III O
<
3/3
< Chapter 35
+8 Points 5
Chapter 35
Aaron’s POV
Mira was gone. The Selene Festival had taken an unexpected turn, and I knew exactly where she had gone- the Firemoon Pack. That pack was her home and their Alpha would not hesitate to protect her again. It was infuriating, but I had to stay calm. Declaring war on the Firemoon Pack wasn’t an option. They were strong, with soldiers that outnumbered and outmatched my own. Losing men over this wasn’t worth it. Not when I had other ways to get what I wanted.
I paced the length of my study, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. My desk, carved from dark. oak, was littered with maps, letters, and documents. The golden glow of the fireplace cast long shadows across the room, but it didn’t soothe me. The curse weighed heavily on me, a constant reminder of my failure. My pure Alpha blood, meant to dominate and rule over all others, was shackled by this damn curse. And the only way to break it was with her blood–Mira’s blood.
I ran a hand through my hair, frustration boiling under my skin. Then it hit me. I didn’t need to storm the Firemoon Pack. I already had a spy inside their borders. All I had to do was use her to get Mira back.
I grabbed my phone from the desk, my hand tightening around it as I scrolled to her number. The woman had been loyal so far, motivated by money and her hatred for her own pack. She would get the job done, just as
she had before.
The phone rang twice before she picked up.
“Hello,” she said, her voice smooth and cautious.
“Any updates on Mira?” I asked, cutting straight to the point.
“She’s recovering,” the woman replied. “Still weak, though. She is resting at home.”
“Good,” I said, a dark smile tugging at my lips. “Keep an eye on her. I need to know everything she is doing.
Don’t let her out of your sight.”
“I will,” she promised. “But what about my p*****t? You said I would be compensated after the last job.”
“You’ll get your money,” I said firmly. “Once Mira is back with me, I’ll pay you double. Just don’t fail me.”
There was a pause, then a sharp exhale. “Alright. But I’m warning you–this won’t be easy. The Firemoon Pack doesn’t take threats lightly.”
“I don’t need you to worry about the pack,” I snapped. “Just do as I say.”
“Fine,” she muttered. “I’ll keep you updated.”
“Good,” I said, and the line went dead.
I tossed the phone onto the desk, leaning back in my chair. My study felt suffocating, the rich scent of leather and old wood doing little to calm my nerves. I stared at the map of the Firemoon territory spread across the desk. Every inch of it mocked me, a reminder of the power I should have had. The power that this curse had
stolen from me.
Mira was the key. Her blood would end my misery. Once the curse was lifted, I would be unstoppable. I would rule over all the Alphas as I was meant to. But for now, I had to be patient.
0
1/3
|||
O
<
< Chapter 35
Mira’s POV
Dinner was quiet that evening, but the silence in the room felt anything but peaceful. My parents kept exchanging worried glances, clearly still grappling with everything the old woman had told us earlier. Sophia, as usual, seemed oblivious to the tension, twirling her fork around her plate as if it were any other day. I pushed my food around, my mind elsewhere, thoughts swirling about the ritual, Aaron, and the pendant now resting against my chest.
A sudden knock at the door broke the silence. I jumped slightly, my fork clattering against my plate. My mother immediately rose to answer, wiping her hands on her apron,
“Who could that be?” she murmured, more to herself than anyone else.
We all turned toward the door as she opened it. Standing there was Killian, his broad frame filling the doorway. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes immediately found mine.
“Killian?” my mother said, surprised. “What brings you here?”
“I came to check on Mira,” he said simply, his voice steady.
My heart sank, and my grip on my fork tightened. Why was he here? I didn’t need him checking on me. I was fine–at least, as fine as I could be given everything that had happened.
Sophia’s face lit up, then immediately fell, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. I remembered they had fought earlier. Had they already made up? She didn’t seem to think so.
My father stood, his brow furrowed. “Come in, Killian,” he said, motioning for him to enter.
Killian stepped inside, his gaze still locked on me. My stomach twisted with discomfort.
“There’s no need for you to check on me,” I said, my voice firmer than I expected. “I can take care of myself.” “Mira!” my father barked, his tone sharp. “That is no way to speak to your future brother–in–law!”
I opened my mouth to respond, but Killian raised a hand, his expression calm. “It’s fine,” he said, looking at my father. “I don’t mind.”
My mother, always the peacemaker, quickly jumped in. “Killian, since you’re already here, why don’t you join us for dinner?” She was already pulling out another chair before he could respond.
Sophia straightened, brushing her hair back and smiling sweetly. “Yes, Killian, join us. It’ll be nice.”
My mother placed the extra chair next to Sophia, but Killian ignored it, instead moving to sit next to me. My heart sank further, and I fought the urge to sigh out loud. Why couldn’t he sit somewhere else?
“Here,” he said quietly, pulling out the chair beside me and settling down. “This seems fine.” Sophia’s smile froze, her eyes narrowing. I avoided looking at her, focusing instead on my plate. I could feel the tension radiating off her, but I wasn’t about to give her the satisfaction of reacting.
“So, Killian,” my mother began, trying to lighten the mood. “How are the wedding preparations going?” Killian hesitated, his hand tightening slightly around the edge of the table. “They’re… fine,” he said after a moment, though his tone was clipped.
C
Sophia’s smile returned, but it was sharp, her eyes glinting. “Oh, I’m sure they’re going wonderfully,” she said
2/3
О
<
Chapter 35
sweetly, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
My mother didn’t seem to notice. “Good, good,” she said, nodding. “Il be stopping by tomorrow to speak with your parents about some last–minute arrangements. I’m sure they’ll have plenty to say”
Killian’s jaw tightened, and he gave a short nod. “Of course. They’ll be expecting you.”
The tension at the table was palpable, but my father seemed determined to keep the conversation going. “So, Killian,” he said, leaning forward slightly. “How is everything at the packhouse? I hear there have been some…
issues lately,”
Killian’s expression didn’t change, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes–anger, perhaps? Or maybe frustration, “Everything is under control,” he said, his voice steady. “The rogue situation has been handled, and the pack is secure.”
“Good to hear,” my father said with a nod. “Rogues are always a problem, aren’t they? You can never let your guard down.”
“Never,” Killian agreed, though his tone was distant.
The rest of the meal passed in awkward silence, save for the occasional forced conversation from my parents. Sophia remained quiet, her mood shifting between sulking and glaring at me. I kept my head down, counting the minutes until it was over.
When dinner finally ended, Killian stood, thanking my parents politely. He didn’t so much as glance at Sophia as he headed for the door.
“Thank you for having me,” he said, his voice calm but distant.
“Of course,” my mother said, smiling warmly. “You’re always welcome here, Killian.”
He nodded, then turned to me. “Take care of yourself, Mira,” he said, his eyes lingering on mine for a moment longer than necessary.
I didn’t respond, my jaw tightening. I watched as he walked out, the door closing behind him.
Sophia let out a loud huff, crossing her arms. “Unbelievable,” she muttered, shooting me a glare.
I ignored her, pushing my chair back and standing.
“I’m going to bed,” I said simply, not waiting for a response.
As I climbed the stairs, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. Killian was gone, and I wouldn’t have to deal with his confusing presence anymore–at least not tonight.
But as I lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, his words echoed in my mind. “Take care of yourself, Mira.”
Why did they sound more like a warning than simple concern? And why couldn’t I shake the feeling that this wasn’t the last I would see of him?
2
Comments
