Tasting 345

345–Everyone Wants Nora

Nash:

I had been restless ever since I returned home. It had been a week, and Nora hadn’t answered any

of my calls—or anyone else’s, for that matter. It was as if she had truly moved on.

“I can’t believe this,” I muttered, clenching my fists on the table as I watched everyone gather for

dinner. But, in truth, we were planning to have a serious talk about her.

“I’m guessing you haven’t been able to connect with her either,” Dad sighed, rubbing his face in his

hands.

“Any news of Nora?” Silas turned to Ryker and Cain, who both stared at the table, offering nothing

but silence. They shook their heads, confirming they hadn’t heard from her either.

“I’m sure she’s angry,” I recalled the way she had been talking to Brody the last time I called. Even

though she sounded content with her new life, not even thinking about us, I couldn’t shake the

feeling that something was off. It sounded like an act, and if it wasn’t, I will make it one.

“Of course, she’s not going to contact us. Do you remember how we kicked her out?” Silas groaned,

making me lower my head, guilt creeping

1. in.

“But we didn’t have a choice. I could never have let her stay here with you guys running around like

crazed predators in the mansion,” Dad growled, glancing around the room, his eyes landing on the

claw marks that scarred the walls.

11:19

315–Everyone Wants Mora

11

We had to buy new furniture and renovate the mansion—just like we do every time this happens.

“And she was terrified of Ryker. Can you imagine how many times she must have panicked in those

months?” Dad continued, and Ryker nodded. solemnly.

“She’s so fragile. It could have been deadly for her,” Ryker’s words made me shift uncomfortably in

my seat. I couldn’t stop thinking about what he had said after his arrest when he confessed to killing

Mia. The way he had spoken about Nora had left us speechless.

Ryker is my brother, someone I’ve always loved, but hearing him say those things unnerved me.

“I think we should surprise her,” I suggested, noticing how Cain had been. silently staring down.

“Cain! What do you think?” I asked, snapping him out of his deep. thoughts.

“Did she really speak to Brody like that?” he asked, clearly still fixated on the conversation I had with

Brody and how Nora had dismissed me.

“She did,” I replied honestly. But the truth was, we had no right to question her about her

relationship with Brody anymore.

Still, I knew my reaction would be explosive if I saw them together. I might not be able to control

myself.

“I’ll end Brody,” Cain finally spoke, shocking all of us. We had all thought about it at some point, but

he was the first to say it out loud.

“If she’s happy with him, we should be happy for her. The thing is, I want her back. She’s too young

to be living on her own with her mate. She needs to finish her studies and all the other stuff that she

had dreamed

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11.19

345–Everyone Wants Mor

of,” Dad groaned, regret seeping into his voice as he threw his hands up in frustration, knowing it

was nearly impossible.

I rolled my eyes at my father’s words. There was no way I would let her be with Brody.

“Why? Why should she be happy with him?” Ryker shamelessly spoke about Nora in front of all of

us, showing no hesitation.

He had the audacity to not even hide his feelings.

“You think she’d be better off with you?” Dad raised an eyebrow.

“Yes!” Ryker declared confidently. “I told you, she’s not even your stepdaughter anymore. Why

should I hold back?” His voice nearly rose, but Silas placed a hand on his shoulder, urging him to

calm down.

“Ryker, don’t say that again. It makes me think about the rumors,” Dad said, lowering his gaze

before adding, “If those rumors are true, I’m disappointed in all of you. Nora is naive and innocent,

and you were supposed to protect her, not just–”

Before Dad could finish, Cain slammed his hand on the table, cutting him off.

I knew they had all been intimate with her. I had been too, but she was my mate. And now my

brother was openly talking about her like this in front of me.

“I don’t want to hear anything that doesn’t contribute to finding ways to fix things with her and heal

her heart,” Cain finished, his tone firm and unwavering.

“So what do you suggest?” Dad looked at us. We had all talked about it and knew exactly what we

wanted.

“She’s not happy there She’s staying there out of spite because we’ve let her down. The thing is. I’m

not going to rest until I bring her back.” I said determinedly 1 knew it was all a lie that she had

happily married Brody after the council’s court acceptance