CHAPTER 90: WANT TO MEET AGAIN

Eleanor’s POV

"II am tired of being too cautious," I said, the words feeling like a safer, partial truth. "Something I used to do without a thought as a human, I could break with my finger now without any effort. I’m so constantly careful, so afraid of breaking something—or someone. It’s exhausting."

I took a shaky breath, deciding to add another layer, one that was also painfully real. "And there are other... changes. Things I don’t feel comfortable with. You know... this whole mating bond nonsense." I felt my cheeks heat. "I shouldn’t feel this... this pull whenever I see any of the brothers. It’s confusing, my body is going against my will and I hate it."

Sir Alfred listened patiently, his expression unreadable. He pondered for a long moment, the silence stretching between us.

Finally, he gave a slow, single nod. "I understand. I can procure the suppressants for you."

Relief washed over me. "Thank you," I breathed, the words heavy with gratitude. "Thank you, sir Alfred."

The conversation shifted to lighter topics—how my work at the track was progressing—and soon after, I retreated to my room.

The luxury of it still felt alien, the plush carpets and modern furnishings a world away from anything I’d ever known. I didn’t sleep in peace; I slept with an edge, always half-awake.

But now, there was a flicker of hope. I could barely wait to get those suppressants. To quiet the storm inside me.

Then, a chilling thought slithered into my mind.

Wait. Hope he won’t tell the triplets.

I prayed he wouldn’t.

A soft ping from my phone cut through the silence. I picked it up, expecting a message from Mira or Roxy. It was from an unknown number. My brow furrowed until I opened it.

We’d like to see you at Sins and Cinnamon tonight.

My breath caught. It was them. The masked men.

My thumbs flew over the screen. Tonight? It’s already after 7.

The reply was almost instantaneous. Did you give yourself a curfew? A rolling eyes emoji followed.

I wanted to go. So why did I feel this internal resistance? Because I was nervous.

The chaos of the last few days had almost made me forget about them. These men were a dangerous, thrilling distraction, something I desperately wanted but was too scared to admit, even to myself.

Well, I can only blame my werewolf nature for making me think it’s okay to feel this way, I rationalized. Normally, I would never agree to something like this, right? Right.

I would just keep telling myself that. Saying it might make it true.

But what excuse would I use to leave the estate? Wouldn’t the brothers be furious, especially after the last time?

Wait a minute, I thought, a spark of defiance igniting. Why do I need their approval? I didn’t ask to be here. I didn’t want to be their captive, their problem, their mate.

So, yeah. I was definitely going to the club.

I typed back a reply. I’ll be there.

The response was immediate. Good. Look good for us. A winking emoji followed.

A ridiculous, thrilling shiver went down my spine. I didn’t understand why that simple message felt so exciting. Sheesh. Get a grip, Eleanor.

I immediately called Mira.

"What’s up?" she answered.

"Do you remember the... deal I made with those masked men at the club?"

Mira let out a low laugh. "How could I forget? What woman would? What about it?"

"They want to meet tonight. But—"

"But you have no idea what to wear," she finished for me. "Don’t worry. I got you."

I dug to the back of my closet and found the box containing the heels Mira had bought me months ago, a "just in case" gift I’d never had the courage to wear. Tonight felt like the "case." I slipped them on, their height daunting. Taking a few wobbly steps, I gripped the dresser for support. This was going to be a challenge.

Mira’s voice came through the phone, now propped on my bed. "So, do you want any tips? You know, for handling three men at once?"

My face flamed. "Mira! I’m not going to do anything with them so soon."

"Then what’s the point of going?" she asked, her tone gently challenging.

I opened my mouth to reply but found I had no answer. The point was the thrilling, terrifying pull. The point was the way my heart raced at the thought of being near them again.

Mira, seeing my struggle, softened her voice. "It’s fine to explore, Ellie. To figure out what you want. You’ve spent your whole life denying yourself. You shouldn’t do that now."

"Isn’t it too soon, though?" I whispered, the question as much for myself as for her.

"Maybe," she conceded. "But you can take it slow. From what you’ve told me, these guys seem to respect your boundaries. They won’t push you. The pace is all up to you."

She was right. The control was mine.

"Alright," I said, feeling a little more steady.

"Good. And don’t forget to grab some condoms," she added with a mischievous lilt. "You know, just in case you go a little wild."

"Mira! Hang up the phone right now!" I shrieked, mortified.

Her laughter echoed through the speaker before the call finally disconnected, leaving me alone with my racing heart and the silent, daring woman in the mirror.

***

The guilt was a small, nagging stone in my stomach as I’d told Sir Alfred I was meeting friends. He’d simply nodded, his kind eyes believing me completely, and arranged for a car without question. I hated lying to him.

When I arrived at Sins and Cinnamon, the security guard at the door just waved me through, not even bothering with a pretense of checking my ID.

I focused very hard on walking, each step in the unfamiliar heels a precarious event. I was sure I looked ridiculous, so I kept my gaze fixed straight ahead, avoiding any eye contact that might confirm it.

Inside, the club was a sensory assault. The air was thick with the scent of perfume, sweat, and a primal undercurrent of lust and arousal that seemed even more potent than last time. The bass thrummed through the floor, vibrating up through the thin heels. I just concentrated on not falling.

I moved through, following the now-familiar path to the private room. The security stationed along the hallway recognized me and silently gestured me forward. I reached the door, took a deep, shaky breath to steady my nerves, and knocked.

The door opened almost instantly, revealing the dim, crimson-lit room beyond. One of the masked men stood there, his familiar form silhouetted against the glow. His mouth curved into a slow, appreciative smirk as his eyes traveled the length of my body.

He stepped aside to let me enter. I walked in, my heart hammering, immensely relieved I didn’t trip over my own feet as my legs trembled under his intense gaze.

The door clicked shut behind me, sealing us in. He turned to face me fully, his eyes gleaming behind the mask.

"You look good," he said, his voice a low, approving rumble that seemed to vibrate right through me.

"Thank you," I managed as I self-consciously tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

He gestured towards the deep, crimson semicircular seat, and I moved to sit, my movements a little stiff. My eyes scanned the room, but the other two men were nowhere to be seen. Should I ask? The question felt too forward, too eager.

"Can I get you a drink?" he asked.

"A Wine Spritzer, please," I said, latching onto the simple request.

He gave a slight nod and moved to the small, well-stocked bar in the corner. I watched his back, the confident set of his shoulders, as he prepared the drink.

When he returned, he settled right beside me on the plush seat, his thigh a whisper away from mine. He handed me the tall, cool glass.

I took it and immediately drank a large gulp. The crisp, bubbling sensation was exactly what I needed, just as Mira had promised it would be. It helped quiet the frantic buzzing in my veins.

Feeling a bit braver, I finally asked the question that had been hovering on my lips. "Are the... others not here?" I cringed internally. Did that sound weird? "I mean... what are we doing tonight?"