Chapter 8 Complex Duties

Kane

I kept my face carefully neutral as Ryan and I made our way through the east wing, checking on each Luna candidate. This was standard procedure—ensuring each woman was settled and addressing any concerns. But as we approached the final door, my heart betrayed me, picking up pace against my will.

Elena Williams. The only woman who had ever walked away from me.

Three years since our breakup, and the wound still felt fresh. I'd spent those years building a wall around that particular memory, focusing instead on my responsibilities to the Silver Moon Pack. Now she was here, in my home, with a child. Her child with another man.

I raised my hand to knock, then paused as my eyes caught the black wolf-claw armband encircling my right wrist—the one Elena had crafted for me years ago to protect my old battle wound. The intricate protection runes she'd sewn into the fabric had faded slightly, but still held their form. Every morning for three years, I'd told myself to remove it, to pack it away with other memories of her. Yet every morning, I'd left it in place.

"Not tonight," I muttered under my breath.

With a quick movement, I unclasped the armband and slipped it into my pocket. My wrist felt strangely naked without it, the old scar from the border conflict more visible now. I flexed my fingers, feeling the familiar twinge of pain that never quite went away, before knocking on her door.

I waited, but there was no response. Frowning, I knocked again, harder this time.

Still nothing.

My brow furrowed. Every other candidate had been quick to answer, eager to make a good impression. Was she deliberately ignoring me? The thought rankled.

"Perhaps she's resting," Ryan suggested, ever the diplomatic one.

I shook my head. "I can hear movement inside."

Indeed, my enhanced wolf hearing picked up hushed voices. One was definitely Elena's, but the other...

A cold realization washed over me. That was my brother's voice.

Without further hesitation, I turned the handle and pushed the door open.

The scene before me stopped me cold. Elena stood near the center of the room, her hand gripping Julian's arm as if she had been trying to pull him somewhere. My brother wore that infuriating smirk I knew all too well—the one that appeared whenever he was causing trouble.

"Good luck in the Luna Selection," he said to Elena, loud enough for me to hear clearly, before turning toward the door. "Ah, brother. Perfect timing."

"Heir Kane," she said first.

I frowned at the formality. Once, my name had rolled off her tongue like a caress. This cold, proper address stung more than it should have. I gestured to the man beside me.

"This is Ryan, my Beta."

I watched as she gave a small bow of acknowledgment. "Nice to meet you, Ryan."

Ryan's surprise was evident. Most candidates treated staff with casual indifference at best. My gaze shifted to her half-empty suitcase on the bed. No sign of the servants assigned to her.

"You unpacked your own bags?" My voice dropped lower. "Where are the maids assigned to you?"

Her explanation about Regina telling her the maids had other duties first immediately set off alarms in my head. This was deliberate. I caught Ryan's eye and gave him a subtle nod. He understood immediately, excusing himself to investigate.

Once alone with Elena, the room felt suddenly smaller. Too intimate. Too familiar, despite being nothing like the spaces we'd once shared. Her child's makeshift fort in the corner caught my attention—a simple bedsheet draped over a chair. Something about the humble little structure tugged at something inside me.

"If there's anything else you need..." I started toward the door, needing to escape.

"Wait," she called.

I turned, following her gaze to small legs poking out from beneath the comforter. Something strange stirred in my chest as I looked at Elva. She had Elena's features, yes, but something else I couldn't quite place.

Elena approached, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Elva has some health issues. She's been suffering from recurring Silver Moon Pneumonia..."

My attention sharpened instantly. Silver Moon Pneumonia wasn't just any illness—it was specific to wolf children, especially those with strong bloodlines. Which meant Elena's child was at least part wolf, confirming what I already suspected—she'd moved on quickly after leaving me, finding comfort with another wolf.

The knowledge burned, but I pushed the feeling aside. Whatever my complicated feelings toward Elena, the child was innocent.

"She needs a doctor—" Elena began, tension evident in her voice.

"She'll have one," I replied without hesitation. My duty as future Alpha was clear—all pack children deserved care, regardless of circumstances.

The relief on Elena's face was palpable, and despite everything, I was glad to have put it there. I nodded once and left, needing space to process these confusing emotions.

Later that evening, after Ryan's report confirmed my suspicions about Regina's behavior, I summoned her to a service room in the east wing.

"Regina, I understand Elena Williams hasn't received proper service," I stated bluntly.

Regina straightened, disapproval flashing in her eyes. "Heir Kane, if I may speak freely. That... woman, with a child—it goes against Luna Selection rules."

I felt my inner wolf stir restlessly at the challenge in her tone. "The Moonlight Bloodline chose her. We have no right to interfere."

"This is outrageous!" Regina's voice rose sharply. "You can't expect me to cater to a woman of such loose morals! Now we're allowing illegitimate children, born in sin, to run around the estate?"

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath to control my rising anger. "Regina..." My voice carried the weight of my exhaustion.

"For thirty years, I've served the Silver Moon family. Thirty years of loyal service to a family that upheld the purest virtues. That reputation cannot now be stained. You must expel that woman from the estate."

Something protective flared within me. Though Elena and I had our complicated past, Regina's prejudiced words bothered me deeply. Still, I recognized that Regina represented the views of many traditionalists in our pack.

"Alpha has made his decision," I responded coolly, choosing to invoke family authority rather than personal feelings.

Seeing Regina's continued displeasure, I added, "The child is innocent and will be cared for. Ensure this happens, Regina."

"This is absurd," she muttered.

"Your opinion is noted," I said firmly. "Now do it."

Regina left without saying anything more.

Just as I was about to glance down and refocus on the task at hand, the door burst open, revealing a figure in the doorway.

"Elena?" Her name rang out, jolting me to lift my head abruptly. There she stood, visibly flustered and taken aback by the unexpected encounter.