Stepbrother Mine A Son For Alpha Zoren (Ciara) novel Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Ciara

I let out a long sigh as I exited Gregg’s room along with Zoren.

“You okay?” Zoren asked and I nodded, while offering him a relieved smile.

“thank you, for constantly defending me back there.”

He nodded. “It was nothing.”

“Your father really hates me.” I mumbled after a few moments.

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“That’s expected. He was really broken after your mother betrayed him, you know? He fell sick and seriously depressed.” Zoren revealed and I felt so much guilt settle in my chest.

My damned mother…

“I understand. At least he doesn’t hate Kai, that’s my relief.” I breathed out and Zoren snorted.

“He couldn’t even if he wants to. He’s wanted a grandkid since forever, especially after he fell sick. I’m sure he’s all over the moon by kai’s presence and is already imagining up ways to spoil him rotten.”

At the mention of Gregg’s sickness, my mind instantly returned back to what Kai told me.

“Kai mentioned something to me.” I brought up those words before saying the exact words Kai said to me. Zoren’s eyes were blown wide and filled with sadness as he let out a sigh.

“He really said that?”

I nodded.

“It seems that son of mine is gonna grow up to be very strong and amazing cause he definitely wasn’t supposed to have known that from just a mere scent.”

I let out a sigh, still feeling surprised.

“So, is there a way to cure Greg? I was scared when Kai said those words to me.

“Sadly, these none. No medicine has worked so far, his health just slowly gets worst and a healer already told us there’s no

cure.”

Damn. A wave of sadness settled over me and I let out a long exhale, suddenly unsure of what to say next.

“But, enough about that, we shouldn’t dwell on that. We’re having dinner tonight with my father in a bit, and during the coming weeks, he’ll get to spend time with his grandson, until…” he trailed off but he didn’t have to say anything Russ for me to understand what he meant. He meant Gregg would spend his last days with his grandson.

That made a sad feeling consume my heart.

Over the dinner, it was almost comical watching Kai being fussed over by Greg. My heart ached as I watched Kai who’d usually never let a stranger become this familiar with him, willingly let Greg cut up his steak and fill up his glass with water constantly.

Kai has never had the privilege of meeting any of his family members before, and I desperately want to reveal that this man is actually is grandfather. But I guess that would be revealed in due time.

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“You aren’t eating.” Zoren murmured, his eyes on me and my face flushed when I looked up to see everyone around the table staring at me. The table was filled to the brim with all of Zoren’s three betas, Jet, myself, my son, Zoren and Gregg.

“I’m eating.” I mumbled awkwardly, my eyes briefly locking with Gregg’s before I quickly glanced away at the sight of the sharp glare on his face.

Zoren’s eyes still lingered on me, making me feel flustered as I sipped on my water. The meal was perfect, the mood would have been perfect if it wasn’t for Gregg constantly glaring at me.

I tried to take In more food, but the fact that Gregg was constantly scowling at me was making me lost my appetite slowly, and after sitting through the dinner a bit more, I excused myself and stepped out of the room.

Outside, I sat underneath a tree and just breathed in the cool evening breeze, the chill of the night blanketing me with the perfect temperature.

“Are you alright, ma’am?” A voice asked suddenly, making me flinch as I was violently pulled out of my thoughts, then I blinked up into the beautiful eyes of a woman that’s as pretty as a model.

“Oh, I am. Thank you for asking.” I breathed out, blinking up at the woman. “Uh, are you…”

She let out a soft laugh, a hand on her chest. “Oh, I’m Zara, a maid assigned to you by the king. I’ll be seeing to all your needs throughout your stay here.” She revealed and my eyes widened in surprise as her words sank into my head.

“Oh.” I whispered in surprise, my eyes still blown wide. This was the last thing I expected Zoren to do. Being assigned a personal maid? It’s always like I’m a special guest and not a regular person.

“I’m Ciara.” I offered as I pushed myself to my feet and the woman bowed a little, a gesture which made me slightly uncomfortable but I bit on my bottom lip and forced myself to say nothing.

“If I may, I’ll show you to your room, ma’am.” The woman breathed out and I nodded.

“Alright then.”

She led the way, past the director I came in. I blinked once, and when I opened my eyes, she was no longer in front of me. That wasn’t what made me panic. What made a scream leave my mouth was that I was suddenly in a completely different place entirely.

I was standing in the middle of a bright white room, so bright that it felt like I might get blinded. As I gasped in shock and confusion, I turned around fast, my head spinning at the sight of so many mirrors around every inch of the room. The mirrors were in different shapes and sizes, and what made me almost lost consciousness was the reflections in the mirror. They were of me, in the same outfit I have on right now. But they weren’t mirroring me. They were all doing different things entirely, and they were all talking to me at the same time.

I staggered backwards, my heart flying into my throat, while all the reflections in the mirror continued to speak.

“She is the one.”

“The chosen one, that’s her, right?”

“She’s finally here.”

“At last.”

All what they were saying made no sense to me and my head spinned hard, but as I kept turning around while trying to make sense of what was happening, I felt someone grab my hand. That startled me so much that I screamed, then my brows furrowed at the sight of Ryan. My eyes widened on realizing that I was no longer in the middle of that bright room and was instead back to where I originally was at.

“Are you alright, Miss? You were turning around and making scared noises. Would you like me to fetch Zoren?” Ryan

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continued, sounding a little worried. He had a warm expression on, one that feels so familiar and welcoming

My eyes darted around for a moment and again, I confirmed that I was still in Zoren’s palace. So does this mean I imagined that bright room and those mirrored filled with my reflections talking back at me?

“Who is Zara?” I asked next as my heart pounded away. “Is any maid baring Zara here? Pretty face, bright smile?”

Ryan frowned. “There’s no Zara here,” he revealed and I felt my legs gave out underneath me.

Ryan swore and caught me before carefully lowering me to thw ground, then he declared he was gonna go get Zoren, which prompted me to sit up fast.

“No! There’s no need for that. I’m fine.” I quickly assured him so he wouldn’t summon for Zoren. I’d rather not have to explain the weirdness that just happened to me, cause I’m certain I’d make no sense and he’d also not believe me.

“Are you sure?” He asked tentatively, carefully and I nodded firmly despite my heart still pounding away.

“I am.” I assured him.

He kept regarding me for a few more moments before sighing. “I feel like I should still send for Zoren but I guess I’ll listen to you.”

I heaved in relief. “Thank you.” I murmured quietly.

I expected him to walk off after this exchange and was surprised when he nodded at the spot beside me. “Mind if I sit?”

I nodded without hesitation. I should probably not welcome another stranger so close to me after the incident with Zara moments ago, but I guess I’m just too shaken up that the thought of being here with a stranger was better than me being alone.

“You sure you’re fine?” He asked quietly once he was seated beside me and I huffed while nodding.

“I promise.” I offered and that calmed him down a little.

Me on the other hand, was still feeling so shaken up and I kept glancing around every few seconds, expecting to find myself in that weird bright room at any given second.

Ryan began to talk about a lot of mundane things and it didn’t take me long to figure out that he was trying go to distract me, and that made my heart ache pleasantly once I figured out what he was doing. The more I spoke to him, the more I relaxed more.

Footsteps could be heard a few feet away, and I instantly stiffened, expecting to see Zara, but on glancing up, my eyes landed on a scowling Zoren. Beside me, Ryan stiffened and got fi his feet instantly.

“What are you doing here with her?” Zoren asked, eying Ryan with a narrowed gaze and I junped to my feet fast.

“He was just keeping me company, that’s all.” I responded fast and Ryan nodded in agreement.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Zoren didn’t look happy as he looked between the two of us and for a moment, I wondered if he was jealous, but that made no sense to me cause I know he dosent care about me enough to feel jealousy. But as that thought settled in my mind, he suddenly grabbed my wrist and tugged me against his chest, making me splutter.

“You may leave.” He gruffed out to Ryan, then it was just the two of us and I could feel his hand burning into the skin of my back through my clothes. I let out a small huff and tried pulling away but he didn’t budge.

“You barely ate your dinner. Is everything okay?” He asked and my eyes widened cause something resembling concern was in his voice.

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I shrugged a little. “I’m fine, I just needed some fresh air.”

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“With Ryan? You two looked really cozy together.” He spat, his lips twisting And I frowned as I peered up at him.

“Why do you sound that way?”

“What way?” He demanded and I rolled my eyes and tried to pull away to no avail.

“Like… you’re jealous but I know you’re not.” I pointed out and he let out a low huff as he liked away for a moment.

“You’re right. I wasn’t jealous.” He stated and I nodded even though a small stab of pain settled in my chest. “However I’d prefer it If you dint get all cozy with my betas, except Evan, that is.” He gruffed out after a few moments.

“Oh? It’s fine if I get close to Ethan?” I echoed and he nodded stiffly.

“Whenever I’m not present, I can trust Evan around you completely. And I trust that he’ll also protect you with his life.”

I nodded as his words sank in.

“Are you and Evan close? Are you friends?”

“Yeah, we’re definitely friends.” He breathed out with a nod and I instantly began to squirm once his hand began to trace patterns over my back.

“That’s nice.” I mumbled quietly and he nodded before he finally broke the hug, but his hand was yet to drop from my back. He peered down at me as he spoke.

“I know you left the dining room because of my father. Just give him some time, okay? I’m sure he’d come around,”

I nodded as he spoke before letting out a small huff. I truly appreciated that he was taking his time to tell me this even though he didn’t have to.

“Why are you being nice to me?” I blurted out after a few moments. He frowned in confusion and I shrugged.

“Is it because of the bond? It’s still so weird and unusual to be treated nice by you.” I pointed out.

His lips twitched. “Would you like me to treat you horribly? Would that help you feel normal?” He asked and I rolled my eyes while trying to shove at his chest but he didn’t budge.

“Of course not.” I breathed out around a scoff. “I was just wondering, is it because of that mate bond you keep mentioning? If that dosent exist; you’d still treat me the way you used to, right?” I asked and he appeared to be eeeo in thoughts as he stared down at me.

“Well, I was obly the way I was to you cause I believed you helped your mother in stealing from us. Nke that I know that you’re not what I believed this whole time, there’s no point In being mean to you, is there?”

I let out a huff as I gjshesd away. His logic sounded fair at the end of the day.