says, stepping into the room from a hallway. She’s cradling a bundle of blue fabric, and when she sits beside me, I see a tiny boy’s face nestled within it. "My mom took them to some luncheon so I could focus on him, but she loves showing the girls off and spoiling them. She's always been a big help."Leaning closer, I gaze at baby Silas. "He’s so little,” I murmur. “You must be over the moon—he’s perfect.”"Here, hold him," Emma says, handing Silas to me without hesitation. I quickly adjust my posture
Last Updated : 2025-01-20
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
