Bond and Betrayal

Chapter 5. Brother

Klaus gestured for me to enter my car, lifting his thick brows.

"Not just the stark white hair—you traveled with this?" He shook his head. "Not only hunters, but you’re also catching every set of vile eyes within a kilometer radius, Aria."

He sighed in frustration, and I mirrored it.

Fourteen years of peaceful living had made me forget all the people who might still want my head. Completely slipped my mind.

"Use my car. I'll follow behind," he said flatly.

I squinted at him. I barely knew this guy. What if his plan was just to steal my Ferrari?

Klaus rolled his striking blue eyes before tossing me his car key. Luckily, I caught it before it could plunge into the saltwater nearby.

I huffed, barely restraining myself from calling him an i***t to his handsome face.

Sighing, I pressed the unlock button and turned toward the beeping car nearby—a sleek, black BMW.

Deadpan, I thought, These cars probably cost the same. What's even the point of switching?

"At least it’s black," he muttered when I shot him a questioning look.

At least I knew he wasn’t planning to rob me. I handed over my key—earning a dimpled smile from him—and walked toward his car.

Settling into the driver’s seat, I marveled at the customized interior. White leather and meticulous hand-stitching screamed luxury, while his scent filled the space, leaving my knees weak.

Why did this stranger have such an effect on me?

The fact that I trusted someone I had met just ten minutes ago remained a mystery.

My family frequently visited Black Moon Pack to see my cousin, who is mated to their Alpha heiress. Orion had stayed with us in Willow Pack after the attack years ago, while his little sister, Irina, moved to their father’s origin pack. We were as close as siblings until he moved to Black Moon, five years ago after his mating ceremony. Now, at 25, he’s their Alpha.

I knew the roads well from my solo visits and wasn’t worried about getting lost. Still, I kept glancing in the rearview mirror to ensure Klaus followed—or maybe to reassure myself that he kept his word.

An hour later, I stopped in front of Black Moon’s town hall. Knowing Klaus wouldn’t stick around for pleasantries, I didn’t bother parking properly. My Ferrari rolled up just behind me as I stepped out of the BMW.

"Welcome home, sis!"

I turned to see Orion with open arms and ran into his embrace. I’d lost Agra, but Orion had filled that role ever since. He was usually chatty, but today, he frowned down at me.

"What’s Klaus doing here?" he murmured.

I looked back to see Klaus stepping out of my car. Orion clearly knew him.

"Good afternoon, Alpha Orion," Klaus greeted with a cheeky smile.

Without letting go of me, Orion shook Klaus’ hand. "Afternoon, Alpha Klaus. The next business meeting is Monday, right?"

"Yeah. Found the princess wandering neutral territory alone, so I figured I’d escort her. Are you two related?"

Even from a distance, our white hair and green eyes gave us away.

"Aria’s my sister. We've discussed this—no wandering alone, especially without backup," Orion scolded.

I pouted.

"Cousin?" Klaus asked, tilting his head.

"Yes, our mother and father are siblings," Orion confirmed.

"I see," Klaus murmured.

"Care to stay for tea and cookies?" Orion offered.

"Nah, I need to head back to Varsen for unfinished business," Klaus replied, gaze lingering on me.

Varsen City? He detoured just to ensure I got here safely? Why?

"I'll be off now. See you next week, Alpha Orion." Klaus turned his attention to me. "I'll be in touch, Aria."

I couldn’t just let him leave like that.

"Wait!" I called out, pulling away from Orion.

Klaus turned, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Yes, Princess?"

"Thank you, Klaus," I said earnestly.

"My pleasure." He stepped closer, brushing his knuckles gently along my cheek before turning away.

The sight of him against the orange sky left me breathless. Annoying or not, he was undeniably gorgeous—and those faint tingles on my cheek lingered.

"How did you two meet again?" Orion asked, snapping me back to reality.

I recounted the encounter, watching his frown deepen.

"Aria, this is the Alpha of Onyx Pack. He doesn’t escort random girls without a reason."

I shrugged, only for my stomach to grumble loudly. I grinned, and Orion laughed, leading me to a nearby food court.

"Pick whatever you want," he said, naturally footing the bill.

Afterward, he drove me to the apartment building where I would stay until I decided what my future—our future, mine and my baby's—would look like.

Orion stayed for a few hours to help me unpack. Afterward, he took me grocery shopping.

Once everything was tidied up, we collapsed onto the couch with a random movie playing on TV and a pile of

snacks spread out before us.

My thoughts drifted back to Klaus.

"How did he know I'm your cousin?" I asked.

"Because he knows Irina," Orion replied.

Genetics is strange sometimes. While Orion inherited Aunt India's white wolf genes, Irina took after their father. Their facial features were similar, but she had brown hair and our signature emerald eyes.

At the mention of Irina's name, I winced. Orion, who knew me better than anyone, shot me an apologetic look.

"How are you holding up?" he asked gently. I had already told him everything a few days ago.

When I thought about it, I realized I felt strangely fine. Mom was right—the fault had been mine for trusting Drake too much.

"I don't know," I admitted with a sigh.

"I could kill him, you know?" Orion offered, his protectiveness as strong as ever.

I managed a weak smile. "I know. Thanks, Rion. I just hope he becomes a better person—for Irina's sake."

Orion exhaled heavily. "If he ever hurts her too, he'll end up six feet underground."

Few moments later, Orion bid his goodbye. Mandy—his mate—who is never fond of me will make a fuss about whether he stays any longer, and I can't say no about this. I don't want him to get in any trouble.