CIAN
"Oh!" That came from the depths of Isobel’s soul.
Genuine shock, not polite surprise. It was as if she couldn’t believe Fia had been treated with any respect at all. Hazel stepped in quickly, trying to soften the moment with effort that almost sounded like pleading. "What my mom meant was... may we see her?" Her voice broke, trembling in a way that suggested she had rehearsed the question a hundred times but still wasn’t ready for the answer. "Please. Just for a few minutes. I need to look my sister in the eye and know she’s truly alright."
It was a reasonable request. More than reasonable. Any Alpha with a beating heart would understand that. What kind of leader denied a sister the simple dignity of seeing her own blood?
But through the bond, Fia’s fear kept growing. Kept pulsing. It was getting stronger. More desperate. Like she was actively panicking somewhere in this house.
My wolf stirred. Uncomfortable. Confused. Protect mate, it said. Mate in danger.
But from what? Her own sister? Her mother? That didn’t make sense. Unless...
Unless Fia had been telling the truth.
The thought came unbidden. Unwanted. I’d dismissed her claims about Hazel so easily. Written them off as excuses. As attempts to shift blame. Of course someone caught in deception would try to paint themselves as the victim.
But what if she wasn’t lying?
What if Hazel really had orchestrated everything? What if the sweet concerned sister act was exactly that? An act?
I looked at Hazel again. Really looked at her. Past the tears and the trembling hands and the perfectly crafted expression of worry. And I saw it. Just for a second. Something cold in her eyes. Something calculating. It was gone in an instant, replaced by more tears and more concern. But I’d seen it.
The mate bond pulsed again. Fia’s terror was almost overwhelming now. She definitely knew they were here.
"Of course you can see her," I said slowly. Watching their reactions. "But it will be in the gardens. Not private quarters."
Isobel’s smile tightened slightly. Just slightly. "The gardens?"
"Yes. It’s a beautiful afternoon. The gardens are lovely this time of year. And more appropriate for a supervised visit."
"Supervised?" Hazel’s voice pitched higher. "You don’t trust us... me with my own sister?"
"Well, I don’t really know you," I said simply. "Considering our marriage did not quite happen. And given recent events, I think some caution is warranted."
Isobel stepped forward. Her expression had shifted. Less warm now. More calculating. "Alpha Cian, surely there’s no need for such measures. We’re family. Hazel has traveled all this way just to ensure her sister is well. To deny them privacy seems sus..."
"Reasonable," I finished. "Given that Fia Hughes can be rather creative with her manipulations. I am looking for you guys."
The room went quiet.
Isobel studied me. I could see her mind working. See her trying to figure me out.
Then she smiled. Smoothed it over like the politician she was. "Of course. We understand. The gardens will be perfect."
Hazel nodded quickly. Wiped at her eyes. "Yes. Yes, that’s fine. I just want to see her. That’s all."
But I caught it again. That flash in Hazel’s eyes. Not relief. Not gratitude. Something closer to frustration. Like this wasn’t going according to plan.
My wolf was pacing now. Agitated. Something was wrong here. Something I couldn’t quite put my finger on but could feel in my bones.
"There’s one more thing," Isobel said. Her tone was casual. Too casual. "I’ve been curious about the mate bond. How strong is it? I know these things can vary. Some bonds are powerful. Others are... more manageable."
There it was. The real reason for this visit.
"Strong enough," I said carefully.
"And you plan to keep it? Keep Fia as your Luna?" Isobel tilted her head slightly. "I only ask because there are options. Ways to dissolve unwanted bonds if both parties agree. It’s rare but not unheard of. You merely give it a few months. So it does not hurt or become as jarring."
She was fishing. Testing the waters to see if I’d be receptive to breaking the bond with Fia. And if I did that, what then? Would she suggest I bond with Hazel instead? Try to salvage the original arrangement?
The mate bond flared. Hot and possessive. Mine, my wolf snarled. The reaction was purely instinctual. Purely territorial. It had nothing to do with wanting Fia and everything to do with the bond’s refusal to let go of what it claimed.
"The bond stands," I said flatly. "Whatever else happens, Fia is my mate. That won’t change."
Disappointment flickered across Isobel’s face. Quick. Barely there. But I saw it.
"I see." She smoothed her skirts. "Well. Perhaps we should go see Fia then? The poor girl must be wondering what’s taking so long."
Or she was hiding somewhere in the house trying not to have a breakdown. Through the bond I felt her anxiety like a physical weight. It made my chest tight. Made it hard to think clearly.
I hated that. Hated that I couldn’t separate my thoughts from her emotions. Couldn’t tell where my own feelings ended and hers began. The bond was making me paranoid. Making me protective of someone I had no reason to protect.
But I couldn’t ignore it either.
"I’ll have someone fetch her," I said. "Meet you both in the garden in ten minutes."
Isobel nodded. Hazel gave me a grateful smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
They left the receiving room and I stood alone.
My study had a view of the gardens. The large window faced directly onto the main paths and seating areas. I could watch from there without being obvious about it. Could observe this reunion without interfering.
Because something told me this reunion was going to be very educational.
I walked back to my study. Sat in my chair. Looked out at the gardens below.
And I waited.