Chapter 309: A trip filled with scars
For safety, Luke decided to take only one room for everyone.
Since there was only one bed large enough for the three of them, he bought a mattress from the system shop. It was wide enough to comfortably accommodate two people.
Thankfully, the room was spacious enough to fit it without feeling cramped.
The room itself was simple, yet surprisingly elegant. Warm light streamed through the window, and the view outside lent it a quiet charm that made it far more inviting than he had expected.
"Is there anything I could bring for you? Something to eat?" the woman who had led them here asked as she stopped by the door.
Luke gave a small nod. "Some food and water would be good."
The woman nodded before glancing at Thea. "Is she alright? Should I ask the medic to take a look at her?"
Luke shook his head. "She’s just tired. Thanks for your concern."
His brief replies, coupled with the heavy silence hanging over the room, were enough for Caira to realise they wanted to be left alone.
She gave a respectful nod. "I’ll bring some food shortly."
Luke acknowledged her with a nod before getting up and closing the door once she had left.
"Roxanne, you and Laila sleep on the bed with Thea," he said.
He could always buy another mattress from the system shop if necessary, but the bed was more than large enough for the three of them.
Besides, Roxanne was hardly in the state of mind to care about sharing a bed with Thea.
"What are you doing?" Laila asked as she watched him walk towards the window.
Luke summoned several traps and alarm bells before placing them throughout the room.
"Can’t afford to be careless while we’re here. Just because I agreed to stay doesn’t mean I trust Agram."
No one questioned his caution. Everything they had been through had carved a harsh lesson into their hearts.
Never place blind trust in anyone.
Roxanne understood that lesson better than anyone.
She had been betrayed and stabbed by her own sister. The same little girl who once refused to fall asleep unless Roxanne gently stroked her hair while humming a lullaby every night.
The memory twisted her chest with equal parts regret and fury. Before those emotions could consume her, she forced the thoughts away.
"Are we leaving tomorrow morning?" she asked instead.
Luke nodded. "Yes. I’ll go speak with Rel first. After everything that happened, he must be worried."
"You’re not going tonight," Monica said.
It wasn’t a request. It was a firm decision.
Luke turned to his mate in surprise.
She met his gaze and tightened her grip on his hand. "Please don’t go anywhere tonight. Stay here with me."
There was no hesitation in her voice. She wasn’t making a request. She was telling him exactly what she needed.
She knew that beneath his calm exterior, he had been deeply shaken by everything that had happened. The fact that he had ultimately crushed his enemies did not erase the fear, pressure, and pain he had endured to reach that point.
She wasn’t worried about herself if he left.
For just one night, she didn’t want him to carry everything alone.
And if he refused, she was fully prepared to be stubborn.
Luke let out a quiet sigh as he looked into her eyes. He didn’t need words to understand what she was thinking.
"I understand," he said softly. "I won’t go anywhere tonight. I’ll let Rel know first thing tomorrow morning."
In truth, the cover of night was when he was at his strongest. It was the ideal time to take risks and move unseen.
But he would rather accept that disadvantage than give his mate one more reason to worry.
With the matter settled, Luke quietly began placing a few more traps around the room.
"Laila, I’m placing a knife under your pillow. Just in case," Luke said as he walked over, a sheathed knife in his hand.
For a brief moment, she flinched.
The sight of the blade dragged her back to what she had done in the forest. Even so, she steadied herself and gave him a firm nod.
"Understood."
Luke slid the knife beneath her pillow before raising his eyes to the ceiling.
The room was on the second floor. No one could get in through the roof without alerting him.
There were no other entrances, and from what he had sensed, the guards stationed outside were the only people on this floor. No one else appeared to be moving about.
"I guess this will do for tonight," Luke said, resting his hands on his waist.
"We’ll be safe as long as we’re together," Laila replied with a faint smile, hoping to ease even a fraction of the burden weighing on his mind.
Not long afterwards, Luke sensed someone approaching.
By the time the knock came, he had already opened the door.
Caira stood outside carrying a large tray, while another man waited behind her with a second tray piled with food.
"Will this be enough?" she asked with a sheepish smile.
Luke nodded and invited them inside. The two trays were carefully placed on the bed before the pair stepped back.
Once everything was arranged, Caira smiled politely.
"If you need anything else, please let someone know. There will be guards outside your door throughout the night."
Luke gave a small nod. He had expected nothing less.
Just before she turned to leave, he asked, "How is the chief?"
"Father?" Caira replied with a gentle smile. "He’s doing well."
Monica looked at her in surprise.
"You’re the chief’s daughter?"
Now that she looked more closely, there was a slight resemblance between them. But seeing Caira personally tending to their needs, Monica had assumed she was simply one of the household helper.
Caira nodded.
"Yes, I am. We don’t share the same blood, but I’m still very much a part of this family."
The others immediately understood.
She had been taken into this family.
Yet there wasn’t the slightest trace of discomfort or embarrassment in her expression. She spoke with quiet pride, as though that fact had never once made her feel like she belonged any less.
Luke inclined his head.
"Thank you. For everything."
Caira shook her head.
"Compared to everything you’ve done for us, this is the least we could offer."
A faint smile appeared on Luke’s face.
She carried herself with a quiet grace that spoke of a loving upbringing. Whoever had raised her had done so with kindness, and she had grown into a compassionate young woman.
Not long after Caira left, the family of four settled down to eat. Only Thea remained asleep, her exhausted body finally claiming the rest it desperately needed.
The meal passed in near silence.
No one had the heart to make conversation.
What was meant to be a journey filled with laughter, cherished moments, and happy memories had instead left behind wounds that ran far deeper than flesh.
It ended with scars that would never fully fade, tears that had yet to dry, and trauma that would follow them long after this night had passed.
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A/N:- I hope you liked the Chapter.