All Chapters of ELDER'S BLOOD : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

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

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

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

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

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