Family and Gifts

Eila reached the edge of the woods, quickly slipping into her dress before stepping onto the dirt path that led to her house. The early morning sun cast golden streaks over the village, and the crisp air carried the scent of freshly baked bread from nearby homes. As soon as she emerged, she felt the weight of multiple gazes on her.

The neighbors were already awake, their keen eyes tracking her movements. Some whispered to each other, their voices hushed but their excitement obvious. Others stared openly, their expressions ranging from curiosity to disbelief. It wasn't every day that the Beta—the elusive and powerful Leonard Blackwell—was discovered to have a mate.

And not just any mate, but her.

Eila clenched her jaw and ignored them, walking briskly toward her house. She didn't have the energy to deal with their gossip. The night's revelations had drained her completely, and all she wanted now was the warmth of her home.

As soon as she pushed the door open, the scent of warm porridge and honey greeted her. The sight that met her made her chest tighten—her family was gathered around the breakfast table, waiting for her.

Her mother, Celena, had dark circles under her eyes, her exhaustion evident. She must have stayed up all night worrying. Her father, Armaan, sat beside her, his expression one of quiet relief as he saw Eila return in one piece. Though Eila was strong, the recent rogue attacks in the woods had put everyone on edge. Staying out all night without a strong protector had been reckless, and she knew it.

Before she could say anything, her younger siblings—Meera, Michael, and Daria—rushed forward, throwing their arms around her.

"You're back!" Meera mumbled into her dress.

"You were gone so long!" Michael added, his little fists gripping her sleeve.

"We made you gifts," Daria said, stepping back to reveal the small wrapped bundles on the table.

Eila felt a lump form in her throat. They had been waiting for her all night.

Her mother smiled softly and gestured toward the gifts. "They wanted to congratulate you properly. We all did."

Eila hesitated before sitting down at the table. She unwrapped the first gift—a finely embroidered handkerchief from Michael, its edges stitched with little golden stars.

"I tried to make it pretty," Michael said shyly.

Eila grinned. "It's perfect."

Meera handed over a bundle wrapped in soft cloth. "I made you this."

Inside was a hand-knitted sweater, slightly oversized but warm to the touch. The stitches were a little uneven, but that only made it more endearing.

Eila pulled Meera into a hug. "I love it."

Daria, always the fierce one, placed something small and metallic in Eila's hand—a small knife with a sturdy handle. "I made it from my broken sword," she said proudly. "For protection."

Eila traced her fingers over the smooth blade. "Thank you, Daria."

Finally, her parents presented her with a beaded scarf, woven with intricate patterns. Her mother had spent weeks crafting it, and it was beautiful.

Eila looked around the table at the people she loved. They hadn't pressured her about the mate bond, hadn't pried into what had happened last night. They just wanted to celebrate her.

Gratitude swelled in her heart. "Thank you, all of you. This means everything to me."

Her mother smiled and placed a bowl of porridge in front of her. "Eat first, then rest. You've had a long night."

Eila nodded and dug into her meal. The warm food soothed her, and soon, laughter and conversation filled the air. Her siblings asked about her wolf, begging her to let them see Seraphina.

"I'll show you later," she promised, amused by their enthusiasm.

Just as she was finishing her meal, a loud knock echoed through the house.

The room fell silent.

Eila exchanged glances with her parents before rising to answer the door. She had a strange feeling—whoever was on the other side wasn't just another neighbor.

She took a deep breath and waited for her mother to pull the door open.