"Can I help you out in any way?"
Emelia asked, now turning her attention toward Sehyun.
Her instincts told her that keeping her back to a predator was not a good idea, so she quickly turned around until she was facing him.
Sehyun gave Emelia a soft look, almost an amused one that one usually gave their pets when they found them acting cute. It did do anything to make Emelia feel better.
At her question, Sehyun just blinked and looked her way with an even more amused smile.
"Ah, that should be my line, young miss. Can I help you out in any way? I can see that you are busy in the kitchen so early. Don't you think you should rest for a while? I can handle breakfast."
Sehyun offered, and it sounded like he wanted to help. But Emelia was quick to refuse him.
"I would have to decline your offer, Master Sehyun. As you can see, I am already finished making breakfast. And even if I were not, this is my duty. If you want to help me out, then you can bring plates out for the table."
Emelia assigned the older male some work that was easy and would also force him to take his eyes off her form.
Sehyun just stood behind her, watching her for a little longer, and Emelia felt even more tense.
Finally, Sehyun walked past her, and her body tensed when his hand brushed up against her covered waist. The slight touch made her shiver, but before she knew it, it was gone.
She almost wanted to call out Sehyun, but he had already walked past her and taken out some plates.
"Will these ones do?"
He asked with a smile that looked far too innocent on his face.
That man knew exactly what he did and was now playing innocent. And the worst thing was, as much as Emelia wanted to call him out on it, the moment had passed and it was too late.
"Please take those plates out. I will be out with breakfast in a minute."
Emelia took a deep breath as Sehyun nodded and left. She felt her knees go weak because of that touch, and her body felt slightly heated.
"Ugh, I thought this passed during the night. Am I getting sick or something? Should I go to a doctor to get myself checked out?"
Emelia questioned as she brought the food out.
She stopped walking once she noticed that both Eric and Liam were already sitting at the dining table, waiting for her.
Emelia had no problem with Eric, but it felt a little hard to look at Liam at the moment. The memory of last night was still fresh in her mind, and it made her face burn red.
"Ah, what's for breakfast? Did you make something I like?"
Unlike her, Liam seemed to have no problem talking and even calling her out. His eyes looked fresh and unburdened, almost as if he did not recall what just happened between himself and Emelia.
'Maybe he is pretending to not remember so that things do not get awkward between us. That is not a bad tactic. I should also pretend that nothing happened.'
That was what Emelia decided. But unfortunately for her, she did not have a face as thick as Liam did.
Just hearing his voice was enough to make her brain recall his panting voice and how hard he was last night.
'Bad thoughts. I should not think about these things. I need to focus on something else.'
Emelia was already not feeling well, and now these thoughts made her feel even worse. She felt like she was about to combust due to all her emotions.
She quickly ate her food, but she was more than well aware of the eyes that were looking at her.
No one talked to her during breakfast, but no one was foolish enough to not realize that she was the center of attention nonetheless.
"I am done. I should take my leave now. Please leave me a note for dinner and if you would like to have anything specific for it."
Emelia quickly stood up and left the table.
Thankfully, she would not have to make lunch since all three alphas would eat outside while working. That was the time Emelia would have to herself during her stay.
"Hmm, what about lunch? I am thinking of staying back just because I like your cooking."
Sehyun's smile looked devilish when he spoke. For a second, it even made the other two sitting beside him pause and look at him in concern.
But just as quickly as that smile had appeared, Sehyun's face took a sorry look.
"But well, as much as I want to do this, I guess I'll have to wait another day. I need to head to an important meeting today."
In the end, Sehyun was the first one to move from the table after Emelia. He walked past her, and she immediately tensed, waiting to see what would happen.
Sehyun's presence lingered around her, and his pheromones made Emelia's skin tickle. But other than that, nothing happened. He did not even turn around to look at her.
Emelia felt disappointed, but she did not know why. After all, being left alone should have been the best thing for her.
'Maybe it's just my nerves. That must be it. I must be feeling more nervous than I expected. I should calm down for now and make that appointment with the doctor. The sooner I get myself checked out, the better for me.'
Emelia quickly tried to retreat, but Liam called out to her.
"Hey, you look nervous. Are you sure everything is fine?"
Liam's voice made Emelia shudder once more, but she hid her reaction. She decided changing the subject would be the best way to distract herself and the others as well.
"I am fine. Actually, I need to be out in the town today. Do you want me to bring anything back for dinner?"
Liam looked away quickly. It did not seem as if he was interested in answering Emelia's question.
But Eric unexpectedly spoke up.
"If it is not too much trouble for you, can you bring me some fresh fish? I am missing the taste of it. Our previous house warden did not like fish because her husband was killed by one or something. I did not bother to ask."
Eric's voice sounded deep and, somehow, dangerous as well. Emelia wanted to ask him more, to hear his voice more. But at the same time, she did not want to be here.
Her feelings felt tangled up, and she did not feel like herself.
Emelia felt her body move on its own, and she walked toward Eric. Before she could reach the table, Liam caught her arm and tugged her away. That made Emelia become aware of what she was doing.
"Hey, didn't you say you wanted to leave for town? You won't be able to get to town on your own. Go and get ready quickly, and you can leave with me."
Liam's voice made Emelia feel relieved. Suddenly, she felt like she could move again.
She quickly left the scene, but not before she gave the pair she was leaving behind one last look.
Both Liam and Eric watched Emelia leave, and it was not until she was out of their sight that Liam turned around to give Eric a glare.
"Stay in your lane. Whatever tricks you want to play, do it on the bitches you keep outside. Our house warden is off-limits to you."
Liam growled as his pheromones spiked the air. It was clear that he was issuing a challenge and a warning at the same time.
Eric's pheromones joined the fray, clashing against each other until it was no longer certain who was the one causing this spike anymore.
Finally, Eric pulled back, just like he always did.
"I will try to hold back, since I do want this house to survive. But if that warden comes to me herself, then I will not hold back either. After all, I am not a saint."
With those final words, Eric stood up as well before he walked past Liam.
Finally, the two alphas parted ways, but neither looked happy.
Emelia was the only one unaware of what was going on inside the house, but that was better for her. After all, she was the center of this change.
She didn't know that her presence had disturbed the delicate balance that kept the alphas in check. She didn't realize that each glance, each accidental touch, was now being scrutinized, counted, weighed.
And as innocent as her intentions might have been, innocence alone was never enough to survive in a house full of predators.
The question was no longer if something would happen, but when.
And who would make the first move.
It was only a matter of time now.
___
Please give me your Power Stones