Gifts and Proposal

Sonya showed her the nursery; it was huge. Baby-proofing and lots of toys and children’s books "How come Rufus has a nursery right next to his room?" She asked herself. "This was constructed the moment the late Alpha knew Luna was carrying a twin," Sonya said. She nodded; she inspected the toys, but they seemed new, and all were recent models. Even the books were all new. She touched the stuffed toys. The nursery was impeccably clean and organized.

"It has only a twin bed, but Alpha ordered another bed as this was originally their old nursery, him and his twin brother. The bed will be delivered today," Sonya said. She went to the wooden horse and touched it. "Alpha made this himself and all the wooden toys. He’s a good artist, but I never saw his paintings aside from this wooden sculpture here. His work area, where he kept his artwork, was forbidden to everyone except for Whitton, who cleaned it from time to time," Sonya added.

She went to the rocking chair. "This one was used by his mother, and Alpha just fixed it; it’s as good as new now," Sonya said, as everything she touched had a ready explanation. "But why did Rufus share it with my sons when this nursery is important to him? I think he’s preparing for his future children," she said.

Sonya smiled. "The boy is very important to him; he’s a generous person," Sonya said, smiling. "My boys are playful and sometimes loud; I don’t want them to disrupt him," she insisted. "Alpha Rufus adored children, and I am sure he won’t mind," Sonya said, as if trying to convince her to stop overthinking.

Everleigh sighed, feeling defeated. Sonya opened the connecting door, and they went inside a room with a feminine touch. She smiled when she saw the interior decorations. She loved green, and the room had a touch of moss green with potted plants in the corners. It has a balcony that also has potted herbs, some of which are ornamental plants.

She opened the walk-in closet and saw lots of clothes, shoes, bags, and accessories inside. She turned to Sonya and said, "I think this room is for someone. I don’t want to intrude on her personal things," she said. "This room was the room of Alpha Rufus’ mate, but she left five years ago. Alpha wants the room to stay as it was when she left. Now that you are here, he has ordered us to let you use it. I think he moved on, and it’s a good sign," Sonya said, but why was she feeling that Sonya was feeling nervous?

"What if she comes back? I don’t want to touch her personal belongings; it’s inappropriate," she said vehemently. "Can you please take me to another room?" she begged. Everleigh wanted to get out of this room, but a huge part of her was feeling awful because Rufus valued the owner of this room. She can’t understand herself anymore.

"I will tell the alpha, but meanwhile you stay here. We need to prepare the guestroom first," Sonya said. She heard the boys come into the nursery room. They were excited and happy. While Radzim and Rafael went to the blocks, Raidan jumped on his bed several times, but before they touched anything, they looked at her, silently asking if they could touch anything. She nodded, and they grinned.

Moments later, they were engrossed in building blocks. She was watching them thoughtfully. She went to one of the beds and leaned on the headboard. "Why, Mama, is the bed only for two?" Raidan asked.

"Because those will be our beds, and you will sleep with Mama because you’re the youngest, and you’re acting like a girl," Radzim started to tease Raidan. "I am not a girl!" Raidan shouted at him, but Radzim smirked at him, which made Raidan mad, and he made an ear-splitting scream.

"Boys don’t scream like that, Raidan," she said with a stern voice. "Radzim, apologize to your brother. How many times have I told you that you don’t tease your brother like that?" she said. Radzim offered an immediate apology, and he invited Raidan to play with them. Soon, they were laughing like nothing had happened. She shook her head and laid on the bed, drifting to sleep.

She woke up feeling disoriented; the boys were sleeping on the bed next to her. They were hugging each other to make use of the small space. She smiled; they were still regaining their strength from their non-stop long journey. The blocks were arranged in the basket, where they got all of them. She taught them how to become independent and responsible, and they never failed her.

She returned to her room, knowing that, like her, the former owner of this room loved green. She was stunned when she opened the bathroom and was amazed by the design. It’s a jungle-like bathroom with lots of ferns, mosses, and air plants.

She went outside and looked for something to do. She offered help to Sonya, but she didn’t let her help. Sonya insisted on her having a rest. She even guided her to the library. She was again amazed by the interior of the library. Aside from books, bookshelves, a huge couch, tables, and chairs, there are trailing Hoyas that create a jungle effect and lots of plants. The roof was made of glass, which generally provides enough sunlight to help the plants grow.

The library was located on the second level, next to her room. She realizes that Rufus really loves the woman who left him. Maintaining these plants is not easy. It appeared that Rufus had maintained it since the woman left five years ago. It brought her heavy feelings.

He noticed that the manor had lots of staff. All of them are related to each other, like Lerma, whose husband, children, and niece, Sonya, were working at the manor. Whitton also learned that his son was working as one of Rufu’s security officers. She noticed that all of them were loyal to him; they adored him as if he were one of the gods.

To her surprise, the delivery included not only the bed but also a slew of toys and clothes for the boys and designer clothes for her. Instead of getting excited like the boys, she was annoyed. She remained in the nursery as the boys happily unwrapped the toys and their clothes. "I will talk to your Uncle Rufus first," she said to them. "Can we at least arrange this, Mama?" Raidan said as he hugged the robot.

She listened to the door. She heard something inside. She pressed herself against the connecting door, hoping to hear if Rufus had already arrived. The door suddenly opened, and she fell. Rufus emerged from the door and looked at her sprawling on the mat.

"Are you all right?" he asked amusingly. Did he know she was spying on him? She blushed. He offered his hand, and she took it. He suddenly pulled her, and she collided with his body. "Did you miss me that much, baby?" he asked.

"Mama plastered herself on your door, Dad," Raidan said without looking at him as he inspected his robot. "Really?" he said as his lips quirked, and his gaze fixed on her. Her eyes widened in horror and embarrassment. "I wanted to talk to you," she stammered.

"We will talk, baby, later," he whispered. His mouth is near hers, and she can smell his minty breath and masculine scents. She wondered what the taste of his lips was like. Before her thoughts lingered on something more intimate, he turned to the boys.

"It seems that you forgot your dad already," he said as he pretended to sulk at them. The boys looked at him guiltily and stopped what they were doing. "You can give me a hug, and you’ll be forgiven," he said as he opened his arms.

The boys jolted from the mat and flew into his arms. "Thank you, Daddy," they chorused. Rufus kissed them soundly on their cheeks and hugged them tight as if he couldn’t get enough of them. Then he reluctantly released them.

He turned to her. "What do you want us to talk about, baby?" he asked gently.

"Don’t call me that; it’s not proper," she said.

Rufus growled and turned his back to her. He walked towards the connecting door to his room, and she followed. "I think that is too much. You’re spoiling my kids. We aren’t used to this kind of luxury. I don’t want them to get hurt when we leave this place. And my room—I think it’s not appropriate that you let me stay there when it was your lover’s room. What are you doing?" She asked when she saw him undressing.

"You’re talking about propriety, baby. I am telling you this... You are under my roof, and I will do everything in my better judgment to make you and my boys comfortable and to indulge all of you. You’ll ask me why. Because I can. I am capable of giving it to you. I can provide everything for you and for my boys because I want you. Can’t you feel it, baby? The sexual tension between us?"

"What do you mean? Are you proposing to have an illicit affair with me?" To cheat on my husband, who is your twin brother, in exchange for your protection and our comfort?" She was horrified.

Rufus stared at her, his eyes deep and penetrating, as he answered, "Yes. I will spoil you. Give everything you want"