Chapter 6 Budding Feelings
*FIONA/CIARA
I sat on the couch, my head buried in my palms as I thought of how everything had been spiraling out of control for the last two days.
From realising I now miraculously had a wolf, to being taught all over again how to control my wolf by that hot Greek god whose naked figure wouldn’t stop plaguing my mind.
Then, I drifted again, to earlier today when he was helping me control my shift.
“You really need to get hold of this before the next full moon so you don't go rogue destroying the castle.”
He stood hands akimbo, facing me with that cute pout that Richard gave every morning when he woke. He certainly got it from his father.
“I’m trying my best, okay?”
“Are you?”
I didn't know what else to say, I should have muscle memory or whatever it's called and right now, saying I lost my memory and my wolf not being able to remember what I’d done before sure seems like a stretch.
Lucien walked up to me in frustration and pulled me against his hard chest.
My breath seized. My nostrils were filled with his scent, thick and alluring. In that moment, everything stopped and all I could feel was him and his hardness.
Faintly, I heard him call. “Ciara?”
But I didn't answer, in fact, I couldn't, I was far gone, leaning into him and listening to his soft heartbeat.
“CIARA!!!” He yelled and this time, I snapped out of my daylight reverie.
“Uh?” I managed to answer, staring like a dumb wet puppy.
“Oh! Fuck it!” he pushed me away so suddenly.
I turned to face him, just in time to see him run his hands through his hair. At that moment, he looked like a model descended from heaven itself.
“We’ll continue this some other time.”
He walked away looking pissed at something or rather, someone–me.
Then, a knock came from the door, bringing me back to the present.
I smiled like a fool as I went to get the door.
“Hey sis,” she jumped at me as soon as the door opened. “Looks like someone is happy.” she giggled like the fool she is.
My chest tightened as I heard her voice. A sudden wave of fear flushed through me.
At that moment, I wanted to slam my fist into her face or do anything that would gravely hurt her, but I couldn't. Instead, I forced a grin and wrapped my arms around her. I had to stay focused.
“It's so good to see you too.” I tried to sound equally excited.
“You're squeezing way too hard,” she complained as she struggled to get out of my grip.
I didn't let go. I couldn't. I kept tightening my arms around her, as the thoughts of her betrayal kept flashing in my head.
Then—
“Sis!”
I suddenly jerked back into reality.
“Oh… I'm sorry,” I mumbled as I slowly let go of her.
She took a few steps backwards, eyes carefully staring at me. “Sis, is something wrong?”
“No,” I lied, forcing a small grin. “I'm just not feeling too well.”
Her eyes lingered on me as she rubbed her arms, fear leaking out.
“Why not just come in,” I muttered, gesturing towards the door. “You said you were going to help me remember.”
Even though I hated the bitch, I realized I had to play it safe to know the strengths and weaknesses of my friends and foes, so I could exact the revenge the moon goddess gave me a second chance at.
“Sure,” she said, as a small grin formed at the corner of her lips. “That's what I came here for.”
My heart kept slamming hard against my ribs as I walked ahead, her footsteps echoing loudly in my head. Finally, I was at my seat. I sat and gestured for her to sit on the chair adjacent to me.
As soon as she sat down, she threw me a question instantly. “Ciara, you didn't really lose your memory, did you?”
I chuckled softly. “I did… I remember nothing literally.”
Her brows furrowed and her expression dropped slightly. “I seriously thought you just said that to make Dad get off your neck?”
I didn't say a word. I just exhaled heavily, leaning my head against the couch.
“Sis,” Shania said, as she reached for my hands. “Everything will be fine.”
For a moment there, I saw my friend, a sister who really cared. Then, the images of her betrayal came rushing again.
“Tell me,” I finally said, after a long pause. “Who ordered Fiona's death?”
“You don't really want to talk about that here, do you?,” Shania responded in a low tone, looking around uncomfortably.
“Sure, presently here alone, Lucien took the pups out.”
She sighed in relief and moved closer, covering the small distance between us.
“Father ordered it.” she finally answered in a low tone, then continued, “But he did it based on your request.”
“I requested a young wolfless orphan's death?” I echoed after her, brushing a finger against my nose. “Why?”
“Well the bitch was a threat to you,” she responded sharply. “You told Dad that you wanted her home, because you found out that she's the reason why Lucien has refused to mark you.”
My chest tightened as she said those words. Then my mind went back to the conversation I had with Lucien a few hours ago. The girl Lucien was referring to was in fact, me.
I swallowed hard, breath shuddering. “You know what, that's enough catching up for today.”
I was about to stand up and go far away from Shania when suddenly, it occurred to me that I hadn't asked the question I wanted to ask most.
“About Bale,” I muttered, eyes locked on Shania. “Wasn't he Fiona's fiancé?”
Her expression faltered. “How'd you know that? Thought you said you don't remember anything.”
I shuddered slightly, but I'm sure she noticed. “I don't know… it just popped into my head. Maybe my memory is already returning.”
“But I never told you about this,” she responded, her eyes lingering on me suspiciously.
I bit my lips, regretting instantly that I hadn't planned well before I asked the question. “I'm a queen, remember? I have access to a lot of information. I got access to the information when I researched Fiona.”
Silence stretched heavily between us, broken only by the sound of our breathing.
“I guess you don't want to talk about it,” I said finally, trying to lighten the air. “That's fine.”
Shania inhaled slowly, then she dropped her head. “Bale never loved Fiona. What happened between the two of them only happened because we made a bet on it.”
My brows furrowed. “A bet?”
“Yes,” she said. “Bale and I dated for a long time, but we kept fighting. So I told him that if he wanted me to take him seriously, he should go date someone else for a while… and even propose to her. If she accepts, I'll marry him.”
My jaws clenched. “And that person had to be your best friend?”
“That was his choice,” she stated, nonchalantly. “Besides, it was her fault she couldn't see despite how clear it was that Bale didn't really love her.”
That was the height of it for me. I had already clenched my fists, preparing to ram into her as hard as I could when suddenly, her phone buzzed.
She glanced at it and a smile spread through her eyes. “Umm… sis, I have to go now.”
“Okay,” a small grin spread across my face. “Thanks for coming.”
She turned to leave when suddenly an idea popped into my head. “Shania?” I called and she froze.
“You know, you don't deserve to be living outside of this grandeur,” I gestured to the whole castle.
“What do you say, why not come to the castle after your wedding for your honeymoon? I mean what better way to enjoy being newly married than having tons of maids at your service?”
Her eyes lit up and even before she spoke, I knew she was going to agree.
“Of course, I mean, it would mean a lot to us. Thank you, really.”
With that, she turned to leave.
I watched as she made her way out. And as soon as the door clicked shut, I leaned backwards, head resting on the couch as I exhaled slowly.
Then—
A voice suddenly echoed loudly in my head. “Shania, please don't go!”
I jerked around instantly, but there was no one there.
“What the fuck is going on with me?”
“Who are you talking to, mum?” Richard's tiny voice came from behind me.
I swerved towards him, forcing a smile. “Nothing… mummy's just talking to herself.”
He didn't think much about it. “I just finished studying, Mom. I'd like to play with my toys now.”
“Sure, why not?” I responded, patting his head. “Go ahead.”
“Thank you, mummy.”
Just as he left, I dropped my head. The voice came again—
“Richard!”
I jerked again, turning around to figure out where the voice was from, but nothing.
Had I been imagining it?
