Alpha's Dark Desires-Chapter 120: Going Into Heat

Kane POV:

Morning came softly, the golden rays of the sun filtering through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. Normally, the start of a new day would bring a sense of purpose, but today was different. After Elena’s awful nightmare, whatever torment she had endured in her sleep, I couldn’t bring myself to leave her side—not yet.

I grabbed my phone and texted my beta, instructing him to handle the pack for the day with the help of the gamma. They were more than capable, and my priority now was Elena. I needed to make sure she was okay, not just physically but emotionally. Whatever had happened last night had shaken her to the core, and I wasn’t about to let her carry that burden alone.

After setting things in motion, I headed for the shower, letting the warm water cascade over me. The tension from the previous night lingered in my muscles, but as the water pounded against my skin, I tried to shake off the worry. She was safe now, with me. That was all that mattered.

By the time I stepped out, toweling off quickly and pulling on a pair of jeans and a plain shirt, the bed was empty. For a moment, panic flickered in my chest, but then I heard the faint sounds of movement downstairs—the shuffle of footsteps and the clatter of dishes. My heightened senses caught the unmistakable aroma of something sweet mixed with the savory scent of eggs. Pancakes.

A small smile tugged at my lips as I realized where she was. My mate was in the kitchen, likely trying to find some normalcy after the chaos of last night. Dressing quickly, I made my way downstairs, the smell growing stronger with each step.

When I entered the kitchen, the sight before me made my heart swell. Elena stood by the cooker, her hair slightly messy, a soft concentration etched on her face as she flipped a pancake in the pan. The table was partially set, plates stacked neatly, and a bowl of fresh fruit sat in the center. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating her like a painting come to life.

I leaned against the doorframe for a moment, just watching her. This was my mate—the woman who had turned my world upside down and made it better for it. Despite everything we’d been through, she was still here, still fighting for us. It was humbling.

"Good morning," I finally said, my voice soft but enough to catch her attention.

She turned, startled for a second, before her lips curved into a small smile. "Good morning," she replied, though there was a trace of weariness in her eyes that told me she hadn’t completely shaken off the remnants of her nightmare.

I walked over to her, closing the distance in a few strides, and placed my hands gently on her hips. "You didn’t have to get up so early," I said, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"I couldn’t stay in bed," she admitted, her voice quiet. "I needed to do something... normal."

My chest tightened at her honesty. "I understand," I said, leaning down to press a soft kiss to her forehead. "But you should’ve let me make you breakfast for once."

She chuckled softly, the sound light and soothing. "You? Cook? I wouldn’t want to traumatize the kitchen."

I feigned mock offense, clutching my chest. "Ouch, Elena. That’s low."

She laughed, and the sound was music to my ears. I couldn’t help but smile, relieved to see a flicker of her usual spark returning.

"Alright, move over," I said, gently nudging her aside. "If you insist on doing the cooking, at least let me help."

Her brows arched in surprise. "You? Help in the kitchen?"

I gave her a playful smirk. "Hey, I’m a fast learner."

She shook her head but didn’t protest as I grabbed a bowl and started whisking the eggs she’d cracked earlier. We worked side by side, and for a little while, it felt like the weight of the world had lifted. She smiled more, laughed at my attempts to flip pancakes, and even teased me when I nearly dropped the syrup.

When the food was ready, we sat down at the table together. The meal was simple, but it felt like a feast. Watching her eat, seeing the tension gradually leave her shoulders, filled me with a sense of contentment I hadn’t felt in weeks.

"You’re not bad at this," she said, taking a bite of her pancake.

"Don’t sound so surprised," I teased. "I’ve got skills you don’t even know about, love."

She rolled her eyes but smiled, and for a moment, I allowed myself to believe that things were normal again. But as much as I wanted to pretend, I knew the shadow of her nightmare still lingered. I could see it in the way her gaze occasionally drifted to the window, as if searching for something unseen.

As we sat at the table finishing breakfast, I was enjoying the rare peace of the morning, the warm scent of pancakes lingering in the air, when a blur zipped into the room, stopping abruptly at the table.

"Aww, sorry for coming late. I hope you’ve spared some pancakes for me," Dean said, a smug smirk plastered on his face.

Elena flinched visibly, and my wolf growled low in my chest at her reaction. She quickly shifted in her seat, her body tense, while Dean moved to the kitchen with his vampiric speed. In mere seconds, he returned with a plate piled high with pancakes and a glass of juice.

"How are you able to eat?" Elena asked, her voice uncertain but tinged with curiosity.

Dean chuckled as he took a large bite, chewing leisurely like he didn’t have a care in the world. "I’m not a normal vampire, Elena. You should know that by now." He gestured toward me with his fork. "I’m a piece of him. All the weaknesses of vampires don’t apply to me. I’m like a human with the coolness of a vampire, minus the flaws." He said it so casually, as if he were discussing the weather.

The audacity of him. The smug tone, the way he acted like he belonged here. My wolf bristled, and I could feel the heat of my anger rise. I slammed my hand on the table, rattling the plates and glasses. "Why the fuck are you here?" I growled, my voice low and menacing.

Dean didn’t flinch, didn’t even look concerned. He shrugged, popping another piece of pancake into his mouth. "I came to see how our mate is faring," he said with a smirk that set my blood boiling.

"She’s mine!" I snapped, the words more a growl than a statement. My wolf surged forward, ready to take control, the possessiveness burning hot and untamed. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to hold on to some semblance of control.

Dean raised an eyebrow, his smirk never wavering. "C’mon, Mom would be disappointed. Don’t you know sharing is caring?" he said, his voice dripping with mockery.

The mention of my mother hit me like a physical blow. I shot up from my chair, my fists clenched so tightly that my nails bit into my palms. "Don’t you dare call her that!" I roared, my voice shaking the room.

Dean just ignored me, casually taking another bite of pancake as if I hadn’t said a word. The casual dismissal only fueled my fury. My wolf clawed at me, demanding to take over and rip him apart for his insolence.

Elena’s hand came to rest lightly on mine, pulling my attention back to her. "Kane," she said softly, her voice a tether to keep me grounded. "Please don’t."

Her eyes pleaded with me, and I forced myself to take a deep breath. For her. Only for her.

"Dean," I growled, my voice low and full of warning. "You’ve overstayed your welcome. Leave. Now."

He leaned back in his chair, leisurely sipping his juice. "Relax, Kane. I’m not here to cause trouble. Just checking in on Elena." His gaze shifted to her, and his smirk softened into something more genuine. "You looked like you had a rough night. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay."

The tenderness in his tone made my blood run cold. It wasn’t playful or mocking—it was sincere. I didn’t like it one bit.

"She’s fine," I snapped before Elena could respond. "And you can leave now."

Dean sighed dramatically, standing up and grabbing his plate. "Fine, fine. I’ll leave. But you know, Kane, you can’t ignore this forever. Whether you like it or not, Elena is our mate. The truth doesn’t change just because you want it to."

Dean was halfway to the door when Elena suddenly let out a sharp gasp, clutching her stomach. My attention snapped to her immediately, my wolf growling in alarm.

"Elena?" I called, rising from my chair.

Before I could reach her, she swayed in her seat, her face twisting in pain. "Make it stop... it’s burning," she whimpered, her voice trembling as she clutched at the edge of the table for support.

Her body went rigid, and then she collapsed, sliding out of the chair and onto the floor.

"Elena!" I was at her side in an instant, scooping her up into my arms. Her skin was flushed, her breathing shallow and erratic. Her scent hit me like a freight train—sweet and intoxicating, but overwhelming. It was stronger, more potent than ever before, and realization struck me like a lightning bolt.

She was going into heat.

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