Page 11 of Luna Cursed

Layla's expression softened. "It wouldn't matter, Ciara. No one would care but you. You're the one with feelings about wolves. Totally justified feelings. It won't change how any of us look at you."

"You don't think Kenna would try and shoot me?" That wasn't even mentioning Lachie. How was he going to react?

Layla shook her head. "Her son-in-law is the actual Night Prince. The family enemy. If Mom can accept Kill, she can accept anyone. You were bit when fighting for your life. I won't say it's not your fault because you were dumb enough to scout Varg on your own."

"I'm never going to live that down, am I?" Ciara complained, flopping back into the cushions. "It's not like Imogen hasn't done a million dumb things like hunt on her own."

"And I busted her ass about it too. You're usually the smart one, the responsible one! What triggered this insanity?"

"I didn't want him to lose her, okay?" Ciara snapped.

Layla frowned, and her eyes darted to Tor outside. "You were awake in Svartalfheim."

"Yes. I was. He helped us get Arne back. I felt like I owed him to look into his sister's disappearance. All I could think about was, what if it was Lachie and no one helped or believed me? I would lose my fucking mind," Ciara tried to explain. She ran her hands through her hair. "I was going to investigate more as soon as the current hunt was over. It was just my luck that they were connected."

"Oh, Ciara." Layla put an arm around her shoulders. "You have poor Tor thinking that you hate him."

Ciara wasn't sure how true that was. Her body told him secrets she never would. "Probably better that he does think that. He'll remove the bond after the full moon, and he won't have to be worried about being connected to the 'Wolf Slayer' anymore."

"Yeah, the Ulfheðnar aren't going to be happy about that. I'm just warning you now. He's pretending it's not a big deal, but wolves don't bond with people outside the pack, especially not an alpha as powerful as Tor. That he shared that strength with you will cause problems," Layla replied, holding Ciara closer.

"All the more reason we need to get through the next two weeks, and he can have it back," she said.

Ciara wasn't an idiot. She knew that no one would want her to be a wolf or to be connected with Tor. She was the Wolf Slayer, whether she liked it or not. No one would care that every kill she had done were monsters. Her vendetta wasn't only about them being wolves. It was about ensuring that there wasn't another little girl waking up to her parents being massacred by a supernatural serial killer.

Ciara pulled herself away from the memory before it was triggered too badly. She needed to focus, and she would wallow if she thought about her parents for too long. She didn't have the time.

"Tor was doing what he had to in order to save your life. Don't hate him for it," Layla said softly. "You both aren't as tough as you like to make out. He's my friend, and you are my family. Don't put me in a position where I have to choose between you."

"You don't have to worry. We made a truce outside. We will find and kill Varg and be back for the full moon. Just another job. I can be professional if he can be," Ciara said.

Layla laughed. "Yeah, I gave myself the same speech. Just know that backup is around if you need it. We all want another run at Varg."

Ciara looked around at the polished timber floors. "This place needs a rug, and Varg's hide might do nicely."

"Well, if it's too taboo for the wolves, I'll take it. I could use another fur rug," Layla replied with a smirk.

Ciara chewed her lip. "Any tips on dealing with this bond thing? What if I start crying non-stop like you did?"

"That was a different bond, and I was fighting it. You're not. I'm sure it's going to be fine." Layla's smile widened. "Why? Are you feeling any different?"

"Different how?"

Layla waggled her brows. "You feeling lusty after Tor?"

No more than usual.

"No," she said. Ciara risked glancing out the window where he was cooking with Arne. It really was obscene how someone could look so good in dirty jeans and a T-shirt. "He's hot and all, but I know better than to go down the lust road. As you pointed out, he's a family friend, and I won't risk it. I feel stronger physically, and the growling thing happened, but that's it."

"So far." Layla saw her horrified stare. "I'm sure that's it! It's like a warrior bond or something. It's not a mating bond where you always want to climb him like a tree. If it changes, you can talk to me, you know that, right?"

"Yeah, I know. It's going to be fine," Ciara replied. If she said it enough times, she might actually start believing it.

* * *

They ended up watching the sunset over the lake, eating grilled lamb and fresh salad, and talking about things that weren't Varg.

Layla recapped their mating party for Ciara and how there were no fights, surprisingly enough, except Apollo was pissed off at Lachie about something. That didn't surprise Ciara. Her brother could piss off even the most amiable person when he wanted to.

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