Chapter 29 Hot Springs with Cold Realities
Sienna
I shuddered at my own thought, quickly glancing at Gael and Elizabeth. My heart was thumping—was I being that obvious? There was no way they could’ve heard me, but I still felt like I’d been caught red-handed.
Thankfully, they were still busy looking around.
I shook my head and gave myself a light slap on the cheek. Get it together, Sienna. What is wrong with you? You’re becoming a psycho.
A few minutes later, once they realized the Alpha wasn't just going to pop out of the steam, we found a quiet, secluded spot to relax. Since nobody else was around, we finally ditched the towels.
"Finally..." I let out a long sigh as the scalding water swallowed me up. Honestly, I probably needed a bucket of ice to wash away my trashy thoughts, but the heat felt way too good.
"Did you hear those old guys?" Gael asked, her eyes closed as she leaned against the stone. "A massive snowstorm is rolling in. Guess the hospital tour is dead." She opened one eye to watch the snowflakes dance toward the steaming water.
"I guess that means more time to soak.”
"I don't think you'll even be able to step out of the inn if it hits as hard as they said, Gael," Elizabeth pointed out.
"Really? How tragic," Gael chuckled, her voice dropping into that mischievous tone I knew meant trouble. "Though I do wonder what it would feel like to just... shove someone out into the middle of it."
My heart nearly stopped. Did she just read my mind?
"Gael!" Elizabeth snapped, looking horrified.
"Relax, Eliza. Just an intrusive thought," Gael said with a wicked grin.
"I actually wonder about that too," I blurted out. The second the words left my mouth, I wanted to jump off a cliff.
Gael just barked out a laugh. "See? I knew we were the same, Sienna."
Before I could defend my sanity, a massive SPLASH sent a wave of hot water right into my mouth. I choked, coughing and wiping my eyes.
"Hey!" Gael yelled.
A little girl was standing nearby, giggling like she’d just pulled the prank of the century. She started kicking her feet, sending another wave our way.
"Okay, you little brat," I said, standing up and wading over. I caught her under the arms and hoisted her up. "And who do you think you are?"
She just giggled. "Rice!"
"I asked for your name, kid, not your grocery list."
"That is my name! People call me Rice because I always eat it!"
The old man we’d passed earlier walked by, leaning on his staff. "Be careful with that one, young lady. She’s a thief."
"But only for the rice!" the grandma added, chuckling. "She’s an orphan, lives on the streets. Just ignore her." They both shrugged and kept walking like a thieving child was just part of the local scenery.
Before I could even process that, the kid wiggled out of my hands and bolted into the mist, her laughter echoing everywhere.
"Forget her," Gael said. She swam closer, her eyes scanning me. "You know, now that the steam has cleared... you’ve got a killer body, Sienna."
Suddenly, I felt her hands slide firmly along my waist from behind.
"Hey! Hands to yourself!" I yelped, jumping forward.
"Oh, come on! We're all girls here," she laughed, then pivoted and grabbed a very surprised Elizabeth. "Look at these! No wonder you’re the 'innocent' one. You’re hiding all the goods!"
I shook my head, actually laughing at the chaos—until a voice from the fog turned my blood to solid ice.
"So, there you guys are."
We all spun around at once. Elizabeth let out a high-pitched shriek, and I just stood there, paralyzed, my mouth hanging open.
There stood Teyam, Tristan... and Sev.
It was a total disaster. I was standing halfway out of the water, and Gael was literally mid-massage on Elizabeth’s chest. We looked like a group of total perverts.
Teyam let out a low, amused chuckle. "Suddenly shy, ladies?"
Gael didn't even flinch. She stepped in front of me, hands on her hips, totally unbothered. I looked over at Elizabeth, but she had already vanished—she was submerged so deep that only a few frantic bubbles marked where her face used to be.
"Alpha," Gael greeted smoothly. Then she turned her gaze to Teyam. "Like what you see?" She teased him shamelessly, making Teyam’s jaw tighten as he looked away.
My eyes darted to Sev. He looked like he wanted to be literally anywhere else. He didn't even look interested; he just looked... bored.
"Go get changed," Tristan announced, sounding way too hyped. "Let's grab lunch. They have the best sets in the North right here!" He started walking, following Sev, who was already heading for the exit without a single glance back.
I stood there like a statue, watching Gael walk off with Teyam, until I heard a frantic bubbling behind me.
"Crap, Elizabeth!"
"Thank you, Sienna. Really," Elizabeth sniffled a while later. We had changed into matching cotton robes—ours had these flowery patterns that were way too "cute" for my current mood.
I just shook my head. She was basically a child. How was she supposed to be some elegant, poised Luna when she almost committed suicide by drowning because of embarrassment? Honestly, the "perfect" girl was starting to get on my nerves.
"I'm so sorry, Elizabeth!" Gael said, practically kneeling in apology. "I got distracted."
I raised an eyebrow. "By Teyam? I could literally see the hearts forming in your eyes, Gael.”
She simply rolled her eyes. "We better go. They might be waiting," she stated, heading out first.
She was right. The guys were already lined up outside in their own robes. Plain blue ones that made Sev look unfairly good.
"Let's move!" Tristan led the way, with everyone trailing after him, arguing about the menu.
I slowed my pace, drifting back until I was walking right beside Sev. He was trailing the group, looking distant. I wanted to say something—anything to break the ice—but my brain was a mess.
"How was it?" he asked suddenly, his voice in a whisper.
Seriously? Was he actually asking about that? Right here? In the middle of a hallway? I didn't think a man like Sebastian would be the type to fish for a performance review on the way to lunch.
"It felt good, obviously," I murmured, my eyes glued to my feet like they were the most interesting thing in the world. "It... it doesn't really hurt as much anymore."
A heavy, awkward silence stretched between us. I bit my lip, wondering if I’d been too blunt, when I heard a low, rich chuckle.
"I was referring to the journey, Sienna," he said, glancing down at me with a smirk that was equal parts amused and smug. "I was merely attempting small talk. But...I'm glad to hear it doesn't hurt anymore."