Sold To The Alphas I Hate-Chapter 345: Skilfully Crafted Gift

Eira’s POV

I first observed the skilfully carved, finely crafted wooden box. It was beautiful, the kind of work that spoke of patience and devotion. The artist must have poured countless hours into shaping every delicate detail, turning it into something truly precious.

Then I opened it.

Inside lay a beautiful dagger, resting perfectly within a velvet lining molded to fit its shape. The steel blade was brand new and gleaming, sharp enough to reflect my face upon its surface. Its wooden handle was polished smooth, gently curved with arches that allowed the fingers to settle naturally when held.

Something was written along the handle.

I leaned closer and saw my name carved into it in elegant calligraphy.

Eira.

I never imagined I would feel intrigued by a dagger, yet this one drew me in completely. It was beautiful, and I felt an irresistible urge to hold it. Carefully, I set the box on my lap and lifted the weapon by its handle.

"Be careful. It’s sharp," Roman warned softly.

I nodded and held it with care. The wooden grip felt as though it had been made specifically for my hand. The size, the balance, the way my fingers curled around it. Everything felt perfect, as if the creator had known the exact shape of my palm.

An overwhelming feeling rose inside my chest, and unspoken words echoed through my mind.

This is mine. Made just for me.

I looked at Rafe, and he raised a brow. "You seem to love it."

I nodded.

A smirk tugged at his lips. "I always knew behind that innocent face of yours there is a violent witch."

I did not mind his words. I truly loved the gift. "Thank you for it," I said instead.

"Thank me?" he scoffed. "Why are you thanking me? Thank the one who made it for you."

My expression turned puzzled. He had handed it to me, so I had assumed it was from him. But then my gaze slowly shifted toward someone else, who hadn’t gifted me anything yet.

"It’s a gift from Jason," Rafe said with a shrug, as though he had done nothing wrong. "He was taking forever to give it to you, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. His slow pace was making me impatient to show you my special gift." He glanced at Jason and winked. "You don’t mind, do you?"

Jason did not answer him. He only looked at me, his expression calm and steady. "Happy birthday," he said quietly.

"Thank you," I replied gently, still surprised by the unexpected turn of events.

Rafe continued talking, unable to stay silent for long. "He made everything himself. The wooden box, the dagger, all of it. With the ridiculous level of dedication he carries." A playful chuckle escaped him. "He must miss using scalpels on patients’ bodies, so he turns to carving wood to satisfy that doctor itch of his. Not bad though. At least something beautiful comes out of it every time he makes something."

I decided to place the dagger back into its box before I accidentally hurt myself trying to admire it. But Lucian extended his hand toward me. "Show me."

I handed it over.

He observed the weapon carefully, weighing and flipped it in his fingers like an expert. His gaze moved over every detail before he gave a faint nod. "As expected of my skilled brother. A perfect weapon for a perfect woman."

Perfect woman? I did not even know how to use it properly, let alone defend myself or fight someone.

"Once you deliver the baby and your body returns to normal, I will train you," Lucian said, his tone firm yet gentle. "You should at least know how to fight. How to use weapons. Self defense is necessary."

I nodded. I truly wanted that, and somewhere deep inside, I felt my wolf agreeing with him.

"Do you see the small circle on the handle?" Rafe asked.

I leaned closer. On the polished wooden grip, right where my thumb would naturally reach, there was a small circular mark. I was about to touch it while Lucian held the dagger.

"Don’t touch it," Jason said quickly.

I turned to him, surprised by the urgency in his voice.

"When you stab someone and apply a soft press on that button," Jason explained calmly, "the blade releases poison into the wound. It can paralyze them before they have the chance to counterattack."

Damn. Was that really possible?

I studied the dagger again, trying to find any visible mechanism, but the surface looked seamless, the button perfectly blended into the wood.

I remembered hearing the others talk about Jason’s skills with tools, how he created unique pieces with dangerously clever designs. It seemed those stories were true.

"You should have added a deadly poison," Rafe commented casually. "Something that would make her opponent meet the grim reaper immediately."

Jason only gave him a silent look.

"You don’t trust her with that kind of weapon, do you?" Rafe chuckled, then glanced at me. "Well, that’s your fault for being so weak and clumsy. He knows you might end up hurting yourself and dying. Being paralyzed is better than being dead."

I gritted my teeth. This bastard truly had nothing kind to say about me.

"Weren’t you impatient to show her your gift?" Kael asked, his voice calm as he stepped in, clearly sensing my rising irritation and trying to shift the mood.

As always, he had remained quiet for a long time, simply watching us, allowing the others to have their moments with me unless it became necessary for him to intervene.

"Of course," he said smugly, his gaze settling on me. "You are going to like my gift the most."

I held his stare, wondering what he had planned this time. A strong feeling told me it would not be anything sweet or flowery, but something dangerous. Something I might actually look forward to.

Though I hated his foul mouth, I could not deny that I was drawn to the darkness hidden beneath his always carefree spirit. A part of me wanted to step into that darkness again, just like the night in the dungeon when he had allowed me to cross a line I could never return from, when I killed that man with my own hands.

Was I really hoping for another surprise like that?

Excitement and anticipation curled inside me, growing stronger with every second.

Don’t you dare disappoint me, I thought as I watched the wicked smirk resting on his face.

"I can already see the monster in your eyes, Caldwell," he said, as though he had read my thoughts.

I looked away at once, trying to hide whatever was stirring inside me. "Hurry up, or forget it."

He extended his hand toward me. "Come with me."

I did not hesitate. My hand slipped into his almost instantly, and I rose to my feet.

"So eager, huh?" he teased.

I gave no reply.

All I wanted was to see his gift.

"Where are we going?" I asked, letting him lead me to the side exist of the home from the side house.

"Your favourite place." Bastard didn’t answer straight.

"And that is?" I asked again.

"I will take you exactly where you want me to," he said, "Think about where you want us to be?"

"Dungeon!" Finally I said what’s in my heart.

He offered me a smirk, "Such a bad girl you are going to be. But I love it."

So he’s taking me to the dungeon for real? I can’t wait to punish another bastard who had hurt me.