Chapter 372
Chapter 372
40 – Elara
I settle onto my bed, turning to face him directly. My mind races, haunted by the rollercoaster of emotions he’s stirred inside me how he made me feel incredible one moment, then left me feeling abandoned and worthless the next, slipping away without a single word. I clutch a pillow and rest it on my lap, deliberately making a show of getting comfortable. This is as much ease as he’s going to get from me right
now.
“So, what’s the plan with Eliza, Ember, and Ash?” I ask, trying to sound casual but unable to hide the tension in my voice.
He shrugs, clearly unsure. “No clue yet.” Tilting his head thoughtfully, he continues, “Jason’s been able to detect some kind of magic near your borders, but he hasn’t pinpointed the caster. If they’ve been working at this for a while, they might be casting from a distance using a magical anchor p>
Leaning forward, he hands me his phone. I hesitate, not wanting to take it. “Just look, Elara,” he insists, rolling his eyes before dropping the unlocked device into my lap. “Tommy’s gathered what he could so far.” Without waiting for a response, he heads toward the door.
“Wait—” I start to say, but he cuts me off.
“I’ll be right back, princess. You need to eat, and so do I. My hands were full when I first came in.” He flashes a half-hearted smile and slips out before I can gather my scattered thoughts to reply.
I stare down at the phone in my lap, feeling a mix of nerves and curiosity. He’s left me complete access to everything on it. Why does he have such a hold on me? I’m usually strong, confident around everyone else, but the moment I’m alone with Ben, this uncertain, vulnerable girl surfaces-and I hate it. Still, my curiosity wins. I can’t just push the phone aside.
The screen he left open is a group chat with Tommy. It looks like Tommy has been digging up information about the covens nearby, compiling a dossier. Jason is chiming in with questions about magic, asking for training on how to detect it and dismantle the wards that have been set up to harm my pack. That’s apparently Tommy’s next mission.
I scroll through the messages, amused by their banter even as they work efficiently. I have that kind of camaraderie with Jax and Dev most of the time, but these guys have an entire network of trusted contacts they turn to for answers. It stings a little. My father was a strong Alpha who cared deeply for his pack, but we never had this kind of close-knit family dynamic among our warriors and leaders. I don’t know why.
When I finish reading, I do something I never imagined I would I start exploring his other apps. There aren’t many; it’s clear he mainly uses the phone for long-distance communication when the mindlink isn’t enough. Still, there’s a surprisingly detailed list of contacts and an album full of photos.
Ben is meticulous. Every contact is labeled with their name, pack affiliation, and rank. He even jots down notes about who’s difficult to work with and who’s easier. Dıscover more novels at
My heart pounds as I open the photos app. I want to know the truth, but I’m terrified of what I might find-whether he was with her while he was gone. The first picture tells me all I need to see. It’s a wide group shot. She’s right in the center, but Ben is nowhere near her. Instead, she’s wrapped in the arms of one of the biggest Alphas I’ve ever seen. The couple stands surrounded by Jeremiah, Rayna, and their men. Ben is off to the side, standing with Luna Beth. The other half of the photo is filled with unfamiliar faces, probably the Alpha’s team. Everyone looks genuinely happy, sharing a laugh. Even Ben has a natural, warm smile.
I stare at the photo longer than I should, my mind swirling with questions about what happened between her and Ben. Just then, the man himself returns, flanked by my two closest friends. They barrel toward me, and I half-expect them to tackle me onto the bed. I haven’t been easy to deal with lately, and I know they’ve been giving me space while handling things behind the scenes. Jax pulls me into a tight hug, and Dev steps behind to sandwich me between them.
“You at least smell better than the last time I saw you,” Jax jokes into my hair. “Now we know who to call when you’re being a stubborn pain.” They both laugh, and the vibrations from their chests soothe me more than I expected.
“Eat, get the Beta caught up, and then we’ll figure out a plan together. Patrols are on, checking in every hour. We’re sleeping tonight-you should too. I’m betting you’ll be re-energized and even more of a pain tomorrow now that your boy’s back.” I scoff as Dev gives Ben a brotherly slap on the chest before they both head out. What the hell?
Ben settles back onto the couch while I sink into my bed again. “I brought some simple food. Melanie told me how she found the poison in your mom’s tea. She’s checked everything else in the kitchens-nothing else was found. I think you should bring your staff back. You can Alpha command them if needed. I doubt they’ll cross you p>
He looks at me expectantly. “So, tell me about Jeff, Sebastian, and Richard. What happened while I was gone p>
I hesitate. He sits quietly, waiting patiently. “I’ll tell you about them… when you tell me about her.” My breath catches. He doesn’t owe me anything about his past, and honestly, I’m scared of what I’m about to hear.
“Kennedy was my first everything His voice is steady, not filled with sadness or pain, but maybe lost in memories. I stay silent, waiting for him to continue.