Chapter 114: Everyone Demands Money From Alnitak

(Amaia)

After this warm interaction with Rahria, I take out the pen I have bought for Kacir. It’s from the old world, with a gold nib and a blue and black body.

I extend it towards him. "Here, this is for you."

Kacir graciously accepts, "You didn’t have to but I love it." His smile widens as he sees the pen up close. "Thank you for the considerate gift."

This is nothing compared to what Kacir has done for me.

"You are always welcome."

Finally, I turn to face Alnitak. "Here, this one is for you."

It’s a large ceramic jar with a lid shaped like a huge candy, featuring little ones sprinkled all over and a lollipop sticking out from one side.

"By the Moon goddess, Amaia. This is so freaking awesome. All my candies are going in this from now on."

He picks it up, hugs it as if it were the most valued possession of his, and then shows it around to everyone, even Saiph, who eyes him as if he is crazy.

Placing it down, he throws his arms around me, hugging me to his chest.

Warmth and love slither into my heart like a silent whisper and become a part of me forever. This man has a special piece of my heart and I know I love him dearly.

"The most amazing Lassie I have met. I will show my appreciation later in a proper way," he whispers, making goosebumps trail down my body. Sweet sweet feelings dance in my stomach, mingling with the pain on my cursed mark.

"Gross, we can still hear you," Mintaka calls out, picking up his bottle of lemonade and drinking from it.

"Don’t care." Alnitak clicks his tongue at his brother.

At that moment, I realise that this man is falling hard for me too, and I am very close to being able to break that curse at least with Alnitak. The problem is how am I going to explain to him that I have other mates too?

Especially the situation with Rigel and my other mates being his brothers.

Oh well, I will cross that bridge when we get there.

"Pay up! You owe me seven gold coins." Mintaka picks up his guitar and waves it towards Alnitak.

"Fine." Alnitak takes out his pouch, fishes out the gold coins, and tosses them towards his brother. He catches each and every one of them effortlessly.

"5 gold coins for me. I went easy on you," Kacir says next and Alnitak takes a bow while sliding the coins towards him. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"21 gold coins for me," Rahria says coolly while watching her nails.

"What? You spent more than these two combined." Alnitak shakes his head at her.

"Girls are expensive, Alnitak and you are royalty. Be generous." She pops the last of her fry into her mouth.

"I still only get the same amount as you guys, you know our parents never make exceptions," he counters.

"Pay up, don’t whine." She flicks her fingers at him and he rolls his eyes at her before taking out the required gold coins and handing them over to her.

Finally, Alnitak turns to face me and the smile on his face returns.

"How much, Amaia?" He shakes his brown pouch in front of me and I scowl, folding my arms over my chest.

"Absolutely not. I have my own money. Besides I am the reason you lost. I should be sharing the money with you."

"And here we go, this is going to be so interesting," Mintaka chuckles while doing a high five with Kacir. Even Rahria has an evil smile going on.

Is there something I am missing?

Alnitak’s hands move and he grips the sides of my chair, pulling it towards himself so that I am facing him instead of others. My knees graze against his legs, sending a shock of electric sensation running through me.

"That’s not how it works. I take my bets seriously, very seriously. When it’s a bet I am paying. The end." Traces of the smile have disappeared from his face, and his honeyed, shaded eyes are inked blue-purple. Zevran is watching me too.

"And I used the money to buy gifts for everyone, including you. I am not doing that with your MONEY," I emphasise, ignoring the butterflies dancing in my belly and keeping my face straight.

He leans in, until no distance remains between his mouth and my ear. His hands slide onto my thighs and squeeze just enough to make my breath come out ragged.

He only waits a heartbeat before exhaling in my ear.

"Amaia! My wolf is seconds away from pushing you on this table and climbing over you. Tell me so we can return to the Academy and I can have you sprawled underneath me."

My heartbeat turns into a frantic drum as his thumbs slowly circle my thighs, suggestive, delicate, insinuating.

"Fifteen gold coins and twenty silver coins," Saiph’s booming voice breaks us apart, and my eyes slither towards him, filled with annoyance. He had been watching how much I paid at every stall.

He appears unmoved, staring back at me with his hands clasping the table behind him so tightly that his knuckles have bleached.

"Thanks, man," Alnitak beams and reaches for his pouch on the table with his right hand.

I have to think fast, I can’t accept his money.

"Why don’t we go back and then you can return it to me. I have something I need to discuss with you in private," I say with a dazzling smile.

And he mischievously smiles back at me.

"Fine, let’s go." Alnitak removes his hands from my legs and stands, gathering his things, and so do the others.

I let out a sigh of relief and get up, carefully holding the handkerchief Saiph has given me. I need to return this to him.

Should I wash it first? But where will I even find him again? I have to give this back.

Folding it neatly, I approach him and extend it towards him.

"Thanks!"

He is half sitting on the edge of the table and I still hardly reach his height.

His eyes dip towards my outstretched hand and then slowly flicker back to my face. Casually he says, "Keep it, won’t be the last time you spill food on your clothes."

What?

Did he just insinuate I am clumsy?