In Luke’s room, Ginna and Monica lay on the bed, chatting quietly.
Both women had been told to sleep there by the same man, and the bed was more than large enough to accommodate them comfortably.
Ginna still felt a little awkward, worried that she might end up getting in their way. However, Monica reassured her that her presence wouldn’t change anything.
It also helped that Luke shared a physical bond with Ginna as well. Just like with Laila, things wouldn’t become awkward if Luke decided to take the lead.
"What do you think he would hunt?" Ginna asked with a faint smile.
Monica sighed, "I don’t know but I hope he doesn’t put too much effort."
Ginna faintly laughed, "Your mate is the strongest man of the village and you still are so concerned about him?"
Monica shrugged, "Isn’t it justified, though? If I also stop caring and just let him do whatever he want, I feel Luke would grow much more reckless."
"True," Ginna nodded in agreement.
After a brief pause, Monica finally revealed something weighing on her mind. The talk she had with Luke this afternoon.
"So he’s decided, huh?" Ginna murmured after hearing that Luke planned to move out soon.
She had expected this.
After everything that had happened that morning, she knew that if things continued this way, the two men would eventually clash. And once that happened, the resulting friction within the family might never truly heal.
But if Luke moved away now, there was still a chance to mend those relationships.
It was the most rational decision.
"What about you, Ginna?" Monica asked hesitantly. "Will you stay here?"
She didn’t say anything else since Luke had specifically asked her not to.
Luke wanted Ginna to make this decision on her own.
Of course, she would want to stay with her daughter. However, if she wasn’t prepared to make that sacrifice now, she might hesitate when the time came for them to leave the village.
So this was a choice Ginna had to make without anyone influencing her.
Ginna remained silent for a long while, carefully weighing her options.
Then, all of a sudden, the door opened.
Both women turned at once and saw Luke standing in the doorway.
"Luke?" Monica quickly got to her feet. "What happened? Are you okay?"
Her eyes swept over him from head to toe.
There wasn’t a trace of blood on him, nor could she see any injuries. Even so, he looked exhausted, as though something heavy was weighing on his mind.
Without a word, Luke walked over and wrapped his arms around her.
Monica’s concern only deepened.
"Luke... please talk to me. You’re scaring me."
Luke let out a weary sigh.
"I’m just tired. The hunt was difficult. Had to move around a lot."
Naturally, he couldn’t tell her what had really happened. He didn’t want to place that burden on her shoulders.
That was why he had cleaned himself up and changed into fresh clothes before coming here.
Yet despite all his efforts, Monica saw right through him.
"No. You’re definitely hiding something."
A faint smile tugged at Luke’s lips as he pulled away from the embrace and looked into his mate’s eyes.
"You know me a little too well, don’t you?"
Monica huffed.
"Of course I do. Now tell me what happened, or I won’t stop asking."
"Umm..."
Just then, Ginna’s hesitant voice broke the moment.
"Should I leave?"
Luke shook his head.
"It’s okay, Ginna. You’re part of my family. You can stay."
Ginna froze for a moment.
They hadn’t known each other for long, and she wasn’t nearly as close to Luke as Monica was. Yet he had already given her such a special place in his heart.
Just then, Luke caught the sound of hurried footsteps approaching from outside.
Terek must have returned.
Not wanting to answer his questions yet, Luke gently guided Monica farther into the room instead of stepping outside.
After closing the door, he led her to the bed and helped her sit down.
Was he shaken?
Yes.
However, Monica’s face and her warmth reminded him of one simple truth.
She was here.
With him.
Alive and safe.
And as long as he was alive, he would never let anything happen to her.
If he allowed that illusion to continue shaking his resolve, wouldn’t that mean he doubted his own ability to protect the people he loved?
With that thought, he finally felt much better.
Sitting before the two women, he gently took Ginna’s hand as well before speaking.
"I met someone who could use illusions. He could force people to see their worst nightmare. And he did the same to me."
Both Monica and Ginna stiffened.
Ginna was the first to speak.
"Did you meet someone who can use magic?"
Luke nodded.
"He was the same rumored figure people called the Hunter Killer. Everyone believed it was a monster, but it turned out to be a man who controlled the minds of beasts and used them to hunt people."
With a faint snicker, he added,
"Truthfully, he was a coward."
Monica tightened her grip on his hand.
"Luke... are you really okay?"
Luke gave her a reassuring smile.
"Yeah, I am. Now that I’m here with both of you, sitting inside our home, surrounded by this familiar warmth, I know what I saw will never become reality."
Monica let out a quiet sigh. She knew her mate was still deeply shaken by what he had experienced, but at least now she could see the genuine relief in his eyes.
Leaning forward, she wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, "I’m glad you’re feeling better now. But if you ever want to talk about it, I’m here."
Luke hummed softly as he rubbed her back.
Then he turned to Ginna with a warm smile.
The woman returned it and said, "I’m glad you’re safe, Luke."
Luke nodded.
"So am I..."
Just then,
Knock.
A knock sounded at the door, followed by a familiar voice.
"Luke, can you come out for a moment?"
It was Laila.
Luke let out a quiet sigh.
He could hear the commotion outside, but for the moment, he wanted nothing more than to leave it all behind.
Unfortunately, some things couldn’t be avoided.
"Luke?" Monica asked as he gently pulled away from her.
He shook his head.
"Nothing serious. Zuri was injured in the forest, so I brought her back."
Ginna gasped.
"She got hurt?"
For someone like Zuri, who could use magic, to be injured, the danger she had faced must have been severe.
Luke gave them a reassuring smile.
"It’s nothing major. I’ll go check on her. And Monica..."
He looked at her.
"Would you mind staying in the room?"
Monica immediately understood.
Terek had to be outside, and Luke didn’t want the two of them crossing paths again after the way he had treated her before.
She nodded.
"Okay. I’ll wait for you here."
Luke smiled, leaned in, and kissed her forehead.
"Don’t worry. I won’t be long."
With that, he stepped out of the room.
••••••••
A/N:- I hope you liked the Chapter. Please leave a comment to keep me motivated. Thank you.