<h4>Chapter 136: Gift For Eira-I</h4>


    <strong>Roman’s POV</strong>


    By evening, everything had been arranged in the garden before the side house. Strings of lights hung from the trees and the eaves, glowing softly, casting warmth across the garden. The ce carried the charm of a true home, cozy and weing, reminiscent of those past celebrations we once shared at Lucian and Jason’s estate.


    The sight stirred something deep in me, pulling me back to those happier days. I had never known a family of my own, but in their home I had found the closest thing to it. Jennifer had always been kind, her presence warm and inviting. For a moment, the memory of her smile returned to me, bittersweet.


    The barbecue was set outside, a bonfire zing at the center, giving the night the spirit of a campfire gathering. A dining table had beenid nearby, draped with a fine cloth, set with flowers and polished crockery, everything arranged with quiet elegance.


    All of us were busy with something. Jason had insisted he would handle the cooking alone, yet we had taken charge of the barbecue anyway. Even Rafe, who usually stayed aloof from such tasks, had stepped in to help. Perhaps it was because this was our first Moon Festival with her, and everyone wanted to contribute, to shoulder a piece of the responsibility.


    Jason remained inside the house, hidden away in the kitchen, fiercely protective of whatever he was preparing. He had ordered all of us to stay out.


    "Damn, this smells good," Lucian muttered beside me as he turned the meat on the grill.


    "It does," I agreed, savoring the aroma. "It’s been too long since we’ve done this."


    "Thest time was Alice’s birthday," Lucian said quietly, then cast a nce toward Eira. "She was there, too."


    "It feels like stepping back into the past," I murmured, then caught myself. Two people were missing, and the thought pressed heavily on me.


    "It’s alright," Lucian said, his voice steady, almost gentle. "We can keep them alive in our memories."


    I gave a low hum of agreement, and Rafe smirked. "Look at this guy. He’s finally growing up."


    "Don’t make me say something nasty today," Lucian retorted evenly, though a faint smile touched his lips. "I’m in a good mood."


    Before Rafe could reply, I cut in. "Where’s Kael?"


    "He went to his room a while ago," Lucian answered.


    I nced toward Eira. A cozy spot had been prepared for her in front of the side house—a wide, cushioned couch, arranged so she might sitfortably with her pets and still be kept warm.


    Wrapped snugly in a shawl, she sat huddled with Fluffy and Vixen at her side. Her hands moved over their fur in absentminded affection, her gaze wandering about the garden, though never in our direction. To her, we still did not exist.


    Kael emerged from the house then, walking straight toward us.


    "Everything ready?" he asked. "Need any help?"


    "Everything’s done," I told him, before narrowing my eyes. "Where have you been? Is everything alright?"


    Kael’s habit of retreating to his room always left me uneasy. It was his own space, yes, but something about it pricked at the heart, an instinct that refused to quiet.


    He gave a low hum and shifted his gaze toward Rafe. "The firecrackers you ordered—have they arrived?"


    "Yes. Already set in ce," Rafe replied.


    <fn6b32> The source of th?s content is FιndNovel</fn6b32>


    Jason came out next, pushing a cartden with covered pots, steam and fragrance escaping into the night.


    "Damn," I muttered, eyeing the cart. "Looks like we’re about to have a once-in-a-century feast."


    He began arranging the pots neatly, and the aroma rising from them was both rich and familiar to us all.


    "Everything’s done," Jason said, ncing back at us.


    "Then let’s begin," Lucian suggested, turning his eyes to me.


    "I can’t guarantee anything," I admitted, before stepping away toward her.


    "Eira," I called softly. "Let us pray to the Moon Goddess to begin the festival." Without giving her the chance to object, I added, "Perhaps you could pray for Vixen’s babies, that they might be born healthy. Surely that would bring a good blessing. Come, let’s go."


    I lifted Vixen gently from herp and waited. She looked at me with a frown, yet she rose without a word and followed where I led.


    A fire glowed steadily in a great y pot, its mes licking upward as the scent of herbs and smoke curled into the night air. Into it we were to burn essence papers, the old way of sending prayers to the Moon Goddess. The world outside might have turned modern, but traditions such as these still endured, passed down faithfully through generations.


    We gathered in a circle around the fire. Lucian handed Eira a small bundle of essence papers, then gave the same to each of us.


    "We can begin," Lucian said quietly.


    We lifted our eyes to the moon, its silver light pouring down upon us. Then, closing them, we prayed in silence. My heart whispered only one prayer: for Eira’s well-being. I was certain the others prayed for the same. When our prayers were done, we set the essence papers to the mes, watching them curl and vanish into smoke.


    The moment ended, and Eira snatched her cat from my hand, retreating back to her ce without a word.


    I followed after her. "I have a gift for you," I said.


    She gave no response, but I went inside home anyway. When I returned, I carried a small basket. cing it before her, I lifted the lid. Though she tried not to look, the faint sound from within caught her attention.


    Vixen mewed, Fluffy barked sharply, but I hushed him with a gentle hand.


    "That’s our new family member," I told them.


    Eira leaned forward, curiosity betraying her, and lifted the tiny hamster from the basket. She cradled it close in her palms, the soft creature wriggling against her touch.


    "Do you like the gift?" I asked her quietly. "Another pet for you."


    Atst, she gave the faintest nod.


    "And my gift?" I asked, half in jest, though my heart longed for even a fragment of warmth from her.


    She looked up at me as though I had spoken something outrageous.


    "I’ll get it myselfter," I said with a smile, letting her silence be her answer. "Until then, enjoy your newpanion." With that, I turned back to join my brothers.


    They all stared at me as I approached, and I arched a brow. "I’m sure you’ve all brought gifts for her too. If not, then you all suck."