Traces of Elijah: Legacy of the Queen

Chapter 28

As we arrive back home, Elia is on the front porch, waiting for me as she leans up against one of the beams. I practically jump out of the car to run to her. As soon as I reach her, she pulls me into her arms for a hug and to plant a few kisses on my face.

"Hi baby." I say with a big smile.

"Hi sweetheart. I missed your pretty face." Elia tells me, Dawson slowly making his way up to us.

"I missed you too. Let's go inside yeah?"

"We go inside and I won't be able to keep my hands off of you."

"What if I want that~?" I blink up at her a few times.

"Straight to it, huh?"

"You've deprived me for days. I crave every bit of you, naturally."

"Naturally," she repeats, smiling down at me. "Come, tell me all about your time away from me." She kisses my head before we walk inside. We head to my bedroom, well I guess it's sort of our bedroom now. We sit down and I tell her all about the last few days and the highlight of today, connecting with my bio dad as he remains in limbo. I leave out the part about our possible child. I don't want her coddling me as alpha's do when their mate is pregnant, especially so early on. I sit with her on the bed, our arms and legs draped over one another.
"You're worried about something. Talk to me." Suddenly my mate says. I'm a little taken aback by her statement. I can't get away with any thoughts.

Should I tell her?

It's not as if she hasn't already thought about it herself. I'm sure if you ask her to tone it down because of a few reasons you already know, she'll understand. I consult with my wolf before letting out a sigh.

"You can read into my emotions that much, huh?

"You make it easy being so connected to me. Plus you're very collected so when I feel a shift, it makes a statement."

"I suppose that makes sense...I didn't want to say anything earlier but it seems I can't avoid it. Now I don't want you to start acting crazy and over protective but, when I was with the lady doing the reading, she brought up that...I may be pregnant. She said I didn't even know it yet myself but I told her I didn't want to. I don't want to think about it right now. I just want to get through everything first because then I won't be stressed and if I'm not stressing about it then maybe when we do know for sure, I'll be able to be happy and healthy. I just don't want you to treat me any differently right now. It'll give it away to other people as well and I don't want that at all."

"Okay, okay yeah I get it. We don't know for sure anyways so I'll be normal, I promise. We already talked about how things would go so you don't need to worry about any of it. Anything you need, I will do it for you, okay?"

"Thank you." I sigh in relief. "Now cuddle me." I smile and of course she pulls me closer and holds me tight.

"It'll be a little tough keeping Evan at bay. She can sense things strongly when it comes to you and will nag me to be over protective."

"You just have to convince her I'm perfectly capable of handling myself until I'm as big as a beach ball."

"I'll try my best, love." She kisses my cheek.

"You better," I say lightheartedly. We lay there for some time, just embracing each other's warmth for a while. Before I even know it, I've drifted off to sleep.

-Several Hours Later-

"Na..."

"Lin..."

"Lina..." I stir hearing the sound of my name.

"Lina!" I hear my name sudden, and loud, so much so I finally jump awake, I look around( I it of breath, searching for my mate but my bed is empty and the room is dark. The balcony is open, wind blowing gently in but it's as if I can't actually feel the wind on my skin. I slip from beneath the sheets begin walking towards the open door of my bedroom. I step out of the dark hallway. It's so quiet...I can't help but feel nervous. I keep walking down the hallway when I see a dim flickering light towards the end of it. It seems so much longer than I remember. I keep going until I reach it. I slowly, cautiously enter the room to see a man standing there, the room only lit by a candle so I can't tell who it is.

"Who is that?" I ask, stepping closer.

"I have a message before I go. I've decided to rest. You deserve to have that peace of mind." The man tells me. The voice sounds echoey, distant.

"What is it?" I ask again, feeling that this figure is familial...that feeling calms me a bit.

"She is not your enemy. Show her."

"What?" I ask, feeling almost woozy after he speaks.

"I'm sorry, kid. That's all I have for you. The goddess calls for me at last."

"Wait! You have to explain!" I cry out, reaching for him but I feel like I'm drifting further away.

"Goodbye, Lina." Suddenly everything gets sucked into this black hole of darkness and suddenly I'm in my room again, dripping in sweat, tears overflowing my eyes.

"I'm here, hey! Sweetheart I'm right with you!" I can feel my mate's arms, hold me tight as I cry. I take a few breaths before calming down. "What happened? What were you dreaming about?"

"Someone...I think it was...it was Darius...he said he had a message for me before he left...he said he wasn't coming back..."I shake my head, burying my face in her chest.

"What was his message?"she strokes my head gently.

"He said...'she is not your enemy...show her' but...I don't know what he meant or for who...I tried to beg him to stay and explain but he wouldn't....he's already gone and he told me I deserved to have that peace...why now...?why like this? I finally connected with him, getting to speak to him and he...he left me so suddenly...he said he couldn't leave me yet earlier today and I...I sort of felt relieved he wasn't ready to go...how is it possible to grieve someone you never really knew? Supposedly someone who is supposed to be this horrible guy." I begin to cry again, overwhelmed by my own emotions. I don't understand why I'm so...sad he abandoned me like this. He was supposedly a terrible man and did terrible things to my family but I think there is no way to fully navigate a situation you don't know the full story of because the one person who could give you their side is dead and gone. I feel like I need to know the full story to know how to navigate my feelings. Right now I just feel I need to hold onto my mate and I'll...eventually be alright.

"It's okay sweetheart. I sort of understand what you're going through. When I was old enough to understand what death was, my mom told me what happened to my dad and I felt a loss that I...didn't know I could lose. I cried and cried in my mama's arms until I just passed out from exhaustion. I never got to know my dad either. He died right after I was born in that battle, your bio dad died before you were even born. We both barely knew them but it's okay to feel like you were robbed of something. He was a part of you one way or another. There is a connection you'll never be able to truly understand." I nod, listening to her. This is normal to feel sad. I lost a part of me I didn't even know I had and I only just learned about him...I suppose I really need to accept that I was never gonna get the connection I wished to have. I snuggle into my mate's chest, trying to accept that truth now.