The Alpha’s forbidden heirs

Inside the Silverwood Estate and Lyanna Blackwood was alone at the end of the long dining table. The sun was bright in the morning and lighted the polished wood and fancy silverware in neat rows before her. She had not eaten much of her breakfast, which had been prepared. It had now been three months since she mated with Ronan Nightfang. Three months had passed since she had been Luna of one of the strongest bloodlines in the werewolf world. Three months since she'd discovered that the mysterious Alpha she had spent one unforgettable night with was her mate's younger brother. Lyanna found it hard to take in the changes in her life. Each morning was a routine affair. Ronan left early to attend to his pack business, council, and territorial concerns. At times he came back late in the night. At times, he failed to come back until the next day. At home, he treated her with respect, but he and her were never close. Their marriage was just what Ronan had promised. An alliance. Nothing more. Lyanna raised her teacup and sucked in a mouthful. She did her best to concentrate on the quiet morning, rather than the thoughts that plagued her every hour of the day. The Blackwood Pack was on the mend. Her father's fears had been assuaged. Her mom no longer lived in fear of being embarrassed in front of others. All that she had given up for was working. Then why was she so sad? But before she could go any further, doors to the dining room opened. Instinctively, Lyanna looked up. Her body stiffened as soon as she saw Kieran Nightfang walk in. Kieran stopped at the doorstep when he saw that she was sitting alone. They both were silent for a moment. Then Kieran started to walk towards the table. Lyanna immediately lowered her gaze to her plate and pretended to be interested in her breakfast. A servant quickly approached. The servant bowed respectfully towards Kieran. “Good morning, Alpha Kieran, The servant nodded at Kieran. “Good morning.” The servant made ready a room for him, and went out and closed the door. But the rest of the servants were engaged in other activities. This left Lyanna and Kieran alone. For the first time in three months, the school is able to offer this program to students. Kieran sat down across from her in a chair. The silence that ensued was nearly deafening. Lyanna concentrated on her tea. Kieran turned his attention to her. Finally, Kieran broke the silence. Kieran placed one arm on the table and looked at her face. “I don't think we've spoken since the wedding day.” Lyanna put her teacup on the saucer of her tea. “We’ve spoken.” Kieran shook his head slightly. “It's okay for a few words to be said at mealtimes with the family. But I am talking about an actual conversation.” Lyanna clasped her hands in prayer. “Both of us have been very busy.” Kieran chuckled slightly. “Busy?” Lyanna nodded. “You travel constantly.” Kieran maintained eye contact with her. “And you try to avoid me as much as possible.” Lyanna quickly turned her head away. She was uncomfortable because she knew he must have seen her. Lyanna straightened up in her chair. “You’re imagining things.” Kieran smiled faintly. “Am I?” The two were in silence for a few seconds. The silence grew more and more uncomfortable. Finally Kieran sat back in his chair. Kieran crossed his arms over his chest. How did their marriage turn out? Lyanna immediately recognized this discussion was taking a path that could lead to trouble. Lyanna took another sip from her cup of tea. “It’s fine.” Kieran arched his eyebrow. “Fine?” Lyanna sipped at the tea. “Yes.” Kieran put his head on an angle. “That’s all?” Lyanna put down her cup and looked him in the eye. “What do you want the answer to be?” Kieran's eyes fixed on her for a few moments before he spoke. “The honest one.” Lyanna’s stomach tightened. No one ever questioned how she felt. For most it was only a question of whether the alliance succeeded. Lyanna gazed at the table. Don't worry about me. Kieran frowned immediately. Well, that's a depressing response.” Lyanna tried to pull a smile from her face. “It’s a realistic answer.” Kieran didn't say a word for a while. After that, his face took on a different look. The lightheartedness was gone. It was replaced by something more serious. Kieran moved his face closer. Have you ever thought of that night? Lyanna froze. It came like a surprise and she could not breathe. Lyanna held her teacup tightly in her hand. “Kieran.” Kieran never took his eyes off her. “Do you?” Lyanna shook her head in disbelief. It is not something we have to discuss.” Kieran defied her protest. “It is something that I constantly think about.” Right away Lyanna started to have a fast heartbeat. Before she accidentally dropped her cup, Lyanna put it down. “Stop.” Kieran went on talking as if she hadn't spoken. “Across the floor, I remember seeing you.” Lyanna looked at him. “Kieran, stop.” Kieran said in a steady tone. I recalled thinking, “Should I approach and introduce myself?” There was a flush of embarrassment in Lyanna's face. “This isn’t appropriate.” Kieran gave a bitter laugh. “Appropriate? That night was not an appropriate night.” Lyanna did not like the fact that the memories came back so easily. The music. The dancing. The excitement. The liberty she'd experienced. She hadn't been the daughter of Alpha Theodore Blackwood for one night. She wasn't a future political bride. She was only herself. Kieran lowered his tone a bit. I recall dancing with you. Lyanna gazed at the doors. “Please stop.” Kieran continued anyway. I recall you were with me when I left. Lyanna swallowed hard. “Kieran.” Kieran’s gaze softened. I recall waking up and saying to myself, "I don't have to leave.I recall waking up and thinking, "I don't have to leave. She was taken aback by the confession. She had a feeling that night had less significance for him than it did for her, for some reason. She felt her chest clench if she heard otherwise. Lyanna scooted her chair back and stood up. “Enough.” Kieran immediately stood as well. She jumped with her heart when the movement took place. Lyanna left the table. “This is the end of this discussion.” Kieran remained where he was. “Why?” Lyanna looked at him in amazement. “For I am your brother's friend.” Kieran’s jaw tightened. “Well, I know who you are.” Their rivalry grew to an almost overwhelming level. Lyanna looked towards the door. “I’m leaving.” Before she could take another step, Kieran spoke again. Kieran's voice grew fainter. “Do you like him?” Lyanna stopped moving. The question wasn’t what she expected. She slowly turned back towards him. Lyanna frowned. “What?” Kieran moved towards him. “Do you have any complaints about Ronan?” It should have been easy to answer. Rather, she was left speechless. Ronan treated her with respect. He took care of her family. He carried out all of his promises. But happiness? She wasn’t sure. Kieran watched her carefully, but she was silent. “That’s what I thought.” Anger immediately flared inside her. Lyanna folded her arms. “That's an uncalled for question.” Kieran shrugged. “Maybe not.” Lyanna's eyes narrowed. “Definitely not.” Kieran took another step closer. If that's the case, then say, “Then I'm wrong.” Lyanna opened her mouth. Nothing came out. The silence spoke for itself. Kieran noticed. He, of course, knew. Kieran glanced away for a second, then back towards her. “Is he touching you the way he should? Lyanna was like a piece of meat in the jaws of a lion. Lyanna was shocked, gazing at him. “What was that you said?” Kieran wasn't embarrassed. “You heard me.” Lyanna was astounded that he actually asked that. “It's none of your concern.” Kieran gritted his teeth. “Perhaps not. Lyanna shook her head. “This discussion has reached the end of the rope.” Kieran’s expression darkened. “Has it?” Lyanna indicated the door. “I’m leaving.” This time she was serious. She turned and walked towards the exit. Sadly, she had taken a few steps only. Kieran touched her and took her wrist in his. Both of them froze instantly when they came into contact. Lyanna stared down at his hand. Kieran stared at her. Neither moved. Neither spoke. There was a tense pause in between them. Finally, Kieran broke it. Kieran let go a little. “Away from you I've been trying.” Slowly Lyanna lifted her gaze to him. She noticed for the first time that morning, a real frustration lighting up his eyes. Kieran exhaled slowly. “When I go into a room, I leave, I leave it.” Lyanna remained silent. Kieran shook his head in dismay. I'm willing to do things outside of the estate. There was this thing inside her chest that was twisted. Kieran laughed bitterly. “My hope was that I would make it easier. Lyanna's voice was barely audible. “Kieran…” Kieran stared fixedly at her eyes. “It didn’t.” She felt she had to listen to him, and her heart was filled with sadness because he was being honest. Finally Kieran let her wrist go. Lyanna's heart was beating loud in her ears. One awful instant she wished to remain. She was eager to know the answers. She wanted to know how often he had thought of her in the same way that she thought of him. But then life snapped into place. Ronan. The mating bond. Their families. The consequences. All that they had to lose. Lyanna backed up. “Don’t do this.” Kieran looked exhausted. “It's already happening.” She was filled with panic. She had to get out of there. Now. Lyanna turned and ran for the doors without saying a word. The dining room doors were opened by Lyanna and she almost bumped into a servant bringing fresh tea. The servant then hurried and went out. “Forgive me, Luna.” The servant barely caught Lyanna's eye. “It’s fine.” After that, she walked on. The quicker she walked, the more uneasy she felt. By the time she had arrived at her bedroom, she was running almost. Lyanna went into her room and closed the door. The silence within seemed so loud. Lyanna leaned against the door, placing a hand on her chest. Her breathing was irregular. She could not get her heart to calm down. After a moment she noticed that her hands were shaking. Actually shaking. Three months. Three months of no Kieran.Three months without Kieran. Three months of pretending that that night wasn't important. One conversation had put her fragile equilibrium to the test and she had lost it. Lyanna closed her eyes as if she was blind. Why was it necessary for him to say such a thing? Why was it necessary for him to remember? Why did she remember, too? One of the voices was familiar and it came out of nowhere down the hall. From the corridor Ronan shouted. “Lyanna?” Her eyes flew open. This time Ronan's voice was closer. “Lyanna, do you hear me?”