Chapter 67
Chapter 66 Breathing Only Sterling +25 Points I slunk home after being given the cold shoulder. No, that wasn’t a cold shoulder; that was a smackdown with an ice boulder. I had been a paranoid mess since leaving Lucien’s unit after the spaghetti fiasco. For two straight days afterward, I lived in silence within my own home, expecting a knock to come and four burly construction men to force their way back in, but my door remained untouched by visitors. I finally exhaled, the tension draining from my shoulders. Living next to Lucien was not as relaxing as one might expect since we were in separate units. I was always waiting for him to strike out now. Sometimes, whenever I would linger on the balcony, my eyes would betray me, always drifting back towards that massive tub next door. But it sat empty, no Lucien in sight. Just to ensure I wasn’t tempting fate and triggering the demon next door, I decided to play nice and give the outdoor bather some privacy. I installed an elegant sheer curtain along the balcony’s edge. The fabric danced in the breeze, beautifying the space while strategically blocking his side. But this little drama matter between us the other night was soon forgotten as I threw myself into work. Three years under Liam’s thumb had shackled me to a mould he wanted for his mate. A mate with no job and no role in the family or pack affairs. But I was never one to sit idle, and on the sly, I had taken on multiple gigs. Beyond freelancing for Moonves and translating for a top studio, I had launched my own brand, Seere, three years ago. Seere was a reversal of my surname, but it is also symbolic. Seere was a demon from hell. I foresee hell on earth for those who stole what was mine when I rose up. My father kept his lifetime business widsom in a leather-bound journal. It still gathered dust in the hidden nook of my mother’s former room at the Crown of Thornes packhouse. No matter what, I needed to get back into that house, reclaim what was mine, and bring back my father’s golden era. Once reclaimed, no one would step over me again. The thought steeled my resolve. Drawing a deep breath, I dialled Moonves Furniture’s CEO, Merlin White. “Hello, Mr. White. This is Claire Reese p> A familiar, enthusiastic voice crackled through the receiver. “Ms. Reese! I am so glad you called! I was hoping you would. Have you decided on the position? I’ve been waiting for your answer p> “You can count me in starting Monday p> 1/4 < Chapter 66 Breathing Only Sterling +25 Points Languidly sprawled across the ice-cold Italian leather sofa, I stared at the surveillance footage playing on the opposite screen, Claire hauling grocery bags alone into Pinecrest Villas. The investigation revealed that she’d secretly purchased the luxury apartment after rejecting me. She’d used the money my own mother bribed her with to leave me. No wonder our home had been methodically emptied month by month. She’d planned her exit down to the last detail, even securing a property. The revelation struck like a sucker punch. Since when did she start making life-changing decisions without consulting me first? “Alpha, you should know that Alpha Lucien Thorne also owns property there, too. Our team spotted his car entering the complex.” Soren reported. “Lucien?” A dull throbbing began behind my eyes, “Already p> We’d barely finalized the rejection ritual, and yet that shadow was dogging her steps again. What game was Lucien playing? The mental image of Claire simpering for Lucien’s attention the whole flight back to Edmonton ignited something feral in my gut. I knew this wasn’t a coincidence; no, Lucien was up to something. “Soren,” I snarled, my voice leaving no room for debate. “Secure a property in Pinecrest Villas. Now p> My order halted Soren in his tracks. “Right away, Alpha. Any preferences for layout, floor, or view? I’ll start screening immediately p> “Preferences?” I scoffed, my gaze locked onto the screen displaying Claire’s unit. “Just one-it must be directly above hers. No exceptions p> “Directly above her, Alpha?” My Gamma’s eyebrows shot up before his professional mask slid back into place. “Understood. I’ll ensure we acquire that exact unit, though such specific placements may require p> “Spare no expense. I don’t care what the current owners’ demands are, pay it!” My voice crackled with impatience. “I need those keys ASAP p> “Consider it done p> As Soren bolted out of my office, I slumped against the sofa, my breathing uneven. So Lucien thought he could hover around her? We’ll see how far he can take this game he’s playing when he realizes I will always be closer. I’d be damned if I let Claire fall into that beast’s claws. Above her unit would be perfect. I will always be able to see her coming and going, but better yet, I will be able to keep an eye on Claire’s interactions with that monster. 2/4 < Chapter 66 Breathing Only Sterling The air Claire breathed would only ever carry one name-Sterling. $25 Points My phone blared. I glanced at the screen, my frown deepening. Just what I need for the growing headache – a bigger one. “What is it now, Mother?” I didn’t bother to pretend I was enthused to have her calling me. I was still annoyed with what I saw in those videos. Additionally, if it weren’t for her, Claire wouldn’t have had the money and resources to leave me. It’s all her fault! “Liam Sterling! You can’t just dump Breanne at the hospital and vanish! She’s hysterical, demanding to see you. Get here before she does something drastic p> “I’ve been buried in paperwork, working on trying to mend these weakening alliances, Mother! Fine, I’m coming.” I gritted my teeth, yanking my tie loose. Minutes later, I strode into the hospital room clutching Breanne’s favourite takeout meal. Breanne hunched into herself in the narrow bed, the stark white bandage on her forehead glaring against her ashen face. At the sound of the door swinging open, Breanne lifted her gaze. Her lips quivered as wide, shimmering eyes welled up with tears, the very picture of heartbreaking vulnerability. A reluctant twinge of sympathy tugged at my chest. Unwrapping the crispy fried chicken I had brought, I held it out, my voice flat. “Waited in line just for this. Eat something. Mother called and said you’ve been refusing meals. You can’t keep this up p> “I know you blame me, Liam, but… you’ve got it all wrong.” Breanne bit her teeth into her bottom lip, her voice trembling. “Enough, Breanne. I have no interest in continuing to hash this out with you. I know the videos were real; I had them tested. That’s history now p> Ducking her face, Breanne unleashed her well-practiced excuses. “Liam, it wasn’t my fault that Claire miscarried! She startled her own horse that day and fell. And I checked with the doctors-her body rejects pregnancies. Even if she’d kept it, she would’ve lost the baby eventually. I was only lying to get a rise out of her. I don’t know any witches, I swear p> A heavy silence followed, I am hearing what Breanne is saying, and she always makes a great deal of sense when she speaks. However, I then remember what I heard her say in those videos, and I recall how Breanne encouraged me to punish Claire for reacting to those moments. I didn’t understand, but I see how Breanne manipulated the moment. When I finally spoke, my voice was rough, laced with barely contained anguish. “Breanne, you made our dead pup into some cursed totem? You then gave the creepy doll to Claire during 3/4 +25 Points a big, dramatic performance at her birthday celebration. That’s twisted, Breanne. Why would you do that? I get you may not like Claire, but that was my pup, too p> That unborn pup didn’t just shatter Claire. It left me gutted within, too. Could I possibly forgive that? Lucia Morh Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.