Chapter 55 Ciara's POV I ran my hands over my tight fitting dress and smoothened the creases as I walked to Orion's office. Our relationship as husband and wife has been nonexistent since we got back from that stupid conference and I don't know what to think anymore. Last night I had been in the shower taking a shower before bed when he suddenly walked in, scaring me. I relaxed and invited him to join me. I didn't actually expect he would but he did and I was relieved thinking that maybe, finally we were about to put an end to the strike we had been on. Everything had been going so perfectly and I had felt myself getting lost in the moment when he suddenly pulled away and apologized. It had all been a blur. One moment I had been on cloud 9 and the next minute I was suddenly grasping at straws. I stood there, unsatisfied and completely confused. It took me a few minutes to drag myself out of there. I didn't bother looking for him as I crawled into bed and forced myself to
Chapter 56Orion's POV I have never felt so drained in my life. For some reason today's meetings have been back to back filled with a bunch of old men telling me how to run my pack. Dad had stopped sitting in these meetings with me so now I was riding solo. I ran a weak hand over my face as I dragged myself to my bedroom. I had left the room very early to avoid Ciara after the awkwardness from last night but now I wished I had stayed because being with her was better than sitting in a meeting. I was still thinking about Sophie a lot but I knew one thing for sure, I wasn't ready to lose Ciara. With a sigh, I opened the door to our room and stopped in my tracks. “Hey,” Ciara whispered as I walked in and I just stood there, staring at her. “Uhn how was your day?” She asked when I remained still and I forced my feet to move. I slammed the door behind me mindlessly and walked towards her. She was dressed in nothing but sexy lingerie that covered absolutely nothing and she looked eve
Chapter 57 Ciara's POV I ran out of the dining room, tears blinding my vision as Luna Stone's hateful words replayed over and over again. I didn't bother turning around to find out if Orion was the one chasing after me as I made my way out of the house. As the breeze hit my face, I thought of a place to hide out for a bit where no one would find me or bother me. Thinking deeply, only one place came to mind. After the confusion at the training center the last time, I had stayed away from there and busied myself resolving my personal matters but that has been a mistake. There was no way for Orion and I to be together, our worlds were divided by a giant ward and too many obstacles stood in the way. The biggest of them all was his mother who didn't seem to like me at all. Her perceptions of me hadn't changed in all this time since Orion and I had been married. I could never be compared to Sophie and it was disgusting to think that I had even thought of trying. Tears
Chapter 58 Ciara's POV I tiptoed into the house as soon as I walked in praying I didn't run into any of the servants or worse Luna Stone. Thankfully I reached our room without a hassle and let myself in. I walked into the room further and screamed in fright when I found Orion sitting there waiting for me. I gulped as I studied him trying to gauge his expression. Then I shrugged off the guilt I was feeling reminding myself that it was his mother's fault I had needed a distraction in the first place. I ignored him and walked over to the wardrobe to get changed and ready for bed. I heard footsteps behind me and flinched when Orion's arms wrapped around my waist. “What are you doing?” I asked, uncertainty in my voice. I wasn't ready for whatever this was, all I needed was a good night sleep. If I gave in, he'd only leave me wet and unable to reach my climax. “Let me go,” I insisted when he refused to let me go. “I'm sorry," he whispered, against my neck and I took in a long whiff
Chapter 59 Orion's POV My head was pounding hard and my ears were ringing but I was alright. My wolf didn't let the alcohol hit me so I could walk straight and I remembered everything that happened last night. A goofy smile appeared on my face as images of my night of passion with Ciara replayed in my head. I was happy things had gone well. When I had started drinking, it had been to drown my sorrows because I didn't like how things had gone during breakfast between Mum and Ciara. I hated being one of those men who had to worry about the two most important women in his life not getting along but that was what it had come to. It was my own fault for being indecisive up until now. Left to Mum, I should have brought Sophie back already and made her replace Ciara in my life but I just couldn't get past the fact that Sophie walked away from me once before. Even if she was back, what was the guarantee that she'd stay or that she had the right motives for coming back? I just coul
Chapter 60 Bryan's POV I wasn't shocked to see my brother, in fact, I had been expecting him. Finally all the chess pieces were falling into place. I watched Orion’s face twist in shock and snickered secretly. Everything was going so well, it was unbelievable how easy it had been to fool Orion. For such a great Alpha that he was, he was such a fool to have fallen into the trap I had set. “So, they were right all along…” Ciara commented as she walked further into the room. “You’re back,” she glared at Sophie trying to look strong but I could see that this was really hard for her. Too bad she was also one of the pieces on the board but it was for the greater good. “Cee, what are you doing here?” Orion asked, stunned to see his wife standing at the doorway. He hesitated for a bit but walked towards her eventually, reaching for her hand. I clenched my fists by my side as I watched but the next minute, joy filled my heart as Ciara slapped him across the face and pushe
Chapter 61 Orion's POV I stormed towards my car, fuming. I couldn't believe I had been so blind and oblivious to Bryan's schema. He had been playing the long game since we were in California and I had no clue. How could I have been so blind? “Dammit!” I banged my fists on the car repeatedly leaving dents but I didn't care. Everything had been ruined and there was no way out. Ciara was never going to forgive me for this. And even if she managed to forgive me, we could never go back to the way things were. I was fucked. “Shit..” I swore as I jerked the door open. Bryan was going to regret messing with my life like this. He would regret playing these useless games with me for the rest of his miserable life even if it's the last thing I did. I climbed into the car and slammed the door violently before driving off. I had to get home as soon as possible before Ciara did anything rash. I had to at least try to salvage this complicated situation no matter what and I needed he
Chapter 62 Bryan's POV I can't believe it was so easy to trick Orion. For such a well-known Alpha, I expected he'd have figured out my plan from the beginning at least in the middle but just like everyone else except Sophie of course, he had been ignorant. So far, Ciara was angry about Orion's behavior and there was no way she'd forgive him for this betrayal. Besides his mother's insults and the fact that Sophie and Orion were supposed to be together in the beginning would definitely make Ciara lose interest in him. At least that's what I was hoping for. I snickered as I poured myself some wine, swirling the liquid in the glass. “To me,” I chuckled and shook my head, busting at the seams with happiness. With how successful this plan had gone, I had no doubt that Ciara would be by my side in no time. “Alpha, I…” I heard from behind me and turned, smiling at my Beta. “Come in, come in…” I ushered him into the office as I quickly prepared another glass. “Did something happe
Chapter 94 Ciara's POV Two months later “Ah!” I screamed and sat up in bed holding my heaving chest. Beads of sweat trickled down my back and body as I fought to steady my breathing. What the hell was that end who was that wolf in my dream? I closed my eyes and hurriedly opened them the next minute. “This is crazy,” I whispered as I rubbed my face. My brain slowly started functioning and I picked up on a cry, a very familiar one. Startled, I looked towards the baby bed in the corner and sure enough, Lacey was sitting up and screaming at the top of her lungs. Had my scream woken her? I wondered as I slid off the bed and went to her. “Hush now baby, mummy is here.” I picked her up and rocked her against my chest a few times. Her cries ebbed but I could still see tears streaming down her face. With a sigh, I walked back to the bed and sat down on it, placing her on my leg. I broke out my right breast, rearranged her body and then fed her. Her tears didn't stop but she s
Chapter 93Orion's POV I threw back the glass of beer and it burned the back of my throat. I sighed and closed my eyes. Maybe going to the Blue Moon pack today had been a bad idea, no a terrible one because suddenly I couldn't get Ciara out of my head any longer. I had gotten so good ignoring the nagging feeling in my chest, the ache in my heart from losing my mate but now it seemed everything had been undone from just seeing her and sitting across from her in Bryan's office. I chuckled bitterly as I remembered how confident she looked sitting in the Alpha's chair. Gone was the timid, shy omega everyone called her and now she looked like a vixen who wasn't scared to rip someone limb from limb if they stepped out of line. It wasn't fair…how could she suddenly rise like a phoenix the moment I stepped out of her life? Why couldn't she have displaced such strength while she was with me? Perhaps if mother had seen this side of her then, she'd have embraced her. Maybe if mother saw h
Chapter 92 Bryan's POV It had been a few days since my meeting with my men and some of the elders and councilmen. They were right even though I'd rather gouge my eyes out than admit it out loud — a partnership with Orion would be enormously beneficial to the pack. It was secret that he was a strong Alpha and talks of his capabilities had spread even in the recent months since I last saw him. I guess he was better off without Ciara if he was able to be without her for that long. Speaking of Ciara, my mate hasn't been talking to me since our little disagreement days before. We shared a bed and a house and had a child who depended on both of us and yet, she wasn't speaking to me. I couldn't blame her because I knew it was all my fault, I should just trust her but it wasn't that I didn't trust her, I didn't trust Orion. “Alpha,” I heard as someone knocked on the door. I shook my head, pushing thoughts of my evil step brother to the back of my mind as I sat up in my seat.
Chapter 91 Orion's POV “Daddy, can I get a pen? Jeremy doesn't want me to share his,” I sighed without looking away from my associates and stretched a pen out. “The recent killings are a serious cause of concern for Alpha. Reports shows that they could be as a result of vampires,” I scoffed and shook my head as I listened. Vampires? What did they think this was, a fantasy book series? I had heard about the series of attacks and killings. Even my stepbrother's pack wasn't spared as their bonfire/imitation ceremony turned sour two days ago. I clenched my jaw and sighed, clasping my hands in front of me. It could be karma getting back at him for all the things he had stolen from me however the killings had started long before now. I would love to chalk it all up as something simple but it wasn't serious. If we had a serial killer on the loose then we had to do something about it. “Daddy, can you check this out?” James asked, holding up a piece of paper in front of my face. “Dadd
Chapter 90 Bryan's POV “They have to be vampires because how else do you explain this?” One of my men said and murmurs ensued. Some sided with him while others disagreed and some weren't sure what to believe or which side to pick. I sat back in my seat brooding. Last night had been going so well until people suddenly dropped dead. Werewolves were naturally strong so whatever was killing them had to be supernatural or else it wouldn't make sense. There were no signs of struggle on their bodies, just the bite marks and complete blood loss just like the other bodies that were found before. I had failed them. I had failed my people and I let whatever was killing and hunting down wolves enter my pack. So much for being a powerful Alpha if I can't even protect my own people. The door swung open and Ciara walked in. She ignored the men sitting and headed straight for me. I frowned when I saw the serious look on her face and got up from my seat immediately. “I came to check on
Chapter 89Ciara's POV “What do you want us to put on this Luna?” Lilian asked and I smiled, ignoring the title. I looked around the room. The tables were already packed with food. The bonfire celebration was going to be a grand affair from the looks of it and Bryan wasn't settling in terms of food and provisions. “Need some help?” I heard his voice and I rolled my eyes not bothering to look at him. “You can just leave that there, thank you Lilian.” I waited for her to leave before I turned to him. “Seriously? What are we going to do with all this food?”He looked around and shrugged, smiling at me as he closed the distance between us. “Why are you standing so far away?” He laced his arms around my waist and buried his nose in my neck. “I don't like being ignored.” “I'm not ignoring you. You haven't answered my question. What are we going to do with all this food? It's too much.” “It's a celebration, bonfire or not.” He stretched and picked up a sausage roll. “The more food the
Chapter 88Bryan's POV “Sir there's nothing there. We searched everywhere but couldn't find anyone or anything.” The last batch of the search party we sent returned with the same dissatisfying news. I hung my head and closed my eyes. We've been stuck in the woods for days without food and water trying to hunt down the creatures responsible for the recent killings. “I can't believe we've been unable to find anything,” one of the men grumbled as he sank tor he ground. Soon, murmuring began amongst the other men expressing their disapproval and dissatisfaction with the situation. I listened wordlessly unsure of how to comfort them when I was also feeling down and depressed. How could we have found nothing in these last few days? It was disheartening and very shameful. “Alpha, I think you should return back home now. Luna Ciara must be beside herself with worry. Ther has been no news sent back to the pack since we left.” Ryan said respectfully pulling me out of my thoughts. At the
Chapter 87Ciara's POV I slid the new diaper under Lacey's bum and secured it around her legs before propping her on my lap. “Sleep baby,” She had been restless all day as if she knew that Bryan wasn't here or perhaps she could sense my internal struggles. “I'll be back,”That was what he said to me three days ago and yet I haven't set my eyes on him. He promised he'd come back to me and instructed me to look after Lacey and make sure she didn't miss him too much. It's been three days and there's no sign of him or Ryan. I had no clue if he was even alive or if something had happened to him. If only someone knew something. Presently, I was in his room where I had been sleeping since he left that day. Being around his clothes and objects that smelled like him was helping to calm me down but for how long?Perhaps it wasn't such a bad thing that I didn't have a wolf or else she'd be going berserk right now with her mate so far awayAlthough having a wolf, I'd know if Bryan is dead o
Chapter 86Bryan's POV “We have increased the security at the border. Three of our strongest men are stationed at the border every morning and switched with their replacements every night.” Gamma Luke announced to the entire room of men. I leaned back in my seat, half of my mind on the current situation with the killings, the other half was far away with Ciara, wherever she was. “Alpha, would you like to say anything?” I looked up and found all eyes on me. Schooling my expression, I shook my head. “Go on,” Ryan shot me a curious look and I shook my head before turning to Delta Storm. “I think we need to make training compulsory for both males and females. Let's give everyone a fighting chance against whatever is hunting and killing people in their numbers.” I paused and looked around waiting for any interruptions. When there was none, I continued. “Yes the men are stationed at the border and even in strategic places around the pack but it isn't enough. I think everyone deserves