Chapter 48: Chapter 48

Elara

His sister, his elder sister. The words resound in my head. My husband is calm. He is so at peace.

‘I didn’t know you had a sister,’ I say gently. He sighs and gulps his drink.

‘Her name is Eloise. You remind me of her,’ he says, scowling. Eloise, I practice her name on my tongue.

‘Reminds you of me?’

‘Yes. She’s fierce, stubborn… Really stubborn,’ I smile as he continues to point out our similarities.

‘Are you two close?’ I ask.

‘We used to be,’ Zuriel signals for the waiter to come, and he does. He asked for a stronger drink. The waiter leaves, and I stare at my husband, waiting for him to tell me more. After a moment of silence, he continues.

‘Eloise was my biggest bully, yet my strongest defender. She protected me from my father’s harsh punishment,’

His father. Zuriel had never mentioned his father. He doesn’t even bear his name. Crawford is his mother’s surname. I wonder what happened. Harsh punishments, he said? Was his father abusive to him? However, I have to be careful in how I ask questions. He infrequently opened up. The waiter, along with three other staff, started serving our food. Everything is elegant and delectable. He gestures for me to start eating, and slowly I do. I take small bites of my delicious food, and so does he.

‘Do you miss her, Eloise?’ I ask. He frowns but nods.

‘I do actually. I was happy she called,’ he answers.

‘I’m sure she’s as beautiful as Halsey,’ I add. He shakes his head negatively.

‘She’s my half-sister. We share a father, but you’re right. She is beautiful,’

‘Oh, I see,’

‘So, does she have your eyes? I love your eye,’

‘Her eyes are violet. Her hair is silver like mine, but longer. She often wears her hair in braids,’

I nod with a smile.

‘So, is Eloise with your father?’ his eyes darken after I say that. I regret my words immediately. He blinks a few times, and they are back to their captivating color.

‘Zuriel, can you please tell me about your family?’ my voice is gentle. He stares at me. I can’t read his emotions. I hate it when I can’t.

‘My father wasn’t too kind to me and my mother, or anyone,’ his voice lacks emotions when he speaks.

‘He never could control the beast inside him. It was too strong, and often gave into it,’

Werewolves often had a battle for control with their inner wolves. It is up to the human to create boundaries and tame their inner counterparts, if not, they would operate in an animalistic nature. Power, and bloodthirst. If his father’s wolf was that strong, it could only mean he was an alpha.

‘So, your father is an alpha,’ I say,

‘Something like that. And the old man is dead now,’ he shrugged his shoulders. I don’t know what to say to him. He seems nonchalant about it.

‘I’m sorry?’ I say as a question.

‘Don’t be. I hated him for how he treated us. I’m glad he’s dead,’

I’m stunned and can’t say another word. I slack back in my seat and sigh, absentmindedly playing with my fork. Even though he told me about his father. I have more questions for him. Did he run away from his pack because of his father’s abuse? Can he go back now that he’s dead? Does Eloise take over the pack? Usually, it was unheard of to have alpha females leading a pack.

‘Did you run away from your pack?’ I ask. Zuriel clearly doesn’t want to talk about his life anymore. I’ll take what I’ve been given for now.

‘We are here for a date. Enjoy it,’

Zuriel comes to me and extends his hand to me, ‘ May I have this dance?’

There is no music playing, but I nod,

‘Of course,’

I take his hand. Suddenly, soft music begins to play.

‘You’re a romantic,’ I tease, staring into his eyes.

‘Bruce said they do this,’ he says.

‘Bruce? You went to Bruce for help?’

‘Yes,’

‘Haven’t you gone on a date before?’ I ask, amused.

‘No, I haven’t,’

I smile and lean against his chest. I’m pleased to be his first date. Hopefully, he shall think of this because I’ll never forget this day. We sway slowly to the music. Everything feels perfect in this moment. We continue dancing when he whispers in my ear,

‘I have something planned for you,’

‘What?’ I asked in excitement.

‘Look up,’

I look up to the sky, and immediately, it is filled with colorful fireworks. I pull away, watching the bright sky in awe. They are so many and beautiful.

‘This is amazing, Zuriel!’ I cheer. He only nods at me. I see pleasure in his gaze as he watches me. I can’t help but hug him. However, I didn’t expect him to hug me back. He pulls away and gently caresses my face.

‘You have a lovely smile, Elara,’

My husband crashes his lips on me. His kiss is passionate like the rest of him. I want more. I stand on my tiptoes, claiming more of his delicious lips.

He hoists me up, squeezing my butt.