Chapter 37 - 037: For now
Anaria raised her head and looked at the three men surrounding her bed. Kai’s question still hung in the air.
She took a slow breath "...It’s Kenai’s."
The room went quiet.
Kai’s expression hardened. Rylan’s face stayed unreadable, but his shoulders tensed. Kenai didn’t speak, yet his hand remained gently over her stomach, as if confirming what he already knew.
A frustrated, exhausted sound escaped her. "Why can’t I just live a normal life?" she asked no one in particular, her voice cracking.
The System did not answer. It simply faded, leaving only silence in her mind.
She let out a heavy sigh, the weight of it dragging her shoulders down. When she looked at them again, Kenai was watching her with patient, waiting eyes, as if he had already concluded everything she was about to say.
"We can’t leave here," she said quietly. "We might stay here for a while."
Kai’s face contorted. Jealousy curled hot in his chest. "We can leave here," he said, his voice tight and sharp. "We can look after the child as if it’s our own. But we can’t stay with someone that harmed our mates."
Anaria shook her head, a tired, pleading look crossing her features. "Kenai didn’t harm nor maltreat me. Everything that happened was solely my own choice, please try and understand"
The sadness in her voice made Kai’s beast shift beneath his skin. The sound of his mate’s pleading was too much. He forced himself to look away, jaw clenched, fighting the urge to argue further.
Rylan had been silent the entire time, watching the exchange with guarded eyes. Now, he finally spoke up, his voice calm but firm. "Whatever decision you make, I," he glanced at Kai, then back at Anaria, "and Kai, will stand by it. We will take care of the child together as a family."
Anaria’s face broke into a small, grateful smile.
Kai huffed, his shoulders dropping in reluctant surrender. "I’ll stand by your decision," he said, his voice still gruff, his eyes fixed on Anaria. "But if Kenai tries to act smart, I will burn him alive."
Anaria turned to Kenai. He was watching her with relief, joy, and awe in his eyes. He had been with so many females, and none of them had ever carried his cub. Now, at last, he had found someone who would. His voice came out thick when he finally spoke. "I swear, I will protect you with my life. And the baby you are bearing." He paused, swallowing hard. "I’m okay with whatever decision you want to take."
Anaria looked at him, then at Rylan, then at Kai. She drew a shaky breath, then slowly, carefully, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and pushed herself to her feet. She stood there, swaying just slightly, and looked at the three men who now surrounded her.
"It’s decided, then," she said, her voice soft but certain. "We are finally now staying here."
Kenai’s face broke into a wide, joyful smile. Rylan and Kai exchanged a glance. They are happy because she was happy. But even now, their protective stances didn’t relax. They still weren’t on good terms with Kenai yet. Probably for now, that was how things would remain.
But for Anaria, at this moment, it was enough.
The room fell silent for a moment before Kai finally spoke "If we’ve agreed to stay here because of Anaria, where exactly are we supposed to stay?"
Anaria looked at him as though the answer should have been obvious "Here, of course. Are you two planning to leave me behind?"
Kai immediately shook his head "That’s not what I meant. I just wanted to know where we’re staying."
Kenai, who had been quietly listening, finally broke the silence "There are several rooms available. You can choose whichever one you prefer."
He turned toward Rylan, who remained silent. Rylan’s eyes, however, were fixed on Anaria "We’ll pick a room ourselves. You don’t have to worry about that."
Kai narrowed his eyes at Kenai "So you want to trap us inside your residence?"
Anaria immediately slapped his hand down."Kai!"
"What? I’m just asking."
"You’re making it sound like he’s planning something."
Kai opened his mouth to respond, but Kenai spoke first "Anaria is now fragile and needs more attention. It would also be better for her to move around less for now."
Anaria’s eyebrows shot upward "Hold up, man. I’m carrying a child. That doesn’t mean I’m fragile."
Kenai looked at her calmly "You fainted."
"That was because of something completely different."
"But, you still fainted."
She turned toward Rylan instead "Just take Kai and prepare your room. Since we’re staying here, you two might as well get settled."
Rylan looked at her for a moment before nodding "Alright."
Anaria smiled at him "Good."
"Come on," Rylan told Kai.
Kai glanced back at Anaria "We’ll be nearby."
Anaria responded with a little smile "I know."
The two men finally left the room, once the door closed, Kenai remained standing for another moment "I should go and make sure their rooms are prepared."
Anaria nodded Alright."
Kenai turned toward the door, but before leaving, he stopped "Little fox."
Anaria looked back at him "Yes?"
Kenai hesitated for a moment, his expression unusually serious "Do you regret what happened between us?"
Anaria froze, her face immediately became warm.
She didn’t know what answer he expected from her. She didn’t even know what she herself was supposed to feel about it.
After a brief silence, Anaria simply gave him a small, awkward smile "Go and arrange the rooms for the boys."
Kenai stared at her.
Anaria’s smile remained "That’s more important right now."
A faint smile appeared on his face "Alright, little fox."
He finally left.
"Why did he have to ask me that?" She lowered herself onto the bed and stared at the ceiling.
Everything had changed so quickly. She had entered Ravenfall intending to escape, only to end up staying because she was carrying Kenai’s child.
For a moment, she wondered if she should have answered him differently. But what could she possibly say? Everything between them had happened too quickly, and now there was a child involved. She wasn’t ready to put a name to the strange mixture of embarrassment, confusion, and acceptance inside her.
Anaria rubbed her face "I’ll figure it out eventually."
Before she could think any further, the familiar chime sounded inside her mind.
Anaria groaned. "System, what now?"
[Host’s current physical condition has been assessed, Body is undergoing early pregnancy changes]
[Recovery will be slower. The developing cub is drawing nutrients and energy]
[Rest, eat properly, and avoid unnecessary strain.]
She rested a hand on her stomach. "So I’ll get tired more easily."
[Correct.]
"You’re making me sound eighty."
[Don’t flatter yourself.]
"...Was that an insult?"
[No.]
"Whatever." She pulled the blanket higher. For once she didn’t feel like arguing. Her body was exhausted "Just one peaceful night," she muttered. "That’s all I’m asking for."
[Host’s request has been noted.]
"Don’t ruin it."
[No guarantee.]
"...Get lost.."
No reply came. Anaria closed her eyes and decided to stop thinking about anything for now, hopefully Ravenfall would give her one quiet night.