The Moon's Choice

Claire

Kyle asks one of his pack mates to take me back to my room after dinner. I'm so stuffed I can barely breathe. He told me he already sent Richard on his way, and that he'll return in a day or two with the news. I'm having a hard time looking at him, after what transpired between us in the room.

Frankly, I'm embarrassed. Couldn't I have waited until he finished talking? I had to hop on him and kiss him? I need Kilian with me, to ease my worries as he usually does. I can't wait to see him, but I'm surprised to discover that I don't miss him as much as I should. It doesn't physically hurt like the last time. It's all because of Kyle. Sometimes when I look at him, it feels like I'm looking at Kilian. So it's like we're not apart. That's a terrible thing for me to do, but it eases my pain.

I don't know why he never mentioned that Kyle was his twin. Shouldn't his mate know that there's another him roaming the globe somewhere? It's unsettling sometimes, especially when I catch him staring at me. It feels like Kilian is right here with me. They even share the same scent, so it's impossible not to feel this way.

I sleep comfortably for the first time in a long time. The bed is soft and I wake up content. The curtains are dark, so I don't wake up to the sun on my face. It's a lovely change. I could live like this forever.

I peel my clothes and I head to the bathroom. I haven't been to a bathroom for so long. It feels incredible to flush and not have to dig a hole. I run the water and I groan. It's warm and I step under the spray. It's so soothing I could cry. The bathroom fills with steam and I scrub my body with soap. I thought werewolves led simple lives, but this is the pure definition of luxury. Everything is fragrant and clean and looks expensive. Even my house with Ryan wasn't like this, and Ryan's parents were loaded. Well, that's what he told me, anyway. Who knows if he was lying? I was too naive back then. Easily controlled.

I grab the shampoo. Where do they get these things? I haven't been outside yet, but I'm pretty sure this mansion is surrounded by trees, too. There's no nearby grocery store.

I haven't felt this clean in a while. I even shaved. I wrap a towel around my body and I'm surprised to find clean clothes on my bed, and the ones I was wearing have disappeared. There's a navy dress waiting for me. It's just my size, and I don't know how they've gotten it right. It's beautiful, although not appropriate for hiking through the woods, which is what will happen as soon as Kilian gets here. If they truly have such a truculent history, I don't think he'll want to stay, which is a shame. Granted, I don't know what we'll do afterward, but we'll work on it together. And maybe I'll try to convince him to stay. We'll see how it goes. He needs to get here first.

I put it on and I twirl around. It balloons around me and I giggle. I feel it's a delicate material between my fingertips. I've never had anything this nice.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

For a moment I think it's Kilian, and then I stop in my tracks. The scar. It's Kyle. My face flushes. "I'm sorry, I thought you were him."

"Don't be."

"Yes, it's beautiful. Thank you very much for your kindness."

"I picked it especially for you. This color suits you well. And it'll be more comfortable than the clothes you had on."

"Thank you," I say again. My gaze involuntarily lowers to his lips and I blush again. I need to stop, but again I can't help myself. He looks just like Kilian. It's crazy.

"I came to escort you to breakfast. The table will be full today, and I want to formally introduce you to everyone. Is that alright?"

"Yes, of course."

I follow him down the staircase and to th my dining room. All the rooms are glamorous. I can't stop looking at everything with awe. I can't believe Kilian abandoned this life to live a miserable one with Xathan. I haven't had time to process my conversation with Kyle last night. Do I even believe him? His story is believable. Everything makes sense. About Xathan being a horrible person, about Claire. My heart goes out to her. I need to tell him about Claire's mysterious disappearance. Maybe he knows something about it, or maybe he'll help find out what happened to her.

We reach the dining room and every seat is occupied except two. The head of the table and the seat on its right. I can't believe he reserved the seat on his right for me. I'm flattered and embarrassed. Perhaps that seat belongs to his Beta?

"No, Lauryn. It's yours from now on." He says and I startle. Only Kilian could read my thoughts.

"How'd you know what I was thinking about?"

"It wasn't hard to guess. Yes, the seat is normally reserved for the Beta or the Luna. In my case, there is no Luna yet, so my Beta sits there. But I don't want you sitting among strangers. I only did what I thought would make you more comfortable. If you aren't, I could always make other arrangements."

I blush, embarrassed. "No, I'm sorry. I truly appreciate everything you're doing for me. I'm just a little overwhelmed."

"You don't have to explain yourself to me, Lauryn."

We stand at the head of the table and all eyes focus on us. I gulp and I scan their faces. Kyle says, "SilverMoon, I'd like to present Lauryn." His voice is loud and clear and laced with authority. "She'll be spending some time with us from now on. I would like all of you to welcome her to our abode, and treat her as if she's one of us."

I take my seat after his speech. They're all still looking at me, but not with suspicion like in Xathan's pack. I can feel their warmth and kindness from here. The female sitting next to me squeeze my hand and it stuns me. She doesn't even introduce herself.

There's a platter of food in front of me and my mouth waters at the sight of it. Bacon, eggs sunny side up, toast. This is normal food. I try to eat slowly and elegantly like everyone else. Kyle is in deep conversation with the person sitting on his left, and I can sense that this male is his Beta. I'm surprised to find that he's looking at me, and I swallow. His eyes are inquisitive, but not unkind, but there's some pity there, too. I don't know why. I look down at my plate and focus on enjoying my meal. I haven't had one like this in a while.

"Is everything to your liking?" Kyle asks me and I look up.

"Yes, thank you. Everything's perfect."

He smiles and at this moment, he looks so much like Kilian that I feel the urge to kiss him. It passes quickly and blush creeps up my neck. Again? I hope he didn't notice that. I hope nobody did. It's like they're the same person, but Kyle is different in subtle ways. He's more confident, more authoritative. Kilian is calmer and more of a free soul. In any case, I don't want to be this close to him. It's jumbling my emotions. I need to focus on Kilian, and Kilian only.

"I want you to meet Patrick. He's my Beta. If you need anything, you can always ask him."

I smile at Patrick, and he inclines his head with respect. This is a real Beta, not that phony Justin. He's dead now, anyway, so there's no need to focus on his flaws. But this is what it should be like. A pack, I mean. Everything here is organized and they have this impressive togetherness. Kyle is an excellent Alpha, and I'm sure Kilian would be one, too.

Breakfast ends and Kyle permits me to explore the house. "Richard will be back in a day, maybe two. Meanwhile, you can go wherever you like. This house belongs to Kilian as well, so it belongs to you, too."

"Thank you." I'm so grateful for everything he's doing for me. I regret snapping at him yesterday for kissing me. I caught him off guard, not the other way around. I was being unfair.

He leaves and I make my way around the house. It's like this all came out of a magazine. Everything is so organized. Who keeps all of this so impeccable?

I find myself in the kitchen and it looks like a restaurant. There are so many people cleaning and working on lunch. They greet me warmly and offer me treats I accept. They're delicious and rich. I haven't chocolate in so long. I haven't had anything delicious in so long.

I thank everyone for their kindness and I walk out. There's still so much to see around here. I look to my left and I see Claire exiting a room that looks like a scullery. I blink. I can't believe what I'm seeing. It is her. That long black hair and tanned skin. That vacant expression. I call her name. "Claire?"

She only looks at me. She doesn't seem shocked at seeing me here. Which is strange. I'm stunned. I thought something had happened to her. Something bad.

I gasp and I run to her. She looks perfectly fine. It astounds me. I didn't think I'd find her here of all places. Her skin isn't as pale and the bags under her eyes aren't as dark anymore. She's resting more. I grab her hands and she gently extracts them from my grasp.

"What are you doing here? I was so worried about you. You disappeared without a word."

She looks at her feet.

"I thought Xathan killed you." No reaction from her. "I'm glad you're safe." Again, no reaction. Has she gone back to her brooding phase? She used to be hostile and unkind to me for no particular reason, until that night when she tried to tell me something. Maybe this is what she was trying to tell me, that she was going to leave and join another pack.

"Do you have any news about Kilian? Xathan wanted to kill me, but I was saved by Kyle's pack mates." She looks up at the mention of Kilian's name and her eyes fill with tears. I frown. "Claire, what's wrong?" She shakes her head and speeds away from me and I'm alone and in shock. I run back to the kitchen and I ask someone where I can find Kyle. He tells me he might be in his office. I didn't think a werewolf would need an office. This place keeps surprising me.

He shows me where it is and I thank him. I knock on the door and I hear Kilian's—Kyle's—a voice telling me to come in. His office is spacious and as elaborately decorated as the entire house. He sees my worried expression and he grows pale. "What is it?"

"Claire is here? How'd she even get here?"

He takes a few seconds to answer me. We stare at each other. "Claire was unhappy with . My spies told me she was ill, and so I sent her a message. I told her she could always return if she wanted to, that she raised me as a mother and that I will always have a special place for her in my heart, and she accepted. She left in the middle of the night and one of them brought her here."

"She left without saying a word."

"Who would she tell? Xathan? Kilian? Xathan would label her a traitor and kill her on the spot. Kilian would never forgive her for returning to SilverMoon. Keep in mind that she chose to leave with him when I kicked Xathan out."

I nod. I understand why she couldn't say anything. She was in a terrible situation, torn between two sons. They are sons to her. She raised them as her own and she cares for them. "That was very generous of you."

"I don't hate my brother, Lauryn. He wounded me, yes, and I'll admit our relationship has never been very affectionate. But if he chooses to return, I'll welcome him with open arms and we'll rule together, as it should be."

I'm surprised. Both Xathan and Kilian made him seem like a villain, but he isn't. He's much like Kilian himself. There's kindness in his actions, and he's treating me so well. I feel welcome and at home here, all because of him. Besides, he's running this pack well. Everyone is as kind as he is. I had a terrible impression of them yesterday, but that's probably because I was scared and disoriented.

Kilian belongs here. This is his home, and he never should have left because of Xathan. I need to see him and convince him of this. If Xathan truly cared for him, he wouldn't have his mate killed. How painful would that be for him? How would I react if I found Kilian dead? It fills me with dread, having to think of such a horrible thing. Kyle notices and stands to comfort me.

"What is it?"

"Nothing," I shrug. "I'm thinking about Kilian. I hope he's safe. I don't know what would happen to me if..." I trail off. I can't even complete the sentence.

His gaze is intense. "Don't worry about it. Soon, you'll have your mate with you, and you won't have to suffer like this."

I take his hand in mine. "Thank you, for everything. You're so much like him. In everything."

I don't know when his face got so close to mine. "You're welcome, Lauryn. I'd do anything for you, you should know that."

Taking a step back is physically painful. He's dressed in a white shirt and navy pants. Kilian would never dress this way. I need to focus on the differences, or I'll lose my mind. His hair is falling over his face and I want to brush it back. I hold my wrist and squeeze.

"Anything else?" He asks me, and there's that look again. He needs to stop looking at me like that.

"No, Kyle. I'll stay out of your way now."

I close the door behind me and I breathe for the first time in ten minutes. This can't go on for long. Kilian needs to get here and take me away from this place. Having to live with someone who looks just like him is confusing.

The front door is open and I peer outside. This place is in the middle of the woods, just like I thought. I can see the pack mates training, and it looks so professional, from the equipment to their movements. Xathan doesn't stand a chance against them, and it pains me to know that Kilian wants to fight this pointless war against his brother. What happens when he loses? He could die in battle. I need to warn him. Xathan is going to lose this war. There's just no way. Kilian can't go down with him.

Lunch is announced and I take my place beside Kyle. It's strange to think of it as my place, but I see no harm in it. It's only temporary, after all. Kilian will be here in no time, once he hears I'm safe and sound. Kyle is just trying to help me. I'm the one who's overreacting, who keeps comparing him to Kilian. I'm the problem here, not him.

Claire isn't seated on the table and I wonder why. Maybe she just doesn't like a crowd. That would make sense. I've never seen her during Feasts or dinners. She cooked, but she never ate with the pack.

Dessert comes along, but I'm so full I don't think I can have another bite of anything. Kyle tells me he asked them to make this especially for me. It's a rich chocolate mousse and it's divine. I force myself to eat every last drop and he watches me suck the spoon clean.

I stop and look back at him. "What?" I ask him, but he simply smiles at me.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it, Lauryn."

The chocolate warms my stomach and I'm thankful when everyone starts standing. I excuse myself and I make my way to my bedroom. I don't want to sleep in this dress, so I take it off and hang in on one of the empty closets. I sleep completely naked under the covers, and sleep comes easily to me. I'm surprised I'm this sleepy. I never nap in the afternoons. I dream of random things, but my most memorable dream is one with Kilian. He's standing by the door with his arms crossed. He says my name and my core clenches.

"Come to me," I say to him and he obliges. He walks towards me slowly peels the covers off my naked body. The cold hit me and I shiver. His eyes are so green they hurt to look at. He runs his hands over my breasts delicately. I can't move, I can only look at him and watch him touch me. He undresses and lies on top of me. He parts my legs shoves his head between my legs. I don't even have the strength to moan, my mouth is open and my breathing is shallow. Like a fish out of water.

He makes love to me tenderly, and I wake up sweating. I can't remember most of the dream and it's deeply frustrating. The room is completely dark, and I'm surprised I've slept this long. I turn to my side and when I lay my head against the pillow, my eyes feel droopy again. I stare at the door and it's slightly open. I don't remember if I closed it or not earlier and in any case, I can't stand to shut it. I'm just too tired.

I fall back asleep.