Chapter 414 – Biding Time

Ella

Sinclair blinks at me, surprised and confused. He sighs and speaks honestly. "We've prepared an interrogation cell—"

"No," I snap, pointing a finger at his face. He swats it away. "No," I insist, stepping closer and frowning. Rafe cries harder. "Those two have been through hell, and they saved Rafe's life—"

"We have no idea who they are, Ella," Sinclair growls. "They could be anyone—"

"They are not," I snap, interrupting. He groans and tilts his head back in frustration. "They are refugees—two people who lost everything, if they ever had anything. I understand we need to hear their story, Dominic, but we owe them everything. We owe our child's life to that woman," I say, pointing to Sarah.

"So, what would you have me do?" Sinclair asks, forcing patience. He looks at me.

"Treat them as our honored guests," I reply. "Put them in a guest room—guard it if you have to! Bug it if you're that worried! But until we know more, we treat them as the honored guests I know them to be. Feed them, let them get clean and warm, let them sleep, and then tomorrow we ask questions. All right?"

Sinclair takes a deep breath, closing his eyes and rubbing them. He looks at me again. "A guest suite, fully guarded. On a lower level—nowhere near where we sleep. And no one sees them until morning—not even you. All right?"

I nod sharply. He turns away, instructing his staff and devising a new plan.

I return to Sarah and Jessica, who stand anxiously with Cora. I quickly explain the plan—they can relax tonight, and we'll see them in the morning. Sarah understands. I take her hand.

"Thank you," I say, smiling. "For everything. And for your patience—I know this is…well, weird," I say, shrugging.

"It's okay, Luna," she says, smiling and stroking her sister's hair. "We grew up in a Duke's household. We know about the demands of a royal household."

Her revelation shocks me: she grew up in my Uncle Xander's home. She might have answers to our questions about his plans.

I open my mouth to ask more when Theo arrives.

"If I may, Luna," he says formally, nodding to me and the group. "We're ready for you."

I nod to Sarah, assuring her of my support. She nods back, and we move into the palace.

Cora and I only glimpsed our mates afterward. Roger nodded seriously as we passed him. Cora blew him a kiss; I smirked as he pretended to catch it—a gesture that likely looked like stretching to the Betas he addressed.

Seeing Cora so happy, despite my anxiety and sadness for Sarah and Jessica, cheers me immensely. I bump her shoulder as we walk toward Sinclair and my chambers, as Theo relayed Sinclair's request. She winks, further encouraging me.

I relax in the privacy of my rooms. Cora and I are lost in thought as she showers and I bathe Rafe. Then Cora takes Rafe while I shower, eventually settling him in the bedroom.

Emerging from my closet in pajamas, and seeing Cora cozy in borrowed leggings and a hoodie, I laugh.

"What?" she asks, grinning.

"I was so worked up fifteen minutes ago," I say, shaking my head and crossing the room. "I panicked when we learned Rafe was threatened. And now…in pajamas, waiting for our mates to handle it, I feel silly."

I look at Rafe, almost asleep, as Cora puts an arm around me.

"Nah," she says, "you did the right thing. Sinclair and Roger wouldn't have realized how delicate those refugees were. Those two needed you to be tough. Like you are for everyone who needs you."

I sigh. "You're too nice, too encouraging," I say quietly.

"Well, Sinclair's likely to yell at you soon," she says, wrinkling her nose. "So I'm balancing things out for a good night's sleep."

A housekeeper brings dinner. Cora and I eat at the bed, keeping an eye on Rafe. We eat quietly before I take a deep breath, forcing myself to relax.

Frankly, before Sinclair arrives and we relive the drama of Rafe's threat, I need a distraction.

I remember Cora's happiness that morning.

"So," I say, smirking.

"What's that expression?" she says warily. "I don't like it."

"I was wondering," I say, smiling, "why you were so happy this morning."

"Oh," she says, grinning.

"See!" I say, laughing and pointing my fork at her. "I knew something was up! Spill!"

"Wellllll," Cora says, picking up her chocolate pudding. She takes a spoonful, then smiles and meets my eyes. "Roger and I did the dream state thing last night."

I shriek. Cora laughs, then smacks my knee, gesturing to Rafe.

"Oh, he's used to it," I say, waving at Rafe, who doesn't stir. "What was it like? Did you see the forest? Did you…do stuff?"

"Actually, no," she says, laughing and leaning forward. I lean back. "What!?" I gasp. "You did the dream state and didn't get naked!? What was the point—"

"Ella," she says, laughing and rolling her eyes. "Would you just listen?"

I do, eating my pudding as she describes her beach dream, my eyes widening.

"Oh my god!" I gasp when she mentions feeling her bond with the baby for the first time—the first emotion was happiness. I cry.

"Jeeze, Ella," Cora says, wiping my cheeks, though smiling. "You must be dehydrated all the time—"

I smack her hand away. "What happened next?" I ask.

Cora leans forward, eager to tell me the best part.