BLOOD CRESCENT
I was sitting in the tounge that afternoon legs tucked beneath me, a book resting lightly in my hands.
buried myself in the familiar comfort of words, letting the dry account of battles long past keep me company History had always been my refuge…cold facts, recorded victories, and defeats
“Luna Faye?”
I nearly jumped when a cheerful voice rang out behind me. Turning, I found Irene striding toward me, all brightness and effortless grace. She looked like she carried the sun with her. I quickly snapped the book shut and placed it on my lap as she leaned over the back of the couch, peering at me with curious eyes.
“What are you doing here all by yourself?” she asked, her tone playful but touched with genuine curiosity.
“Relaxing.” I replied simply, offering her a small smile. “And reading.”
Her eyes flicked to the book in my hands. “Reading?” She grinned, eyes sparkling as she walked around and dropped into the seat beside me. “What kind of book? let me guess…
romance.”
I rolled my eyes at her assumption. “It’s historical, actually. Nothing romantic.”
“Historical?” She groaned dramatically, leaning her head back against the couch cushion. “ Ugh, boring already.” She hadn’t even asked the title.
I laughed softly, shaking my head at her. Irene had that effect on people…her lighthearted mockery wasn’t cruel, it was oddly refreshing.
But before I could retort, my phone buzzed on the armrest beside me. The sound echoed in the room, shattering the easy laughter I’d allowed myself. I glanced at the screen, and my
smile froze.
Sage.
Her name glared up at me, bright against the black screen. I felt my stomach twist.
1/3
That work on that in th & PE
from one partner Anothe
was calling again forestent he says A part of mean
What Post steten would do, but my thumb hovered uselessly over the screen toy bestby jzen wouldn’t obey
Trane noticed immediately. She leaned closer, frowning “Why aren’t you answering? Then her see curled mischievously “Wait, don’t tell me. Is it some stalker? Or someone bold enough to contend with Alexander for your attention?”
I rolled my eyes, forcing myself to play along. “Please… It’s just my sister.”
Her grin faded in an instant, replaced by seriousness. “Your sister?”
“Yes, sage”
She tilted her head, studying me with that sharp gaze she rarely let anyone see. “And you’re ignoring her? Why?”
I sighed, my shoulders sagging. “Because we’re… going through a rough stage in our relationship. Honestly, I’m not interested in talking to her right now.”
I thought that would be enough to end the conversation, but Irene wasn’t one to let things slide. She leaned back, brows furrowed. “But why? You’re twins, aren’t you? I always thought twins were inseparable. What could be so bad that you won’t even take her calls?”
Her words cut deeper than I wanted to admit. For a second, I considered telling her the truth…the ugly, jagged truth I carried like a wound that refused to heal. But my throat locked
- up.
She waited, and when I didn’t answer right away, she pressed further. “Is it because of what happened with the mating? Because she gave herself to another man? The only reason you had to step in and take her place with my brother?”
I glanced at her for a moment.
Irene’s voice softened, her eyes searching mine. “Is that why you two don’t talk?”
I stared down at my hands gripping the book too tightly, my knuckles pale. Part of me wanted to spill everything right there, to finally let someone else share in the weight I’d carried alone. But how could I? How could I tell her that the man Sage gave herself to wasn’t just anyone–it was the one who should have been mine? My mate.
I could still feel the sting of that betrayal, like it had only happened yesterday. The memory of discovering them together, of realizing that the bond I had waited for, prayed for, had been stolen from me before it even began. And worse, stolen by my own sister. It still stings, but I
2/3
But bare tibi nad to know that not yet vos were close augh, and my flestir sett
thing handed out freely
fon i formada emite, though it fait aveled on my tips we nothing that serious just one of Those issues eitilings have We’ll sort it out eventually
trene didn’t look convinced She studied me with a gaze far too perceptive, her lips pursed like the wanted to pry more. But after a long moment, she let out a sigh and leaned back, stretching her arms over her head
“Well, if you say so, she murmured. “But if you ever want to talk about it, you know I’m here, right?”
I nodded quietly.
We sat in silence for a while after that, though silence with Irene never lasted long. She had never been the type to sit still and let thoughts consume her without trying to chase them away with words.
Eventually, she started talking, her voice slipping into the kind of casual chatter she always used whenever she sensed my mood was heavier than I wanted to admit.
“Do you know,” she began. “Alex nearly gave one of the younger wolves a heart attack during training yesterday? Poor boy was just trying to keep up, and Alex pounced out of nowhere like he was fighting a real enemy.” She chuckled, shaking her head. “I thought the poor child’s fur was going to turn white on the spot.”
I managed a smile. “That sounds like him. He doesn’t know the meaning of holding back.” I had seen Alexander in one of those training sessions once, and it had been too intense to watch…and almost funny.
“That’s exactly what I told him,” Irene said, rolling her eyes dramatically. “I said, ‘Alex, if you keep scaring the pups, they’ll start hiding from you instead of training with you.‘ He pretended to look offended, but you know he loves it. He thinks he’s building character.”
“I heard my name,” Alexander’s voice came up behind us.
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