"Sis, how long do we have to stay inside the house?" Elina asked, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. "I wanted to go to the supermarket to buy some snacks, but the guard wouldn't even let me step out. He said I should tell him what to bring and he would."

"Prince Dominick has given the orders," Jeniva answered as she moved toward the kitchen. "Until he clears it, we're grounded. For that to happen, the real culprit has to be caught."

"Aren't they being too slow? Why couldn't they capture the person who sent that attacker after you by now?" Elina grumbled, flopping back onto the mini sofa in the living room. "It feels like we're the ones in prison while the bad guy is out there enjoying the fresh air."

Jeniva paused at the kitchen entrance, looking back at her sister with a weary smile. "It's an investigation, Elina. It takes time. Dominick isn't just looking for a thief. The perpetrator used a burner phone to call the hunter."

"I hope they do it quick. But why would a hunter want to harm you? It never happened before. Aren't you scared?" Elina picked up her phone from the table and immediately began texting her friend.

Jeniva shut the refrigerator door, a deep frown forming on her forehead. She was terrified, though she tried to hide it. The hunter had been too close, dangerously so.

If Dominick hadn't intervened, the strike would have landed. She couldn't help but wonder if this was the fallout from what she had done back in Gridlock.

As she began prepping the ingredients for dinner, a sharp knock sounded at the door.

"I'll check!" Elina called out, dropping her phone and rushing to the entryway.

She pulled the door open to find the same guard from earlier. He was the one she had practically bribed with a list of snacks and the cash to go get them.

"Did you get the spicy chips?" she asked eagerly, peering at his hands.

The guard held up two large brown paper bags, his expression stoic as ever despite the crinkle of plastic inside. "The supermarket was crowded, but I managed to find everything on your list."

"You're a lifesaver. Thank you," Elina cheered, taking the bags from him.

Jeniva watched Elina gleefully rummage through the snacks.

"We will have dinner soon, so don't eat too many snacks," Jeniva warned as she chopped onions and vegetables.

Elina hummed in response, already mid-crunch. As she scrolled through her phone, a headline caught her eye.

"Whoa, look at this," she said, leaning toward the kitchen before walking there.

She started reading aloud a news report about the content creators who had been legally punished for tarnishing Juniper's image through online media.

"Prince Dominick must have done it," Elina pronounced, popping another chip into her mouth. "I thought they were divorced and finished, but he's still clearly involved with his ex."

Jeniva paused her chopping, her gaze fixed on the vegetables. The news didn't entirely surprise her.

"Just because Juniper is his ex-wife doesn't mean her honor means nothing. You have no idea what she has undergone because of all this," Jeniva said, her voice firm as she focused on descaling the fresh fish she had ordered earlier.

"But aren't you jealous that Prince Dominick is doing so much for his ex? I mean, once you're divorced, it's supposed to be over," Elina murmured, crinkling the chip bag as she reached for another.

"It's complicated," Jeniva replied. "I don't know every detail, but from what Prince Dominick told me, he carries a lot of regret for not doing things the right way for her in the past. He's making things right for Juniper so that she can live without being targeted. You've no idea what public views can do to you if you suddenly are thrown to them. Juniper suffered and Prince Dominick failed in doing his job properly... I mean handling divorce and stuff."

Elina nodded slowly, the cynicism in her expression softening into understanding. "All of this is too much for me. Now, I feel having a mate is so tiring."

Jeniva chuckled. She asked her sister to sit down and not linger around.

~~~~~

"Yes, Dad. Zilia is doing well. In fact, she's much more happy here. She wants to stay for a while, so I'll return alone in the morning," Casaio told the Alpha King over the phone.

"The work demands your attention, otherwise I would have told you to spend more time there with her," Raidan stated.

"Hmm. It's not like Zilia will be alone here. Amelie and Gabriel are here, so I don't have to worry for her," Casaio said, leaning against the balcony railing.

"Good. Tell Gabriel to call me or his mother sometime," Raidan pronounced.

"I will, Dad. Goodnight, then. It's late," Casaio replied. The line disconnected, and as he turned around, he found Zilia stepping onto the balcony.

"You didn't sleep!?" Casaio asked, his eyes softening at the sight of her.

"I couldn't. I was craving for something sour. Shall we go out?" Zilia asked, her eyes bright with a sudden, late-night mission.

Casaio let out a short, amused huff. "At this hour? Most of the markets are closed, Zilia."

"Not the ones in the city center. There's always someone selling green mangoes or pickled plums near the square," she insisted, moving closer to him. "Please? The kitchen doesn't have the specific kind I want."

Casaio looked at her, knowing he should be resting for his early departure, but he could never really say no to her, especially not when she was carrying his pups.

"Fine. Dress up warmly. The air is cold."

Zilia smiled widely, her excitement palpable. "Give me five minutes to change!"

Casaio watched her go in while he glanced at his phone. Walking in, he found Zilia wearing a white coat with black lining on it. She tied her long hair into a bun and said, "Won't you get ready?"

"I look fine in these," Casaio stated and brought her sneakers along with his shoes.

"Sit," he said.

Zilia lowered herself onto the vanity chair and he slid the sneakers into her feet. "Zi, I'm going to miss you. Don't go anywhere alone. Okay?"

"Yeah, I won't," Zilia said when Casaio stood up slowly and kissed on her forehead.