The Dual Claim のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 121 - チャプター 130

I sat down in the dining room; the table was set for twelve, but I had no idea who, if anyone, would be joining me.But if KB had the table set for that many, I assumed she knew more than I did.I heard the front door open and the chatter of Nakoa and Toren filled the silence.I let myself relax.The door opened again. I heard Elara, Sam, and Bram.I got up from the table and embraced my uncle and cousin.We held each other hard and tight.We said nothing, but didn’t let each other go.Our small group hug turned into a larger group effort as the three newcomers added their support to the mix.I felt another arm around me; KB entered the mix.

I knew the men had more pack business to discuss, and I simply didn’t want to listen to any more of it.“Would you ladies like to go upstairs and see the new nursery?” I said as I pushed back my chair.Elara clapped. “Most definitely, yes!”Halia and Maw both gave me a look that said “thank you for giving us a reason to not listen to the men”.I expected Maw to move at a much slower pace than she did given her age. Amyra relied on her cane, but that, I think… was from the injury she sustained all those centuries ago when I was taken from her.Neither one of us talked about it much. She was still guilt-ridden after all my rebirths. I don’t remember any of them, for all I know there was that one and this one.Maybe I h

Soree and I made our way down the back staircase. Both Zee and I were content now that our mate rejoined the day-to-day.At times I could see her wanting to drift back upstairs, especially if the topic of the pyres came up, but she put on a brave face and kept plodding forward.KB smiled warmly as we entered her domain. She had two steaming mugs of coffee in her hands, and held them out toward each of us.“Thank you,” Soree said enthusiastically. I smiled as she brought the cup to her nose and inhaled deeply. “You put a touch of cinnamon in it!”KB beamed. “Yes, Luna. I know you like it that way.”“You are amazing,” she crooned, and took a tentative sip to gauge the heat factor.The kitchen was empty except for KB.

So, I’m a Luna-kissed too? I thought. It felt odd. I didn’t feel any different. But somehow it was different.Up until now, Luna-kissed was something about Soree, now Bear’s telling me it’s something about me too.“Were the males hunted too?” I heard Soree ask. That caught my attention.Zee was already at attention, taking it all in.“Oh, yes,” Maw said. “They tried to force breeding with high-ranking females, hoping to get Alphas or Lunas.”“What do you mean Lunas?” Soree asked again.“Not all Lunas possess magickal abilities. Just because a female is mated to the Alpha and a pack calls her Luna, doesn’t mean she is one.”Soree shook her head. “This is getting so confusing. I thought Luna-kissed just had more magick than Lunas, but all Lunas are Lunas.”“Let me try,” Bear said. “It’s very confusing.”Soree and I both nodded.“Before you met and bonded with Soree, Halia was your highest-ranking f

The desk clerk was saying something to me, but my eyes were frozen on my messaging screen.Did someone recognize me at the bar?Did Byron tell someone?“Sir,” the woman said with some emphasis this time. “Is everything alright?”I turned back toward her. “Oh. Um. Yes. Thank you. Are we all set?”“Yes, Sir,” she said with a forced smile. “Here’s your receipt. Have a nice day.”I nodded numbly, took the receipt, and made for the front doors.I got in the truck and blasted the heater.“I’m in the truck,” I texted Bina.No reply, but in the rear-view mirror, I watched her exit through a side door.