Chapter 10

Elara

To say that I was taken aback would be putting it lightly. Alaric, the lofty and unapproachable Alpha who couldn’t even bear to crack a genuine smile when a child was begging him to, was apologizing… to me?

I didn’t know how to respond. This might very well have been the first apology of his life, if the redness to his ears and the way he stared at the floor was any indication.

He cleared his throat, avoiding my gaze. “I was wrong,” he admitted. “I shouldn’t have assumed you were upset about the money.”

I raised an eyebrow, folding my arms. “Go on.”

He glanced toward Ella’s room. The door was shut, but the sound of her soft humming could be heard through the wood. The thought made my eyes prick with tears, but I kept them at bay.

“Ella has always been extremely introverted,” Alaric explained quietly. “She rarely allows anyone to get close to her. Children’s eyes are sharp—they see the true intentions of those who approach them. Yet, somehow, you managed to comfort her.”

I softened slightly at his words, but remained silent.

Finally, he met my eyes. “I realize now that your... frustration over custody was rooted in your concern for the children. Not money or material things.”

For a moment, I still didn’t know what to say. It felt surreal to hear him admit to his wrongdoings, and part of me wanted to think that this was a trap. But the look in his eyes was sincere. He truly did feel bad.

I waved my hand generously. “I accept your apology. But you have to promise me one thing.”

Alaric raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”

I looked at him seriously and pointed at his chest. “Get rid of that hideous tie. I’ve been wanting to tear it off of you all day.”

He glanced down at the tie in question. “Is it really that bad?”

“Absolutely hideous!” I nodded with conviction. The tie was a ghastly shade of neon green, clashing horribly with his crisp white shirt and dark suit. It had an obnoxious pattern of tiny, clashing purple paisley swirls that made my eyes hurt just looking at it. “It’s like a crime against fashion. Don’t you know better than this?”

He frowned. “I thought it added a pop of color.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, it’s popping, alright. Just not in a good way.”

He looked genuinely perplexed. “I don’t see the issue.”

“Here, let me help you, then.” I reached out, grabbed the tie, and began loosening it to take it off. “Trust me, you’ll thank me lat—”

In a swift motion, Alaric caught my wrist. Before I knew it, my back was pressed against the wall, his face mere inches from mine.

His voice was low and accusatory. “I’m not stupid—you’re messing with me.”

My heart raced at his sudden closeness, at the scent of his cologne filling my senses, but I kept my composure. Somehow. I met his intense gaze and replied calmly, “I’m just being honest. That tie needs to go.”

He stared at me for a few moments, his eyes searching mine. The tension between us was palpable, and I could feel the warmth radiating off of his body. Slowly, he released my wrist. “Fine,” he muttered, removing the tie himself. “Happy now?”

“Getting there.”

He huffed lightly, a hint of amusement flickering across his features. But it was gone in a flash.

“Dinner’s ready,” he said coolly. Then he turned and walked away.

I took a moment to steady myself before following him to the dining room.

At the table, an array of dishes was laid out. Everything looked extremely healthy—plain grilled chicken breast, brown rice, steamed broccoli and carrots. Not a hint of seasoning or sauce in sight. It was basically a bodybuilder’s wet dream.

Alaric took his seat at the head of the table, appearing extremely pleased. He began eating with enthusiasm, savoring each bland bite as if it were a gourmet meal. I was surprised than an Alpha like Alaric wouldn’t have the finest dishes available for dinner—this seemed like nothing more than “nutrients”.

Across from me, Zoe quietly poked at the food on her plate, her little nose wrinkled in dismay. Ella was mechanically chewing, her expression one of sheer endurance, as if she had dealt with this for a very long time and had learned not to complain.

I glanced at the table full of tasteless dishes, finding it hard to muster any appetite myself. I speared a piece of broccoli and forced a smile. “Delicious,” I mumbled unconvincingly.

Zoe leaned over to me, whispering, “Mommy, do I have to eat this?”

I looked into her pleading eyes and felt a pang of sympathy. “Just try a little bit, sweetheart,” I encouraged softly.

She took a tiny nibble of the chicken and grimaced. “But it’s dry.”

I sighed, glancing over at Alaric. He was still eating his chicken with gusto, and was already reaching for the platter of steamed vegetables for a second helping. When I looked at Ella again, she was gripping the edge of the table with both hands as she tried to choke down a spoonful of brown rice.

This was sad. I couldn’t sit here and watch these two growing little girls struggle to eat. Little girls needed enough calories to grow!

I leaned over to Alaric and whispered, “Let me go to the kitchen and make something else for Ella and Zoe.”

He gave me a disapproving look, then gave the same look to Zoe. “That’s unnecessary. Children shouldn’t be picky eaters,” he said, not even bothering to lower his voice.

I glanced over at Zoe again, noticing the frustration building in her eyes as she picked at her chicken. His words stung all of us.

“She’s just adjusting to a new environment,” I said softly. “Her diet will take time to adapt. Maybe we can be a little more flexible...”

Alaric set down his fork and immediately interrupted me. “She can’t always be spoiled. If you indulge her now, what happens later? Children need to understand discipline, not assume every whim will be granted.”

Before he could finish, Zoe’s lower lip quivered, and a tear slipped down her cheek. Ella put down her glass of milk, looking uncomfortable.

Alaric stiffened, clearly not knowing how to handle the sudden tears. He glanced at me helplessly. I wanted to reach across the table and strike him for making my daughter cry, but I didn’t.

Still, I couldn’t bear to see this continue. “Excuse me,” I said, rising from my seat.

“Where are you going?” Alaric asked sharply.

“To the kitchen,” I replied firmly. “I’m going to make them something they’ll actually eat.”

He opened his mouth to protest, but I was already walking away.

Just as I reached the kitchen door, the butler stepped in front of me, his expression sour. “An Omega shouldn’t step into the kitchen,” he sneered. “You’ll make it dirty.”

“I just want to prepare something for the children.”

He folded his arms. “That’s the staff’s job, not yours.”

“Please move,” I said evenly.

He smirked. “I don’t take orders from the likes of you.”

At that moment, Alaric appeared behind me. His tone was cold and commanding. “Move.”

The butler looked at Alaric in astonishment. “Alpha Alaric, why are you—”

Alaric cut him off, his gaze icy. “I said, move.”

The butler hesitated, then stepped aside, confusion etched on his face. “But sir, why are you going into the kitchen?”

Alaric replied matter-of-factly, “To cook.”