{Elira}
~**^**~
The car ride was steeped in silence.
No music. No radio station. No Noise.
Just the hum of the road and the whisper of the tires against gravel.
Rennon hadn't said a word since we left the Alpha's estate, but somehow, his quiet presence filled the space between us.
It didn't feel tense or cold—just… calm. The kind of calm that settled around your bones and made you forget you were nervous to begin with.
His scent—light jasmine with faint traces of citrus and mint—floated gently in the air. It was clean, like morning dew and freshly crushed herbs.
It was nothing like Lennon's, who carried the warmth of sandalwood, amber, and vanilla.
And then it hit me.
The one who caught me when I fainted at the mating grounds… neither of them smelled like that wolf.
So… who saved me?
I blinked and tried not to overthink it. But the mystery now itched at the edge of my thoughts.
A few minutes passed before Rennon tilted his head slightly toward me.
"Did everything fit?"
I blinked, totally confused.
"What?" I muttered, unsure if I heard right.
He glanced at me briefly before returning his eyes to the road. "The clothes."
Oh.
It took a second, but everything snapped into place. The dresses... the undergarments.
I turned my head sharply toward the window, heart fluttering.
Did he really just ask me that?
I was a bit disoriented, almost forgetting he had asked a question, until I felt the weight of his glance return to me.
"Um… I—I…" I stammered, meeting his gaze too fast, too nervously.
But his eyes softened. "I understand. Not all fitted."
Then, as casually as anything, he added, "Tomorrow, we'll go to the mall together. You can pick your clothes in the right size by yourself."
I stared at him, stunned, realizing why he had asked that question in the first place.
His intentions had been innocent, unlike my thoughts.
My chest warmed, but I fought to keep my expression neutral.
"You've already done enough for me," I said quietly. "Thank you. But… I already have some clothes." 'And I will be getting today.'
I said the second half of the sentence in my head.
His gaze didn't shift. "Until tomorrow," he replied softly, putting an end to the topic.
—
I asked Rennon to stop the car outside the gate when he finally arrived at my uncle's residence.
He listened. But as he cut the engine, he said, "Driving in would make it easier to pack your luggage."
I shook my head quickly and unfastened my seatbelt.
"I need to speak with my uncle first," I explained, voice low. "I know it wasn't part of the plans until this morning. I'm sorry… in case you have other plans."
He only shook his head once, brushing off the apology like it didn't matter.
"Call me if you need anything. I'll wait out here."
I nodded. "Thank you… for bringing me."
He only gave a small nod in return, the ghost of a smile touching his lips.
I stepped out of the car, shut the door gently, and waved. He didn't wave back. But the small lift of his chin was enough.
I turned to the gates. My chest tightened with every step I took forward. The house loomed just ahead.
The moment I stepped inside the compound, eyes locked on me. Servants, gardeners. All of them paused and stared, but I kept walking.
I would have been in their situation if I had spent the night here.
I passed the hallway leading to the kitchen and caught sight of the housekeeper. I walked up to her.
"Good morning... Can I see my uncle?" I asked.
She ran her eyes from the crown of my head and down to the soles of my feet. She gave me a quick, condescending glance, then muttered, "In his study."
I thanked her and walked off, ignoring the sharp silence that followed.
None of the servants here were the ones who had served my father. Lady Maren replaced them all as soon as Uncle Marc took over.
Everyone in this house now owed loyalty to her… not to me.
—
As soon as I arrived at my uncle's study, I took a steadying breath and knocked.
"Come in," his familiar voice answered from within.
I pushed the door open slowly. My eyes swept the room, and froze.
Lady Maren was here.
"Elira," Uncle Marc said, smiling, his eyes brightening at the sight of me.
Lady Maren scoffed. "Look who finally decided to return home."
My heart raced. I lowered my head and greeted them both. "Good morning, Uncle. Good morning, Lady Maren."
She scoffed again and turned her face away. But Uncle Marc stood up from behind his desk and crossed the room toward me.
He placed both hands on my shoulders, eyes soft.
"I was just planning to visit Alpha Cyprus."
Then, to my complete surprise, he pulled me into a hug. It's been a long time since he did this.
His scent was like memory—old books, ink, and polished wood. My father used to smell like that. Just less stern. At least to me.
My arms hung limply at my sides. I wanted to hold him back, but Lady Maren's sharp presence made it impossible.
Still, I shut my eyes and inhaled once, blinking my tears back.
When Uncle Marc pulled away, his hands stayed on my shoulders. "It's good to have you back home, dear."
My heart faltered.
No. Uncle misunderstood. I wasn't here to stay.
Then I shook my head slowly, gently. "Uncle. I'm only here to pick up my things," I said softly.
His expression shifted almost immediately. "What?"
Lady Maren shot to her feet. "What nonsense are you talking about?"
I flinched slightly, briefly meeting her dark gaze before keeping my eyes on my uncle.
Although I was oddly afraid of Lady Maren, I had to summon the courage to speak my mind; otherwise, I might not return to Alpha Cyprus's home.
"Is it because of what Alpha Cyprus said at the clearing?" he asked, his voice quiet, confused.
I gave a small nod. "Yes."
Though that was the truth, it was also what I wanted. But I wasn't given a chance to explain.
Uncle Marc sighed and dropped his hands. "You don't need to listen to him, Elira. I was planning to go and bring you back this afternoon."
I hesitated... then looked him in the eye. "Uncle, this is what I want. I want to stay at the Alpha's place."
A long silence followed, and then Lady Maren erupted.
"Have you lost your mind? What nonsense are you saying?!"
But Uncle Marc raised one hand—and just like that, she went quiet, but not without glaring daggers at me.
He turned back to me, but his gaze had changed.
"Why would you want to leave your uncle," he asked darkly, "to go and live with someone who isn't family? Are you not comfortable here?"
My chest locked.
From the corner of my eye, I unintentionally caught Lady Maren's look—a warning so sharp it pierced me.
I couldn't answer that question.
Of course, I wasn't comfortable here. But how could I express that out loud?
"Elira?" Uncle Marc's voice brought my attention back to him. His brows were furrowed, and he was waiting... waiting for my answer.