Chapter 38Ciara's POVIt''s been two days since Orion left and I haven't been able to leave this room.After the inappropriate moment I shared with Bryan yesterday I didn't feel up to seeing anyone so I locked myself in and I have been in this bed since then. My stomach had been growling and I didn't have it in me to get up and feed myself.I was at a loss for words and disappointed in myself for filling up with another man, my brother-in-law, a mere 24 hrs after my husband left home on business. That was disrespectful and if the roles were referred, I'd feel like Orion had betrayed me.Just the thought that Orion had searching for Sophie had broken my heart so what would Orion finding out that his brother and I had shared a moment do? If it were a brother he had love for then perhaps he might forgive me even though it would hurt but Bryan was his stepbrother who hated way too much. Why did I let myself go down this rabbit hole?I wasn't a cheat or disloyal woman so why did I let Bry
Chapter 39Bryan's POV ".....so what are your plans for when she comes back?"I gritted my teeth as all the color drained from Ciara's face feeling completely disgusted and appealed by Luna Stone's behavior. How could she ask her son's wife what she'd do if his ex showed up? What kind of question was that?I eyed Dad who had been silent all this time and wondered why he had become such a pouty little bitch for this woman. Why did he let her get away so much of the rubbish she did and why did he let her do whatever she liked without defending the people her callousness affected?"I don't mean to make you feel sad honey but we have to face the reality of things." Luna Stone continued and I clenched my jaw, my hands balled into fists. My wolf was nearing the surface not liking the way my father's wife was disrespecting our mate. "I guess you haven't thought about it at all but you have to at some point. What if Orion decides to leave you once Sophie shows up?"Ciara's gasp was fucking u
Chapter 40Ciara's POVBryan has been avoiding me.I sighed as I dipped the cloth in warm water and squeezed my mind playing back the events of the last few days. It's officially been a week since Orion left and exactly five days since my conversation with Bryan after Luna Stone rubbed my situation in my face and he has been avoiding me.I know what I said and I still stand by it but did he have to avoid me? Couldn't boundaries be maintained while we still talk? I didn't understand him, and even how he answered my question that day confused me more. He didn't explain himself and for some reason, I didn't ask him anything."Ciara,"I looked up as Grandmother Grace walked into the room practically dragging her body. Since Gramps fell ill, her health hasn't been in tip-top shape either. She acts strong but she's just fighting to be strong. I send her a soft smile as I mop Gramps's body with the cloth."You didn't have to stay behind for us you know? Being with Orion right now is more imp
Chapter 41Bryan's POVThe mate bond had to be the worst kind of hell, the goddess specially created to torment werewolves.Or else why would I have agreed to take my mate to ses my stepbrother when I could keep her here and have her all to myself? I ran my hands through my hair and let out a string of curses I'd never slip in front of her. This was the worst form of torture. Why couldn't I get my own mate? Why was I being forced to share her? A knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts and I looked up in time to see Father walking into the room. “Father," I acknowledged his presence but made no move to find out what he wanted. “Son." He walked further into the room until he was standing by the desk. His fingers trailed over the wooden piece and for a brief moment I wondered what he was going to say. He had always been observant and now I fear more than anything that he has noticed something he shouldn't. “Ciara is your mate." He said, his tone held certainly. I inhaled
Chapter 42Orion's POVThree days ago…“Alpha, we'll be arriving in California in a few hours." The pilot announced over the intercom and I nodded even though he couldn't see me. The hum of the jet’s engines was a steady backdrop to my restless thoughts. Through the small window beside me, the world below seemed peaceful, almost serene, a sharp contrast to the storm brewing in my mind. It's beautiful up here. The trees, cars and even the buildings all seem like needles from up here. I could barely appreciate the view, all my thoughts were centered on one thing, Ciara and the look she gave me before I got into the car that would take us to the airstrip. I wasn't into nature much but since I boarded my father's private jet I had been doing everything I could to prevent myself from thinking about Ciara. Who knew I would ever become this obsessed with her considering how things started between us?It was my own fault anyway. I shouldn’t have kissed her before leaving, it was a mista
Chapter 43Orion’s POVTwo days laterEverything hurts… I groaned as I opened my eyes wanting to raise hell for how I was feeling. What could be pressing into my side so painfully? I wondered as I struggled to make sense of my environment. “He’s awake, “I heard and then a flurry of hasty footsteps reached my ears. Someone, an unfamiliar man, walked up to the bed and pointed a bright light into my eyes, blinding me for a second. I cursed and shut my eyes immediately, causing him to laugh. “I’m sorry, I should have warned you,” he smiled as he pulled a stool closer and sat down. “How are you feeling?" “Like everything is broken," I replied without hesitation and he nodded. “Where am I?" He eyed me for a while, studying my face before he finally replied, his expression serious as he spoke. “What can you remember? What is your name?" I understood what he was trying to do. “Orion Stone, Alpha of the Silver Moon pack and son to Alpha Stone and Luna Stone. My wife, Ciara Stone must be
Chapter 44Ciara’s POVOrion wasn’t in California. The fact was not sitting well with me. When he left home three days ago, he had told me he was going to an Alpha’s seminar thingy they always have yearly. As an understanding wife, I didn’t read anything into it. Now, as I started from the man in front of me to Bryan whose hardened expression gave nothing away, I felt my thoughts running wild. Since Luna Stone had questioned me about Sophie and what I was going to do, the thoughts have plagued my mind. I had been holding them at bay until now. What if California had been an excuse, some kind of cover up for what he actually wanted to do? What if he was somewhere with Sophie? “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” I heard Bryan’s voice say and I looked up at him, my vision a little blurred by the tears that had begun to pool at my eyes. “I’m sure there’s a misunderstanding that will be cleared up soon once Orion shows up,” He was doing it again. He was defending his brother despite
Chapter 45 Orion's POV Two days later... I opened my eyes and sat up in bed, stretching my taut muscles as my eyes adjusted to the sudden brightness of the world. The sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. I groaned as a slight discomfort in my arm reminded me of the cast I was still wearing. My injuries were healing nicely, though the dull ache lingered, a constant reminder of the recent accident. Despite the doctor’s concerns about potential complications, I felt perfectly fine. He was a human doctor, after all—he couldn’t possibly understand the accelerated healing of our kind. Still, I had to admit, there was something disconcerting about the way his brows had furrowed as he reviewed my X-rays. I pushed the thought aside, refusing to let it dampen my mood. After all, the pilot was out of the hospital and now in rehab, with all expenses covered by Dad. Even though the accident wasn’t our fault, the least we could do was ensure his recovery
Chapter 117Bryan's POV “Hey,” I whispered and watched as she squinted, trying to get a hand on her surroundings. “You slept the entire way. Old Man Heartfield must have done a number on you.” She groaned and sat up, wincing as she grabbed her arm. “You have no idea. I can't feel my legs right now.” I chuckled as I got out of the car. I walked over to her side and opened the door. “Well it's a good thing you have me. Hop on,” I turned my back to her and waited. It felt like I had been waiting a long time before she finally jumped on my back. I straightened and began walking into the packhouse. “Alpha,” Ryan greeted me just as we were halfway to the house. I nodded at him and threw the keys at him. “Help me lock up,” He ran off after catching the keys and I carried Ciara into the house heading for my office instead of the room where I'd normally have taken her. “What are you doing? I need to lie down.” She said and I sighed. “I know but we have to talk first.” She stiffened a
Chapter 116Ciara's POV “Focus lavender,” Gramps sang as he sent a punch my way. I ducked out of the way just in time to avoid it hitting my face. Gramps had offered to help me transition beautifully into my dire wolf phase and since he knew more above them than I did, I had taken him up on his offer. It had been two weeks of torture and each time I walked more frustrated than ever. I had a lot on my mind and I had hoped this would help distract me but it wasn't. “Snap out of it,” I sucked quickly before his hand could touch my face. He grinned and I rolled my eyes. Straightening my back, I leaned forward again and blocked his next attacks, sucking in air as the pressure in my chest increased. “Okay, I think that's enough for one day,” he said and pulled back. I frowned and stared at him in confusion. “What's going on?” He pinned me with a hard look as if trying to read me. “I should be asking you that.” “What?” I asked, avoid his gaze. He shrugged and picked up a water bot
Chapter 115 Ciara's POV I got down from the car and muttered my thanks to Ryan before walking towards the house. I had been texting Bryan in the car on the way here so I knew he was already home but I didn't expect to find him standing at the entrance, waiting for me. When he saw me, his face spread into a wide grin and he opened his arms wide. I smiled and ran into them, burying my face into his neck as he held me by my waist, my feets not touching the ground. “I missed you,” he whispered in my ears as his arms tightened around me. I held on tighter and inaled his scent. “I missed you too and before you ask, Lacey is with her grandparents. They decided they wanted her around.” He groaned as I struggled to be put down but obliged. Once my feet touched the ground again, I leaned against him and kissed him deeply like I had wanted to do when I first saw him. I didn't know it was possible to love someone so deeply but yet here I was falling helplessly in love with him mo
Chapter 114 Bryan's POV “Alpha Bryan is here to see you, Alpha,” “Tell him I'm busy,” I rolled my eyes and pushed the door open, tired of his excuses. He was obviously avoiding me or Ciara or both but it was clear. “What do you think you're doing?” I asked as I walked inside. Orion sat up in his seat, a scowl on his usually tight face. “Bryan, I don't remember agreeing to a meeting.” I shook my head. “I don't remember asking,” I turned to James. “You can go now, I'll take it from here.” James eyed Orion before he sighed and walked out leaving us alone. “What are you doing here Bryan? I have a lot of work to do.” “Yeah? Like what?” I asked as I walked around the desk. “There is no serial killer on the loose any longer as it turns out, all is right in the world again.” He sighed and slammed the folder in his hand on the table. “Goddamnit Bryan can't you just go and be happy with her? I'm trying here.” I narrowed my eyes. “What are you talking about?” He rolled h
Chapter 113 Ciara's POV “Well, what are you doing here?” Grandma Grace exclaimed as she opened the front door for me. I rolled my eyes and handed Lacey over to her as I walked inside. Ryan was sitting in the car outside and no matter how much I had convinced him to come in, he refused. “Of course I'm happy to see you, I'm just surprised.” She closed the door and turned to me. “Is everything okay?” She asked and I nodded. “Why wouldn't they be?” She raised an eyebrow and I sighed. “Everything is fine Grandma I promise. I just missed you all so much and I thought, why don't I come visit?” She didn't look convinced but she wasn't trying to pry the real reason out of me either. “Where's Mikey? The house is too quiet.” She laughed. “Well, he and your grandfather went to the store.” I narrowed my eyes. “Alone? Grandma, it's…” She cut me off before I could finish giving her a lecture. “You don't need to remind me how unsafe it is around here child but your grandfathe
Chapter 112 Ciara's POV “Come at me harder, you can do this.” I grunted as I charged towards Bryan, panting heavily. He was quicker though and by the time I got to him, he had moved. “Faster,” he chorused behind me, clapping his hands. I turned and frowned when I saw the smirk on his face. “You're enjoying this.” I accused and he shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not but what you gonna do about it?” he taunted and I sneered as I charged towards him. “Not fast enough,” he snickered as he swerved out of the way again, beating me for the tenth time that morning. I snorted and stepped aay, making my way to the bench where we had kept out things. “Giving up so soon?” He asked but I ignored him as I grabbed my water bottle and drank from it quickly. The tremor in my body relaxed a little as the water passed my throat and circulated. We had been at this since dawn. Bryan woke me up with a passionate kiss and promised to finish what he started if I agreed to train for four hours. N
Chapter 111 Orion's POV I twirled the pen in my hand absentmindedly. My body was sitting in my chair behind my desk in the office but my mind was miles away. What good was rejecting Ciara as my mate if I was going to feel restless when she was hurt or in pain? It was like we were more connected than ever and it took all of my willpower to stand up and walk out of that room when all I wanted to do was sit by her side and stroke her hair. I dropped the pen and began tapping my fingers on the desk. “You're an idiot.” My wolf said and I sighed. He was right, I was the biggest fool. Why would I reject my mate even if she was moving on? Why would I try to reassure my nemesis that she was alive just to calm his wolf when I should have blamed him for her condition? It wasn't his fault that Brianna had shown up at his pack but he could have kicked her out already. Mum had no idea her sister was back and from the looks of things, Brianna had no plans of showing up here to anno
Chapter 110 Bryan's POV I stormed out as soon as I heard noises outside and glared at Brianna who was lying on the ground with Ciara unconscious beside her. “What happened?” Orion was standing beside me wordlessly but I could feel how restless he was. “We were attacked.” She said in a breathless tone. “It seems most of your pack members aren't very fond of your choice in a Luna.” She staggered to her feet. “This wouldn't have happened if she had remained with Orion.” I growled and stepped forward. “How do you expect me to believe that you had nothing to do with it?” She scoffed. “If I did, you have no way of proving it.” She spat on the ground. “Although your mate held her own for a weak and useless Omega.” My heartbeat picked up as I bent over Ciara's limp body. Had she shifted out of desperation to protect herself? “And what is little Orion doing here? Does my sister know you're here?” she asked, turning to look at Orion. Orion ignored her as he came to stand by my side. “
Chapter 109 Ciara's POV Brianna suggested we start our run on foot in human form before she would shift and carry me on her back. I had left her and Bryan to talk privately but I was uneasy, bursting at the seams wanting to know what was said. The energy about her had changed when she met me in the garden and I knew their conversation had been tense which peaked my curiosity further. “You're staring,” she commented and I flushed. I quickly looked away and continued jogging. “I’m sorry, I just got lost in thought,” She stopped and placed her hands on her hips. “What's on your mind? You can be free with me,” I hesitated before replying. “How did your talk with your brother go?” She laughed and nodded. “I knew that was what you were mulling over in your head.” she raised an eyebrow. “What do you want to know?” “I know you both have a lot of things to talk about and I'm just curious about how it went. He said he'd give you a chance.” She nodded. “He did.” Afterwards, she