Unlawful Shadows | +18

Chapter 31

Elowen's POV

The morning light streamed softly through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across my room. I stirred, feeling an unfamiliar sense of solitude. Usually, one of the brothers would be hovering, ensuring I was never alone for too long. Today, there was only silence.

Rising from the bed, I wrapped myself in a robe and ventured out of the room, the wooden floor cool beneath my feet. The house felt strangely empty, an eerie contrast to its usual bustling atmosphere. My heart raced with a mix of apprehension and curiosity as I descended the staircase.

In the living room, I found them. Zephyr, Lysander, and Zander were seated on the plush couch, their expressions solemn. It was as if they had been waiting for me. The tension in the air was palpable, and I hesitated at the doorway, unsure of what to say or do.

Zephyr noticed me first. He gestured for me to sit down with a gentle nod. "Elowen, please, join us," he said, his voice calm but laced with a hint of urgency.

I approached cautiously, my mind swirling with memories of the previous day. Taking a seat across from them, I tried to steady my racing heart. "Good morning," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Good morning, Elowen," Lysander replied, his eyes meeting mine with a look of deep regret. Zander offered a small, tentative smile, his usual confidence replaced by an unusual vulnerability.

There was a moment of heavy silence before Zephyr spoke again. "We need to talk about what happened yesterday," he began, his voice steady but tinged with remorse. "We know we overreacted, and we were wrong."

I blinked, taken aback by the admission. It was the first time any of them had openly acknowledged their faults. "I... I don't know what to say," I admitted, my voice trembling slightly.

Lysander leaned forward, his eyes intense with sincerity. "Elowen, we acted out of fear and anger. We were harsh, and we hurt you. That's not what we wanted, and for that, we're truly sorry."

Zander nodded, his usual bravado completely absent. "We've been selfish, thinking only of our own needs and desires. We didn't take your feelings into account, and that was wrong."

Zephyr's gaze softened. "We disregarded your feelings, and in doing so, we validated our actions without considering the impact on you. That's not how we should have treated you. We failed you, Elowen, and for that, we deeply apologize."

Lysander took a deep breath, his expression resolute. "We understand that words alone aren't enough. Actions speak louder. We need to show you that we've changed, and that starts with giving you the freedom you deserve."

My heart skipped a beat as I listened, unsure of where this was going. "What do you mean?"

Lysander continued, his voice filled with determination. "We're letting you go."

I stared at him, unable to believe what I was hearing. "Letting me go?"

Zander's face contorted with pain as he repeated, "We'll win your trust and love the way you would want us to. We're willing to do whatever it takes until you willingly want to be with us."

Zephyr leaned forward, his eyes earnest. "You were right, Elowen. We don't want you as a pet who listens to our every whim. We want a partner who stands her ground with us, someone on equal footing emotionally. Not someone who feels burdened to listen to us just because she's afraid."

His words pierced through my heart, moving me more than I could have imagined. "You mean that?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Zephyr nodded. "Absolutely. We've been wrong in so many ways, and we're prepared to make it right. We want you to be happy, Elowen. Truly happy, with us."