Free Web NovelChapter 142: Chapter 142 Gift Wrapped Surprise
Elara’s POV
Finnian knew exactly what was happening, but he cocked his head anyway, putting on an innocent act like he had no clue.
"Like a sandwich?" Dorian mimicked the head tilt, flashing me the same wide-eyed, clueless expression as Finnian.
My palms were getting clammy.
This is completely nuts.
I couldn’t handle sitting there another second. I wolfed down a few quick bites and bolted upstairs.
Way too much information. I need time to think.
——
Watching her dash away like that, Alistair scowled. "She barely touched her food."
"Two brothers?" Barrett’s curiosity kicked in. "What’s that supposed to mean?"
Finnian’s mouth curved into a smug grin. "Probably means Dorian and I have the same mother."
Dorian hadn’t figured it out either until after their wedding. During their time on Vowrock, he’d learned that he and Finnian were half-brothers.
"Wait, you’re the Queen’s son as well?" Julian’s eyes stretched wide.
Finnian gave a nod.
Barrett’s brow furrowed. "But you look nothing like her. And you don’t carry her surname."
"That’s because my father rules Frostpeak World," Finnian explained.
Frostpeak World sat close to Prime World, though it remained outside the system’s jurisdiction. When Finnian’s father had been with Rosalind, she hadn’t chosen additional mates yet. Foxes mate for life—they form permanent bonds. His father couldn’t bear watching her surrounded by other males, so he took Finnian and returned to his home planet.
Distance makes forgetting easier.
But Finnian viewed things differently.
He simply didn’t know the right approach. A quality female will never settle for just one male.
Fleeing doesn’t make anyone a champion.
With that realization, Finnian pushed his fork aside. "I’m finished. Continue eating."
He rose and walked out.
Barrett trailed after him. Then Julian and Kaelen, both sporting matching wicked smiles, disappeared toward their bedrooms with whatever schemes they were plotting.
——
Elara’s POV
Upstairs, I brushed my teeth, splashed water on my face, and smoothed on moisturizer before sliding into bed. My period wasn’t painful this cycle, but I felt completely drained.
The moment I settled down, thoughts of Silas flooded my mind.
I wonder what Si’s up to. I hope he’s there when I open my eyes tomorrow.
I curled into a ball, palms pressed against my chest. Something unsettling twisted in my gut.
The feeling didn’t stick around long. Right as sleep started pulling me under, the mattress shifted behind me.
"Elara? Are you awake?" Barrett’s voice came out hushed.
He’d put serious effort into this—freshly cleaned, nails clipped short, hair styled to perfection. He’d been anticipating this moment—maybe not for anything intimate, but simply to embrace me, to lie next to me.
He extended his hand cautiously, recalling Alistair’s warning about my morning attitude. And it was better not to disturb me while I was sleeping or I’d turn seriously grumpy.
He seemed incredibly careful not to wake me up.
His fingers hesitated in midair. Then his eyes grew huge.
I reached for him first.
I nestled against him, breathing in his scent at his throat, then gave a gentle nip. Barrett drew me closer, his pulse racing.
"Elara. My lady..." His voice broke.
He was starving for my touch. "I’m spotless," he whispered. "You can play with me."
His tail appeared in my line of sight. I spotted a tiny bell attached to the tip.
I was stunned.
He’s mimicking Dorian?
I pushed myself up, and my eyes wandered downward. Heat flooded my cheeks.
Holy hell! Perfect score. He really pulled out all the stops to wow me.
Actually, minus ten points.
Because I’m having my period.
But damn. Just... damn.
I never imagined someone would literally gift-wrap themselves for me.
A wolf sporting a bell on his tail? Amazing!
He’d wound ribbons around his body—they followed his muscle definition in precise knots. The sight made my head spin. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
"You..." My throat went dry.
When I switched on the bedside lamp, Barrett buried his face in the pillow. But he didn’t attempt to hide anything else. freewebnoveℓ.com
"You devil," I grinned. "You’re absolutely perfect."
"As long as it pleases you, Elara," he breathed.
He did this for me. Good boy.
I climbed over him, lifting his chin. A soft groan escaped his lips. His entire body had flushed pink. He looked up at me, gentle and dreamy, nuzzling his cheek into my hand. His tail rested quietly next to us, twitching now and then, grazing my leg—tickling but absolutely intoxicating.
