A Mate To Three Alpha Heirs Chapter 8: From Frying Pan Into The Fire

{Elira}

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Rennon walked ahead of , his long strides purposeful, while I trailed quietly.

The hallway was beautiful—marble floors, velvet wall drapes, soft lantern light, but I couldn’t focus on it. Not when hunger gnawed at my insides with such intensity.

Finally, we reached the dining hall, and the doors opened.

Everyone was already seated.

The long table lay before , adorned with silver trays, neatly folded napkins, and platters steaming with fresh bread, ats, and berries.

Every head turned to us as we strode in.

At the head of the table sat Alpha Cyprus, his dark hair streaked with dignified grey and tied loosely behind his back. His posture exuded a calm authority.

At his right sat Luna Gwenith. Her chin tilted, eyes sharp like a hawk looking out for its next prey.

To his left were the brothers.

Zenon, the sa one who had rejected in front of the entire pack last night, sat closest. Though his expression was unreadable, his stiff posture told enough.

Beside him sat Lennon, who caught my gaze briefly with a familiar, easy smile. The only warm thing in this room, aside from the food.

I stopped just beside Rennon.

"Rennon," Luna Gwenith said, her voice low but sharp, "what is she doing here?"

Fear gripped like Lady Maren’s hands around my throat. But Rennon didn’t flinch.

"Mother," he said calmly, "it’s ti for breakfast."

The room quietened.

Then Alpha Cyprus turned his head slightly toward , his gaze gentle.

I lowered mine and curtsied, my knees trembling. "Good morning, Alpha. Good morning, Luna. Thank you for having ."

Only Alpha Cyprus responded. "Did you sleep well, Elira?"

"Yes, thank you," I said, unsure whether to et his eyes. "I’m grateful for the hospitality."

Rennon gestured towards the right-hand side of the table, where his mother sat, and glanced at . My heart sank.

I would have preferred to sit with the brothers, but it seed that the left side was ant for them alone.

I hesitated, unsure if I had the right to sit that close to the Luna when Alpha Cyprus smiled warmly and urged , "Co, sit. Join us."

Still, I didn’t move. Then I felt Rennon’s palm, gentle at the small of my back. He gave a quiet nudge. I didn’t turn to glance at him; that was all the courage I needed to step forward.

I didn’t dare sit right next to Luna Gwenith. I skipped two seats, my hand barely brushing the back of the chair, when her cutlery crashed onto the table with a loud clatter.

I flinched and yanked my hand away. All eyes turned to her, but she didn’t spare anyone a glance.

She reached for her napkin, dabbed the corner of her lips and then placed it back on the table elegantly.

"Excuse ," she said to Alpha Cyprus, then rose to her feet and walked in my direction.

I quickly lowered my head.

I felt Luna Gwenith’s glare as she brushed past before walking away.

Deep down in my heart, I felt that if Luna Gwenith were the punishing type, she would be far worse than both Lady Maren and Regina combined.

My heart raced in my chest.

Have I just walked from the frying pan into the fire?

Just a few minutes ago, I had briefly concluded that this place would be far better than my uncle’s residence. However, as it turned out, it might be worse, and I was terrified, not knowing what dreadful things could happen to here.

Tears stung my eyes, but I blinked them back.

"Elira," Alpha Cyprus called gently.

I snapped out of my thoughts and t his gaze.

He gestured to the chair. "Please, sit."

It was a straightforward request, and I complied despite my discomfort in knowing that I was unworthy to sit with them.

I sat down and kept my back straight with my hands in my lap. I glanced at the steaming plate placed in front of —ats in brown gravy, roasted tubers, fresh rolls, and red-berry compote.

It slled divine, yet I hadn’t intended to touch my spoon; however, it was clear my stomach had a different idea.

It growled embarrassingly loudly.

I bit down on my bottom lip, feeling the four pairs of eyes all watching .

Alpha Cyprus smiled. "You should eat. Gwenith had sowhere to be. She didn’t leave because of you."

He was kind to say it, but I knew better.

Luna Gwenith hated .

And I had a deep feeling that we would be worlds apart for a very long ti.

"Elira, try the at gravy," Rennon said across from . "It’s delicious."

I glanced up at him.

"But I must warn you," Lennon added with a wink, "it’s a little spicy—but the perfect amount."

Their attempts at small talk were so casual and so normal that they uplifted my mood. Then my gaze accidentally landed on Zenon, who was eating silently with a stone face.

I lowered my eyes again and finally picked up my spoon.

For their sake, not mine, I tasted the gravy. It was warm. Rich. Spiced—yes—but nothing I couldn’t handle.

Regina had made eat five raw chilli peppers once as punishnt. So, this heat was ta by comparison.

"It seems like she’s doing just fine with it," Alpha Cyprus chuckled.

I realized then that he had been watching , and I hadn’t even noticed.

"Welco to the Ashford family," he added with a smile.

I ducked my head and stuffed a bite of at into my mouth.

Zenon was the next person to finish his breakfast. He stood, pushing his chair back with a sharp scrape.

"I will take my leave, Father," he said to Alpha Cyprus, who nodded in approval.

"Go ahead."

"Zenon, I’m coming along," Rennon said, folding his napkin. He adjusted his glasses before rising.

Zenon paused, waiting, despite his coldness. That ant sothing.

"Lennon, you coming?" he asked over his shoulder.

Lennon raised his glass and said, "Go ahead. I will be there in a few minutes."

Then I watched Zenon and Rennon leave together, walking in sync.

Lennon and I were left alone shortly after Alpha Cyprus departed.

Lennon looked at , grinning. "You can eat properly now," he said. "They’re gone."

I let out a soft breath. For the first ti since entering the room, my shoulders relaxed.

I didn’t know why, but I didn’t feel shy around Lennon. Perhaps it was because he has been nothing but kind to since our paths crossed recently.

This made wonder if he recalled bumping into at the market two days ago.

At that mont, I suddenly rembered sothing and brought my hand to my head. After two pats, a deep sigh of relief escaped my lips. My scarf was still intact.

I ate in silence for a few more minutes. I only managed half the plate, but it was more than I had eaten in months.

I was still in the sa black dress from last night. I wanted a bath, a new set of clothes, maybe even a mont to breathe and process everything.

I contemplated asking Lennon for help, but he spoke before I could gather my words.

"You done eating?" He asked with a glint in his eyes as he set his water glass down.

I blinked, sowhat startled. "Yes."

"Good. I want to show you sothing," he declared with excitent.

I stared at him.

What could he possibly want to show ?