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Nora:

“I’m really looking forward to this ball. I hope we can hang out more and really build a good

relationship,” Brody beamed as he drove me home.

It was unsettling, or even strange, how my energy had dropped again. But I hadn’t felt this drained

while shopping with Silas. I enjoyed his attention.

Oh goddess! Am I really so shallow?

Why the heck was I so excited to be around my Stepbrothers?

Do I have a kink for forbidden romance or what?

“So, what do you think?” Brody asked again, but I hadn’t heard a word. However, he did shake me

awake to reality and I slightly turned to acknowledge him.

“Come on, Nora! What’s going on?” He slowed down to check on me.

“Nothing. I just miss my mother,” I muttered.

I noticed a slight shift in his body language, but I couldn’t tell what it

meant.

“By the way, I was thinking we could visit my pack after the ball,” he repeated, avoiding the topic of

my mother.

I couldn’t help but remember how he acted with Natalya, lying about

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her wolf. Could he feel awkward about my mother, given she was accused of seducing Lord

Atwood?

“I’m not sure. I’ll have to ask Lord Atwood,” I mumbled, turning my head to look out the window.

“Don’t worry about that. I’ve already spoken to him and he liked the idea,” Brody said, causing me to

close my eyes before turning to him. and forcing a smile.

“Great. I’ll be excited to see your pack,” I faked enthusiasm, but he believed it. Leaving the mansion

to go stay in his pack for a day or two will be hard on my wolf.

The unavailability of chances to transition were coped with the scent of my mates most of the time.

So staying away from them would be hard and painful.

The whole time, he was happily chatting with me while I was feeling low in energy. What was wrong

with me?

Any girl would love to be in my position, pursued by a handsome alpha like Brody. So what was my

problem?

Or maybe who was my problem? I just didn’t get why the Moon. Goddess mated me to these two

brothers and then made them so strong that they didn’t even feel the pain of staying away from their

mate.

We pulled up at home, and Lord Atwood was standing at the entrance with Ryker, who was leaning

over the car hood, a map spread out on it. They seemed deep in conversation until they spotted

Brody’s car.

“I’ll go say hi,” Brody said, getting out of the car and leading me towards Lord Atwood, who greeted

us with a smile as he watched Brody, the alpha, with me.

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“Where did you catch him?” Lord Atwood asked playfully.

I laughed in response, though it was more forced. Ryker bent further over the map, one arm resting

on it, his body turned towards us, studying us.

“Why don’t you stay for lunch?” Lord Atwood offered Brody, who nodded and accepted.

As I watched Ryker, something stirred inside me. I wanted revenge on him and Cain. I wanted to

settle scores with everyone who had hurt

1. me.

“Come on, you can wait in my room until then.” I moved closer, wrapping my arm around Brody’s

and giggling.

Ryker immediately looked down, focusing on his map again, marking it with pointers while his father

stood beside him.

Walking away arm in arm with Brody, I felt a strange satisfaction when Ryker looked away. It might

have meant nothing, but I wanted to believe he was a little jealous. Or maybe I was imagining

things?

We headed straight to my bedroom, and now I was lost. I didn’t know

what to do.

Brody was sweet and eager to build our relationship, but I was still haunted by my past.

I was also anxious about the lingering mate bond. Would they never accept me? I needed to move

on and find happiness soon. If my human self is content, when I twist my ring again, Akira won’t go

completely crazy on me. She’ll be somewhat calmed down.

“Come, sit here,” I said, settling on the bed and patting the space beside me.

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Brody rose and sat next to me. I grabbed the remote and turned on the TV, browsing for a movie to

watch. It seemed like a good way to spend the afternoon without worrying about starting a

conversation.

“Maybe we should talk,” Brody suddenly took the remote, lowering my hand to prevent me from

starting a movie.

“About what?” My heart raced at how serious he looked.

“About us, Nora.” He turned me to face him. “I know you agreed to date me to clear your name. But

remember when I said we should genuinely give this a try? I’m not feeling it. It seems like you’re not

even making an effort to get to know me.” The sadness in his eyes weighed heavily on me, leaving

me speechless and filled with guilt.

“Are you embarrassed by me because I’m not your fated mate? Have you only ever wanted to be

with your fated mate?” His question brought back memories of when I asked Ryker the same thing

and his disappointing response.

“No! Absolutely not, Brody,” I insisted.

“Then what is it? The spark I once saw in your eyes for me is completely gone,” he reminded me of

when we first met. Back then, I did feel something for him, albeit small.

But he was mistaken to think it had vanished entirely. Perhaps the whole ordeal with Ryker and

Cain had left me feeling lifeless. Yet, I still found Brody very attractive. After thinking it over, I

decided to leave my past behind and find happiness in the present.

Brody was kind and my boyfriend. Maybe all we needed was to spice. things up a bit.

“The rumors have gotten me down a bit. But you’re right. I’m willing to

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give this a try,” I said, and a smile spread across his face. Leaning in, I

surprised him as our lips met.