Chapter 231

231 – Looking For A Home

Madeline:

A loud knock jolted me awake. I propped myself up and lifted my head, startled by how close Baxter’s chest was to my face.

He got up first, probably waking from the knock on the door.

“It’s okay, I’ll check it,” he murmured to me, gently touching my cheek.

He still sounded half–asleep.

He pulled the blanket over me before getting up and stepping off the couch.

I kept my eyes open, because once I woke, I was not going back to sleep.

Still, I remained still for a moment, confused by how warm the couch had been a second ago.

It had been because of him.

The blanket slipped slightly down my shoulder, and I pushed it back into place.

The knock came harder this time.

Baxter adjusted his shirt and pants before reaching the door.

He opened it and began speaking with someone.

I rose from the couch right away, because now that he was outside, I planned to take a quick shower and then slip back into the coat, since the coat was the only thing I had.

I grabbed it and hurried into the bathroom.

The bathroom was so cold.

My wedding dress was dry now, and I considered wearing it for a moment, but walking around in such a heavy gown would be difficult.

Walking around in only a coat would be awkward too, so I did not have much choice.

The water helped ease my tense muscles, but once I dried off, the problem returned.

I stared at the gown and the coat again.

I chose the coat. As long as I stayed in the room, I could manage with it.

I put it on and buttoned it up to my collarbone.

When I opened the door, I froze. The sight was comforting.

Bags were on the floor. Not just any bags, my bags. I recognized them instantly.

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They were from back home. I rushed toward them and knelt, opening the first one.

My clothes were folded inside. I covered my mouth to suppress the wide smile forming on my face.

I checked the second bag, and it held kids‘ clothes.

The other bags had more things for the kids, and the third large one was definitely Baxter’s.

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231–Looking For A Home

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I turned toward him and saw him standing beside the bed.

He had just fixed the blanket around the kids again and was adjusting his sleeves.

“How did you get these?” I asked, still kneeling by the bags.

“I texted my royal beta, and he arranged everything. He grabbed whatever he could. It should last for a while,” he replied, pointing at another bag that had an aid kit and some snack and cereal boxes.

That was a lot for someone who had been kicked out of the pack.

That kind of help could mean everything.

“Thank you so much.” As soon as I said it, Baxter frowned in a way that looked almost too confident.

“I can gift my wife this much on the first night,” he remarked.

As soon as he said that, I turned my head back toward the bag to give him my back.

Not because I was angry or embarrassed, but because I knew my cheeks would turn red.

Somehow everything he said made me blush.

I touched the fabric of the clothes in my bag and sniffled.

Just these simple things now felt like a luxury, and it was only the first day of us going rogue.

I grabbed one of the black dresses and zipped up the bag.

“I’ll go change,” I told Baxter without looking at him.

I hurried into the room and slipped into the dress.

When I stepped out, the kids were already awake.

“Mommy,” Bodhi called, rubbing his eyes.

“Where are we gonna go from here?” he asked.

I sat beside him and pulled him closer, running my fingers through his hair.

“We will look for a home,” I replied.

Baxter gestured that he would go use the restroom, and I gave him a nod.

By the time he was inside, my kids had all sorts of questions.

Elara rushed to the bags to check if her favorite toys were there.

Even though her tablet was there, I knew it would soon be useless, since she would not get any connection in the woods.

I chose not to mention it.

Life had existed before these things, so I was sure my kids would manage.

After Baxter came out, we gave the kids a quick shower.

Then it was time to fix their hair. Baxter sat with the girls on the couch.

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231 Looking For A Home

He lifted Gina onto his knee and tightened her ponytail while she held one of her little toys. Elara sat beside him, swinging her legs, and he moved her hair tie into place with care.

I watched him for a moment, surprised by how calm he looked with them.

When he noticed me watching, he straightened and rested his arms on his legs.

“We decided something last night,” he told the kids.

“We are going on an adventure. We will stay in the woods. We will build a house, and we will call it home p>

The way he phrased it, the kids were bound to love it.

The girls widened their eyes, while Bodhi looked up at me for reassurance.

I nodded at them, even though I was not sure how any of it would work.

Baxter sounded confident, almost as if he had planned every step.

“Finish brushing Bodhi’s hair, then we will leave,” Baxter remarked as he tied the last strand on Elara.

I did, though my gaze kept drifting toward him.

I wondered if he truly meant everything he had said or if the situation had pushed him into survival mode. Then I wondered if he had really forgotten about his luxurious life.

Ruby Walker

Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.