Chapter 117: Chapter 117

Elorai.

The water sloshes around me, and accompanying that is a splendid view of the sea as the sun sets on the horizon.

The alphas are all around me, and though they aren't actively groping me, I appreciate the random cuddles.

“Oh... by the way... we will be leaving two days from now,” Lucas announces as he takes a sip of his whisky, sitting across from me.

“Okay...” I answer, burying myself deeper into the pool. “I can't wait to return. I've missed Lauren,” I say, and they all grin. “Is she really leaving?” I pipe up after a while.

“Yeah... but we'll keep her close. She can't go too far—we need her for work.”

“That’s cool... I'd hate it if she moved far away. She's the only person I know outside of you three and can trust,” I mutter, and they chuckle.

Knox pulls me close, pressing a kiss to my temple. “You don't trust us?” he asks teasingly.

I roll my eyes, shoving him off as I dip myself deeper into the water, loving the way it jets against my skin. “Trusting you entails something different entirely,” I mutter, and he smirks.

That’s when I stretch, yawning.

“Oh... I think my time is up here. I'll be going in now. I'm starting to feel drowsy.”

“Dinner first, and then you can retire to bed,” Lucas announces.

“Don't you want to stay longer in the pool?”

“Nah... it's not fun if you're not in it. Come on, let's go make what you'll eat.”

Knox says this as he rises. I roll my eyes at him but grab a towel from the nearby pile and amble into the house, my body dripping wet.

Lucas and Ronan follow, heading to the kitchen, where something quick is prepared for us while I sit and watch.

We have a simple but quiet dinner, then retire to bed once it gets dark.

Snuggled between the alphas, I feel more at peace than I've ever felt in a long time. I let my eyes drift closed, a breath escaping my lips.

I start to doze off, but just before my consciousness is lost to me, I feel them dropping their shields and saying the four little words I've wanted to hear from them all this time.

“We love you, Elorai.”

I smile, feeling a warm glow spread across my body, my heart pattering against my chest. My eyes still closed and my voice soft, I give my response.

“I love you too.”

Then I drift off to sleep and have the most wonderful dreams.

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(Two days later)

Two days later, we pack our things and return home. Lauren is outside, bouncing on her feet as we roll our car into the garage.

The car is hardly parked when I jump out and rush toward her, throwing myself into her outstretched arms, giggling as she engulfs me in a hug.

“Lo!” she screeches in my ear, patting my back before squeezing me even more tightly. “You're back! I missed you so much!”

“I missed you too,” I answer, just as excited.

We pull away from the hug, staring at each other and breaking into fits of giggles.

“Oh my God, you look so good. The vacation must have been exactly what you needed!”

“I do?” I ask, running my fingers through my hair. “I didn't notice,” I answer, and she chuckles.

Finally, she raises her gaze and greets the alphas who have started to approach us.

“Welcome back...”

“Thank you...” Lucas answers, his gaze darting between us. “I see you two really missed each other.”

“Yeah... it was awfully lonely without any of you. Thankfully, I had my research to keep me company.”

“I'm glad. We'll leave you two to catch up,” he says before walking inside the house.

I watch them go before turning my attention back to Lauren, but she's already staring at something on my neck, her eyes widening as a gasp escapes her lips.

“You finally marked and bonded with the alphas!” she whisper-screams, squeezing my hand tight.

“Yeah... and that's not all. They also confessed their feelings for me,” I whisper back as she ushers me into the house.

She lets out an incredulous chuckle. “You must feel like the luckiest girl in the world.”

I flip my hair. “Indeed I do.”

Lauren grins at me. “I'm so happy for you. I told you they would come around, didn't I?” she adds as she walks me to my bedroom.

“Yeah, but it was nerve-wracking to wait,” I mumble, turning the doorknob and walking into my bedroom.

Lauren stands at the threshold, gazing fondly at me while I drop onto the bed, breathing in the clean yet slightly stale sheets. It feels weird to admit it, but I've missed my room.

I turn toward her, sitting up. “Come to think of it, the alphas say you'll be leaving soon.”

I announce this, and she nods, uncrossing her arms as she walks into the room.

“Well, yes. They are preparing a new place for me so I can work without problems. The good thing is I won't be moving very far, so we'll be seeing each other. I'm still working closely with the alphas.”

In a lowered voice, she adds, “Apparently, there are still more of those wolf hunters running some of those illegal and inhumane experiments.”

“Oh...” I mutter, trailing off.

“Yeah, that's why they need me to be close. And also, I have to leave so we don't endanger ourselves.”

“That makes sense,” I mutter, then gaze wistfully at her. “I'll miss you when you finally move, though.”

“Aww...” she says, reaching to hug me. “I'll always call, don't worry.”

“Then I'll be waiting by the phone for when you do,” I say, and we chuckle.

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(Two weeks later)

More time passes, and it's finally time for Lauren to leave the house.

Seeing her off is an emotional, almost tearful endeavor, as I don't want to let her go. She's become such a close friend to me during this time.

But she and the alphas constantly reassure me that she'll always visit and won't be too far away.

As a parting gift, she gives me a year's worth of pheromone blockers and, for the alphas, antidotes should they have any mishaps with my blood.

“Keep us posted, okay? Don't forget to call!” I say out loud, waving as she drags her bag into the boot of the taxi. She returns the gesture.

“I'll call, don't worry!”

“Looking forward to hearing from you!” I add, blowing her a kiss and watching as she enters the taxi, the door slamming shut after her.

Soon, the car starts and begins to roll down the road, becoming smaller until it turns a corner and disappears out of sight.

Tears burn in my eyes, but I quickly blink them back, resolving only to smile instead.

“Aww... don't cry... you'll be seeing her.”

“I'm not crying...” I try to respond, but a stubborn tear still slips out. Okay, maybe I'm crying.

I sniff, pushing those tumultuous emotions down. “Fine now...” I mumble.