All Chapters of ELDER'S BLOOD : Chapter 81 - Chapter 88

Vanda's point of view It was close to midnight when the mate bond struck me unexpectedly. I was in my study, going over the quarterly pack reports, trying to keep my mind occupied under the new moon. Work was supposed to be a distraction from the irrational thoughts that always surfaced on nights like these—but I had no idea I was about to spiral.Her scent drifted through the territory, seeping into the pack house, demanding recognition. I went rigid, my body betraying me as the familiar illness that plagued me bi-weekly surged through me with full force. Before I could even process it, a guard arrived at the door, his urgency pulling me back to reality.I rose from my chair, setting aside my turmoil, and faced him. I didn’t allow interruptions at this hour unless the matter was serious.“We have a trespasser from the East," the guard reported. "Two border guards have her in custody—”“You know the protocol,” I cut in, my tone firm. “If there’s no immediate threat, I’ll handle it in

I wake up alone, just as I went to bed, and it’s clear that Vanda never came home last night. I lie in bed for a while, lost in thought about my body and the changes that are inevitably coming. Eventually, I push back the covers and head downstairs, finding Elizabeth already seated in the kitchen, sipping tea. Her tight-lipped smile as I join her makes me feel a little lighter."Any news since I left yesterday?" she asks, wrapping her hands around her mug.I take a seat across from her. "Unexpected news.""Unexpected? So Vanda didn’t mention anything about you being pregnant?""I'm pretty sure he hasn't noticed the shift in my scent yet. He seemed... distracted. It was like he was trying his hardest to keep his emotions in check, not to let his feelings about Alex slip. And then he started talking about this whole situation with Alpha Gold—it’s only adding to the chaos."Elizabeth frowns. "Alpha Gold?""Vanda thinks Alpha Gold wasn’t actually unable to come here because of Alexa being

By the time Vanda returns, I’ve already checked all the doors and turned off most of the downstairs lights, leaving only the staircase chandelier glowing softly. As I stand in the bathroom, scrutinizing my reflection, I try to imagine how my body will change over the coming months. So far, the changes are almost nonexistent—just a shift in my scent, something only Vanda and a few others have noticed. It doesn’t feel real yet. I crave tangible proof, something undeniable to remind me that a new life is growing inside me.The sound of footsteps on the stairs pulls me from my thoughts. I straighten just as Vanda appears in the open doorway, his expression unreadable, exhaustion dulling his sharp features. He loosens his tie, his movements slow and deliberate, scanning the room as if lost in thought."H-how was it with Charles?" I ask, hesitating, not wanting to push too hard."It was… alright," he finally says, though the stiffness in his shoulders suggests otherwise. "We couldn’t agree

Charles greetee us with a polite "Good morning, Luna, Alpha," as he moves to the chair across from mine.Sensing the tension thick in the air, I offer a reassuring smile and shift my chair slightly closer. "No one else is here yet. You don’t have to call me Luna.""Just getting into the habit," he says with a small smirk.The unease between him and Charles is unmistakable. Rather than longtime friends working through their differences, they seem more like distant acquaintances forced to tolerate each other. Vanda had mentioned last night that they had settled things—to some degree—but judging by their stiff interactions, it was purely a professional truce rather than the personal reconciliation I had hoped for."We were just at Rose’s," I say deliberately, keeping my voice light. "I’m officially pregnant."Charles’ rigid demeanor softens slightly. His gaze flicks toward Vanda, who meets his eyes with an unreadable expression."Congratulations," Charles finally says, turning to me. "T