As the sun began to set and the sky turned shades of orange and purple, Elijah found himself reluctantly enjoying the zoo trip more than he'd anticipated. At first, he had thought this entire day would be a chore, but as Layla enthusiastically rattled off facts about each animal they visited, he couldn't help but be intrigued.
He glanced at the panda exhibit where they stood, listening as Layla animatedly described the animal's diet, habits, and habitat. Though Elijah wouldn't admit it outright, he found himself thinking, These animals are pretty cool.
The way ravens were intelligent little masterminds, how leopards could move with such grace despite their size, and even how owls carried an air of mystery—it was all fascinating in its own way.
Layla, however, wasn't smiling like she had been earlier. She frowned slightly as she looked at the darkening sky. Elijah noticed immediately. "What's wrong?" he asked, tilting his head.
She sighed. "It's just… I've always wanted to come to the zoo, especially with you. But now that I'm actually here, the day's already ending."
Elijah smiled warmly. "Who said this has to be the last time? Besides, I'm starting to like animals too." He gestured to the panda, his tone playful. "I mean, who knew birds could be such fascinating geniuses, or that a giant cat could climb trees better than we can? It's actually kind of amazing."
Layla's face lit up, her smile returning in full force. "Thank you," she said softly.
Elijah blinked, genuinely surprised. "Thank me? For what?"
"For being interested in the things I like," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Even if you're just pretending."
His expression softened. "Layla, I'm not pretending. I really do think animals are cool now. And we'll definitely come back to finish what we started." He grinned and took her hand. "But for now, let's check out as many exhibits as we can before they close."
Layla stared at him, stunned. Her brother—her brother—was actually enjoying something she loved? The thought warmed her heart. Quickly snapping out of her shock, she nodded enthusiastically, and the two hurried off to the next exhibit together.
By the time they left, the zoo gates were closing. Elijah groaned dramatically. "Who closes so early? It's barely evening!"
"I know, right?" Layla chimed in, pouting.
Elijah laughed, shaking his head. "Well, there's still one last thing to do. Time for souvenirs."
Layla tilted her head in confusion but followed as Elijah suddenly grabbed her hand and sped them to the Velmont mansion. Once they arrived at the gates, he turned to her. "Wait here."
Before she could protest, he disappeared, only to reappear minutes later carrying two small bundles—a leopard cub and a black wolf pup with piercing yellow eyes.
Layla's eyes widened as she squealed in delight, snatching the leopard cub from his hands. "It's so cute!" she cried, holding the squirming cub up as it playfully swatted at her.
Elijah watched with a smirk as she examined it carefully. "It's a girl," Layla declared, her voice filled with joy. But then she froze, her smile faltering. "Wait—what about Father? He'll never allow this."
Elijah waved off her concern. "I'll handle him. Besides, even if he says no…" His voice took on a dangerous edge, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "He won't."
Layla hesitated but trusted him. Together, they walked into the mansion, Layla cradling the leopard cub while Elijah carried the wolf pup, which was attempting to nibble on his fingers.
At the dining table, Lucien raised an eyebrow as he noticed them. "Why are you holding a baby wolf?" he asked, his tone even. "And Layla… is that a baby cat?"
Elijah corrected him flatly. "The term is 'pup,' and no, this isn't just any cat. This is a leopard cub. And to answer your question, these are our pets now."
Lucien looked surprised but said simply, "I see."
Layla blinked in shock. "Huh? I thought you'd be mad!"
Lucien shrugged, his tone calm. "Why would I be mad? Everyone has things they like and dislike. If you want a pet, you can have a pet."
Elijah's face twisted in irritation. "Oh, so that's how you think now? Since when? I seem to recall you not caring about what I disliked—like, say, being the heir."
Lucien hmphed like a stubborn child and turned his head away. "That was different. Who am I to deny my daughter something she loves?"
Elijah stared at his father, looking like he was fighting the urge to throw a brick at him. Meanwhile, Layla beamed, holding the leopard cub closer. "Thank you so much, Elijah! I promise to take good care of her."
Elijah ruffled her hair, sighing. "Maybe you should ask Father to build a zoo in the backyard while you're at it. More animals would be fascinating."
Layla's eyes lit up at the suggestion, turning to Lucien with an expectant look. The idea of having a private zoo sounded incredible.
Lucien pinched the bridge of his nose. Of course, his son couldn't leave well enough alone. "It can happen," he said simply, his tone betraying nothing.
At the table, Elara was the first to stand and approach Layla, who was happily playing with the cub. "It's adorable… but what exactly is it?" she asked, her curiosity evident.
Layla smiled proudly. "It's a Persian leopard cub. Isn't she the cutest?"
Elara nodded, though her expression remained puzzled. "If you say so…"
As the family watched the new additions to their household, Elijah stood, feeling strangely satisfied. He hadn't just made Layla's day—he'd made her year.
Elijah decided to eat dinner with the wolf cub settled comfortably in his lap. Across the table, Layla continued playing with the leopard cub, her face glowing with joy. As Elijah absentmindedly scratched the wolf pup behind its ears, he began pondering names for the little creature. It was a boy, but before he could settle on anything, Selene and Cassandra, seated beside him, wrinkled their noses.
"You stink," Selene declared bluntly, leaning away from him.
Elijah chuckled, entirely unfazed. "Well, I have been running around all day," he said, brushing off the comment as he turned to Thomas. Noticing the wolf pup eyeing his plate hungrily, he called out, "Can you get me a bowl of milk that's safe for a wolf pup to drink?"
Thomas nodded and disappeared into the kitchen. Meanwhile, Elijah gently petted the pup, who let out an adorable yawn that made Elijah smile.
Cassandra took the opportunity to probe. "So, where exactly did you take Layla for her to start liking you again?"
Selene nodded, curious. "Yeah, I'd love to know what miracle you pulled off."
Elijah shrugged nonchalantly. "I took her to the zoo. We had fun."
Cassandra raised a skeptical eyebrow. "The zoo? Are you sure you didn't compel her into liking you again?"
Elijah's expression darkened slightly. "Do you really think I'd do something like that?"
Cassandra burst into laughter. "No, but seriously, the zoo? That's what brought you two together again?"
Elijah's face softened into a grin. "The zoo is fascinating. Did you know koalas rarely drink water? Or that they eat poisonous leaves? Animals are capable of so many shocking things." His eyes gleamed with genuine excitement.
Selene tilted her head, giving him an incredulous look. "Since when do you care so much about animals?"
"Since today," Elijah admitted with a smirk. "I used to think they were just bloodbags, but it turns out there's a whole world of wonder in the animal kingdom."
Thomas returned with a bowl of milk, placing it on the floor. Elijah set the wolf pup down, and it immediately began slurping up the milk with gusto.
Layla finally joined the table, cradling the now-sleepy leopard cub in her arms. The cub's exhaustion hadn't dampened her enthusiasm. "Thomas, could you get some milk for her too? Something suitable for a baby leopard," she asked.
Thomas nodded and disappeared once more. Meanwhile, Elijah leaned forward, his gaze on Layla. "So, what are you going to name her?"
Layla's eyes sparkled as she thought for a moment. "I don't know… Maybe Princess?"
Elijah chuckled. "Then Princess it is."
Layla smiled brightly before turning her attention to the wolf pup. "What about you? What are you going to name him?"
Elijah smirked. "Isn't it obvious? Something cool, like Killer."
Before the words had fully left his mouth, Cassandra reached over and smacked him on the back of the head. "You are not naming him Killer."
Elijah pouted, rubbing the back of his head. "Fine, fine. I was kidding. I was actually thinking… Shadow. Look at his fur—an all-black coat. It's perfect."
Layla beamed. "Shadow is a cool name."
Elijah grinned. "I know, right? Just wait until I turn him into a vampire."
The room fell silent. Lucien, who had been quietly observing the conversation, finally spoke up. "You're planning to turn the wolf into a vampire?"
"Of course!" Elijah said, his enthusiasm unshaken. "If you think I'm going to raise him just for him to grow old and die, you're mistaken. He's family now and will be treated as such."
Layla chuckled at his determination. She had been wondering if turning animals into vampires was even possible, but Elijah's confidence seemed to answer that question.
Their mother giggled softly, amused by her son's sudden enthusiasm for animals. Selene and Cassandra exchanged exasperated glances, clearly unsure how to feel about Elijah's newfound obsession with his wolf cub.
Meanwhile, Selena leaned closer to Layla and whispered, "Can I pet her?"
Layla's smile widened. "Of course! Just be gentle—she's still a baby."
Selena gently ran her fingers through the leopard cub's soft fur, laughing softly when the cub playfully swiped at her hand. "She's feisty. I like her."
At the other end of the table, Lloyd watched the scene unfold with quiet amusement, chuckling occasionally but refraining from commenting. In a house like theirs, oddities were par for the course.
Elara, after petting the leopard cub herself, took her usual seat beside Lloyd. She teased him relentlessly, attempting to feed him bites of her dinner. "You know, you should spend more time with me," she said with a playful pout.
"You say that," Lloyd replied, pushing her fork away, "but you've been following me around all day."
"That's still not enough," Elara huffed, though the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her affection.
Bella, by contrast, ate in serene silence, barely paying attention to the commotion around her. The absence of their grandparents was noted but unsurprising, while Astrid, ever industrious, had finished her meal early and was already in the kitchen preparing for breakfast the next morning.
As the evening wore on, the lively energy around the table began to settle. Layla, gazing fondly at Princess in her lap, sighed contentedly. "Thank you, Elijah," she murmured.
Elijah looked at her, slightly taken aback. "For what?"
"For making today one of the best days of my life."
His usual smirk softened into something genuine. "You're my sister," he said simply. "It's my job."
Cassandra grabbed Elijah's cheek, pinching it playfully. "When I was just your sister, you never did anything special with me," she complained, her tone carrying an edge of faux indignation.
Elijah raised an eyebrow and retorted, "Oh, excuse me. Not just because she's my sister—she's my favorite sibling."
Cassandra's face fell instantly, and Selene's eyes narrowed into a sharp glare. Before they could protest, Elijah added with a smirk, "Do you two even count anymore? You're my wives now."
The sisters exchanged a glance, and their expressions softened. Well, when he put it like that, it was hard to argue. Still, Elijah wasn't done stirring the pot.
"Even before that, Layla was always my favorite. She's far kinder to me than you two ever were."
That hit a nerve. Cassandra and Selene frowned, unable to retort. After all, Layla was undeniably the kindest and purest among them. Selene, however, wasn't quite ready to let it go. She let out a quiet "hmph," glaring daggers at him as she fought the urge to stab him—though his genuine good mood made her begrudgingly hold back.
They finished dinner, but as the evening wound down, Elijah noticed an unpleasant smell. His wolf pup had peed under the table. Fortunately, Thomas, ever the dutiful butler, was quick to clean it up. Elijah frowned thoughtfully and decided to give Thomas a new task. "Can you get some supplies for pets? Training pads, automatic feeders for food and water—or milk for now. I need to potty train him so he can stay in my room while I'm at school."
Thomas nodded with a professional "Of course," and disappeared to make the arrangements.
When Elijah returned to his room later that night, he found Cassandra and Selene already preparing for bed in their pajamas. He had to admit, for women who were centuries older than him, his wives looked undeniably cute and endearing. Shaking his head, he grabbed his clothes, pausing as an idea struck him.
If I put on my school uniform now, couldn't I sleep in tomorrow?
The thought had merit, but he immediately dismissed it. No, Cassandra would still wake me up to eat. But… I could just drink from her. He chuckled at the thought. Would she call that a loophole?
Sighing, he resigned himself to taking a shower first.
The warm water washed over him as he let his thoughts drift. Today had been surprisingly enjoyable. He'd gotten his first-ever pet, a new experience he hadn't expected to enjoy so much. Most importantly, he had reconnected with his little sister, Layla. Spoiling her and earning back her affection made him feel like today had been one of his best in a long time.
After a long, relaxing shower, he stepped out and glanced at himself in the mirror. His reflection greeted him with the same strikingly handsome features he always had, but tonight, there was a genuine smile on his face. He felt energized, content, and ready for the next day.
When he walked back into the room, Cassandra was still awake, sitting up and reading. Elijah tilted his head, curious. Reading this late? he thought as he grabbed a towel to dry his hair.
Cassandra didn't acknowledge him, focused entirely on her book. Elijah smirked and climbed into bed, shifting into the space between his wives. Selene instinctively reached out, wrapping her arm around him like it was second nature. Cassandra, noticing the movement, sighed, closed her book, and turned off the bedside lamp. Without a word, she shifted closer, settling on top of him, resting her head on his chest. It seemed she really liked that spot.
Elijah didn't complain. Instead, he let his eyes close, the day's events replaying in his mind as he slowly drifted off to sleep, surrounded by the warmth of his wives.
As dawn broke, Elijah stirred awake, his senses registering the soft sound of Cassandra calling his name. Her voice was gentle yet firm, a subtle reminder to start the day. With a groan, he rolled out of bed, heading straight for the shower. By the time he stepped out, fully dressed and ready, he felt refreshed.
As he reached for the doorknob to leave his room, a small figure bolted into his path. The wolf pup wagged its tail enthusiastically, circling his feet. Elijah chuckled, bending down to scoop the pup up. "How did you even get upstairs? No matter." He scratched the wolf behind the ears, earning a pleased growl, before heading downstairs to the dining table.
Placing the pup down gently, Elijah spoke in a calm, commanding tone. "I have school today, so be good and listen to Thomas, alright?" The wolf pup's eyes narrowed for a brief moment, signaling that Elijah's compulsion had taken hold.
Satisfied, Elijah gave the pup a belly rub before watching it pad over to the bowl of milk Thomas had prepared. Observing this, Elijah mused, Father really needs to give Thomas a raise. The man does everything around here. What does he even do when he's not fulfilling duties? Maybe he's secretly a robot. This thought amused him so much that he let out a sudden laugh, earning puzzled stares from everyone at the table.
Cassandra, seated across from him, raised an eyebrow. "What's so funny?"
Elijah waved her off, shaking his head. "Nothing important," he said with a grin, returning to his meal.
Despite trying to compose himself, he sighed wistfully, drawing yet another stare from Cassandra. She must think I'm crazy this morning. He finished his food and stood, giving the wolf pup one last affectionate belly rub and a few head pats before heading toward the door.
"Be good," Elijah said to the pup, who wagged its tail in response. Though he was reluctant to leave, he smiled mischievously. If I got suspended for something, I could spend more time at home with him… He chuckled at the thought, earning another bewildered look from Cassandra as they walked to the car.
"You're acting weird today," she remarked, starting the engine.
Elijah shrugged. "I'm just in a good mood."
As the car rolled out of the driveway, Cassandra broke the silence. "By the way, there's a Bloodball this Friday night."
Elijah's interest piqued. "A Bloodball? Those still exist? I haven't been to one in ages."
Cassandra smirked. "You haven't even been around for ages."
Elijah grinned, leaning back in his seat. "True. But you've been around for centuries. Doesn't that make you quite the cougar?"
Cassandra's face darkened. Without a word, she lifted her hand, and Elijah's body seized up, convulsing violently in the passenger seat. When the spell finally wore off, he gasped, his voice shaky. "It was a joke," he managed, before muttering under his breath, "…damned crazy woman."
Cassandra caught the mutter and, with a flick of her fingers, sent him into another round of convulsions. When it ended, Elijah wisely decided to keep quiet—at least for a moment. But he couldn't help himself.
"Why aren't you in a good mood today?" he asked.
Cassandra glared at him. "I was, but then I had to deal with my husband speaking."
Elijah frowned dramatically. "That's not fair."
"What isn't fair?" Cassandra asked, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye.
He scoffed. "You blaming me because it's your time of the month."
The car swerved slightly as Cassandra's rage bubbled over. "I'm a vampire," she hissed through gritted teeth. "I don't get those."
When the spell hit this time, the convulsions were longer and more intense. When it finally ended, Elijah groaned, "Oh… well, you certainly act like it."
Cassandra didn't bother with another spell. She simply sighed, her knuckles white on the steering wheel. "Do you have a death wish or something?"
Elijah leaned back, his smile softening. "Of course not. I just love messing with you. There's something about the way you frown that makes you beautiful."
For a moment, the car was silent. Cassandra's expression flickered between exasperation and reluctant fondness. "You're impossible," she muttered, shaking her head.