Chapter 23 : A Taste of Home CAIUS +15 Bonus This is ridiculous , I muttered , running a hand down my face .
Across from me , Elias and Ronan grinned like a pair of fools .
You , Elias snickered , argued with a tailor over fabric .
She needed something comfortable , I said gruffly .
The tailor was an idiot .
Ronan leaned back in his chair , smirking .
And what about the clothes ? The cloaks ? The boots ? Did he force those on you , too ? I scowled .
The truth was , I had chosen every piece myself .
I had watched Lira closely , noticed the way she hugged herself in the cold , the way her clothes were still the ones she had been taken in torn , worn , and unsuitable for the North .
So I hava to fix it .
Because it was my duty to take care of her .
Not because I wanted to see her smile .
Not because my wolf rumbled in satisfaction every time she grew more comfortable here .
Definitely not .
Elias crossed his arms , amusement flickering in his sharp eyes .
You do realize the entire pack sees it , right ? I exhaled through my nose .
Sees what ? The way you are with her .
He smirked .
The way you look at her .
I didnt look at her a certain way .
Did I ? Before I could answer , the door creaked open .
Lira stepped in .
For a moment , everything paused .
She was wearing one of the dresses I had chosen .
A deep blue one , flowing and fitted at the waist , making her look like she belonged here .

1/4 Chapter 23 A Taste of Home +15 Bonus My breath caught before I forced myself to exhale evenly .
My fingers curled against the wooden table , nails pressing into the surface .
She hesitated at the doorway , her amber eyes flickering toward me , uncertainty flickering across her face .
I cleared my throat .
Did you sleep well ? A brief pause , then a small nod .
Yes .
Thank you .
Something warm settled in my chest , and my wolf stilled , satisfied .
Good .
I gestured to the empty seat beside me .
Eat with us .
She hesitated again , glancing between me , Elias , and Ronan as if she were weighing the offer .
Her fingers twitched at her sides , her posture tense .
Elias raised an eyebrow but said nothing , only nudging a plate of food toward the empty spot .
Lira finally stepped forward and slid into the seat , her movements cautious but graceful .
A small victory .
One I intended to build on .
Ronan leaned forward , propping his chin on his hand .
So , Lira , he started , grinning .
What do you think of our dear Alphas taste in clothing ? Lira blinked , glancing down at the fabric of her dress before looking back up .
Its … warm .
Comfortable .
Ronan chuckled .
Thats not an answer .
She arched a brow at him , then turned her gaze to me .
Did you really argue with the tailor ? Elias let out a bark of laughter .

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Oh , he did more than argue .
Practically snarled at the poor man .
Said the embroidery was shoddy and that the stitching wouldnt hold .
Liras lips twitched , the ghost of a smile forming .
That so ? I sighed .
The tailor was incompetent .
Ronan shook his head .
Or maybe you just cared too much .
Liras gaze flickered , something unreadable in her expression .
She dropped her attention back to her plate , silently cutting into the food before her .
The air between us shifted something unsaid lingering between the words .
I watched her , noting the way her fingers curled around the silverware , the tension in her shoulders that never fully eased .
She was still wary .
Still unsure of her place here .
2/4 Chapter 23.
A Taste of Home And that shouldnt bother me .
But it did .
Elias , ever perceptive , leaned back and changed the subject .
You do realize that every time she enters the room , you go completely silent , right ? I shot him a glare .
Thats absurd .
+15 Bonus Ronan snorted .
Is it ? Because I swear , Caius , if we kept count , youve probably spent more time staring at her than speaking to any of us this week .
Lira made a small sound in her throat , something caught between a cough and a laugh .
Thats ridiculous .
Elias smirked .

Is it ? I could feel my patience wearing thin , but before I could respond , I felt it Liras presence .
It wasnt just that she was near .
It was more .
The mate bond was getting stronger .
Every time she was in the same space as me , it felt like the world narrowed , like everything else dulled just a little .
The more time she spent here , the more the pull between us solidified .
I knew she felt it too .
I could see it in the way her fingers trembled slightly as she picked up her cup , in the way she avoided looking at me for too long .
Ronan leaned back with a satisfied grin .
See ? Even now .
He cant help it .
I rolled my shoulders , forcing my attention elsewhere .
If youre done gossiping like old hens , we have real matters to discuss .
Elias chuckled .
Of course , Alpha .
Lira finally spoke again , voice quieter this time .
Is it really that obvious ? She was looking at Elias and Ronan , but I knew what she meant .
The mate bond .
The way I watched her .
The way my instincts tuned in to her every move .
Elias gave her a lopsided grin .
Painfully .
Her lips parted slightly , and I caught the faintest rise in her pulse .
She felt it , even if she didnt want to admit it .
And that … That changed everything .