My Second Chance Mate is a Barbarian (Sera and Fenris) novel Chapter 501

Kane

I set the breakfast tray down on the nightstand. The cook had whipped up Elara's favorite, blueberry pancakes and a side of crispy bacon. Sunlight streamed through the window, gleaming off the polished silverware.

"Hey, sweetheart," I said, forcing a cheerful note into my voice. "Figured I'd bring you breakfast myself for a change of pace." I glanced at the weather app on my phone. "Looks like we've got a real scorcher coming our way. Going to be pushing triple digits by this afternoon."

Elara sat in her usual perch by the window, staring out at the garden beyond the glass. She gave a small nod, her voice barely above a whisper. "Okay."

Okay. Fuck.

I perched on the edge of the bed beside her, keeping my movements slow and careful. Elara was spookier than a wild animal lately, jumping at the smallest noises or flinching away from my touch.

"Did you sleep at all last night?"

"Little."

The pack had been asking after her for days now, but I'd blown them off. Needed to get my own house in order first.

"Listen, I know this has been a rough week, but the pack is starting to worry. They haven't seen their Luna in days and they need to know you're alright."

She didn't respond, so I put my hand on her shoulder. She tensed immediately and I felt her flinch away from my touch. I took my hand back, gritting my teeth as irritation prickled under my skin. I forced myself to keep my voice soft.

"Elara, I get it. You're grieving. We both are. But you can't just hide yourself away in here forever."

"I'm tired, Kane."

"I know you are. But come on, just for an hour tonight. Show your face down at dinner, let everyone see you're okay."

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