Tasting 372

372–A Little Luxury

Nora:

“Do visit us,” Lord Atwood said, patting my head affectionately, making my eyes well up with tears. I

hadn’t acted the way I used to with him. I simply nodded and offered him a very forced smile. I

began to wonder if we made a mistake by lying about the wedding. We should have used the

excuse of acceptance only, which did happen. But faking an alpha’s wedding could be a trouble as

there is no proof of that ever happening.

The brothers had loaded their bags into the cars and looked visibly disturbed. While Lord Atwood,

Brody, and the others spoke together, the brothers stood next to the car. Cain stood straight,

tapping his fingers on his wallet, Nash was in front of the car with his hand on its roof and his head

turned towards me, Ryker leaned back against the car with his arms folded, and Silas kicked at little

rocks while sneaking glances at me through his thick eyebrows.

I could tell they were discussing me. Ryker kept nodding, Cain squinted his eyes, and Nash made

occasional comments. Then Ryker pushed himself off the car and walked towards me. I quickly

straighten my posture. This last interaction should go very well. They must not return but then why

the heck did i feel like there was a little urge in me that they should stay?

“We are leaving,” he declared.

“Have a safe journey,” I replied, not showing much concern, quickly shutting down my emotions

again. It was easy to mask my

emotions now.

COOK

372–A Little Luxury

“But don’t you think we won’t return?” Nash followed his brother, making a statement that sent chills

down my spine.

“You should not waste your time and let me live my life peacefully,” I groaned.

“You didn’t let us live peacefully, so now we won’t let you live peacefully,” Cain said, making his

brothers chuckle.

“It’s not some game-” I began to scold, but was interrupted when Silas approached and brutally cut

me off.

“Exactly. It is not a fucking game,” he said, his tone harsher than his brothers‘. He neither chuckled

nor smirked.

“Long story short, we will come back and take you with us. You can enjoy whatever time you have

left here,” Nash made an open threat. I didn’t get a chance to warn them against the idea because

the others were now coming towards them to say their goodbyes.

We stepped away while the brothers got into their vehicles, all casting strange looks my way before

starting their cars and leaving.

“Ugh, they wasted the whole day,” Brody said, turning his attention to me. “Are you okay?” The

nerve of him.

“Don’t ask me that question unless you truly care,” I said, rolling my eyes as I took off my jewelry

and tossed it on the ground, eliciting a gasp from his royal Gamma and the council member.

“I do care,” Brody replied, though he had become shameless. It was odd how they all seemed to run

away when I wanted attention and care, yet they openly pursued me when I took a step back.

372–A Little Luxury

“Then give me my children–all four of them,” I demanded,

watching him awkwardly try to fix his posture since he clearly couldn’t do that.

lient

“See,” I rolled my eyes, but as I attempted to walk away, he stepped in my way again.

“Fine,” he said, and my heart skipped a beat.

“But you will have to stay here in the mansion, not in the quarters,” he added, making a demand that

didn’t even sound crazy to me. If anything, he was offering me even more luxury.

“Really? All four of them?” I asked, and he suddenly went silent.

“But they will be in separate rooms. One of them-” I knew Roman would be in a separate room. The

way he resisted letting me keep all my children together made me wonder if he knew that once they

were all in one place, I would plan an escape.

“But you will get to decide how much time you want to spend with them. It won’t be like you’ll only

meet them when you’ve fought a mutant. You’ll have them 24/7, only leaving for missions and fights,

like a working mom. You’ll return to your room where your babies are,” he added. Honestly, I didn’t

expect him to grant me so much leniency. He had been quite negative about it from the beginning,

so I didn’t want to lose this opportunity.

“Okay!” I quickly agreed, and Brody turned to Jerry.

“You heard me, make preparations,” he ordered, his eyes still on

1. me.

“Brody! Why would you-” Jerry started to complain, but Brody raised his hand, silencing him as he

showed his plan.

Py

372–A Latle Luxury

“Do it,” Brody ordered again, and once more, he didn’t break his gaze from my face.