All Chapters of The Bearanstein Legacy : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The gravel crunched under Gwen’s tires as her little blue hatchback rumbled up the winding mountain road. Enormous and ancient pine, oak, ash and yew trees lined the road, along with others she couldn’t remember the names of at the moment. The leaves were already turning on the cool mountain air, as the branches loomed over the road they created a shadowy tunnel and Gwen almost didn't see the turn off onto the private road that led to the Bearanstein Estate. A few minutes later Gwen pulled up to the sprawling stone mansion surrounded by towering pines, their tips lost in the morning mist. She parked at the edge of the circular drive and shut off the engine. The air was sharp and clean, carrying the faint scent of rain and something... wild. “This is fine,” she muttered to herself, nervously, smoothing her ponytail and checking her reflection in the mirror. “It’s just a nursing job. For a wealthy, eccentric family in the middle of nowhere.” With a deep breath Gwen lifted her chin a

The fire in the dining room had burned low by the time dessert was finished. Most of the family had drifted away in twos and threes, their laughter echoing down the halls. Gwen helped clear dishes just to have something to do with her hands. As she passed through the doorway, she heard voices from the next room — quiet, low, and serious. “…can’t delay much longer,” a man was saying. The voice was deep and gravelly — the uncle’s. “He’s not ready,” replied a woman, older and sharp. Aunt Edith, if Gwen remembered right. “The Alpha power is too strong. His father barely contained it after his mate fell ill. Without a bond, Arthur will—” “Keep your voice down,” the uncle hissed. “The human girl’s still about.” Gwen froze, the tray trembling slightly in her hands. “She doesn’t know anything,” Edith said after a pause. “Yet.” The uncle grunted. “She’d better not. One whiff of what we are and she’ll run screaming down the mountain.” Their footsteps started toward the hall, and Gwen du

Morning light poured through the lace curtains of Mr. Bearanstein’s room, pooling in warm patches across the floor. Gwen paused in the doorway, taking a steadying breath before stepping inside.The elder Alpha — though she didn’t know him by that title yet — sat slumped in a high-backed chair near the window. His gaze was distant, unfocused, like he was watching something only he could see.“Good morning, Mr. Bearanstein,” Gwen said softly. “How are we feeling today?”He didn’t answer, only turned his head slightly at the sound of her voice. His eyes — pale gold around the edges, though she told herself that had to be a trick of the light — tracked her movements as she crossed the room.She smiled anyway, falling easily into her routine. “Breakfast will be along soon, but let’s get you up for a wash first, all right?”It had taken her only a day to learn that he responded best when she spoke to him as though he might reply, even if he never did. His illness — degenerative, chronic, so

The walk back to the manor was… awkward.Every few minutes, one of them would start to speak — only to stop when the other did, leaving a tangle of unfinished words between them.“So—”“I—”Both fell silent again, exchanging small, embarrassed smiles before continuing on.The forest that had felt so alive moments ago now seemed to hold its breath. Gwen could feel Arthur’s nearness like a pulse in the air — the warmth of him, the quiet power that made her both uneasy and inexplicably safe.When the house came into view, she exhaled. “Thank you for walking me back,” she said softly.Arthur nodded once. “Just… be careful”His tone wasn’t unkind, but it carried that edge of authority she’d noticed before — something commanding, almost instinctive. And the way his gaze lingered made her skin tingle in ways she couldn’t quite name.Before she could find a response, he motioned toward the kitchen. “Lila’s inside. She’ll make sure you have what you need.”Then he was gone, his heavy footsteps

The air cooled after sundown. From her window, Gwen watched the forest shift from green to blue to shadow-black. The manor had quieted for the night—children tucked in, dinner dishes cleared, soft laughter echoing faintly down distant halls. But sleep refused to come. She’d tried reading, she’d tried tea, yet Mr. Bearanstein’s words looped through her head. Little gold one. The Alpha’s mate. Each time she closed her eyes, she saw that flash of amber light in his gaze and felt again the weight of his hand clutching hers. Finally, she gave up and slipped into her sweater, stepping out onto the veranda. The night was cool but gentle, the kind that hummed with life. Crickets sang in the grass, and somewhere far off, an owl called. The nearly full moon hung low , spilling silver over the trees. Gwen leaned against the railing, breathing deeply, trying to quiet the unease twisting in her chest. “You shouldn’t be out here alone.” She jumped, heart lurching, and turned to see Arthur st