Sorry for the late update guys, writer's block issa bit****. Anyway, here it is, enjoy and please don't forget to comment. Love, Nora, xoxo.
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 17 Ciara's POV Coming back to the packhouse to find Bryan gone left a sour taste in my mouth. I had just stalked off to bed and stayed up all night thinking about why he had left so suddenly without saying goodbye. Granted, he owed me nothing and if he didn't want to explain he didn't have to after all I was just his future sister-in-law, a title that was a probability as long as Sophie could be found. If it was up to Orion and his family, I would be the last candidate for the role. After the weird encounter I had with the tarot lady and the readings she gave, I found myself needing a distraction and if possible, someone to tell but when I didn't find him, I resigned to fate and went to bed. Opening my eyes this morning, I realized it's been two weeks since he left not that I was counting or anything. I missed him every day and no matter how much I tried to distract myself with my strolls around the pack or my time in the kitchen and even with training, it just didn't do e
Chapter 18Orion's POV"What's the new update on Sophie?" I asked my Beta as I walked into my office. He stood up and didn't take his seat until I was seated behind my desk. It's been a month since I started searching for her and each time we thought we had found something, it always ended in a dead trail. It almost seemed like Sophie didn't want to be found or something. Like she had disappeared from the face of the earthI had used my influence and connections as Alpha to check other packs but nothing,. Each of them denied knowing anyone by that name and picture. I was losing my mind with each day that passed by. The extra time I had asked for was about to lapse and I wasn't any closer to finding her. It was frustrating and a serious waste of time but this was Sophie, she was the first woman that made my heart beat, the person I responded to. Her gentle soul and kind heart drew me to her and I just couldn't imagine being with anyone else.I don't care about the mate bond because So
Chapter 19 Ciara's POV I blinked back tears as I walked into the room. Grandfather was looking so small on the bed with all those wires all over his body. the machines beeping were the only sounds in the room. Grandmother Grace was sited on one of the chairs looking older than her original age. I had never seen her look so sad and sullen, she was never speechless or without anything to say. It was strange to see my vibrant grandfather lying still and unmoving on the bed and it was weird seeing Mama Grace quiet. She always had something to say to me or anyone around. She always had something to say about my fashion sense, my choice of deodorant, etc Things right now were too weird. I never thought a day would come when I would see my family like this. When Sophie left, I didn't think anything of it terming it as one of life's many things. Grandfather lying in this bed looking lifeless was not one of such things and neither was Mama Grace's silence. I closed my eyes as memories flo
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
Chapter 136 Orion's POV “Hey babe,” Sophia whispered as she walked into the dining room. I grunted and turned my face away when she tried to kiss me. “What's wrong? Did someone upset you?” She asked and I scoffed. Was she really that oblivious to the disgust I felt for her? I motioned for one of the servants to set the table and pushed Sophia away lightly. She huffed and went to sit down but she kept touching me and leaning over to put her hands on me. “Don't you take a hint? I wish to be left alone,” I yelled, unable to tolerate her behaviour anymore. “Why are you reacting like this? I always do this,” I shook my head and stood up. “Have breakfast by yourself.” I stormed off, fuming and shaking in anger. I made my way to the room and slammed the door hard behind me. She ran after me and walked into the room after a few seconds. “What is going on? What did I do wrong Orion?” I shook my head and pointed to the door. “I just want to be on my own. Is that too m
Chapter 135 Bryan's POV “How long have you known?” The old man made a sound in the back of his throat but didn't respond. I shifted in my seat feeling very uncomfortable. After a while of silence, I cleared my throat. “I didn't mean to keep the truth from you. I was just hoping I'd have found Ciara by now.” He grunted but still kept quiet. I cleared my throat. “Please say something,” I begged, almost about to fall on my knees before him. “I know I should have told you. I was wrong to keep something as important away from you but I thought I was protecting you and her family from the pain.” He nodded and finally spoke, his words shocking me. “How have you been holding up?” I blinked, wondering if I had heard him right. “You…” He sighed. “Look Bryan,.I get why you did what you did. Am I angry you hid the truth from me concerning my granddaughter's situation? Yes I am. But at the end of the day, you did what you thought was best and I can't fault you for that.” My eyes
Chapter 134 Bryan's POV Turning on my side in bed, I opened my eyes and yawned. A smile slowly made its way to my lips as I recalled the events planned for today. Ciara would be coming home today after several months of being held hostage by her crazy relative Orion had been so sure that Lucas and his men would come up with better results than the other men we had assigned to the job a while back. I had my doubts but with no other options available, I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt. Lucas didn't disappoint and gave us the first major clue. He had managed to do what we couldn't do in the months since we had been conducting the investigation. The best part was the place had been infiltrated with our own people who knew that Ciara's life was the top priority. I had repeated it constantly to Lucas that I'd rather have Ciara held hostage but alive than dead and gone. Despite having all this set aside, I couldn't brush off the nagging feeling in my mind tha