Chapter 381: Welcome to the family

Wrapped in a thin sheet, Luke kept one arm around Thea as he stared silently into the distance.

Thea slowly stirred in his arms and looked up at him.

In a low voice, she asked, "Don’t tell me you’re regretting things already."

Luke chuckled softly. The vibration in his chest seemed to ease some of the tension in her as he replied, "I have enough self-control over my emotions not to make a choice I could regret later."

He had come here partly because Roxanne and the system had pushed him toward it, but ultimately, the decision had been his. If he truly hadn’t wanted this, no one could have forced him to step into this room.

Thea slowly propped her chin against his chest before muttering, "Then what should I call myself now? Your servant? Your plaything?"

Luke lowered his gaze to her and asked, "Which one would you prefer?"

She grumbled under her breath. "So I’m going to be one of them after all, huh?" Shaking her head, she continued, "Well, as long as you give me food, shelter, protection, and pleasure, I’m content to be called whatever you want."

Luke raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement entering his voice. "Pleasure, huh? Who promised you that?"

Thea tilted her head, the corners of her lips curling into a sly, fox-like smirk.

"Can you resist?"

Luke snickered. "Don’t give yourself too much importance, woman. I have mates who can take care of my needs."

Thea groaned. "Fine. Occasionally, when you feel like it, make me feel like a woman too, master."

Luke nodded. "That’s more like it."

He slowly rose with Thea still in his arms before saying, "You can stay here if you want. No one would question you."

Thea looked taken aback. "But what about the new chief? Unless you’re planning to take that role?"

Luke shook his head. "No. I’m not going to be the chief. But whoever takes the position won’t be staying here. I promise you that."

This was the house Baldon had moved into after his original home was damaged. Now that the old house had been repaired, whoever became the village’s new leader would reside there instead, in the heart of the village where the chief traditionally belonged.

Thea hummed thoughtfully. "I like it here. But I’d need Nala by my side too."

Luke snickered. "Who’s going to pay her? I don’t remember you having any particular passion for working to earn your keep."

Thea looked up at him with the innocent expression of an adorable bunny and said, "Of course, you."

Luke could only shake his head. She really is a temptress.

He gave Thea a light slap on the butt before adding, "If only you could convince me."

Thea merely licked her lips before slipping off his lap.

The sun was still blazing brightly outside, so the two silently came to the same conclusion. It was better to remain indoors until the glaring light had died down.

....

"Oh, I ate a little too much," Roxanne muttered as she sat inside Luke’s room, surrounded by Monica and Laila.

Ginna was currently with Dalia, helping with the cleanup since Monica and Laila had been the ones to prepare the food.

"I’m glad you liked it. I never thought you would be coming today, so I just prepared everything without giving it much thought," Monica said, clearly a little embarrassed that all she had been able to offer Roxanne was ordinary meat and bread.

Roxanne reached out and took Monica’s hand. With a gentle smile, she asked, "Am I a guest here, Monica? Someone you need to go out of your way to please?"

Monica slowly shook her head as the meaning behind Roxanne’s words settled in. Lowering her voice, she murmured, "You’re right. We’re friends now."

Laila glanced toward Roxanne and said, "Mother has been making quite a few friends recently. Even our neighbour seems to have a good impression of her."

"Your neighbour? You mean Dart?" Roxanne asked.

Monica nodded.

"His mate is quite a sweet girl. The way she gets along with everyone and always puts other people’s preferences before her own is rather endearing." Monica had thoroughly enjoyed the time she spent with Nadia whenever the younger woman visited. She was also an excellent cook, and her unique recipes always gave Monica something new to learn whenever they shared a meal.

Roxanne faintly smiled and nodded. "I’ve met her once. She’s quite a nice girl."

Their conversation continued for a while, drifting from one topic to another, until Monica suddenly turned toward Laila.

"Laila, why don’t you go and prepare something for us to drink?"

Laila blinked in surprise before groaning. "But, Ma..."

Monica merely glanced at her.

That single look was enough for Laila to understand that her mother was not making a suggestion.

With a resigned sigh, Laila rose from her seat and stepped out of the room.

Roxanne watched her leave before turning back to Monica. It didn’t take much thought to realize why Monica had sent her daughter away.

There was something she wanted to discuss with Roxanne privately.

"So...when will your daughter be arriving here?" Monica asked, her voice as calm as before.

"Gary said the news should reach the head tribe by tomorrow, so perhaps in seven or eight days." Roxanne wasn’t entirely certain herself. She rarely visited the head tribe, and with the rain coming down so frequently these days, traveling for several days would be difficult.

In the first place, Roxanne wasn’t even sure whether Rhea would return. She had been close to Baldon, yes, but Rhea had a new home now, along with a mate who depended on her. Her priorities had changed.

Now, she had to think of them first before anyone else.

"Hmm." Monica nodded thoughtfully before turning her attention back to Roxanne. "Look, Roxanne...I know Luke will somehow make sure Thea can live a good life after the Chief’s departure. But you aren’t Thea."

She gently squeezed Roxanne’s hand.

"What have you thought about...your relationship with Luke?"

Roxanne realized that Monica already knew everything about the relationship between her and Luke. Somehow, she had expected as much. Monica had Luke had always been quite close for him to hide something like this.

Lowering her head, Roxanne said, "As long as we live in this village, people will resent me. They’ll shame me for apparently betraying Baldon. It won’t affect me, but I don’t want Luke to be insulted because of what they say."

Monica exhaled softly before asking, "Roxanne...you do remember that I raised Luke like my own son, right? And yet, even after our relationship became more intimate, I’ve never once seen him hide it from anyone."

Tilting her head, the brunette continued, "Then why do you think he would suddenly care about other people’s opinions now?"

Roxanne hesitated before asking, "But...I’m not very good at the things that could help him. I don’t want to become a burden to him."

She could cook, certainly, but she was nowhere near as skilled as Monica. More importantly, she knew little about Luke’s particular needs and everything that came with caring for the people around him. She had never been a hunter either, which meant she couldn’t support him in that regard.

Compared to what Monica could offer him, Roxanne couldn’t help feeling that she had very little to give in return.

Monica shook her head. "You’re worrying about nothing, Roxanne. I know Luke has tender feelings for you, and when he looks at someone with that kind of emotion, all he expects from them is to remain healthy and safe by his side."

Roxanne smiled faintly. "And you can live with that?"

Monica shook her head. "No...which is why I’m trying to change. Little by little. I know I won’t be going out to earn a living, and Luke would never allow me to do so anyway. But I want to become capable enough that I’m not an outright weakness to him."

After a moment, Monica continued, "You can find something of your own too, something that gives your life meaning and makes you happy. Besides, with Luke and his tendency to wander around and get himself into trouble, our lives are never going to be dull. There will always be something for us to do."

Roxanne slowly nodded. After a moment, she murmured, "I’m quite good at making pots and idols. Maybe...if we visit some of the larger cities, I can learn more and improve my craft."

Monica’s face brightened. "That’s the spirit."

She pulled Roxanne into a warm embrace, her smile widening as she said, "Welcome to the family, Roxanne."

Roxanne’s shoulders gradually relaxed, and a soft smile curved across her lips.

Things would be difficult from here on, she knew. But a good friend like Monica and the man she has come to adore by her side, she knew she could face any situation now.

~~~

A/N:- Thanks for reading