Chapter Twenty-Two: Shadows of Trust

Shock hit me like a rogue's claw—Electra adopted? How the hell had they buried that from the pack, from Cade, from her? My jaw tightened, eyes flicking to Cade—his face pale under the bandages, hazel eyes wide, disbelief cracking his scowl. He hadn't seen this coming either. Did he really think I'd fake a mate bond, trick Electra into some lie after Natalie's mess? The thought burned, but I shoved it down, focusing on her.

She stepped back, green eyes glistening, voice trembling. "Why now? Why not years ago?" Tears streaked her cheeks, catching the office's chandelier glow.

Her dad—Mr. Harris—leaned forward, elbows on the cedar desk, sadness etching his weathered face. "We didn't see a reason 'til now. You were happy, thriving. We've always seen you as ours—blood or not." His hazel gaze, so like Cade's, locked on hers, steady and raw.

"But how do I smell like you?" Electra's voice sharpened, demanding answers, her fists balling at her sides.

Elena—her mom—wiped her eyes, dark hair falling loose from its bun. "An ancient blood spell. It binds an orphan's scent to their new family—gives you our pack smell, our name. It's old magic, rare, from the elders' time." Her tone softened, steady now, a healer's calm.

Mr. Harris cleared his throat, voice low. "I alpha-ordered the pack to keep it secret—your adoption—until we were ready to tell you ourselves. No one spoke, not even the elders." His eyes flicked to Elena, a shared weight passing between them.

Electra's breath hitched, processing—gears turning behind those green depths. Cade's glare bored into me from the corner, still pissed, bandages stark against his short, dark beard. I stayed close to her, arm brushing hers, tingles sparking, but gave her space—watching her mind churn, waiting for the storm I expected. No outburst came. Her calm rippled through our bond, steadying me too.

She stepped toward her dad, chin up, fierce. "I want to see the cabin." Determination rang in her voice, unshakable.

Her parents' eyes widened—Mr. Harris's bushy brows shot up, Elena's hand froze mid-air. Not what they'd braced for. He cleared his throat again, voice gruff. "You can't. It's in no-man's-land—it's dangerous, overrun with rogues."

Electra's fists clenched tighter, knuckles whitening, annoyance flaring. "You went there. I need to see it—where you found me, something to connect me to them." Her plea softened, raw and quiet, eyes searching his.

"It's too risky," he started, "the rogues—"

"I'll take her," I cut in, firm, stepping beside her. "I've been in no-man's-land plenty—I know the paths, the risks." Too many nights lost there after Natalie, mapping that 50-kilometer hellscape. I'd do anything for Electra—rogues be damned.

She turned, half-smiling—grateful, fragile. Mr. Harris slammed his fist on the desk, maps rattling. "It's dangerous out there! Nothing's left—just rot and ghosts!" His voice boomed, stern as ever.

Electra didn't flinch, stepping closer. "I need this, Dad. To see where my parents were. Please." Her voice cracked, pleading, green eyes piercing his resolve.

His temper flickered—jaw tight, then slackening. He pinched his nose, sighing deep. "Fine. But you take three patrol wolves—minimum. No arguing." Reluctance weighed every word.

Her eyes lit up, but Cade jumped in before she could speak. "I'm going too." His growl was back, defiant.

Mr. Harris spun on him. "You're staying here—recovering, then training. You've got enough to fix." His tone brooked no dissent. Cade grumbled, slumping back, Callie's hand squeezing his shoulder.

Her dad cleared his throat again. "Patrol wolves will be set for tomorrow. There and back in two days—no screwing around, no trouble." He pointed at me, stern. "Keep her safe."

Electra's smile broke free, small but real. She crossed to her parents, and they pulled her into a tight hug—Mr. Harris's broad arms, Elena's gentle grip. "Thank you," she whispered, voice thick. "I love you both so much." They held her a beat longer, then let go.

She drifted back to me, and we were dismissed. We stepped into the hall—hardwood cool, air crisp with pine from an open window. Silence hung between us, calm but heavy. I slid my arm around her waist, pulling her close—tingles raced up my spine, warm and right. I kissed her head, her hair soft against my lips, and she giggled—high, sweet, a sound that melted me.

"Kyan!" Cade's voice cut through, rough but softer. I sighed, slowing, turning to face him. His limp was faint, bandages peeking from his collar below his short beard, but the scowl was gone—replaced by something like regret.

He caught up, exhaling hard. "Listen... I'm sorry." He paused, rubbing his neck, words stuck. "I just wanted to protect her, after... well...""Natalie?" I filled in, voice flat. He nodded, eyes dropping. He'd never let that go—her lies poisoning everything.

Anger flared, hot and old. "You didn't believe me—your beta. I came to you, spilled my guts, and you picked her side." Electra's hand rested on my arm, tingles calming me, but I pressed on. "I loved her, Cade. Planned to propose, make her my mate."

His eyes widened, mouth working silently. "You... never told me."

"I was going to propose that night," I said, voice tight. "I heard something off at her door—opened it, and there she was, tangled with some bastard. She begged me to stay, but I walked." The memory stung, but Electra's warmth dulled it.

"Fuck," Cade whispered, stunned. Electra pressed closer, her arm looping mine.

"She told the pack I cheated—branded me a player. No one believed me, 'til Shauna came along." I smiled faintly, remembering her blunt faith. "So I became what they wanted— I hated it and I gave up on a true mate."

I pulled Electra tighter, kissing her head—wildflowers flooding me. "Then I saw her at the airport. Something clicked—it woke me up. But your damn rule shoved me back, even as I fell for her." I glared at him, raw. "You punished me for a lie, just like the pack did. It was wrong, Cade."

He swallowed, eyes heavy. "I know. I've been an idiot—I didn't listen. I'm glad you told me again now. I'm sorry, man." Regret carved his face, genuine.

I had to let it go—he'd been fed the same poison as everyone. I yanked him into a quick hug, clapping his back—his bandages crinkled—then stepped back. "Forgiven. But I'm spending time with my mate now." I grinned, releasing him.

He nodded, "congrats" he says with a smile, limping off. I turned to Electra, taking her hand—wrapped fingers flexing, my leg steady now. "Sorry you heard that. I had to let it out." I half-smiled, sheepish.

She beamed up, green eyes bright. "I get it—it was before me. Now, I just want to spend the rest of the day with you." Her happiness hit me like sunlight.

"Whatever you want, beautiful," I said, grinning at my little mate, her hand warm in mine.