158. Refreshment
The breakfast table was lively—almost too lively.
Plates clinked, steam curled lazily upward, and Mia sat like a tiny general, humming nonsense songs while stabbing fruit pieces with her fork as if leading a heroic charge.
"Die, apple!" she declared proudly.
Marcelline had barely taken two bites when Amara noticed it.
That look.
The one that meant something was wrong.
Amara leaned back slowly, arms crossing. "…Alright."
Alpha froze mid-chew.
Paradus calmly sipped his tea, already sensing danger.
Marcelline paused for exactly half a second.
"Now," Amara continued, voice deceptively casual, "tell me why the three of you look like you just returned from either a divine court… or a crime scene."
Florence glanced up gently. "You went out together?"
"Oh, out?" Amara repeated. "It's four in the morning. Normal beings sleep. You three came back laughing like villains."
Mia tilted her head. "Auntie Elli bad guy?"
She giggled. "Heehee."
Marcelline poked Mia's cheek. "Only a little."
Alpha cracked first. "We went to the Fairy–Angel Realm."
Amara blinked. "…Excuse me?"
Paradus added smoothly, "Godmother summoned her."
Florence's expression softened instantly, but Amara lightly slapped the table.
"Of course she did," Amara muttered. "That woman never summons without chaos attached."
Marcelline shrugged, sipping her drink innocently. "She missed me."
Alpha choked.
Paradus patted his back. "Lies should be believable, Elli."
Amara leaned forward. "So?"
Marcelline sighed dramatically. "Fine. We reached the realm, got mobbed by fairies and angels, I got hugged, adored, proposed to—"
"—by how many?" Amara cut in sharply.
Marcelline waved a hand. "Several. Lost count."
Alpha groaned. "It was unbearable."
Paradus nodded. "Excessive blushing. Zero shame."
Mia gasped. "Many uncles like Auntie Elli?"
"Yes," Alpha deadpanned. "Too many."
Amara smirked. "As expected."
Marcelline's tone shifted, just slightly. "Then Godmother called us in. Elders present. Full court."
Florence's fingers tightened around her cup. "And?"
"She ordered me to go to the source," Marcelline said calmly. "Dig deep. Finish it."
Amara's eyes sharpened instantly. "So serious."
Marcelline smiled faintly. "Very."
Alpha crossed his arms. "Then came the lecture."
Paradus sighed. "Boundaries."
Marcelline rolled her eyes. "Elder Gabriel politely reminded me humans and mystical beings have no future."
Amara snorted. "Meaning you were accused of distraction."
Marcelline lifted a brow. "I said even weapons need… motivation."
Alpha burst out laughing.
Paradus added, "She called it 'refreshment.'"
Florence cleared her throat softly, hiding amusement.
"And then," Paradus continued, "Elder Elvy suggested an entire realm of males ready to serve her."
Mia clapped. "Serve Elli! Serve Elli!"
Marcelline sighed. "I told them I prefer hunting my own prey."
Alpha smirked proudly. "They nearly fainted."
Amara laughed. "I wish I'd seen their faces."
Then Amara stilled.
"…Wait."
Everyone paused.
She placed her cup down slowly.
"No," Amara said flatly. "Something's missing."
Marcelline didn't look up. "Is it salt?"
Alpha snorted. Paradus smiled—then stopped.
Amara leaned forward. "You casually mentioned distraction to divine elders."
Silence.
"You," Amara continued quietly, "do not get distracted."
Marcelline finally met her gaze.
"Unless," Amara said, eyes sharp, "someone did the impossible."
Mia blinked. "Impossible like… big ice cream?"
Amara didn't smile.
"Who," she asked softly, "is he?"
Alpha turned slowly. "He?"
Paradus straightened. "Explain."
Marcelline clicked her tongue. "You're overreacting."
Amara stood. "I am your sister in everything but blood. You tell me when the wind changes—and now elders are worried about your focus?"
Alpha crossed his arms. "Paradus."
Paradus nodded. "Interrogation mode."
Marcelline groaned. "Traitors."
Alpha glanced at Amara. "You didn't know?"
Amara shook her head. "She never mentioned a name. Ever."
Paradus's expression darkened. "That's new."
Alpha looked at Marcelline, calm but dangerous. "Who touched your attention?"
Marcelline raised an eyebrow. "Touched is a strong word."
"Who," Alpha repeated evenly, "made Godmother worry?"
Mia clapped. "Fight! Fight!"
Florence gently pulled her back. "No fighting, sweetheart."
Marcelline exhaled slowly. "…It's nothing serious."
Paradus scoffed. "That's what disasters say."
Amara pointed. "You don't hide names unless they matter."
Marcelline studied them all—concern, suspicion, protectiveness.
Then she smiled.
Slow.
Devilish.
"You'll meet him," she said lightly.
Amara froze. "…Meet?"
Alpha stiffened. "Absolutely not."
Paradus snapped, "No."
Marcelline smirked. "See? Overreaction."
"What is he?" Paradus demanded.
Marcelline shrugged. "Human."
That did it.
Amara's eyes widened.
Alpha's aura flared just a fraction.
Paradus exhaled sharply. "Human."
"Since when," Amara whispered, "do humans survive your presence long enough to matter?"
Marcelline leaned back, unbothered. "He's… entertaining."
Alpha growled. "You called him refreshment."
"I'm aware," Marcelline said calmly. "That's why it's controlled."
She stood, stretching. "Relax. I know what I'm doing."
"And if I didn't?"
Her eyes gleamed.
"That's why you're here."
Laughter returned—but quieter now.
Protective.
Watchful.
And beneath the warmth of breakfast—
the hunt had already begun. ..
-----------------
Author's Note:
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this chapter 🤍 I truly hope you're enjoying the story so far and connecting with the journey. Your comments, votes, and support mean more to me than you can imagine—they genuinely motivate me to keep going. Don't forget to share your thoughts below, and stay tuned for more upcoming chapters.
Happy reading! ✨📖