Mated to Four Alphas-Chapter 159: Misunderstanding - 8

Silas’s POV

When I put the dumplings into the oven, I didn’t know what to do, but the package had instructions on how to set a timer. I followed the steps and did as instructed.

Now, I’m standing in front of the oven after setting the timer. It was going to take 10 minutes, so in the meantime, I took out the milk from the fridge and warmed it up for Velric.

As the milk warmed, I poured it into a cup. Just then, the oven started making noise. I switched it off, took out the dumplings, placed them on a plate, and put the plate on a tray before heading to the living room.

Velrik was still busy watching cartoons, looking so happy while watching them.

I used to like cartoons when I was a child too—but not anymore. I don’t like cartoons now. I think they’re childish.

When we’re kids, we don’t understand the reality of the world. That’s why we feel happy watching cartoons, where all problems are solved by the main character—the hero.

As I put the tray on the table, Velrik’s attention shifted to me.

"Mumma."

I smiled at him and handed him the cup of milk. Then, I grabbed the plate of dumplings and started eating while also offering him some.

But when he saw me holding a dumpling, he simply opened his mouth, as if telling me to feed him.

I was going to tell him to eat by himself, but now that he’s sitting there with his mouth open... I sighed and picked up a dumpling, placing it in his mouth so he could take a small bite.

But instead of taking a small bite, he stuffed the whole dumpling into his mouth, making his cheeks puff up like a pufferfish.

He looked kind of cute... So, I couldn’t resist poking his balloon-like, puffy cheek with my finger.

As I did, he glanced at me and smiled. With that chubby smile, he really looked like a big balloon boy.

"Do you like it?"

Velrik nodded happily, showing that he liked the dumplings. I was glad to hear that.

As I was about to take another dumpling into my mouth, there was a sudden knock on the door. The sound caught my attention immediately, and my gaze shifted toward it.

Well, Velrik and I are sitting in the living room, watching TV and eating in the middle of the night. Could the TV be too loud? Maybe the noise is disturbing our neighbors, and they’ve come to complain?

I grabbed the remote and lowered the TV volume.

"Mumma, I can’t hear anything now."

"Velrik, it’s already the middle of the night. We’re disturbing our neighbors."

It’s not like I wasn’t planning to open the door and apologize—I definitely would because we’re in the wrong here. So, I placed the dumplings beside Velrik and got up to check.

But just as I reached the door, a thought hit me. Should I really open it? It’s the middle of the night... Why would a neighbor come knocking this late?

If they were my neighbors, wouldn’t they have called my name? Wouldn’t they have said something? That’s what I’ve seen in movies, at least.

I don’t have much experience with this, but from what I’ve seen, when neighbors knock on the door, they usually call out a name, like, "Silas, open the door!" But no one is saying anything. There were only two knocks—nothing more.

And it’s not like there isn’t a doorbell here. They could have rung the doorbell instead of knocking.

I stood right in front of the door, staring at it. My gut was telling me not to open it. I didn’t know why, but something felt wrong. That uneasy, anxious feeling I had earlier... it was back. It felt like something was about to happen.

I glanced back at Velric, who was watching TV, but he was also looking at me while eating—probably wondering why I was just standing there like a fool.

Still, I grabbed the door handle and was about to open it just a little to see who was outside. But just then, someone suddenly started banging on the door.

The loud, forceful knocks sent a chill down my spine. Without thinking, I quickly stepped away from the door.

Just then, I felt a grip on my leg, making me flinch. When I looked down, it was Velric—he was hugging my leg tightly, his small hands clutching onto me.

He looked scared. I think the banging on the door frightened him.

And those bangs... they weren’t just knocks. They were loud, forceful—like someone was trying to break the door down.

I squatted down and hugged Velric, trying to comfort him. To be honest, I was scared too.

Who could it be? I didn’t have the courage to open the door and check. What if it was dangerous people—thugs or criminals? What would I do then? I wouldn’t be able to fight them alone.

And if they had weapons... forget about everything. They would definitely kill me.

But if I didn’t open the door, would they break it down? That wouldn’t be good at all.

And to make things worse, I didn’t even have my phone with me. If I did, I would have called the police for help.

Now, I really wanted to kill Kael for breaking my phone. If it weren’t for him, I could have called for help.

And just then... the banging stopped.

Velric and I both stared at the door, our breaths held, trying to understand why everything had suddenly gone silent.

"Mumma, who is outside?"

Velric whispered in my ear.

"They’re bad people," I whispered back. "But don’t worry, I’m here with you. I’ll protect you."

Even though he was scared, hearing my words made him smile.

"Velric, go and watch TV. I’ll see who’s outside."

I took a deep breath, stood up, and slowly stepped toward the door.

But just as I moved, the banging started again—only this time, it didn’t feel like just one person.

It sounded like many people were banging on my door.