Page 16 of Luna Cursed

Ciara's chest ached. "I know, I'm just… What if I turn and I'm no longer me? What if I lose who I am and can't control it? What if I accidentally hurt people?"

What if I become like the monsters we've spent our lives hunting?She didn't need to say it. Lachie knew.

"You won't, Ciara. If anything, it will make you an extra strong badass. If you turn, and for whatever reason, you do lose yourself, I'll… I'll go through with it. I'll put you down," Lachie replied, his voice cracking.

"You promise?"

"Yeah, I promise. Just don't expect me to do it under any other circumstances. You're still going to be my sister." Lachie sighed. "Fuck, I need a drink now."

"Sorry to dump it on you. No one else will do it for me. No one will understand," she said, tucking her knees up to her chest.

"I know, but it's a last resort thing, okay? Don't start acting like you're terminal. Not unless it's going to lighten you up a bit and make you live for more than hunting. Actually, I changed my mind. Pretend like you're terminal. Go get drunk and fuck some hot people. Blow off some steam," Lachie suggested, making her laugh.

"Yeah, because meaningless hookups is how I blow off steam."

"You could try it and see what you think."

Ciarahadtried it. When she did feel the urge for company, she always picked up a stranger and left straight afterward. It was better not to get familiar or too attached. It never bothered Lachie, but it always left her feeling even emptier later.

"I'll be fine as soon as my blade is sawing through Varg's neck," Ciara replied.

Lachlan laughed. "Yeah, that sounds more like you. Be careful, okay? Don't take on any more crazy wolves unless you have Tor with you."

"He is a crazy wolf, too," Ciara pointed out.

"Crazy hot. Maybe you should—"

"Nope. Good night, Lachlan," she said quickly.

"Think about it, is all I'm saying. Tor is fucking hot," Lachie replied.

"Yeah, he is, and that's just another good reason not to go there."

"Whatever. Keep me updated on the hunt. Don't do anything dumb and get yourself hurt."

"I promise. Be good and stop harassing Apollo. He's a grown-ass man and can make his own decisions," she replied.

"Yeah, not going to happen until he learns to make good ones," Lachlan said, stubborn as ever. "Text me tomorrow so I know you're okay."

"I will. Night, little brother. Love you."

"Love you too. Be safe." He hung up, and Ciara felt a little lighter just from talking to him. If Varg wasn't really out to kill her, she would have asked Lachie to join her. Varg had wanted her dead since Svartalfheim, and the face full of wolfsbane would have made him even more eager for revenge. No, it was better that Lachie was far away from her entire mess.

Ciara's chest hummed and a door shut outside her room. She knew Bayn and Freya had already gone to bed, so she tip-toed out in her pajamas to see what was happening.

Tor was pulling the couch apart and making a bed on the floor.

"I thought you were gone," she said, sounding dumb. She tried again. "I mean, I thought you were staying at your own apartment tonight."

Tor's eyes glowed in the low light, and a thrill went through her. "It's funny you think that I would be able to sleep without you near."

Ciara rubbed at her chest absently. "You felt that too? I thought it might have just been me."

"Yeah, I can feel it," Tor replied irritably, tossing a pillow onto his makeshift bed.

"I'm sorry," she said.

Tor looked over at her. "Don't be. It saved your life."

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