Married To The Billionaire Alpha King-Chapter 140 - waiting for

140

~Elara’s POV

The massage room was calm, dimly lit with a soft amber glow. Gentle music floated in the background, and the scent of lavender was stronger here, mingling with something earthy and grounding. My shoulders ached the moment I lay down. I had spent months with tension coiled in them, and it felt like every knot knew this day had come.

The therapist, a quiet woman with gentle hands, asked softly, "Any areas of concern, Luna Elara?"

"Shoulders. Neck. And honestly... stress everywhere," I admitted.

Darlon, lying on the table beside me, gave a soft laugh. "She means everywhere," he said to the therapist, then whispered to me, "It’s okay. You can let it go."

The massage started slowly. Hands moving expertly across muscles I didn’t even remember were tense. I closed my eyes and tried to breathe through the tightness. Darlon’s hand occasionally brushed mine, a gentle reminder that he was here. That we were here. That the day wasn’t about expectations, or work, or pressures.

I felt my mind drifting, images of the fashion show, the auction, the applause, all merging with the soft music and the scent of the oils. For the first time in a long time, I allowed myself to just be.

David groaned quietly from the next table. "I could stay like this forever."

Janae smirked. "Don’t get too used to it. You’ll ruin your home massages when you get back."

I laughed softly. "I don’t even want to think about home massages right now. This is perfect."

The therapist moved to my back again, kneading out a knot I had carried since the auction. I hissed softly, and Darlon leaned over, whispering, "That’s it. Let it go. Every bit of it."

I nodded against the pillow, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. Not from pain, exactly. Not from sadness. But from the release. From the recognition that I deserved this. That I could allow myself to be cared for.

After the massage, we were led to the facial room. My skin felt tingling and refreshed even before the treatment began. The therapist applied masks and oils, and I felt the tension leaving not just my muscles, but my mind. Darlon kept glancing at me, smiling softly whenever our eyes met.

"You look... lighter," he said.

I smiled, closing my eyes. "I feel lighter. Like I’ve been carrying invisible stones, and they’ve finally been lifted."

We spent the next hour like that, soft conversation, quiet laughter, and stretches of absolute stillness. The kind that feels like it exists outside of time. Occasionally, Darlon would brush a strand of hair from my face or rest his hand over mine. Small gestures, but heavy with meaning.

After the facial, the staff led us to the relaxation lounge. Plush chairs, soft blankets, and small herbal teas are waiting at each side table. A gentle waterfall trickled in the corner. Candles flickered faintly, casting golden reflections across the room. I sank into the chair beside Darlon, letting the heat from the seat seep into my bones.

"This... this is exactly what I needed," I said softly.

Darlon rested his head lightly on my shoulder. "You deserve it. Every bit of it."

David and Janae settled in their chairs, eyes closed, occasionally whispering to each other about how good it all felt. I listened to the water, the soft hum of music, the murmurs of the city outside, and let myself finally breathe.

At some point, Darlon whispered again, "No emails. No calls. No decisions. Just today."

I nodded. "I’ll try. Promise."

"You don’t have to try," he said. "Just be."

And I did. For hours, we drank tea, talked quietly about everything and nothing, and simply enjoyed being together. The tension that had been woven into my bones for weeks slowly unwound. For the first time in what felt like forever, I was fully present.

By the time we left the spa, the afternoon had turned golden. The world outside looked the same, but everything in me had shifted. I felt lighter, calmer, stronger.

Darlon held my hand as we walked to the car. "Feeling better?" he asked.

"I do," I said. "Thank you... for all of this. For today, for last night, for everything."

He smiled softly. "You don’t have to thank me. You earned it. And I’ll always make sure you have time to remember that."

Janae and David grinned beside us, teasing lightly. "We need to come here more often," Janae said. "Seriously, we’re never leaving the relaxation lounge."

David laughed. "Next time, I want the full spa package too. I demand massages for my troubles."

I shook my head, smiling at their antics. "You both need to stop trying to compete with calm. It’s exhausting."

Darlon squeezed my hand, his thumb brushing over mine. "We’ll come back. But today... Today is about you."

I leaned against him, closing my eyes briefly, letting the warmth of the sun and the warmth of the people around me settle in. For the first time in weeks, I felt completely at ease.

By the time we left the spa, the sun had dipped lower, painting the streets in soft gold and pink. The car ride home was quiet at first. I leaned back in my seat, letting the soft leather cradle me, still feeling the lingering warmth from the massage and the spa oils. My shoulders were loose, my mind quiet. For once, the constant hum of worry had nothing to latch onto.

David and Janae, sitting in the front, exchanged a look and laughed softly.

"You two look like you’re plotting something," I said, turning my head slightly.

David raised his hands in mock surrender. "We’re just... appreciating the queen of the day."

Janae added, smirking, "Yeah. Someone has to remind her she’s still a goddess even after all the stress."

I rolled my eyes, laughing quietly. "You two are ridiculous."

We reached the house, and as we stepped out of the car, David and Janae moved to open the doors, bowing slightly.

"Your Highness," David said, exaggerating his tone. "Your Majesty. We will take our leave now, but we remain at your service."

I laughed outright. "You are absurd."

David bowed once more, mock-serious. "May your evening continue in peace, Luna Elara. Alpha Darlon. We will retreat to our quarters and allow you rest."

I grinned. "Thank you for today."

Janae waved her hand like she was dismissing a crowd.

I nudged Darlon, smiling. "They’re jealous, you know. Both of them."

He laughed softly. "I noticed. They’re harmless. Mostly."

Darlon chuckled, then leaned forward, voice low but firm. "Since we’re all celebrating, I should give a little reminder."

I raised an eyebrow. "A reminder?"

"Yes," he said, eyes on David and Janae. "You two should take it easy tonight. And..." He paused, a teasing smile playing at his lips, "...absolutely do not get pregnant before the wedding."

I burst out laughing, covering my mouth with my hand. "Darlon! You’re ridiculous!"

Janae’s eyes went wide, and she shoved David gently. "Did you hear that? Do not get me pregnant before the wedding!"

David laughed, raising his hands. "Sire! I didn’t plan on it!"

Darlon leaned back, still smiling. "Good. I don’t need any surprises before the big day."

I shook my head, laughing softly. "You really do think of everything, don’t you?"

"Of course," he said, voice soft now, eyes locking on mine. "And that includes making sure the people I care about don’t rush into things. Some things are worth waiting for."

I felt my chest tighten a little, warmth spreading through me. "You’re impossible," I whispered.