Chapter 105 Chapter 105

Chapter 105 Chapter 105
Lucas.

“I just realized we've held you here against your will. We would like to let you go soon.”

I announce, noticing her eyes widen. Ronan and Knox stare at me, stunned at what I'd just said. I ignore their gazes.

She clears her throat, blinking rapidly as she glances at everyone in the room. Even Elorai is surprised, though she does well to conceal it.

Tilting my head to the side, I wait for her response.

“That would be such a splendid idea...” she murmurs slowly, her voice trailing off at the end. It seems to me that she stopped considering it at a point.

How comfortable has she grown with us?

“Do you not want to?”

“No, it's not that...” she says quickly, chuckling nervously. “I mean, I'd love my freedom back. It's just...” Her voice halts, and she lets out a breath. When she speaks again, her voice is much stronger, and she's meeting all our gazes. “It's just that I've grown used to being with all of you. But no, I wouldn't mind being let go.”

I stare at her.

“I just have one small request,” she mumbles, her voice almost inaudible.

“And that is...”

“It's, um... I'd like to keep relating with you after I've been let go. If you will let it.”

I shrug. “That we shall have to consider,” I say, and she smiles, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes.

I finish the cookie in my hands, then bring out my phone to scroll through, and sure enough, there's another summon from the werewolf council. I resist the urge to roll my eyes, my jaw clenched hard.

“Looks like we've been summoned again.”

I announce, and Ronan and Knox groan, displeasure etched on their faces.

“What the hell do they want right now? We've done everything they've asked us to do. Can we get a break?” Knox grumbles, frowning hard.

I rise to my feet. “Come on, let's hear what they have to say. The last thing I need now is to get in trouble with them.”

At that, they begrudgingly rise to their feet, smoothing out their clothes.

I glance at the ladies in front of me. “Duty calls. We'll see you later.”

“Okay, take care of yourself,” Elorai whispers, her voice soft.

“Will do.”

Giving a slight bow, I walk out of the house, Knox and Ronan trailing behind me.
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Elorai

“Have the alphas picked a time for the bonding ritual?”

Lauren asks me long after they've left.

I glance at her as I clean up the kitchen and keep the leftover cookies away. “Not yet.” Thinking about it for a moment, I add, “I haven't given them a concrete answer yet.”

“Do you even know what the bonding ritual entails?” she asks, glancing at me.

I shake my head. “Not really, but according to what I've learned from Knox, it needs to happen while I'm in heat.”

“Really?”

“Yes,” I answer, washing the napkin and draining it of its water.

Putting it away, I turn to her.

“The biggest issue right now would be my blood. It's poisonous to the alphas.”

“Well, the last time they did something similar while you were trapped in your heat after being brought from captivity, they used the antidotes I had created. For what it's worth, I don't think that should be a problem,” Lauren explained.

“Oh... that's good news then,” I say, leaning against the counter. “I hadn't known that.”

“But...” Lauren says after a while. “Is this something you really want?”

“Yeah...” I answer, nodding. “I have thought long and hard about it. I either agree and continue to be in their care, or watch them be with someone else.”

My chest tightens just from saying that, and I shake the horrid images away. “I don't think it's something I can stomach,” I mutter, my voice threaded with jealousy.

Lauren nods, brows furrowed.

“Not a bad conclusion. I'm just curious about something. Do they feel the same way you do?”

“They aren't averse to it...” I say slowly. “But for some reason, they haven't told me outright.” I sigh. “But I think I can live with that. Their care is more than enough for me.”

“That's the spirit,” Lauren says, and I chuckle. “With time, they should be able to confess too. Just enjoy this moment, okay?”

“I will...” I answer, smiling.

She reaches to pat my shoulders. “So, when will you be giving them a concrete response?”

“I'm thinking tonight, when they return. I've dragged it out long enough.”

“Oh... in that case, why don't we make it special?” she says, winking at me.

“What? I don't want to do too much.”

She scoffs. “It won't be too much. Just something to make it more romantic. Trust me, you will want to remember this moment with a smile on your face.”

I sigh, rolling my eyes. “Okay, you're the expert here.”

She giggles, then grabs my hands and begins pulling me to heaven knows where.
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We spend the entire day preparing for my special dinner, first starting with my looks.

Through Lauren's expert care, my hair is washed, dried, and styled, the rest of my body properly groomed as well.

Then we go through my collection of clothes and find the one that is the prettiest, yet simple enough to pass as casual.

Afterwards, we move back to the kitchen, where Lauren takes the reins since I'm still perfecting my skills. I watch her cook up a delectable dinner of steak, silky smooth mashed potatoes, and stir-fried green beans with some sauce to drizzle over.

The food looks and smells so delicious that my mouth waters.

Once that is sorted out, she helps me prepare the table, and then I add the finishing touches to my look.

I'm nervous as well, but I hide it well, desperately hoping the alphas will return home early and this goes as well as we've planned it.

The gods answer my prayers.

The alphas return home early. Though they look exhausted and on edge, they stiffen the moment they see me standing awkwardly in the center of the room, before their gazes drift to the well-made dining table.

A gasp escapes Knox's lips. “Dang...” he groans, his voice trailing off.

Lauren has long hidden herself from view. I wish she could see this.

“Welcome back,” I greet, hating how weak my voice sounds.

“Thank you. I see you've been busy,” Lucas says, walking toward me, his eyes still moving around before settling on me.

“Oh... it's just a little something Lauren and I whipped up,” I answer, and he raises a brow.

The blush on my face deepens.

“Little something...” he murmurs, standing directly in front of me, an amused expression on his face.

The temperature in the room seems to rise a couple of degrees as they all approach me. I look away, unable to help the shivers that runs down my body.

“Would you like to eat?” I say, changing the subject.

“Of course, we're starving. What do you have whipped up?”

“Steak, mashed potatoes, and some stir-fried vegetables.”

“That sounds delicious,” Knox comments, already salivating.