Lilith’s P. O. V
As I got closer to my door I felt my heart race when I saw Bartholomew and Raoul hanging out just outside. Worries filled my head and for a moment I stopped while feeling the heavy tension around me.
Just seeing them made me uneasy and moving forward felt like walking through mud. I leaned against the wall while trying to find my courage. What do they want this time?
I had noticed their tricks before-these brothers were well-known for their deceit and I had been fooled by them too often. I could almost feel the thoughts swirling in my head. Are they planning something against me? Or maybe they are after Adams? Just thinking about it sent a wave of apprehension washing over me.
Bartholomew’s voice broke the quiet. “Lilith! We were just on our way to see you,” he said with his smile looking as fake as I felt.
“Yeah, just a casual visit,” Raoul said with his face showing nothing. “We thought you were in.”
I turned my body, totally prepared for whatever they might do. “What do you want?” I kept my voice calm even though I felt nervous inside.
Bartholomew quickly looked at Raoul and I could see they were sharing a message I couldn’t understand. “We only want to talk, that’s it,” Raoul said, while briefly looking down.
“Maybe we should talk somewhere… out of sight,” Bartholomew said with a hint of something-worry?-showing on his face.
My stomach churned at what he said. Out of sight? What are they up to? “You want to talk in my room?” I squinted while looking for any signs they weren’t being honest.
Raoul stood up straight with his voice filled with urgency. “We’re not here to make problems. Honestly. We just need a minute to-”
“Okay.” I cut in while strengthening my determination. “You can come inside,” but I’m staying alert, I added silently. I moved back to let them enter with my heart racing as they stepped through the door.
I closed the door after them with the lock clicking shut loudly in the quiet room. “So what do you want?” I folded my arms, totally prepared to respond right away.
To my shock, Raoul awkwardly cleared his throat. “Uh well… I wanted to say I’m sorry.”
“What?” I cocked my head while looking at him like he was a ghost. “You’re saying sorry?”
“Yeah.” He clenched his jaw like it was hard for him to speak. “I’ve caused issues-more than issues. I’ve scared you and Adams before and I want to apologize. It’s… it’s time to change.”
Bartholomew spoke up, his voice cheerful but tight. “He’s right. I’ve been caught up in that mess as well. I know I haven’t helped you, but I’m here to back Raoul’s change of mind.”
Doubt filled me. “So what do you both really want? Why the sudden change? This feels… strange.”
Raoul tightened his fists as he was clearly fighting his doubts. “I see why you don’t trust me. But things have changed. We don’t want to make this worse. You’re Adams’s mate and that makes you part of our family-and I’ve realized family is important. I want to treat you like my sister.”
Those words lingered like an old worn-out curtain and I felt a mix of emotions. A sister? They’ve hardly seen me as anything but a bother until now.
Pushing myself to forget what happened before, I asked, “You really think I can believe this? After all that?”
Bartholomew fidgeted a bit. “We know this might seem… strange. But with Ben joining the rebel king Augustus, we see that we can’t stay split. We have to unite.”
I felt really down when I heard Ben’s name. “So you believe that teaming up with me and Adams will end the war? Do you think this will make up for the harm he’s done?”
Raoul looked deep in thought. “We know it won’t solve everything. But if we worked together, we might stop Augustus’s plans. It’s better than what we’ve tried before.”
I frowned while trying to understand what he said. His words felt strangely honest and there was a hint of weakness I wasn’t used to seeing from him. “Is this really how you think you can help?”
“Listen,” Raoul said firmly, “we’re not here to fight anymore. We want to make things right. It’s time to behave like brothers, not foes.”
Could it really be true? My gut told me to be careful, but a spark of hope started to light up under my caution.
I felt my determination weakened just a bit, but enough to say something. “If you truly want to say you’re sorry, you should go to Adams. He deserves to hear it from you clearly and directly.”
Bartholomew looked at Raoul, showing how serious he felt. “Sure if you could give us a moment. Saying sorry isn’t simple-”
I had to interrupt him. “Believe me, it will take much more than words to win Adams’s trust again.”
Raoul shrugged, but his eyes showed a spark of resolve that moved me. “We’re ready to do whatever it takes.”
“So you’ll speak to him?” I pushed a bit more, wanting to be sure they really meant it.
“Sure,” Bartholomew said, while moving to the door like he was ready for anything.
The door opened all the way and to my surprise Adams stood in the doorway. His face showed a mix of confusion and anger. “What’s happening here?” he snarled with his voice calm but threatening.
My heart sank. I didn’t think he would get here so soon.
Raoul and Bartholomew stopped in shock with their surprise clear, like they’d been caught doing something wrong. “Adams, it’s not what you think-”
“Leave her alone!” Adams shouted with his hands balled into fists. “Go away!”
I rushed ahead with panic squeezing my throat as I shouted “Adams stop! Let them-”
But the fire in his eyes only got stronger. “You think you can just enter my mate’s room without permission? You think you can take advantage of her?!”
Raoul raised his hands to show he meant no harm. “We were only chatting! Please let us explain-”
Before I could step in, Adams was right next to Raoul, who was the closest. In a fast and angry move Adams grabbed Raoul by the neck and lifted him up. “How dare you enter her room and threaten her?”
Adams’s eyes shone bright red with anger pouring out in a way that cut my breath short.
“Adams stop!” I blurted with my heart pounding as I saw how serious this had become…