"We meet again." A familiar voice drifted across from Lilith, drawing a startled gasp from her. Shocked, she fixed her gaze upon him. Though she had not seen his face clearly before, those piercing green eyes were unmistakable, she needed no second glance to recognize him as the chained man she had encountered while fleeing.
"You know her?" The brown -haired man seated beside him inquired, his gaze flickering between them with mild curiosity.
"No! I don't know who he is!" Lilith interjected before the chained man could respond, her voice rising in protest. A hush fell over the room as all eyes turned toward her, some filled with shock that Elijah, the most troublesome man, seemed to know her, while others regarded her with quiet displeasure.
"Ouch, that hurts!" Elijah feigned offense, placing a hand over his chest as though her words had truly pained him.
"She said she does not know you. Do not frighten the poor lady." The brown-haired man said and shook his head, turning away from Elijah as if dismissing his antics.
"You have only just been freed from imprisonment, yet you refuse to change. Once a criminal, always a criminal." Margaret clicked her tongue, spitting the words with disdain. But rather than a frown, her remark was met with a wide smile from Elijah, one that left Lilith perplexed.
So many questions burned within her, yet she had no friends here, and given her circumstances, no one would be willing to answer them.
Silently, she bent to retrieve the fallen spoon, then took a fresh one from a maid and resumed serving the Alpha.
"Thank you for your concern, Mother. It almost tempts me to commit more crimes." Elijah's voice rang out, and at once, the air grew heavy with tension. Words were exchanged in silence as wary glances darted about the room.
Lilith stiffened. This was no harmonious family, she could sense it, and if she did not tread carefully, she might find herself entangled in their strife. Moreover, as her eyes flitted over Elijah's features, she noted a faint resemblance to Zayd. The realization struck her that Elijah and Zayd were related. And if Elijah had just called Margaret Mother, that confirmed it. But why, then, was she so hostile toward him?
"I would be glad if you did," Margaret sneered, her voice dripping with venom. "It would make it all the easier to rid myself of you once and for all."
Lilith stilled. Whatever kind of mother Margaret was, there was no mistaking the depth of her resentment. But what had fueled such hatred?
Wait! Why was she even dwelling on this? Their family troubles were none of her concern. She would be gone soon, just as soon as she gained Madam Agnes's trust. There was no reason to entangle herself in another family's affairs.
Her gaze flickered toward Zayd, expecting some reaction. Yet he sat unmoved, his expression a blank slate, as if none of this concerned him in the slightest.
A dark chuckle escaped Elijah. His eyes slid toward Lilith as he declared, "That will not be so easy, especially now that I have found a new love interest."
A collective gasp rippled through the room.
Lilith felt the weight of their stares before she even looked up. When she finally did, she flinched. 'Why is everyone staring at me?' She thought, panic coursing through her body. Had she unknowingly committed some great offense?
Zayd, who had remained indifferent to the entire exchange, finally lifted his head, his gaze settling on Elijah. Sensing the shift, Elijah met his brother's stare with a lazy smile.
"You wouldn't mind, would you, brother?" Elijah asked smoothly, his tone laced with amusement.
Lilith frowned, confusion tightening her features. What were they talking about?
"There are plenty of humans in the prison," Zayd finally spoke, his voice calm yet cutting. "You can check for the fertile ones there."
The air grew heavier, the tension thick enough to suffocate. All attention fixated on the two brothers.
"I saw her first, unfortunately," Elijah responded, his voice light yet unyielding. "It would be difficult to let go."
A silent battle ensued between them, their gazes locked in an unspoken challenge. Lilith found it difficult to focus with so much hostility crackling between them. There was something in their stare, something ancient and bitter—this was not mere sibling rivalry. It was deep-seated hatred.
"Right, Lilith?" Elijah smirked, turning to face her. "It's fine if I take an interest in you, isn't it?"
Lilith blinked, taken aback. What?
"Interested in me?" She arched a careful brow at him, forcing a polite smile. "What exactly do you mean by that?"
"I fell for you at first sight and can't seem to control these feelings." Elijah exhaled dramatically before continuing, "Since my dear brother refuses to marry you, I will. And I promise to treat you far better than he is. What do you say?"
Lilith barely managed to suppress her grimace. Even a child could see through such blatant insincerity. Did he truly think she would fall for that? And who said she wanted to marry either of them? These brothers had an infuriating habit of claiming things without permission.
"Watch your mouth. She is mine," Zayd interjected, his tone low and predatory.
"I said nothing wrong," Elijah replied with a chuckle. "You refuse to marry her because of what that human woman did to you, but I am different. I am genuinely interested in Lilith. There are other human virgins, you could tell the priests to find you one." And the room fell silent. Everyone dropped their gaze on Zayd, wondering what his reaction would be but he remained seated, staring at Elijah intensely.
Mocking laughter spilled from Elijah's lips as he stood. "Since you have nothing to say, I will take that as a yes. So, if you will excuse me…"
Before he could finish, Zayd seized him by the collar. A collective gasp swept through the room.
In a flash, Elijah's hand shot up, gripping Zayd's collar in return, their glares colliding with the force of a brewing storm.
"If you ever mention her again, I will have you imprisoned for a hundred years." Zayd's grip tightened, his voice dark and menacing as he struggled to restrain himself.
"Why?" Elijah taunted, laughter bubbling up once more. "Still too afraid to confront the past?"
Lilith watched in silence, her mind whirling. Who was this human woman they spoke of? And why did she hold such power over Zayd? Could this be the source of his hatred for humans? But no, Lycans had always despised humans. It couldn't be just because of one woman… could it?
"Is that all you have? Childish threats?" Zayd scoffed, his expression unimpressed.
Elijah's smirk faltered, his eyes narrowing.
"Oh, watch and see how I use my childish ways to claim this new human." His grin returned, wicked and taunting. "It will be fun."
Zayd's patience snapped. Releasing Elijah with a sharp exhale, he turned on his heel and walked toward Lilith. Before she could react, he grabbed her wrist and, without a word, dragged her out of the dining room.