{Elira}
~**^**~
A maid knocked lightly on my door and inford it was ti for dinner.
I stood, straightened my dress, and left with a stomach full of thoughts.
Lady Maren’s voice still echoed in my ears like poison. "You don’t deserve soft things."
Her words had a way of crawling under my skin, making question even the right to wear a clean dress or breathe easy air.
Maybe I didn’t deserve any of this. Maybe I was truly made for the dirt.
The heavy double doors of the dining hall opened just as I arrived. My steps paused.
Everyone was already seated—except Alpha Cyprus and Luna Gwenith.
Zenon’s sharp eyes cut straight into .
Lennon gave a warm smile.
And Rennon just looked at silently. But the calmness of his gaze made my face burn because I rembered the things he bought .
I lowered my gaze fast.
I was wearing the black square-neck dress, the bra, and even one of the panties now. And Rennon could clearly see that.
Heat crept up the side of my face. That thought alone made my skin crawl
My heart skipped as I stood awkwardly by the door, unsure of what to do next.
"Elira," Lennon called out.
I glanced up.
He smiled easily. "Co on, sit."
I nodded quickly and made my way to the right side of the table, skipping two chairs after Luna Gwenith’s, just like I had done at breakfast.
I sat down quietly, trying not to make a sound. My palms rested in my lap, trembling slightly.
Shortly after, the Alpha and Luna entered.
I stood and dipped my head in greeting. "Good evening, Alpha. Good evening, Luna."
Alpha Cyprus offered a small smile while Luna Gwenith’s eyes skimd over with contempt.
"There’s no need to stand and greet our parents at the table," Lennon said with a light chuckle. "There’s no such rule here."
"Oh..." I quickly sat.
Alpha Cyprus gave another nod. "Relax, Elira. You’re part of this house now."
I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get used to hearing that. But Luna Gwenith didn’t seem to share the sa sentint.
"You three are our sons," she said, her tone clipped. "There is no protocol for family. However, others must observe proper respect. So, they don’t forget their place."
"Gwen," Alpha Cyprus said with a firm smile, "no protocols at the table. For anyone." Then, to the room, he added, "Let’s pray for the food."
Luna Gwenith exhaled sharply but did the prayer anyway.
As soon as she was done, the servants began to serve food across the table.
When the tray was placed before , I noticed my dinner was different. The portions, the arrangent—it wasn’t the sa.
Before I could wonder why, Rennon’s voice ca gently. "The healer made a special diet plan for you."
I nodded and lowered my gaze to the food in front of .
A small bowl of bone broth. A plate of short ribs and liver. Stir-fried vegetables. A small serving of rice. And a tall glass of thick green juice.
I rembered what the healer said: malnourished, weak from exhaustion, underfed. That was why I had fainted from the mate bond overload.
I sighed and picked up my chopsticks.
The short ribs were surprisingly tasty. I ate them slowly, one piece at a ti. The rice helped. But then I tried the liver.
My entire face scrunched imdiately.
Is this what liver tastes like?
My tongue panicked in my mouth. I had to force it down with water.
When I glanced up again, I caught Zenon staring at . I quickly averted my eyes and reached for the green juice.
The mont it hit my tongue, regret hit harder.
I choked, coughed into my napkin, and whispered an apology. My cheeks flushed red.
"Easy," Alpha Cyprus said calmly.
"I know that stuff is bitter," Lennon added. "But you’ve got to tolerate the taste. Finish it."
I nodded faintly and returned to my al.
The bone broth was practically tasteless, warm but oily. I ate what I could, but nausea threatened after every spoonful.
When the table quieted, Alpha Cyprus looked up. "Elira."
I raised my eyes slightly.
"You will continue your education," he said, his tone decisive. "There’s a lot you need to learn. It will help you prepare for your role as Luna in the future."
My heart skipped.
School?
I rembered begging for it once, a year after my parents died. Uncle Marc had considered it, but Lady Maren said I wasn’t ready, that I needed ti.
That ti stretched into more than four years of scrubbing floors and biting my tongue while her own daughter studied.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Thank you, Alpha. I will inform my uncle when I return tomorrow."
Alpha Cyprus frowned. "Why are you returning to your uncle’s house? You’re under my protection now."
Before I could respond, Rennon spoke smoothly. "Father, she’s only going to retrieve her belongings. And I will escort her."
Alpha Cyprus studied for a long mont, then nodded. "Very well. We will continue this conversation about your education tomorrow evening."
"Thank you, Alpha." I bowed my head again, not daring to et Luna Gwenith’s icy stare.
After dinner, Lennon and Rennon quietly walked to my bedroom.
At my door, Rennon said in his calm tone, "We’ll leave right after breakfast."
I nodded. "Okay."
They both said good night and waited until I was safely inside before they left.
That night, I tossed and turned.
I thought about school, about getting to learn again. Then, about Alpha Cyprus’ acceptance even though I didn’t deserve any of his sons, worth more all three.
The scene from the Mating Moon Ceremony replayed in my head, the way he had accepted the bond as if he had been waiting for sothing like that.
My thoughts lingered on Lady Maren’s face when she sees tomorrow, and Regina’s wrath. Then I thought about my room. My things.
And mostly, I wondered if anything would still be intact.
---
The next morning, I woke early.
After showering, I pulled out the second dress Rennon bought for . It was modest, mid-length, and a little loose—but still the most beautiful thing I had worn in years.
I sat in front of the dresser, staring at my tattered hair. I considered getting a professional cut to even out my strands, but I didn’t have the money. Or the confidence to ask anyone for it.
So, I tied it again with my scarf, as usual. None of the brothers had seen the disaster underneath yet.
---
When I arrived at breakfast, only Lennon and Rennon were at the table.
I greeted them softly and took my seat.
"You look beautiful," Lennon said with a grin growing on his lips.
I blushed. "Thank you."
Then he turned to Rennon. "You have a good eye, brother. How’d you guess her size so accurately?"
Before Rennon could respond, the air around us shifted.
Zenon walked in, cold and distant. That brought an end to the conversation.
Luna Gwenith didn’t make it to breakfast today. And that allowed so peace to eat comfortably without constant glares.
As soon as breakfast was over, Rennon led the way outside the house and towards his car.
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