Chapter 9Ciara watched Orion storm out of the dining room and sighed in relief. Why did he have to be so scary?"Why are you so afraid of him?" She heard him ask beside her and she turned to face him. "He is the Alpha." she simply responded not wanting to continue the conversation. "But he is your mate," Bryan said and the fork she had been holding dropped from her hand. "What are you talking about?" Bryan's eyes widened as he realized Ciara still didn't know that Orion was her mate because she didn't have her wolf yet. "I meant he is your Alpha," he corrected himself and she watched him for a while as if checking to see if he was lying. Satisfied with what she saw, she looked back at her food and decided to focus on finishing breakfast as quickly as possible. She didn't want to be anywhere near any of these men at this point, they spelt trouble. She was curious to know what kind of relationship he and Orion shared but she wouldn't dare ask him. It would be forward of her. "Al
Chapter 10Ciara's POV "Thanks, I have to go," I avoided his gaze as I walked away from him. I wish he didn't have to see me like that. After embarrassing myself and setting whatever pride I had left on fire, I made my way back to the mansion and headed straight for my room. It was somehow dark and no doubt, Orion wouldn't bother entering this room since he knew I would be here. I still don't know what connection he has to Alpha Bryan but I am still curious to find out. However, no matter what connection he might have, I can see that Orion would love it if it didn't exist. The tension between them during breakfast earlier had been thick, thicker than clouds during a rainy day. I was curious about it but at the same time, I didn't want to be caught in the middle of it. Orion already hated my guts, I didn't want to give him any extra reason to do so. I flopped down on the bed and sighed, closing my eyes as the thought of everything I had been through today rolled through my
Chapter 11 Bryan's POV "Alpha," Being here in the Silver Moon pack was becoming a serious pain in my butt. The only thing that made it feel worth it was my mate.Just thinking about Ciara brought a smile to my face. I didn't know her all that well but I was intrigued by her and I wanted to know her better. Orion didn't value her or pay attention to her but I knew I could give her all the love she deserved. Being so close to her and not being able to hold her and show that I owned her was killing me slowly.I would kill for a chance to be with her the way I should be with my mate and I wasn't talking about sex. For years I had hoped to find her, had searched everywhere in hopes that she would be out there somewhere. Along the way, I lost hope that she even existed. I just decided to settle for any unmated female willing to satisfy me. I scrubbed my hands over my face and closed my eyes. Orion was a fool for neglecting her like this and how was he even beating the mate bond? I was
Chapter 12 Ciara's POV I rolled over on my side and yawned, opening my eyes. Yesterday had been a fruitful day if I do say so myself. I had accomplished what I set out to do and I felt very proud. I was one step closer to my goal of being a strong Luna and being remembered as one. Orion ignored me when I served them the other day but I knew he noticed my presence. Either way, I was glad he had ignored me. I couldn't take any hurtful words at this stage. I was just starting to find myself again and I didn't want anything stopping that process. Bryan on the other hand was still a puzzle and I didn't know what to do with him. I found myself wishing he was my mate instead of Orion because, unlike Orion, Bryan was attentive towards me and my pain. He was sweet, kind, less scary and he was just different really. I knew he probably had his flaws and demons but at least he tried to be a better person and I was grateful for how different he was; like a breath of fresh air. I
Chapter 13 Ciara's POV As I walked towards the dining room, my heart was beating fast inside my chest. I was struggling to breathe and if I didn't get a hold of myself, I would pass out from the shock of everything. Alpha Stone and his wife and mate, Luna Stone preferred Sophie over me and just like their son, they had made it clear especially on the day of the coronation ceremony and my Luna reveal. So the fact that he was asking me to join the family for breakfast was a fact I was struggling to understand. The maid stopped suddenly and I had to stop before I ran into her. She held the door of the dining room open for me and I bit my lip, not sure if I wanted to go in there. No one in that room liked me well except Bryan but he didn't know me so........on second thoughts none of them knew me. It would be utterly disrespectful of me to ignore the Alpha's invitation and for that reason, I forced my legs to move towards the door. I passed the maid who bowed and closed
Chapter 14 Bryan's POV When father asked the girl to go and bring Ciara to the dining room, I didn't know what his plans were and I didn't care, as long as he didn't insult her or try to demean her with his words, I was okay. And when she eventually showed up wearing that cute white number that left her legs on display and her shoulders on display as well, I swooned She was cute and she was strong, if she wasn't she wouldn't be standing in this room, especially with the criticisms she must have endured while growing up as a child. I was curious about why she had stormed off like that but I was even more irritated with Orion and his nonchalant behavior towards her. It was so disgusting the way he treated her. Something my father said must have upset her because colour drained from her face after the announcement. I had been ready to pull her into my arms before I wondered how it would look seeing as her mate was sitting only a few feet away from me. I glared at my father
Chapter 15 Ciara's POVI smiled as I picked up the little girl and chuckled when she tried to kiss her nose."She's so cute," I cooed, staring at Bruce who had tagged along uninvited. I loved children so much and I had always dreamt of being a mother myself. After the disastrous breakfast experience, I ran to my room to process what I had heard and ended up shedding a few tears. Someone had knocked - probably Bryan because I couldn't think of anyone else who would run after me like that - but I didn't answer, I couldn't so I had ignored them and then when a few minutes had passed, I forced myself to get a grip. Initially hearing about that dreadful place where I was tortured brought back dark memories and that's part of the resasons why I fled. I just couldn't look beyond the name in the moment so I had to leave the room where he was. Eventually I realized I had overreacted because so what if Bryan was the Alpha of the Blue Moon pack? It wasn't like he had been part
Chapter 16Bryan's POV I looked up as Ryder walked into my room and frowned at him. "What?" He gulped as he met my eyes, shaking like a leaf. Granted I was glaring at him with so much force but he ddin't have to be a whimp either. "The Council would like to meet you." I shook my head, looking back down att the papers in my lap. "Schedule a meeting for next week."I dismissed him and waited to hear the door close behind him. When I didn't, I looked up and frowned at him. "What now?" What had he done now? "Alpha, they insist it must be today." He said and I sighed, waving him off with my hands. "Have the driver get the car ready." He nodded and started to walk away but I called him back again. "Alpha?" "Let me know when Ciara gets back." I told him and he nodded, running out of the room. I tossed the papers on the bed and rose to my feet having lost interest in them. Ciara wasn't back yet from her trip into town and I found that very strange especially since it was getting darke
Chapter 145Ciara's POV I finally got a hold on my wavering emotions and pushed James away. He never expected the strength or force of my push and it sent him staggering a few feets backwards. “What the hell do you think you're doing?” I asked, anger bubbling inside of me. “Have you lost your mind?!” I raised my hand and slapped him, the anger I was feeling radiating off me in waves.He blinked, clearly in shock and then rubbed his lips with his fingers as if trying to wipe off any traces of the kiss. “You're testing me, woman, and I hate being dared."The eye roll that followed his words was an unconscious response to his silly statement. “Stay away from me and keep your filthy hands to yourself, you disgusting pig!” James sneered. "You don't give the orders. I'm the one in charge here."I spat on the ground close to his feet and leaned up with a raised eyebrow. "You're nothing but a spineless coward who accepted Sophia's orders simply because you're too whipped to see that sh
Chapter 144 Ciara's POV “Where is she?” The commotion from outside my room woke me up. With a frown, I sat up in bed wondering what could have happened. I slid off the bed and made my way towards the door with sleepy eyes. The door swung open violently, hitting my chin. I screamed and stepped back, holding it as pain throbbed from my chin to other parts of my face. “Have you lost your mind?” I shrieked, massaging my sore chin. “What is the meaning of this?!” “Come now cousin, that's no way to talk to me. Remember I control your life now.” A scoff left my mouth before I could stop it at her words. Why was she saying all of this now? My head snapped up and I stared at Sophia in shock. What was she even doing here all of a sudden? “You're shocked, aren't you?” she smirked and walked further into he room, running her fingertips over the bed, the wall, everything. “Why are you here, Sophia?” I asked before I could help myself. She shrugged. “What can I say cousin? I mi
Chapter 143 Bryan's POV “Alpha,” Ryan greeted me as he walked into my room with a tray of food. I sat up and balled my hands into fists when I saw the tray. “I already told you I'm not hungry. You shouldn't have bothered,” He ignored me and placed the tray on the nightstand. He stopped back and stared at me. “Your brother called to see you again,” I clenched my jaw and grunted. “I don't want to see him, I already told you this,” “Well he is very persistent. I am afraid I have run out of lies to explain why you're not here.” My eyes rolled to the back of my head on its own at his words. I knew how persistent Orion could be and it was really annoying that he couldn't just give me some space. “Alpha please speak to him. He's sorry about everything he did. He didn't mean to lie to you and when you look at it, he had been trying to protect you,” A scoff flew out of my mouth and I glared at Ryan. If looks could kill….. He didn't seem concerned by my behaviour and continu
Chapter 142 Orion's POV “He's still not picking up?” I asked and James shook his head. “No Alpha. It keeps going to voicemail,” I sighed and banged my fists on the table repeatedly. What was going on with my brother? Surely he wasn't still mad at me because I called Sophia's bluff? We were both mature adults and we could harsh it out like men. James had informed me that he had been here to see me a couple of days ago but I never received him in office. I had been confused when James told me about it. Why had my brother come to see me but then changed his mind last minute? My heartbeat picked up as I remembered that the same day, Lucas and I had been discussing something sensitive in my office. A gasp left my mouth before I could stop it and I nearly tumbled out of my chair. Could he have heard our conversation? “Alpha?” If he had, surely he'd have barged in and challenged me for lying right? He wouldn't just storm off like that. At least that's what I wanted to
Chapter 140 Ciara's POV It's been two weeks since I found out I was pregnant and so far I have been doing a horrible job at hiding it from James and Brianna. The maids have stopped serving me since Brianna took over making it easier to hide since Brianna is as oblivious as they come. In a couple of months from now it would be rather difficult to hide it because then I'd have a noticeable bump. If I was home and had access to my wardrobe then I'd have selected a couple of maternity gowns. Here I'm stuck with shirts and my single pair of jeans that I had on when they kidnapped me. Now there's a slight bump that isn't noticeable except I take my shirt off which I would never do in the presence of these people anyway. I had to think of a way to ask for more clothes or find a way to get myself out of here before my child would be at risk of being used for Sophia's dirty games. It was getting close to noon and since Brianna had already fed me once for breakfast, my next mea
Chapter 141 Ciara's POV “Hey,” I raised my head and rubbed my sleepy eyes to see James standing at the door, one foot in and the other outside. With a frown I sat up as my mind began to race. “Did something happen? What's going on?” What time was it? He shook his head and walked in fully, closing the door behind him. “Good morning to you too,” he teased with a smirk and I raised a brow. “Okay okay, I know this might be weird for you,” “Weird? Try strange, uncomfortable amongst other things,” I sighed and slipped on a smile. “What can I do for you?” His smile grew bigger. “Oh it's nothing I just came to keep you company that's all. If you don't mind of course. I could leave if you don't want me…” He turned his back to me and started to move towards the door. I flew off the bed and grabbed his arm. “No, sorry,” I let my hands fall to my side again and took a step back, my cheeks flushed pink. “What I mean is I'd love to have another human being besides myself in this room
Chapter 139 Bryan's POV “How could you do something like that?” “You weren't thinking clearly,” The heavy words I had spoken to my brother yesterday without thinking came back to haunt me as soon as I laid down to rest for the day. Guilt and a sense of loss filled me. When he had walked out after bowing and calling me ‘Aloha’ I should have realized how much I had screwed except I chose to turn a blind eye and kept fumming. But as I laid down on my bed and closed my eyes, images from that moment started to replay like a film in my mind ripping my peace away. In truth I had been the one who told him to stand up to that dreadful woman and when he took my advice, I had turned my back on him. How could I have been so stupid and judgy why all he had done all these while is trying to protect our mate? He had been forced to sleep with the enemy literally and wine and dine with her while I got to live my life free just without Ciara in it. If I was being completely honest, h
Chapter 138 Orion's POV “Alpha,” James greeted me as I walked past him but I didn't respond. My head was clouded with different thoughts all centered around Bryan and his reaction when I told him how I stood up to Sophia. For someone who didn't want to entertain Sophia from the beginning, his reaction had been less than satisfactory. I had gone there with my head held high feeling extremely proud of myself for sticking it to Sophia and I had expected he'd be proud and pat me on the back. Instead he lashed out at me as if I were a little kid. I hadn't been expecting the completely different 360 reaction he dealt me today and it was still a bitter pill to swallow. My office door slammed behind me but I didn't flinch as I made my way to the chair. Setting down on it, I shook my head as if to expel every negative and hurtful thing he had said to me. Even if he was angry, he shouldn't have spoken to me in that manner and tone. Not even my mother would speak to me the way
Chapter 137 Bryan's POV “Since the killings have stopped, our people have grown more secure and more confident in your leadership Alpha Bryan,” one of the elders said and I almost scoffed at his attempt to flatter me. We were having a council meeting that had started since 7am but my mind was divided. After Old Man Heartfield's visit yesterday, I found myself thinking a lot about Ciara and her wellbeing. I wondered how she was doing and if Sophia was treating her right just like she promised Orion she would when they made their deal. I was going to keep being strong and not give Ciara any reason to worry about me. The less she worried about us, the better for her. All she had to do at this point was focus solely on staying alive and eventually getting out of there in one piece. Once she was safe in my arms again, she could go back to being the worrywart she always was. “Have we found the cause of the killings?” Another elder asked and I looked at Ryan. He flushed an