A Gift with a Price

Chapter Five

Seraphina was still arranging her belongings in the smaller bedroom when someone knocked.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Alexander stepped inside, followed by two servants carrying several large boxes.

Seraphina paused, the folded blouse in her hands forgotten as she stared at the unexpected procession.

"What's all this?"

"Your clothes," Alexander replied casually, gesturing for the servants to put everything down. "I thought you might need some new things."

The servants immediately got to work. Some began arranging the dresses inside her wardrobe.

Within minutes, her previously empty wardrobe was filled with expensive outfits.

Seraphina watched the entire arrangement in silence, struggling to understand what had prompted such generosity.

It had been years since Alexander had given her anything. In fact, she couldn't remember the last time he had bought her a gift.

Birthdays, celebrations, and special occasions had gradually become Elara's exclusive territory.

And now, suddenly, her brother had decided to shower her with expensive clothes.

Why?

"Thank you," she eventually said, though her voice carried none of the excitement he might have expected.

Alexander seemed pleased by her response. He slipped his hands into his pockets and glanced around the room.

"You don't have to thank me. Consider it a small gesture. I also wanted to thank you for giving Elara your room. She has been feeling much better since moving into it."

Seraphina's fingers slowly tightened around the blouse she was holding.

There it was!

She had almost forgotten that nothing in this household was ever done without a reason.

She looked at her brother, then briefly glanced at the wardrobe. "Okay then."

Alexander's smile faded. "Is that all you have to say?"

Seraphina tilted her head slightly. "What else should I say?"

"I went out of my way to get these things for you. At least show some appreciation." He said with a frown.

She looked at the expensive dresses hanging neatly in her wardrobe. "They're beautiful."

"Then why do you look so uninterested?"

"Because I don't have much use for them."

Alexander's brows drew together. "What does that mean?"

"It means I spend most of my time resting. I barely leave this room, and whenever Elara needs another blood transfusion, I'm expected to give it to her. I hardly have enough energy to walk around the house, let alone dress up."

The pleasant atmosphere immediately disappeared.

Alexander's jaw tightened, and he stared at her as though she had deliberately ruined the moment.

"Must you bring up blood donations every time someone does something nice for you?"

Seraphina slowly raised her eyes to meet his. "Did you forget why I became this weak?"

"I haven't forgotten anything!" he snapped. "But Elara is sick, Seraphina. She doesn't choose to be in this condition."

"Neither did I."

Her response was quiet, but it landed heavily between them.

Alexander's expression darkened, and he let out an irritated breath and shook his head.

"You're becoming increasingly difficult to deal with. I don't understand what has gotten into you lately. Elara never complains about her condition, yet you seem determined to remind everyone of yours."

Seraphina ignored his comment.

Of course, Elara never complained. Why would she? She was the one receiving the blood, the attention, the affection, and everything else she desired.

Meanwhile, Seraphina had learned that even her suffering was considered an inconvenience.

Alexander picked up his phone, already irritated, and checked the time before speaking again.

"There's an Alpha meeting next week. Alphas from the surrounding packs will be attending, so our family will be expected to make a good impression. You should dress properly and make sure you don't embarrass us."

"I'll keep that in mind," Seraphina said.

"Good." He glanced at her again, his eyes briefly settling on her pale face. "And try to look presentable. You can't keep walking around looking so pale and exhausted. People might start asking questions."

Seraphina almost laughed.

People might start asking questions? Was that what worried him?

Not the fact that his sister could barely stand without feeling dizzy. Not the possibility that the next donation might push her already weakened body beyond its limits.

He was worried about what other people might think.

She pressed her lips together, suppressing the bitter amusement threatening to escape.

"I'll make sure I look presentable."

Alexander seemed satisfied with that answer. He glanced at the clothes one last time before turning toward the door. "I hope you make good use of them."

"Mm." Was what Seraphina muttered.

He reached for the doorknob, but paused briefly. "And Seraphina?"

She looked up.

"Try to put whatever happened behind you. We're still family, and there's no reason for you to keep behaving as though everyone is your enemy."

For several seconds, she simply stared at him.

Family.

The word sounded almost foreign coming from his mouth.

She wondered whether he remembered how many times she had begged them to stop taking her blood.

Whether he remembered the last time any of them had asked if she was okay without immediately bringing up Elara.

But she didn't ask.

"Of course," she replied.

Alexander nodded before finally leaving.

Seraphina's gaze slowly moved toward the beautiful dresses hanging in her wardrobe.

They were expensive, carefully selected, and completely unnecessary.

She walked closer, running her fingers over the soft fabric of one of the dresses.

She could imagine how excited another girl might have been to receive something like this from her brother.

A small, humorless smile touched her lips as she withdrew her hand.

"How thoughtful," she whispered.

She turned away from the wardrobe and sat on the edge of her bed, carefully rubbing the faint bruises on her arm.

An Alpha meeting.

The thought brought another name to her mind.

Lucien... Would he attend? She hadn't seen him in years.