Share

Chapter 19: Caught Off Guard

Author: Crystal Beee
last update Last Updated: 2025-04-12 01:02:43

Chapter 19:

Ciara's POV

Something felt wrong. I shouldn't be here.

My legs moved, but my mind screamed at me to turn back. I went down the steps slowly, breathing heavily. Then, leaned toward the maid, and whispered, “What is going on here? Who are these people?”

She didn’t respond. Instead, her eyes dropped to the floor as she just kept walking. A lump formed in my throat and I swallowed hard, following her.

My heart thudded as I approached the table. The women still hadn't taken their eyes off me, and I could feel the judgment in their stares. I wasn't surprised by how they didn’t bother hiding it.

“Who’s she?” someone asked..

“She’s the one Daryl brought in, isn’t she?” another voice mocked.

“She looks… ordinary.” someone else said.

My spine straightened, and I kept my head high, pretending not to hear them. Was there something about me that made me appear different? I didn't know and this was certainly not the right place to figure it out.

‘You can do this, Ciara. Stay calm
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Locked Chapter

Related chapters

  • A Luna Prize For The Twin Alphas and Their Father    Chapter 20: Wanting more.

    Chapter 20: Ciara’s POVI couldn’t breathe as I rushed down the hallway. My heart was racing, and every step felt like I was dragging my shame behind me. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t erase the image of Daryl’s naked body from my mind.He hadn’t even flinched when I barged in. He just stood there, completely unbothered, like it was nothing. He didn't even react like I had just walked in on something I should’ve never seen.Why was I reacting this way? He wasn’t really my fiancé. This whole thing was fake. It was a contract, and nothing more. I mumbled the words to myself, trying to shove the panic back down.I didn’t look back because I didn’t want to know if he was behind me. But then a thought hit me.Wait. He wouldn’t follow me… right? He was still naked.That made me slow down, just for a second. My mind was spinning and in that moment of distraction, I caught my foot on the edge of a rug and stumbled. My hand shot out and grabbed the wall and I tried to steady myself.

    Last Updated : 2025-04-13
  • A Luna Prize For The Twin Alphas and Their Father    Chapter 21: Know your place!

    Chapter 21Ciara's POV I stood rooted in the same spot minutes after Daryl had left the balcony. This was what I signed up for, wasn't it? Why then did the idea of showing up at the Alpha feast seem like such a big deal to me? Maybe, it was because I knew that no matter how hard I tried, I could never fit in among the people here. I let out a quiet sigh as I walked down the hallway. When I reached Daryl’s chambers, I pushed the door open slowly and stepped inside. I wasn't surprised to find the room empty. It was a good thing Daryl wasn't here. I didn't know how I'd be able to get dressed in his presence. "Just an hour". I said under my breath, recalling his words. That’s all I had. One hour to myself.“I should get dressed before he comes back,” I muttered, glancing around.Then it hit me. I had nothing to wear. Nothing even close to what was probably expected at something like the Alpha Feast. My stomach twisted a little as I stood there, trying to think of a solution.But nothi

    Last Updated : 2025-04-14
  • A Luna Prize For The Twin Alphas and Their Father    Chapter 22: Just Us.

    Chapter 22Damon's POVI leaned back in the chair at the head table where I was seated. My fingers drummed on the table in irritation at my disinterest in the lively atmosphere of the grand hall. My detachment from said atmosphere couldn't be helped.I closed my eyes, bringing back to mind the intense glare of honey-dipped eyes and the fierce fire latched in her soul.Her...The loud music, chatter, and scent of roasted meats couldn't distract me from my thoughts. Thoughts that were consumed by the woman who had been on my mind for far too long.The double doors swung open, and Daryl strode in with Ciara clinging to his side.Ciara...I instinctively sat upright, my insides twisting at the sight. Ciara wasn’t just clinging to Daryl's side—he was holding her. Close. Too close. I went internally livid instantly.The entire hall went still as my eyes carefully took her in and my entire body froze. I swallowed the huge lump in my throat and adjusted in my seat."...What a beauty," Calyx h

    Last Updated : 2025-04-15
  • A Luna Prize For The Twin Alphas and Their Father    Chapter 23: Who could that be?

    Chapter 23: Who could that be?Ciara’s POVI froze, my eyes widening as I looked up into Damon's blue eyes. My heart pounded in my chest, and I was unsure of what to do in that exact moment... in that exact position.Damon's hand gripped my waist firmly, and I felt his warm, almost comforting touch at my bare back, which made me shudder. "Ahem!" Someone said sharply behind us. It broke the moment, and I was out of Damon's arms in an instant like he'd burned me. I turned to see Luna Eleanor staring at us. Well... at me, condescendingly. And then, everyone else's eyes were now on us... Yeah, me again.My cheeks heated as embarrassment flooded my entire being. Damon leaned down and whispered into my ear."Don't let her make you feel small." His low voice caressed my ear and I turned to look at him, then pushed myself away from him. Before I could stop him, he swiftly grabbed my hand and planted a soft kiss on it, prompting a gasp from everyone.He stared at me under his thick lashes, w

    Last Updated : 2025-04-16
  • A Luna Prize For The Twin Alphas and Their Father    Chapter 24: Don't you dare!

    Chapter 24: Don't you dare!Ciara's POV~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I pulled back almost immediately, ending the kiss as quickly as it began. I was breathless as I felt whoever had just kissed me step backwards. “Who-who are you?” I stuttered, struggling to catch my breath. Silence. I blinked in the darkness, trying to make out the outline of the person before me, but I could barely see. I still stood with my back pressed against the cold stone wall and my heart pounded hard in my chest. That was when I realised that I was alone. Whoever had kissed me had slipped away, and there was no way I'd know who it was. The aftershocks of what just happened rippled through me and my lips tingled with the taste of his lips. I knew that was not Daryl. He was still in the hall when I stepped out, and it certainly wasn't his scent. I knew his cologne too well. It was fresh, clean and sharp like peppermint.But this? It was something else. Something muskier. Woody. Heavy, and very unfamiliar. My m

    Last Updated : 2025-04-17
  • A Luna Prize For The Twin Alphas and Their Father    Chapter 25: Nothing between us. 

    Chapter 25: Nothing between us. Ciara’s POV“Daryl” I said softly, “I can see that you're drunk.” He frowned, folding his arms on his chest. “Drunk?” He slurred. “The only person who seems drunk is you. You're drunk in love with my brother!” He shot at me, wagging a finger in my face. I ignored him and shut the door immediately, putting the lock in place before I turned to him again.“I think you should go shower and get into bed. Tomorrow we can have this conversation about your threat to kill me because of your brother.”He broke into a wild, erratic laugh as he stumbled towards me, “Threat? I don't throw empty words, Ciara. I've said it before and I'll say it again. The day I find out that you've been messing around with that fool, I'll end your life and end his too. I'll wipe you —”“Daryl, Please. Just stop this!” I snapped at him. “Nothing is going on between your brother and I. You know I am only here because of our deal.” “It doesn't seem like it,” he said with a slur, “T

    Last Updated : 2025-04-18
  • A Luna Prize For The Twin Alphas and Their Father    Chapter 26: I'll kill anyone who touches you.

    Chapter 26Ciara's POV Daryl watched me in silence, his lips twitching slightly. My mouth went dry as I forced myself to look away from his face.I could still feel the warmth of his breath lingering on my skin. Biting down hard on my lower lip, I tried to distract myself from the way he kept staring at me. It seemed like he was about to devour me.“Ciara…” he said, his voice low and husky, breaking the silence between us.I shuddered. “Y-yes?”“I’ll kill anyone who touches you. Do you fuckin’ understand me? You’re mine.”I swallowed hard, my breath hitching as I felt his hands exploring the exposed skin where he’d torn my gown. My chest rose and fell with each passing second as I struggled to contain a moan.“What did I say?” he growled.“Daryl…” I stammered. “You’re drunk.”He surprised me with a low chuckle. “Really? Is that what you think?”“Let me go…” I struggled to pull away, but he turned me around, pressing my back against his chest and holding me firmly in place."You're not

    Last Updated : 2025-04-19
  • A Luna Prize For The Twin Alphas and Their Father    Chapter 27: I want you, Ciara!!

    Chapter 27Ciara's POV “Wh-what?” I stuttered, half worried that he'd stand up and walk away from me. My stomach tingled at how embarrassing it would be. Maybe he'd suddenly realised that we shouldn't be doing this. We shouldn't be one step away from fucking ourselves when we had a contract that clearly stated we were only in a fake relationship. “I want you, Ciara.” His voice came out rough. His eyes never left mine, and there was something primal in the way he looked at me. More like I was the only thing that kept him breathing.I blinked, stunned, as my lips parted. “What do you mean?”I raised my brows, confused as he took his fingers to his lips; the same fingers that were just between my thighs, the same fingers that had touched my wetness. “What are you doing?” I whispered, my throat dry. “I want to know what your juices taste like.” His eyes darkened. Then his tongue darted out and he licked them slowly, deliberately, like I was something forbidden and he was savoring

    Last Updated : 2025-04-20

Latest chapter

  • A Luna Prize For The Twin Alphas and Their Father    Chapter 40: Exposed!

    Chapter 40:Ciara's POVThe bathroom door creaked as I stepped out with a towel clutched tightly around me. My hair was still dripping, and my skin was flushed from the heat of the hot shower I had just gotten out of.I stopped dead in my tracks, and my eyes widened as the brief moments of peace I thought I had evaporated immediately when I caught sight of him.Damon.He was sitting on my bed like he owned the place. Hell! Like he owned my bed. His legs were stretched out, with one ankle crossed over the other.My heart nearly stopped when I saw what he was holding in his hand. My private notebook... my secret diary.That notebook was the one I was using as a journal. The one I'd been using to secretly document everything since arriving at BlackThorne."What the hell are you doing?" I snapped, rushing over to him and yanking the notebook out of his hand.The pages of the book fluttered as he released it, but a smug smirk never left his face."Relax, sweetheart," he said, and a chill r

  • A Luna Prize For The Twin Alphas and Their Father    Chapter 39: The cost of wanting her.

    Chapter 39Damon's POVIt had been twenty-four hours.Twenty-four hours since I had last seen Ciara. Since I had last heard her voice. Since I had last caught the maddening scent of hers. She always scented of honeysuckle and rain, which made Calx go wild. And which also made me go wild, if I was being honest."You need to go see her." Calx paced restlessly beneath my skin. "She's ours," he growled."Calx..." I tightened my jaw and clenched my fists. I was still in Silverstone backline, running an errand for my father. I was to retrieve ceremonial items for the upcoming Christmas Eve Ritual.I had welcomed it, fully aware that it was just the distraction I needed to leave my thoughts about Ciara back in the Pack... back in the royal building. I was hoping the journey would buy me time to shove my feelings back into whatever locked box they came out of.But Calx was proving to be another distraction I didn't need... reminding me about Ciara at every point."Don't you see?" Calx continu

  • A Luna Prize For The Twin Alphas and Their Father    Chapter 38: Painful Truth

    Chapter 38Ciara’s POV“Wh-what did you say?” A calm voice asked besides me. I shut my eyes again, ignoring him.. This wasn't the right place for me to explain myself to anyone, especially not Daryl. The room was silent. That was good…because the last thing I wanted now was to listen to anyone talk loudly while I was trying to understand what the hell was going on in my head. I shifted again on the bed, with my eyes still closed and the first thing I felt was pain.A dull, sharp throb pulsed at the back of my head, beating in rhythm with my heart as I slowly blinked against the harsh white light flooding my vision. This time, everything seemed too bright and too damn sharp. I struggled to sit up, groaning softly as my body resisted the motion. I heard the steady beeping of machines, and I quickly realised that I was in the pack’s infirmary. Someone moved beside me. "I'm glad you're awake," Daryl said.His voice was gentle, but I didn’t want it. Scratch that…I didn’t want him. He r

  • A Luna Prize For The Twin Alphas and Their Father    Chapter 37: Heartbreak

    Chapter 37:Daryl’s POVIt had been three days.Three long, excruciating days since the accident—since Ciara hit the floor, the back of her head slamming against the edge of the nightstand.Three days since the world stopped moving for me.And in those same three days, she hadn’t opened her eyes. Not once. She hadn’t shifted, flinched, or moved a single muscle. Just stillness. Unbearable stillness.The doctor had come by again yesterday. He said she was stable. That her vitals were fine, and she was resting. That rest was good. But when I asked the one question I really needed answered—when will she wake up?—he only offered a vague response.“It depends on her,” he had said with a soft, almost apologetic tone. “Her body is healing, but her mind needs peace. A calm environment will help. The rest… is up to her.”So I made sure everything was calm. Silent. Peaceful. Still.But inside me, it was chaos.I hadn’t left the room in days—only stepped out once to shower, and that felt like a b

  • A Luna Prize For The Twin Alphas and Their Father    Chapter 36: Stay away from her!

    Chapter 36:Daryl’s POVIt felt like time stopped.I stood frozen, wide-eyed, staring at Ciara. My heart slammed into my ribs so hard it hurt.Just a second ago, she was standing between Damon and me, trying to stop us from fighting. Her eyes were wide, her mouth open like she was about to scream. And then, she fell. Just like that.One second she was standing. The next, she was on the floor.Still. Motionless.My stomach dropped. My heart plummeted. And before I could even think, I was running toward her.“Ciara!” I dropped to my knees beside her, my hands shaking in the air, hovering just above her body. I didn’t know what to do, what to touch, what not to touch. Panic flooded me, and my fingers finally found their way to her head.Blood. There was blood.It was coming from the back of her head, staining her beautiful dark hair. I looked behind her and saw the corner of the bedside table. She must have hit it when she fell.And she was still bleeding.I looked at her face. God, her

  • A Luna Prize For The Twin Alphas and Their Father    Chapter 35: Things go wrong.

    Chapter 35Ciara's POV~~~The hallway was too quiet. Unnaturally quiet.Damon walked beside me, but neither of us said a word. Our footsteps echoed off the cold stone floor, the sound loud and sharp in the silence. The tension from the Solarium followed us like a shadow, clinging to our skin, pressing on our shoulders like invisible weight.I didn’t know what to say. I wasn’t even sure I could speak if I wanted to. My throat felt tight. My legs heavy. My heart even heavier.Maybe that’s why I let him hold my hand. Just until we got to Daryl’s room.When we reached the door, I pulled my hand out of his like I’d touched fire. The door creaked open as I pushed it hard, almost like I was running from something. Maybe I was.But as soon as I stepped inside, my feet slowed. Something felt wrong.The room was dim, the air still. The bed… untouched.He wasn’t here.I blinked, letting the realization sink in, and it hit me like a punch to the gut. The disappointment was instant and overwhelmi

  • A Luna Prize For The Twin Alphas and Their Father    Chapter 34: Enough is enough!

    Chapter 34:Ciara's POVLuna Eleanor stood with her arms folded tightly across her chest, her sharp eyes darting between King Donovan and me. If she suspected something, she didn’t show it—not through her face, not through her posture. She just stood there, statuesque, cold, and composed. The energy in the room shifted with her presence, like the oxygen had been sucked out.“I’m waiting,” she said calmly, yet her voice still carried weight as she closed the door behind her. “What were you two discussing?”My heart pounded so loudly, I could barely hear anything else. My limbs felt frozen. I couldn’t speak. Couldn’t think straight.Just moments ago, I had been pressing King Donovan for answers, for the truth behind his insane confession. And now—now his wife was here, looking at us like she’d caught us mid-act. Mid-sin.I tried to part my lips to say something—to explain, to fix this somehow—but he beat me to it.“Luna,” King Donovan said smoothly, stepping forward like he wasn’t bothe

  • A Luna Prize For The Twin Alphas and Their Father    Chapter 33: The Alpha's offer. 

    Chapter 33: The Alpha's offer. Ciara’s POV~~~Oh shit!I cursed under my breath as Lyra opened the double doors to the Solarium and stepped aside. .Leave, Ciara! My mind screamed, but my feet refused to obey. I swallowed hard as my eyes settled on King Donovan. The sunlight poured through the tall glass windows of the room, framing him in a warm golden glow. He was seated at a table, perched on an extravagant throne. The light made him look every bit the regal figure, as if it was designed to match the gold that I was wearing.I shook my head, cursing myself for even noticing. Why was I thinking about this? I quickly realized I was still standing at the door.I willed my legs to move, though each step I took felt like it required more effort than it should. I heard the door click shut behind me, and I knew Lyra was gone. That left just him and me.It was as though he’d been waiting for Lyra to leave the room. Slowly, he raised his head and looked at me, his expression unreadable.

  • A Luna Prize For The Twin Alphas and Their Father    Chapter 32: God, Help me!

    Chapter 32: God, Help me!Ciara’s POV“Hmm…” a soft moan escaped my lips as I gripped my sheets tightly. They cling to my skin, carrying the traces of last night. My eyes squeezed shut as my body throbbed with a dull ache. It wasn't the kind of ache that would make one think of love or passion. No, this was deeper and painful. I gasped as my mind flashed to Daryl. The way he had sex with me last night and left without a word, like a coward. It felt like none of this meant a thing to him. There was no goodbye, only the soft click of the door as he left while I was still in the bathroom."...God," I whispered, clutching a pillow and pressing my cheek against it. My fingers dug into the fabric of the pillow as I realized that his scent still clung to it. I pulled the sheets tighter around me and stared at the ceiling. I felt so empty and used. The emptiness inside me grew with each passing second as my chest ached. I rolled over on the pillow again, pressing my face into it. “I fe

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status