Chapter 25-The Puzzle

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Chapter 25-The Puzzle

Sydney Carrington's POV

The sensation of fingers playing with my hair made my open my eyes and sleepily, I looked up to see Brendon looking down at me with wonder and love in his eyes.

Without saying a word, I let out a contented sigh and leaned my head against his chest. "Morning." I said sleepily and I could feel him press a light kiss on my head.

"Morning." His husky voice spoke out and I sighed and snuggled into his arms. "How are you? How's the wound feeling?"

"It's okay. The ache is gone and the wolf is back." He answered and I turned to face him to inspect the scar on his chest. Tracing the scarred part of the tanned skin on his chest, I could feel him shudder a little the moment my fingers touched his warm skin.

I hummed and sighed, "That's good. That means the medication is out of your system. How's the wolf feeling?" His voice rumbled out, "Happy that you're here with me."

I couldn't help but let out a grin at that and pressed my head against his chest to feel the steady beat of his heart. "Brendon, can I ask you something. Why did you really choose me that day?"

The moment those words left my mouth, I could feel Brendon tensing before forcing himself to relax and he sighed heavily before starting, "Sydney, that day when I saw you-something struck in me. I don't know what but the first time in my twenty-nine years, my wolf seemed to be silent and submissive and he seemed to call for you."

He paused and stared into my eyes, his beautiful silver eye burning into mine. From that mere gaze, I could feel my heart rate speed up as I met his gaze.

"But that wasn't the only reason, of course you were insanely gorgeous but that day you were arguing so much with my cousin that I was immediately drawn to you. Because of your fire and the spirit in you. And it didn't help that something about you seemed so familiar." He finished before clearing his throat.

I sat there stunned. I couldn't really understand the effect I had on Brendon but it was different. A thought crossed my mind and I questioned a little curiously, "If your wolf was really submissive to me, how could you have hurt me?"

At my question, Brendon dropped his head and sighed deeply before meeting my gaze once more. Guilt and shame were on his face and he answered quietly. "When you always threatened to leave or bring up the topic of the beta, I would lose my temper and when I got angry, the wolf would feel the same way too. And he lashed out. He didn't want to hurt you, but when he lashes out, anything or anyone could be fair game."

I chewed my lip before tracing the side of his face with my fingers. "Would you ever tell me what happened in the past? Why your wolf is so defensive and all?"

Brendon looked away before murmuring, "Maybe some day."

I nodded in response and curled against him to sleep once more. It was just last night that he had woken up and the speed of his recovery astonished everyone.

The medics' guess was that because he was an Alpha and I Luna, the healing process would speed up faster than usual. We had spent the whole night staying in each other's embrace. I for one was unable to believe that he was alright.

As I was lying there, a thought occurred to me and I frowned before turning to Brendon. "That day, when you blackmailed me, you said the Alpha King owed you a favour. What was it?"

At this, Brendon raised an eyebrow before shrugging. "The Alpha King, Andrew had a threat of being overthrown by his cousin. And if news of that had gone viral, werewolf order would be gone. Thus, I stepped in and disposed of the problem."

I nodded thoughtfully. It was true. Any hint of a royal uprising, wolves around the world would be concerned, democrats would rise and ask questions if monarchies are needed. And that couldn't happen. If a monarchy wasn't around, wars could erupt. Any pack who wanted to declare war could go right ahead. That right there, would be chaotic beyond measure.

"Oh, I see. Speaking of...disposing people. Have you released Giselle and Will?" I questioned nonchalantly before peering up at Brendon whose eyes narrowed at me.

"No." He answered shortly. It was clear that even though Brendon had agreed to let them go, he wasn't particularly happy with it.

I raised an eyebrow before sitting up. "Well why not?" Brendon simply stared back at me cooly before answering dryly, "Sydney, if it wasn't clear, I got shot."

I rolled my eyes at his sarcasm before shooting him an unamused glance. "I know that. And I'm still feeling guilty about it. What I really want to know is how are you going to make them not talk about being captured by you?"

A smirk crossed his face and he shrugged, "Who said I'm going to make them not talk about it?"

At my glare, Brendon continued, "The Royals had a serum, one that erases parts unwanted memories. Let's just say, I have quite a fair amount of it here in the European pack."

"What? There's such a thing like that existing?" I questioned a little stunned. How could no one know something like that existed?

An amused expression appeared and I pressed my lips into a thin line at Brendon's amusement at my ignorance of said serum. Obviously knowing my impatience, Brendon started, "Well, such a thing exists. It wipes the memory clean of whatever needs to be gone-"

Brendon stopped abruptly and my gaze flew up to meet his to see him staring at the wall deep in thought. "Brendon? Are you okay? What's wrong?" I asked concerned.

"I'm fine, it's just now that I've mentioned it, I'm wondering if it had been used on me when I was a child." His voice had a weird quality to it and he had a confused expression on his face. And to be honest, he looked a little adorable.

That made me stop, "Why would you say that?"

"While I was unconscious, I had a vision of sorts. It was of me and you in our younger selves knowing each other. That would certainly explain the familiar feelings I have for you. And if I did somehow take the serum, it would cause me not to remember you. The serum removes memories but not feelings."

My breath got stuck in my throat and my mind ran over his words at the speed of a bullet. It would make sense but I too, couldn't remember him. At that moment, my mind flashed to the photograph of our parents lying in one of the bedside drawers.

"That would make sense but what about this?" I asked quietly as I took the photograph and placed it in his hands.

Brendon studied the photograph silently, his eyes lingering on my parents. But I did notice that he had avoided looking at his father's face. "You really look like your mother." He spoke out and I nodded.

"Yes."

"I'm sorry Sydney. I don't have the answers but what I can guess is that your parents were from here and they left a few years after you were born. Maybe they were running from something but they had to leave, thus leaving this pack and starting anew in another one. That would certainly make sense for you because some your verbal expressions don't particularly seem American."

I glanced away from him to look at the photographs of my parents. "Maybe." I answered nonchalantly and Brendon continued, "Perhaps you were given the serum as well. Because I'm pretty sure at the age of four or five, you would remember being from another pack."

At this I looked up at Brendon to see him staring at me thoughtfully. "Sydney, I don't think your parents were just any ordinary wolves with no ranking. They must have had a position of sorts if they had a formal photo with my parents. Could your father be beta?"

I shook my head, "I really don't know." I answered, my mind was confused as hell and I frowned. If my parents had to leave because of something, it must have been pretty bad, and what if the trouble had followed them all the way to the North American pack?

Could that be why they had died? My head didn't want to believe it but it may look like my parents had been murdered. Believing it was all an accident was easy. No one was to blame but if someone had taken them away from my siblings and I on purpose, I wanted justice done.

"What did you exactly see in that vision of yours?" I questioned, my heart was racing, not from anticipation but of anxiousness. What if everything I've known as a child was a lie?

"You were probably four or five and you were upset that you and your family had to leave abruptly. That vision felt quite real, as if it was actually a memory. Something that I had experienced." Brendon answered and I stopped.

If Brendon's vision was right, Sarah and I were most probably born before my parents had left the European pack.

"Sydney, don't worry, I can sense where your thoughts are going but I'll do my best to help you get your answers." He promised and pulled me into his arms and I nodded mutely.

I wasn't thinking about Brendon's promise, the only thoughts running through my mind what if they had been murdered?

Being nestled into Brendon Kingston's arms made me feel safe but looking at the bullet wound on his chest, it just proved to me once more that Brendon wasn't invincible.

He was still capable of dying and that gunshot proved it. At that thought, my mind wandered over to Kelsey, how she had died and for a slight moment, I felt sorry for her. I knew she didn't want to hurt me, but her mother's life was on the line.

But what she had said just before she died made my brain scramble for an answer. "Do you know someone by the name of Preston? K. Preston?"

At my words Brendon turned to me, his eyes flashed and his hands grabbed me. "Sydney, quick, why do you say that?" He demanded, his tone was low and urgent.

"Kelsey said that right before she died. She said that that's the one who made her attack me." I said quickly and in just a few seconds, Brendon got off the bed and pulled on a pair of jeans before disappearing out of the room.

I was left on the bed, staring at the door where he had gone. Quickly springing into action, I quickly dressed myself before running out of the room. If what I had said caused such a reaction, Brendon most probably knew who K. Preston was.

Leaving the house, I was met with total chaos. Men in guard uniforms were running here and there with some giving orders. All the men in guard uniforms were armed and I frowned a little confused. It wasn't until I spotted Rhett that he came up towards me and frowned.

"Where are your guards?" He questioned and I frowned. "Guards?"

"Yes. Owen and Sam. They have been guarding you for quite a while now. Where are they?" He questioned and I frowned. "Rhett, whats going on? Have you seen Brendon?" I asked worriedly.

"What we're doing now is to find Kyle. Kyle Preston. He's behind everything, according to Brendon." Rhett answered and started giving orders to two men who arrived behind me who were most probably my guards.

Meanwhile, my mind was still stuck on the words he had said. Kyle Preston. It made sense to a certain extent. Ever since day one, it was clear that he didn't like me. In fact, he probably resented me and I had no idea why.

It would make sense to get rid of me, but why? To be Alpha? It did make sense, before I completed the Blood Exchange, Brendon was only linked to me. And if I died, Brendon would die too. It would make sense to get rid of me first, after all, I was obviously the weaker link compared to Brendon.

"Luna, please come with us, we are to take you to Alpha Kingston." One of my guards, I think Owen asked and gestured for me to go and I nodded before following after him.

We entered the pack house to see guards positioned everywhere. Entering, a room, I stopped to see Brendon pacing menacingly around the room with the man in question.

Kyle was seated onto a wooden chair. His limbs were bound to the chair and even though bruised and bloodied, he had a knowing arrogant smirk on his face.

"Is that all you got?" He demanded with a cynical twist to his lips. With another roar, Brendon snapped and turned to throw a powerful punch into Kyle's gut.

I watched in horror as Kyle let out a cry of pain before coughing up blood. His pain filled cry turned to a dark bitter laugh as if he was enjoying the beating that Brendon was giving him.

Somehow, I must have let out a gasp of shock because Brendon turned towards me, his eyes were wide with surprise before frowning, "Sydney, what are you doing here?"

My gaze couldn't seem to leave Kyle and I answered, "You said to bring me here to you." At my response, Brendon's gaze grew hard as he snarled at my guards. "I told you to bring her here to the pack house to be safe, not here in this fucking room!"

I shook my head, "It's not their fault." I stepped in front of my guards and immediately Brendon's gaze softened as he looked at me. "Sydney, please leave, you don't want to see anything like this." His tone gentled and his eyes were now a stormy grey.

I opened my mouth to reply when Kyle spoke up, "She leaves, I won't give you answers."

Brendon threw a murderous glare at Kyle, "You will be giving me answers whether you like it or not!" He roars forcefully and Kyle shook his head before giving me a smug grin.

"No I won't." He mocked and I knew Brendon was going to lose it and I quickly stepped forward. "I'll stay." Brendon threw me a glare and I shot him a frown before repeating myself. "I'll stay."

With a resigned sigh, Brendon gave in and I started, "Why are you trying to get rid of me? So that when I die, Brendon would die too and you could be Alpha?"

Kyle shrugged and his eyes were bright with amusement. "Yes. You're quite smart. I'll give you that."

"So why did you use Kelsey? I mean she's innocent in all of this." I asked once again and Kyle shrugged. "She's an easy target. She was one of Brendon's sluts. It would make sense for her to come after you. She'll play the jealous ex-girlfriend and all."

"But unfortunately, I picked the wrong slut. She wasn't the sort to become jealous over guys but by then it was too late, I revealed my plans and I had to force her to go through with it. She was pretty difficult even after a few beating and violations because she still wouldn't give in. That was until I threatened to kill her mother."

I inhaled sharply, Kyle had raped Kelsey multiple times? Oh god, my stomach felt sick and I could feel a few tears well up in my eyes. How could Kelsey have survived it all? I felt like throwing up and I stared at Kyle in disgust as bile threatened to rise up my throat.

"You're a monster." I breathed out horrified and Kyle let out a dark bitter laugh.

He shrugged, "I may be one. But so is your mate. We're pretty alike. We both thrive on giving pain and leaving destruction. Just look at him. Look at him and tell me the truth. Can you honestly say he isn't enjoying torturing me?"

I looked up to see Brendon avoiding my gaze and I looked down to the ground. "You can't tell me that can you?"

"Just look at him. We both love it. Causing pain is in our blood. After all, we're family." Kyle continued mockingly, clearly enjoying the fact the little scene in front of him as I tried to look at Brendon who was avoiding my gaze.

"I mean back when he hit you in the past, he must have enjoyed it deep down. I'm sure he won't admit it but I know he liked it." Kyle added as I stared up at Brendon, wishing he would say something. My heart was racing and my palms felt clammy.

"ENOUGH!" Brendon roared and slammed his hands on the table before reaching out and grabbed Kyle's neck.

"Tell me! Is there anymore tricks up your sleeves before I kill you? After all you planned everything!" Brendon demanded dangerously, his grip on Kyle's neck

Kyle smirked before saying arrogantly as though he didn't have a care in the world. Blood was dripping from his nose and his mouth, bruises littered parts of his face but still he didn't seem to notice them.

"Who said I was behind everything?" He finished before giving up a cynical grin before bursting into maniacal dark laughter.

At his words, my heart sank and I looked up to see Brendon with a furious expression on his face before looking down at me. His gaze softened before he turned away and threw one more punch to Kyle which left him unconscious.

***

I entered the house and into the kitchen before pulling out a pint of peppermint ice-cream and started spooning it into my mouth.

As I took a first mouth, Brendon entered and he watched me cautiously. "Sydney." He started and I looked up at him before replying, "Yeah?"

"What Kyle said, they were all lies. I never enjoyed hurting you. Each time I did, I was already thinking of ways to make it up to you. Please believe me." He said softly, his grey eyes were serious and pleaded with me.

I nodded my head. "I believe you. It's just I couldn't help but think there were some truths to what he was saying."

Upon earn my words, Brendon looked away from me. "I enjoy giving out justice." He answered, his voice was tense and rigid and his body posture was stiff. I sighed, not wanting to get into the same argument again about how vengeance was not justice.

"Alright." I answered and spooned another mouthful of ice-cream into my mouth. "Sydney. Something is bothering you. I can see it and feel it." His voice coaxed and I sighed.

"I'm just worried about Kyle, about his plans, about the one who is actually behind all of this. Just everything I guess." I answered worriedly before placing my spoon and my ice-cream onto the table.

Brendon wordlessly took me into his arms and I shut my eyes and leaned into his embrace and enjoyed the comfort and security he was giving.

"Everything will be fine. I promise you that. We have Kyle and he's a show-off. Eventually, he would say who's in charge and everything will be over." Brendon assured me as he rubbed soothing circles on my back.

I nodded and looked up at him. "Okay." Brendon looked down at me and laced our fingers together. "Whatever happens, we'll get through it together." He says gently and I leaned against his chest before shutting my eyes.

Despite all of Brendon's assurances, I was still worried. With whatever was coming up, along with my parent's secret, I couldn't help but feel that they were connected.

I blew out a breath and I guessed that Brendon roughly knew what I was thinking as he pressed a loving kiss on my forehead. A small smile appeared on my face at that before I strengthened my resolve.

Like what Brendon said, we'll get through everything together. I thought determinedly and tightened my hold  on his hand.

***

A/N:Hey guys! Here is your update! I hope that you liked it and please vote and comment. Pretty please? AHAHA. I really like that all of you are guessing at what's going to happen next and it's kinda cool that some of your guesses are accurate! AHAH Anyway, please let me know your thoughts on this?

And if you didn't know that That One Kiss has been updated, it is! Check it out! And please show some love for it too hahaha. Thanks so much for reading and do vote and comment! I love all of you! <3 <3 <3