Page 35 of Luna Cursed

"They'll listen to Tor, don't worry. Alruna and Arne will be there to back him."

"But elves can't meddle in wolf affairs," Ciara replied, thinking back on Tor's story.

"Varg is everyone's affair. Until he is stopped, an early Ragnarök is still a possibility. No one wants that," Layla argued. She got up to get them all fresh beers, and Lachie leaned his head on Ciara's shoulder.

"I'm happy you and Tor are finally recognizing there's something there," he said softly. "He gets you, Ciara. He sees past all your grumpy bullshit. You'd never have to hide who you are from him."

"Yeah, I know. I can't think of it and deal with Varg and maybe turning into a wolf as well. It's too much for my brain," Ciara replied. She rested her cheek against his hair. "It scares me a bit."

"I know, but it's okay for you to give a shit about a man that's not me. You've taken such good care of me over the years, sis. It's time you let someone take care ofyou," Lachie replied.

Ciara's chest ached. "I don't think I know how."

"You'll figure it out. You wouldn't be working with him, and you certainly wouldn't have slept with him if he didn't make you feel safe."

"A wolf making me feel safe. Who would've thought?" Ciara said.

Layla came back and passed them their beers. "Tor isn't just any wolf. He's special, just like you. Honestly, if you do turn into a wolf, it would give you a good excuse to get all weird about the forest and sleeping under the stars."

"Are you saying I'm weird now because I can appreciate how fascinating a forest ecosystem is?"

"Yes," they both answered.

"This is from the woman obsessed with fake elves and a guy with a framedHighlanderposter in his room."

"We are all weird in our unique ways, and I don't see any need to change it," Lachie replied. "Anyway, we were talking about you and Tor."

"Nothing more to tell. I want to know if you have apologized to Apollo yet," Ciara said, wanting the subject far away from her.

"I have nothing to apologize for."

Layla looked at them both confused, so Ciara added, "Lachie cock blocked him, which is why Apollo was pissed at your party."

"And why would you feel the need to cock block him?" Layla asked innocently.

Lachie scowled. "It's not what you think. I was trying to protect him because none of his brothers give a shit."

"Maybe because they are all grown-ups. If it was Valentine in the same position, would you have cock blocked him?" Layla asked.

"Val is the scariest motherfucker in Ireland! He doesn't need protection. He needs a leash. Apollo is too nice, and people will use him," Lachie huffed and crossed his arms. "Someone needs to make sure he doesn't become a statistic."

"How noble of you to take up the cause," Layla snickered.

Ciara looked at the door to the apartment. "Any idea when they are coming back?"

Layla shook her head "Nope. You might as well get some sleep while you can. Big day tomorrow."

"Yeah, good idea." Ciara hugged them both before retreating to one of the guest rooms. She tried not to prod at the bond to see if Tor was okay. He was with Arne; he was totally fine. Ciara flopped face down on the bed and let the day finally catch up with her.

* * *

Hours later, Ciara was still staring at the wall in the guest room, unable to sleep but too tired to be awake. She always had problems sleeping after torturing someone, which she thought proved that she was still human enough to not enjoy it.

That night felt different. It wasn't guilt keeping her awake but a sickening feeling of how close she and Tor had been to dying. It was the bruised feeling in her heart every time she thought about how rough his childhood had been and how they needed Linnea back as soon as possible.

She got up and paced the room before running her hands through her snarled hair and cursing.

You need a drink of water, and you'll be fine,she told herself and tiptoed out of the guest room.

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