Chapter 24
Audrey sat in silence, her back pressed against her bedroom door.
The faint hum of the city outside did little to drown out the ache she felt through the walls.
Through thin plaster and shared space, she had heard it all–every quiet sob, every shaky breath, every time Ellaine’s voice broke in the night as she whispered into the moonlight.
For nights, Audrey had listened.
She didn’t know what to do. Didn’t know if knocking on El’s door would help or only make it worse. Every time she reached for the handle, something stopped her. Not fear, but reverence–like watching someone perform a sacred ritual of grief.
She could only sit quietly in her room, hand over her chest, and listen.
Audrey hadn’t known much about Ellaine when she was assigned to protect her. She had trusted Beta Alfonso’s orders without question, but even then, she never thought she’d grow to care so much for the quiet girl who moved through their world like a fading shadow.
Now, Audrey was certain–Ellaine wasn’t just anyone. She was someone deeply important.
The kind of important that made grown Alphas silently rewrite the rules.
The kind that carried scars no one could see but still felt in every step she took.
Tonight, something was different.
She waited for the sound of tears. For the soft creak of the balcony door or the rustle of a blanket. But there was only stillness.
Too much stillness.
Audrey stood up, heart pounding, and padded across the small living space. The door to Ellaine’s room was slightly ajar. Light from the moon spilled across the floor.
And there–in the balcony–was her Alpha.
Audrey froze.
Alpha Francesco stood with his back to her, silent as ever, his powerful frame barely making a sound. But what stole her breath wasn’t just his presence-
it was what he held.
In his arms, wrapped in a blanket, was Ellaine.
Sleeping. Peacefully. Head resting against his chest while he sat on the sofa there.
The Alpha held her like something precious. Like glass. One arm beneath her knees, the other curled protectively around her shoulders, his head slightly bowed as if the very weight of her needed his full attention. His entire body was relaxed–but alert. Tenderness rippled off of him in waves, so unexpected it made Audrey’s eyes burn.
She dropped to one knee without hesitation.
Her chest rose and fell with emotion she couldn’t name. Francesco didn’t speak. He simply acknowledged her with a brief nod before turn his gaze back to the sleeping form of Ellaine, where he gently, caressing her like she is his world.
The girl stirred once in her sleep, fingers twitching toward his hand. Without a word, the Alpha tucked the blanket around her, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face but still didn’t move from his place with her.
He lingered a moment longer, gazing at her like she was the most sacred thing he’d ever seen.
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Chapter 24
Know that she’s disturb the peace she stood, slowly walk outside the room–but her eyes, can’t stop watching the amazing scene that she never thought going to see coming from her Alpha.
Audrey has to drag her feet to move.
She watched in silence as she finally turned, casting one final glance at Ellaine and her Alpha, before stepping out without a word.
Outside, Audrey slowly raised her head.
And smiled.
She didn’t need words. Didn’t need an explanation. That single moment was enough.
Enough to know that her Alpha–silent, stoic, feared by all–had found something he hadn’t allowed himself to feel in years.
Peace.
And maybe something more.
Ellaine Aurora Rollin, she thought. You are not no one.
You are everything. His mate.
Audrey stood, wiping at her cheek, surprised to find tears there. She walked out of the room, closing the door gently behind her, letting Ellaine rest in the warmth she hadn’t had in so long.
In the living room, she took a deep breath.
Then she opened her mind–link.
Audrey to Beta Alfonso.
There was a pause, then a sleepy voice echoed back. “Yes?”
“You were right.” Her voice cracked. “She’s not just important. She’s… she’s his peace.”
She didn’t know that beta Alfonso already aware of the news she send but he say nothing.
She sent an image through the link–what she saw in that room. The Alpha cradling the girl like a whispered prayer. The gentleness. The silence filled with meaning.
There was no response for several seconds.
Then, just simple words from Beta Alfonso.
“Yes, she is”
And in those words, there was relief. Joy. Gratitude.
For their Alpha.
For the girl he had found.
For the future neither of them knew they were already building.
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