Chapter 242 Homecoming
Nikolai soon arrived at the mansion with Selene, the maids, and various security guards, confirming their identities before letting them inside.
"We're finally home."
"Mm, it was a lovely date but it came to an end so soon..."
Selene wrapped herself around his arm while swinging lightly, the curries and dishes kept in his storage ring, and the staff gazed at the small tabby cat on his shoulder.
From the curry house to the mansion, the cat seemed to have preferred Nikolai's shoulders, now a little arrogant after eating the bonus fish from the chef.
"Let's go inside."
[It seems like you've made some significant progress with Selene.]
His mother was right.
Nikolai noticed how free and honest Selene became after Lunaria's soul left her body. Not only did she become a little clingy, but when she didn't like something he did or wanted to know something, she would just ask.
'I should have been this open with her much earlier.'
[Well, nobody is perfect; your dad was the same until I got pregnant, fufu.]
[I guess you cannot fight your blood.]
He couldn't help but smirk while Selene's arms tightened, her eyes peeking at him as they approached the huge double doors of his new home.
The garden outside still needed work, but it was something that Risa and Nikita asked to take care of, so Nikolai just showed a smirk before entering the mansion.
"We're finally home..."
Though she wanted to spend longer with Nikolai, Selene's voice sounded tired and raspy... most likely because of the fight they endured together.
"Let's eat and then relax, I already messaged the house keeper about dinner."
"Ah~ thank god."
—Click!
The moment the door opened, three women were seated on the small set of chairs in the corner.
"He's home!" Nikita was the first to notice, her nose sniffing the air.
"Nikolai... he looks exhausted," the gentle Kumiko muttered, spying on him through her long bangs.
"Selene looks happy... damn it."
Of course, Risa's jealous voice revealed the truth inside her and Nikita's chest, but they didn't expand on it—instead, Nikolai bitterly smiled back and paced over to them.
"Hey girls, sorry we're late."
"Master Nikolai welcome home!" The head butler bowed to Nikolai.
This man worked for his father and grandfather. He was an older werewolf who couldn't fight like he used to and thus took a role that would still benefit the clan.
"How was the mansion, any troubles Alfred?"
Nikolai greeted the old wolf.
"None, master, though the ladies were quite impatient." He gave a stern look to the three girls, who quickly turned away, most likely having no manners that the old wolf expected.
'Well, he's over two hundred years old..'
Those who couldn't break the barrier of Elder or Grand Elder would never be able to extend their lives to huge amounts; thus, many werewolves, if not the majority, barely survived till 300.
Different from vampires, who could live almost endlessly as long as nobody killed them or something significant happened to them.
"Though I heard that Lady Kumiko worked extra hard today, from the Fenrir and Tepes clan they confirmed her contributions to the clans." The butler wasn't someone who played favourites, but the fact they were able to infiltrate and learn what they did was mostly Kumiko's work.
Nikolai nodded. He didn't know exactly how far the trio had travelled, but his father and grandfather had told him they had all accomplished a significant task.
'Something about saving a mermaid... Alexei and his wife should be pleased.'
"Ah... but Lady Risa should be quite delicate, please take care of her. She seemed to have forced her blood awakening and overworked herself, killing a vampire elder."
'That's incredible...'
Risa looked at him and smiled proudly; however, when Nikita pushed her, she winced in pain and didn't strike back like usual.
"Understood, tonight I have prepared some meals from the Nexus, a Djinn cuisine could I entrust you with them and have you serve a meal in the next thirty minutes, since there is a mixture of fish and meat, I would like a mixture of light and dark blood wines."
Normally, Selene might have become complacent or impatient by now, but watching Nikolai speak so eloquently and adjust to his new role so well, she couldn't help but touch her chest...
Ba-Dump!
Ba-Dump!
Her heart raced, rapidly beating as it pounded against her chest.
'Ah... I really love him, and seeing these new sides of him makes me love him even more. I wonder what kind of life we will lead...'
She glanced over to her side, finding Nikolai speaking to the old werewolf butler.
Although she could hear them, she shook her head, instead walking over to the other women, a wide smile on her lips as she dropped onto the sofa beside Kumiko.
"Hello ladies."
These women were her friends, allies, rivals and enemies, all in the same breath.
She would need to make peace with them to move forward—there wasn't any time for them to be at each other's throats all the time anymore, with their romances and the future going against the Nosferatu and dealing with the strange caves that appeared.
Selene could now see the benefit of befriending them.
"You must have had a wonderful day, right? Look at how radiant your skin looks." Nikita pulled a fake noble lady-like tone while pretending to fan herself with her hand.
"Don't be a retard, Nikita..." Selene just threw a crumpled-up piece of cloth at the sarcastic wolf.
Risa didn't join in, merely watching Selene and looking her over, perhaps examining the damage or any other signs on her body, which she didn't find.
"Did you manage to clear the tower floor?" She only joined in after noticing the changes in Selene, unable to hide her slight jealousy... after awakening her bloodline, she could smell the specific scents of both Selene and Nikola. So she knew they didn't have sex or anything, but their atmosphere made her jealous.
"Yes."
"Congratulations. Was it difficult?" Kumiko smiled softly and genuinely at Selene's success.
"Thank you... Though we suffered, this little thing came with us" Selene wasn't sure what else to say to her, and neither was Kumiko.
So instead, she brought the attention to the small tabby cat, rubbing against her thighs while hissing at Nikita, who crawled along the L-shaped sofa and started teasing it.
"You picked up another stray?" She was about to poke the little cat's cheek, only for it to bite her finger and hiss, causing Nikita to pretend it hurt and retreat.
"Hey! Why did you bring that thing home?" Risa didn't seem too happy to see another cat. She could tell it wasn't normal, and it made her feel a sense of danger.
"Oh... this is the white tiger we fought in the dungeon, fufu. We managed to sneak it out." Selene smiled at the little tabby, and Risa's face became pale.
"Seriously?"
Nikolai approached Selene's side and bent over the back of the chair to stroke the small cat.
But because she was a werewolf, it seemed to deem her an enemy, though with Risa, who sat on the opposite side—the tabby didn't seem to mind her, instead moving closer as if feeling a sense of kinship.
"Well—"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
"Ladies, it's time for dinner. Are you all hungry?" Nikolai came back to call them. At some point, he vanished upstairs. He had now changed into an elegant, fitted shirt and pants, his hair combed back and neatly set.
Soon, the maids came and ushered the ladies to the enormous mahogany table, which had dozens of dishes and close-together seats. Nikolai was at the head of the table, followed by Selene and Nikita, and Risa and Kumiko were opposite them.
"Woo! It's curry!" Nikita shouted.
"Be more mature..." Selene flicked her nose and yanked her down.
However, the food on the plates wasn't like the curry from the restaurant, which was much spicier than this.
These dishes had unique tastes—some were much sweeter, others had a unique tomato and sour taste, and the spiciest dishes were included. It was like an alphabet of flavours.
"I don't like spicy!" Kumiko's cheeks were bright red, her lips slightly swollen as her eyes watered, trying to reach for her water desperately.
Nikita laughed. "Haha... her face looks like a puffer fish!"
Thud!
The fox kicked Nikita under the table, almost betraying her normal self. However, somehow, the seductive and adult Kumiko of earlier came out, causing Nikita to yelp and rub her shin.
The dishes on the table were devoured in less than an hour, with the cat sneaking onto the table to eat most of the fish meals.
"So, what did you find out today, Risa, Kumiko?" Nikolai asked, swirling a glass of dark blood wine. His cheeks were slightly red from the curry and wine.
"So, what did you find out today, Risa and Kumiko?" Nikolai asked, swirling a glass of dark blood wine. His cheeks were slightly red from the curry and wine. His eyes landed on Risa and Kumiko.
It was clear they worked the hardest today, so he planned to reward them later on, but he wanted to hear more about their day.
'The butler told me about the Nosferatu and Bloodmire families, but I want to hear them speaking.'
"Well... thanks to Kumiko's adult form we—" Risa started to go through their plans, what happened during the day and how they met a mermaid called Moko and brought the worker from the auction house to the annexe together. She then paused and looked at her right arm, where a small scar had remained from her fight.
The vampire was powerful, and if not for her watching and learning about Nikolai and his blood awakening, she might have died... the feeling of power in her abdomen and spreading it through her body was something Risa copied from his advice and words.
After she finished speaking, Kumiko added her bits and thoughts, but Kumiko gave credit to Nikita and Risa so easily, asking him if he managed with the tower and didn't get hurt.
While listening to her speaking and the subtle actions she took, leaning to the side, letting her kimono slide open slightly, and drinking a sip of wine and her wet, glossy lips pressing together... caused the other women to frown.
They realised the innocent and clueless Kumiko was learning how to flirt!
But that's all—after the meal ended, Nikolai asked for some time alone, and he visited the balcony, watching the night sky to help the alcohol fade.
"Well... I wonder what the future has in store for us..." He closed his eyes and looked up at the moon while taking a deep breath.
Meanwhile, the small tabby cat was sitting on his bed, peeking out at him with her shimmering pupils before curling back into a ball as if she didn't hear him.