Elara’s POV

A soft whimper escaped my lips as my body settled into the warm bathwater. My eyes fluttered open, hazy and unfocused, meeting Silas’s tender stare. My mouth opened, but only one word came out.

"Damn!"

"Did that hurt?" Silas’s voice was gentle.

"Want to switch places next time?" I shot back at him.

Some things went without saying. Others needed to be crystal clear.

Silas dropped his gaze and pressed his forehead against mine. "Alright," he murmured. "Next time you can do whatever you like. This was on me..."

I reached up and flicked his forehead before sinking deeper into the water, allowing my wood power to course through me. I hadn’t anticipated that sleeping with him would boost my abilities again—jumping two full levels at once.

Level 7 brought me a support skill: Woodshadow Blink. It enhanced my personal speed and agility while enabling short-distance teleportation across small areas. Plus it came with a passive effect: Drain.

The updated support skill bonuses included boosted attack strength for Leaf Storm, extended reach for Venomforged, and an added rooting effect to Parasite.

Level 7 marked a real breakthrough. All the fatigue drained from my body, replaced by a soft, radiant glow.

Seems like Silas’s recovered enough for discharge now.

"How do you feel?" I asked, settling back in the tub and resting my chin on my hand. I gazed at Silas kneeling in front of me, a mischievous, teasing grin playing on my lips.

I had to give credit where it was due—apart from that initial ache—the rest had been... really incredible.

If only there hadn’t been quite so much intensity, I wouldn’t have blacked out...

So it wasn’t just the pain that made me pass out...

He’s gorgeous and amazing in bed. I’m completely hooked on him.

The one I chose myself really is the finest.

Rather than responding immediately, Silas took my hand and planted a gentle kiss on it.

After a lengthy pause, he finally spoke in a low, cautious tone, "Are you angry with me?"

He didn’t need to spell it out. I knew exactly what he meant.

I understood his meaning perfectly.

"A bit," I confessed. "But... I wanted it as well." I pulled my hand back teasingly and added, "Who told me to have a weakness for Dr. Pendragon?"

Hearing this, Silas’s eyes reddened slightly. He captured my hand again and pressed it against his chest, his gaze melting into a tender, loving smile. "Elara," he said, "I belong to you now."

I let out a cute, playful sound.

What a cunning rabbit. All satisfied and content, and now he’s here charming me.

I grabbed a towel nearby, stood up, and climbed out of the tub. At 5’5", I wasn’t exactly petite, but I still appeared small and fragile beside him.

The instant my long leg stepped over the rim, Silas scooped me up in his arms.

"Heading home?"

Silas was finished with sweet talk. He just wanted to take me straight home.

I arched an eyebrow, reached up, and tugged on his ear. "My dear rabbit," I said seriously, "you might need to hold off on that ’going home’ idea for a while."

Silas’s expression darkened. I could see in his eyes that he was wondering if he couldn’t just have me to himself.

He knew I wanted him, but that I desired the others as well...

"Am I not sufficient?" Silas asked. His rabbit ears drooped slightly, putting on an adorable act to distract me, concealing the raw possessiveness and obsession underneath.

Unexpectedly, I reached out and wrapped my arms around him. Skin against skin, my soft fragrance enveloped him, and Silas’s mind went completely blank. Then a gentle, pleading voice whispered in his ear. "Si, you wouldn’t want to put me in a difficult position, would you?"

That sweet, pitiful tone, tinged with a touch of hurt—I knew this clever rabbit couldn’t resist it.

I wanted everything. Did I care for Silas? Absolutely. Otherwise, I never would have gone this far with him.

But the others belonged to me too. I might not love them identically... but I couldn’t simply abandon them or push them away.

With that, I released him and cupped his face in my hands. My lashes fluttered, tears shimmering in my eyes...

Silas froze, a sharp ache stabbing through his chest. He looked at me as if wondering what he had done.

"I’m sorry, Elara," he said instantly. "This is my fault. I shouldn’t have forced you to choose..."

The sight of my tears shattered him completely.

It was his issue, and he was putting it on me. Fine. Whatever. He seemed to resign himself, perhaps thinking that since I was his beautiful and precious mate, he would give me everything I wanted.

"So you’ll behave for me?" I asked. I adjusted my position, wrapping my legs around his waist while still holding his face. My voice was soft, but my gaze held him gently from above.

Silas smiled, one arm supporting me, the other wiping away the tears on my cheeks. He released a soft sigh and nodded.

"I’m yours. Do whatever you want with me. Just... please don’t cry, alright?" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Silas was going insane internally. I was clearly manipulating him, and yet he couldn’t even manage to feel upset about it. He’d thought he’d triumphed, but now he felt completely defeated once again.

I might care for him a little more, but that didn’t mean I felt nothing for the others waiting outside.