Lahat ng Kabanata ng CRAVING THE WRONG BLACKTHORNE BROTHER: Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 30

He climbed through, glass crunching under his feet. “Long enough to hear everything.” He moved toward me but I held up a hand. “I’m fine.” “Your hands are bleeding.” “I said I’m fine.” “Ella.” His voice dropped. “Let me help.” I stared at him for a long moment, then nodded. He led me to the bathroom and ran warm water, cleaning my hands with surprising gentleness. Each cut stung but I welcomed it. “That video,” I said. “Was it real?” His jaw clenched. “I don’t know.” “Don’t lie to me.” “I’m not.” He wrapped my hands in soft towels. “It could be real. Could be fake. Isabella’s good with editing. But…” “But?” “But Nate’s been distant. Working late. And you deserve to know the truth.” I pulled my hands back. “So find out.” “What?” “Find out if it’s real.” My voice was hard. “I’m not making a move until I know what I’m dealing with.” “Either way, we’re going to find out. And we’re going to destroy all three of them.” “How? They have guards. Videos. Witnesses. What do we h

He was quiet for so long I thought he wouldn’t answer. Then: “Brave. Stronger than you realize. Stubborn as hell.” His mouth curved slightly. “Beautiful, even when you’re screaming at my mother in front of half the territory.” My throat went tight and I had to look down at my plate. “You barely look at me most days,” I said. “Because when I look at you, I remember I don’t deserve you.” His voice dropped lower. “I remember you had someone you loved. That you lost him because of pack politics. That every time you see me, you’re probably wishing I was him.” “That’s not true.” “Isn’t it?” “No.” I leaned forward and the vinyl booth stuck to my arms. “Julian was safe. Familiar. But he didn’t really see me. I was just what he was supposed to want.” I took a breath. “You make me angry. So angry sometimes I want to throw things. But when you actually let me in, I see someone worth knowing.” Nate’s fingers twitched on the table. Then slowly, carefully, he reached across and took my hand.

The evidence was still spread across my desk where I’d left it. All the work I’d done for her, all the secrets I’d gathered. I sat down and tried to focus on organizing it, but I couldn’t. My mind kept spiraling back to where they were, what they were doing, whether he was touching her the way I had. The thought made bile rise in my throat and I shoved the papers aside, standing up to pace because the room suddenly felt too small to contain everything I was feeling. But they’d be back tonight, I told myself. And then at midnight she’d come to my room like we’d planned. We’d go through all the evidence together, build our case against Vivienne and Isabella and Serena. And maybe after, maybe she’d kiss me again the way she had yesterday. I held onto that thought like a lifeline as the day crawled by. Night had fallen by the time I heard the car return. I was at my window before I could stop myself, watching as Ella climbed out carrying bags of books, her face lit up with happiness as

Ella “That’s not true.” My voice cracked on the words. “I have feelings for you. Strong feelings. I wouldn’t just…” “Then pick me.” He turned back to face me, and the raw desperation in his eyes made my chest ache. “Right now. Pick me over him.” The words hung in the air between us, heavy and demanding and impossible. I opened my mouth to answer but nothing came out. Because what could I say? That I had feelings for both of them? That Nate made me feel safe and seen in ways I’d never experienced, while Levi made me feel alive and wanted and like I was more than just a political arrangement? How was I supposed to choose between safety and passion? Between the man I was legally bound to and the one who made my blood sing? “I can’t,” I finally whispered. “But I wouldn’t pick Nate over you either. I…” “Stop.” Levi’s hands curled into fists, and I saw fresh blood seep through the gauze. “Just stop talking.” “I care about both of you. I don’t know how to choose between…” “So I’m ju

The gardens were in full bloom. Roses everywhere.I’d spent weeks selecting the varieties. Working with the groundskeeper to ensure the soil pH was perfect. Pruning back the older bushes myself because I wanted to understand how they grew. These weren’t just decorative plants. They were my first real project as Luna, the first thing I could point to and say *I built this*.“The rose garden is one of our highlights,” I said. “We’ve just added three new varieties that should bloom…”“Roses.” Celeste’s voice cut across mine. She didn’t even look back. “How utterly predictable.” She turned to Levi. “Tell me you haven’t let the new Luna turn this place into some country cottage disaster.”My jaw clenched. *Predictable.* Like the hours I’d spent researching heirloom varieties meant nothing. Like my blistered hands from pruning were a joke.Levi’s lips curved. “The gardens have won regional awards.”“Regional.” She laughed. “How charming. Levi, you remember the Moonridge sculpture gardens? T