< Chapter 41 Chapter 41 More Rewards Elaine's head snapped toward the door , and sure enough , Darius stood there , broad - shouldered and imposing in the frame . His sharp gaze flicked immediately to his sister , who froze mid - sentence like a pup caught with her hand in the cookie jar . " Oh no , " Roselyn muttered under her breath before pasting on a bright smile . " Brother ! What a surprise . Fancy seeing you here . " " Don't ' brother ' me ," Darius said , stepping into the room . His presence filled the space instantly , and Elaine felt the subtle shift in the air - his Alpha aura brushing against her wolf . His expression was calm , but his eyes ... his eyes told another story . Controlled irritation . Protective concern . And beneath that , a heat he couldn't quite mask when his gaze lingered on Elaine . Roselyn , however , seemed unfazed . She straightened her shoulders , lifting her chin as if daring him to scold her . " Before you start , let me explain . I've been extremely patient . A whole week ! Do you know how many times I've come here only for Dr. Grey to turn me away because of you ? It's not fair . She's practically family already , and you've been keeping us apart ." Darius pinched the bridge of his nose , exhaling slowly . " Roselyn- " " No ," she interrupted , wagging a finger at him . " You don't get to keep her locked away from everyone like some hidden treasure . She needs people . She needs friends . She needs - me ! " She turned toward Elaine with a dazzling grin , as though her argument was now officially won . Elaine didn't know whether to laugh or shrink into the pillows . She glanced uncertainly between the two siblings . Darius's jaw was tight , but there was also a glimmer of something softer in his expression when his gaze fell back on her . " Roselyn ," he said again , firmer this time . His sister crossed her arms . " What ? She likes me . Don't you ? " The directness of the question made Elaine's cheeks warm . Still , she found herself nodding . " Yes ... I do ," she admitted softly . Roselyn's triumphant grin widened , and she turned to Darius with a smug little tilt of her chin . " See ? She wants me here . You can't argue with that ." For a moment , the room was thick with tension - brotherly protectiveness clashing with sisterly stubbornness . Then Darius sighed , a sound that seemed to rumble all the way through his chest . " You could have just waited for me to introduce you properly , " he muttered . 1/3 < Chapter 41 " I did wait , " Roselyn shot back . " For a week . That's practically a lifetime . " More Reward Darius ran a hand through his dark hair , clearly fighting between exasperation and amusement . Finally , he glanced back at Elaine , his features softening . " Did she exhaust you ? " Elaine shook her head quickly . " No ... actually , she's been wonderful company . " Something in his shoulders eased at her words , though his eyes still lingered protectively on his sister . " Fine , " he said at last , voice edged with reluctant surrender . " But keep it brief . She still needs rest . " Roselyn clapped her hands together . " Victory ! " she declared , earning herself a sharp look from her brother . She only winked at him in return . Elaine couldn't help it - she laughed . A small , gentle sound at first , but it bubbled out of her before she could stop it . Both siblings turned to look at her , though in very different ways : Roselyn grinning proudly as if she'd achieved her goal , and Darius staring at her like she had just lit a flame in the darkest part of his world . For the first time since her arrival , Elaine felt something shift in her chest . Warmth . Belonging . Maybe - just maybe - Crescent Moon could be home . Roselyn leaned back against the chair beside Elaine's bed , crossing her legs with the smugness of someone who had just won a battle . " See , brother ? I'm not the villain here . You're the overprotective one ." Darius arched a brow , folding his arms across his chest . " Overprotective ? You sneaked past Dr. Grey and ignored my instructions . " " Because your instructions are boring ," Roselyn shot back without hesitation . " If I followed all your rules , my life would be dreadfully dull . Besides , it's not like I broke anything . " She glanced at Elaine , lowering her voice conspiratorially . " He's always like this . Bossy , grumpy , and convinced he knows best . " Elaine tried - and failed - to stifle a laugh behind her hand . Darius narrowed his eyes at his sister . " You think this is amusing ? " He asked Elaine , but his voice was softer , tinged with something almost like disbelief that she was laughing . Roselyn beamed at Elaine's reaction . " Oh , I like her already . She has taste ." Elaine felt her cheeks warm again . " You two ... remind me of pups bickering ," she said carefully , hoping she wasn't overstepping . Roselyn gasped dramatically , pressing a hand to her chest . " Did you hear that ? She called us pups . I love her even more ! " 2/3 < Chapter 41 More Rewards > Darius shook his head , a reluctant smile tugging at the corner of his lips before he smothered it . " You're impossible ." " And yet , completely lovable ," Roselyn countered , tossing her hair with exaggerated grace . " Which is why Elaine invited me back . Isn't that right ? " Elaine hesitated , caught between the siblings ' playful standoff , then gave Roselyn a small smile . " Yes ... I did say she could visit . " " Ha ! " Roselyn pointed a triumphant finger at her brother . " You can't argue with that ." Darius exhaled slowly , muttering something under his breath that Elaine couldn't quite catch . Finally , he gave up , rubbing the back of his neck . " Fine . But keep it reasonable . She needs rest , not your endless chatter . " Roselyn smirked . " Endless chatter is healing . You should try it sometime , Mister Brooding Alpha . " Elaine burst into another quiet laugh , and this time Darius didn't bother to hide the way he looked at her- like her laughter was something rare and precious . Roselyn , of course , noticed immediately . " Ohhh ," she drawled , eyes sparkling with mischief . " I see what's going on here ." " Roselyn ," Darius warned , his tone sharp enough to silence most wolves . But Roselyn only grinned wider . " Don't worry , brother . Your secret's safe with me . " She winked at Elaine before standing , dusting off her hands as if she had accomplished a great mission . " Alright , I'll give you your rest - for now . But tomorrow , we're planning our ladies ' day . Deal ? " Elaine nodded , smiling despite herself . " Deal ." Roselyn clapped her hands once in satisfaction . " Perfect . Try not to let him scare you too much . He means well , but he's a grump . " Darius growled low in his throat , but Roselyn skipped toward the door unfazed , tossing a cheeky wave over her shoulder . " Bye , new best friend ! See you tomorrow ! " The door closed behind her , leaving the room unusually quiet . Darius stood there for a moment , staring at the door as though debating whether to chase after her or let her win this round . Finally , he shook his head , a sigh escaping him . " She's trouble ," he muttered , Elaine smiled softly . " She's ... wonderful ." He glanced at her then , eyes softening in a way that made her heart skip . " That's one word for it . " Comments