Chapter 0014
I instinctively tried to pull my hand back, but Elijah held my wrist firmly, his grip surprisingly gentle. A shiver ran through me as I felt his warm tongue lapping at the wound.
The sharp pain gradually faded, replaced by a soothing warmth that spread through my finger, as if he were weaving some kind of magic to heal me. I blinked in astonishment, unable to tear my gaze away from him. He seemed to hesitate for a moment before finally releasing my hand.
“You smell like…” he began, his brow furrowing as if he were trying to articulate something he couldn’t quite grasp. But the
thought slipped away as he took the knife from my hand, motioning for Thea and me to step aside.
I raised an eyebrow, my curiosity piquing as I moved to wrap my finger in a paper towel. “You can cook?”
Elijah, still focused on the task at hand, nodded curtly. “I won’t let a careless woman handle the kitchen.” His tone was playful,
but there was an undercurrent of seriousness in his words.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at his bravado. To my astonishment, Elijah’s cooking skills were impeccable. He moved with a
confidence I hadn’t seen in him before, chopping vegetables with precision
The kitchen filled with the sounds of sizzling oil and the fragrant aroma of garlic and herbs. Something shifted in the atmosphere
as he cooked, he was more at ease now. I think he was trying to put on a happy face for Thea after Olivia’s unexpected arrival, but
there was something else to it, too.
I quickly understood why.
As he worked, he explained that before becoming Alpha, he had apprenticed under a chef.
“I haven’t had the chance to cook in years,” he admitted, “which is why even Thea doesn’t know about my hidden talent.”
And a talent it was, indeed. He cooked like he had been a five–star chef in his past life. Soon, the air smelled good enough to make
my mouth water. I wasn’t sure if I had ever eaten food that looked quite that good.
Learning this unexpected piece of Elijah’s past filled me with a strange warmth. It helped me understand why he was so comfortable with the market vendors, the way they laughed and exchanged banter as if they were old friends. I’d always thought
of him as the stoic Alpha, a man burdened by his responsibilities.
But here, in the kitchen, he was different–more relaxed, more gentle.
As we sat down to eat, the table was a feast for the eyes. A beautifully roasted chicken sat in the center, its skin golden brown and
crisp, while the vibrant vegetables nestled around it looked almost too pretty to disturb. The rich, savory aroma wafted through the air, making my stomach growl in anticipation. I couldn’t help but admire the way he’d arranged everything–a true
testament to his culinary skills.
Elijah poured us glasses of deep red wine, the dark liquid glinting in the light as he raised his glass in a toast.
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“To good food and better company,” he said, a rare, soft smile playing on his lips. The warmth of his gaze made my heart flutter, and I clinked my glass against his, savoring the moment even though I couldn’t help but feel it was just an act for Thea’s sake.
The first bite was a revelation. The chicken was perfectly seasoned, the meat succulent and juicy, while the roasted vegetables offered a delightful contrast of sweetness and earthy flavors. I savored each mouthful, marveling at the simple pleasure of sharing a meal together.
But despite the warmth and laughter, my mind kept drifting back to the conversation Elijah had with Olivia. I could feel the weight of it pressing on my chest, but I was too afraid to ask. My hesitation didn’t go unnoticed, and Elijah picked up on it.
“Do you mind if I tell Agnes about what happened with Olivia, what she did to you?” he asked Thea gently, his voice steady yet
soft.
Thea, without missing a beat, replied, choosing to tell me herself instead.
“Olivia hurt me. She screamed at me and hit me sometimes when daddy wasn’t around.” The innocent way she spoke about such a horrific experience made my heart ache. I glanced at Thea, feeling a surge of protective instinct.
“Oh, sweetheart,” I murmured, reaching out to hold her hand. “I’m so sorry you went through that.”
The little girl then tugged on my arm, her voice soft as she added, “Mommy, you have one thing”
Promise!
My heart broke at Thea’s words. Without hesitation, I agreed to fulfill any wish my daughter had.
“Anything, my love.”
Thea smiled and pulled me away from the table.
“I want to take a bath with you, Mommy! I’ve never had that before.”
Her request was simple, but it stirred something deep within me. I wanted nothing more than to create moments of joy and safety.
for her.
“Of course,” I said gently.
Later, after dinner when Elijah had already excused himself, we both gathered our things for our bath.
As we entered, the space was bright and airy, sunlight streaming through the frosted glass window. The bathtub was enormous,
more like a small pool than anything I’d ever seen, and I couldn’t help but marvel at it. I began to undress, feeling the weight of
the day slip away.
Just as I was about to step into the bath, Thea suddenly remembered something.
“I forgot my little ducky for the bath! You go ahead, Mommy, I’ll be right back!”
י
I chuckled, watching her dash out of the room, her little feet padding on the floor. With a resigned sigh, I stepped into the bath,
and the warm water enveloped me like a soothing hot spring, allowing me to finally relax. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the warmth seep into my muscles, easing the tension I hadn’t realized I was holding.
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But as the minutes passed and Thea didn’t return, I began to wonder what was taking so long. The calmness of the water was disrupted by the rising tide of my worries. Had she gotten distracted? Was she rummaging through her toys?
Or worse, had Olivia returned?
My heart ached at the thought of her encountering Olivia again, the woman who had caused her so much pain.
Just then, I heard the sound of water stirring. I looked up in surprise as Elijah’s upper body emerged from the water, his piercing eyes locking onto mine. A wave of heat washed over me, my heart racing at the sight of him.
The water cascaded down his chest, glistening under the light, and for a moment, I forgot everything else.
As he stood there, droplets sliding down his toned muscles, I couldn’t help but admire him.
Droplets glistened on his chiseled physique. His wet, dark hair clung to his forehead, accentuating his striking features. Ice–blue
eyes locked onto mine, holding an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.
His strong jawline was defined, and a hint of stubble added a rugged charm. As the water trickled down his broad shoulders and
sculpted chest, I couldn’t help but notice the well–defined abs that rippled beneath his skin, a testament to his strength and agility. The muscles in his arms and back flexed as he moved, exuding a raw, magnetic energy that made it hard to look away,
The tension in his shoulders had seemed to melt away in the bath, replaced by a relaxed confidence that was undeniably
attractive. The way the light caught the water made him look almost ethereal, and I felt my cheeks flush with warmth
What was he doing here?
