CHAPTER 238: HELP FROM EIRA

Jason’s POV

All of us were frozen in place as we watched him giggle.

It wasn’t a dream, right?

The water from the shower kept flowing as we completely forgot what we were even doing. The silence surrounded us, mixed only with the sound of the running water.

Raven seemed to realize what had happened and quickly closed his mouth, as if it wasn’t supposed to happen.

Damn! It was our fault for acting like something shocking had happened and scaring the kid.

"Raven, your shower hose has stopped. You should splash water on them and help us," Lucian said quickly to salvage the situation. "We’re a team."

"We’re going to win anyway," Roman said and resumed the water fight.

I went to Raven and picked him up in my arms. "He’s in our team now," I said, looking at Raven. "Do you mind? We need you."

He nodded to agree.

I smiled. "Then start."

I ran around with him in my arms, both of us splashing water on the others, and once more, everything felt normal.

We didn’t have to show him that what he did was unusual. He shouldn’t feel like he did something strange for us to notice, but think it was a normal thing to laugh, so next time he wouldn’t hesitate.

And we would keep pretending we didn’t notice it.

Though we had resumed playing, this time Raven was careful not to make any sound, even though there was still a smile on his face.

Sad, but at least he had started somewhere—smiling, and now even giggling, instead of always being quiet. All our efforts were starting to pay off.

After a while, we finally stopped.

"We won," I declared, still holding Raven in my arms and looking at him. "Right?"

Raven nodded happily.

I could tell it was the first time he was experiencing such fun. He looked so happy—and so cute—with his hair drenched and his soft skin shining.

"You sneaked away one of our teammates and claimed victory now. What an ass," Lucian commented.

"Well, you should’ve protected your teammate better," I countered.

Roman stood next to us. "This cute little guy was the strongest player, and we won because of him. Make sure next time you won’t let us sneak him away."

Rafe wiped the water away from his face coolly. "Alright, Luke. Let’s give it to them."

Lucian hummed, "Next time, Raven will be with us only, so we will win." He looked at Raven. "Want to play it again someday?"

Raven nodded quickly.

Though he wasn’t mute, which we were damn sure now—we were not going to force him to talk.

"It’s cold," Kael came to us and looked at Raven. "You need to shower with hot water so you won’t catch a cold." He already extended his hands to take Raven from me, and the little guy quickly moved.

Kael’s words were like a decree for him.

I wanted to say I would help him, but before that, Kael turned to Eira, who had also enjoyed our water warfare.

"Eira, we’ll need your help. Come with us," he said.

She was taken aback a little—must be thinking that last night he acted as if he didn’t want her to be close to Raven, and now he himself was inviting her.

He already turned to leave as he said, "Raven will catch a cold if he stays out longer."

She quietly followed him.

All of us understood Kael’s intentions. Since he was the one who had told her the reality of her situation, he now needed to find a way to help her solve it.

All of us went to our rooms as well.

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Kael’s POV

Inside my room, I told Eira as I was carrying Raven to the bathroom, "There are all those bags from yesterday’s shopping. You can get a dress for Raven to wear."

There were so many bags placed around the room just like that. It would take her quite some time to go through all of them until we returned after standing under the hot water.

They had splashed water on me as well, and after carrying Raven, my clothes were wet.

Both of us returned from the bathroom very soon, wrapped in bathrobes.

Eira was standing by the couch, looking at something in her hands, seemingly lost. She was staring at the cute bunny T-shirt she had bought for Raven.

But the moment she realized we were there, she quickly stuffed it back into one of the bags and turned to us. She didn’t want to impose her choices on him. Good.

"I got two dresses for Raven... There are so many... so I found what Raven bought for himself," she said and turned to the bed where she had already laid out one dress while carrying another in her hands.

"Raven, which one do you want to wear?" she asked.

It was easy as both were the dresses Raven had chosen for himself.

He went to the bed and pointed toward one.

"It’s really good," she said as she patted his head. "You should wear it quickly, or you might feel cold," and turned to leave.

"Where are you going?" I asked her.

She looked at me, puzzled, and answered, "Leaving you two to wear clothes and get ready."

"Well, I need help as well," I said. "Can you get one dress for me until I help Raven?"

She looked at Raven, who had already pulled his pants up and was about to button it.

Damn! Why is he so self-sufficient?

"Raven needs my help to button his pants," I said quickly.

Raven looked at me as if to say, when did I ask for help?

I raised a brow. "Don’t you, Raven?"

The kid understood the assignment and nodded quickly.

I turned to Eira. "Get me one dress. Any of your choice," I said and knelt in front of Raven to help him.

She went through my wardrobe while I smiled at Raven. "You are smart."

Eira pulled out a shirt that matched Raven’s. How easy—that she didn’t even have to think.

"Is this fine?" she asked me.

"Yes." I stood up and went to her, while Raven busied himself putting on the shirt.

"Pants?" I asked after getting the shirt from her.

She turned around to face the wardrobe, her expressions troubled as she tried to find a matching one.

I moved closer behind her. She was so close to me, but...

"Any light-colored pants will do," I said to her.

I felt her heart jump the moment she sensed me so close and whispering next to her ear. As Raven was looking away, I didn’t hesitate. My hands rested on the wardrobe shelf, trapping her between them.

Though her back was facing me, I could feel her nervousness due to this closeness. We were mates, and closeness between us was definitely dangerous. And, in that small space, it felt more intimate.

"Get used to it. You’ll have to do it very often," I said to her, leaning my face toward her shoulder, my voice low and throaty.

I could see the goosebumps rise on her skin. I got the pants from the shelf and moved away. I had promised her I wouldn’t do anything with her unless she wanted it—so I had to keep my word.

She turned around and walked straight to the door, entirely flustered. "I... will wait... downstairs..."

"Wait a minute," I called.

She stopped at the door, but didn’t turn to look at me.

"I need help to arrange Raven’s clothes in the wardrobe. Will you?" I asked.

She nodded and left the next moment.

I had already seen her flushed face as she ran away. I couldn’t help but smile.

Raven was looking at me.

I sighed and said, "Your mommy is a little upset with me. So I have to try to make her happy."

I was not sure what he understood, but he went to the mirror to fix his dress.

This kid was a mystery.

But even then, we were a perfect father son duo.