The Rejected Luna (Avery and Kaden) novel Chapter 14

**Between Then and Now by Mark Twain**

**Chapter 5**

**Blair’s POV**

The four of them were still clustered around Carrie, their expressions frantic as they examined her for injuries. Her arm bore only a minor burn, yet their reactions suggested a catastrophe had unfolded.

“Carrie! Are you okay?” one of them exclaimed, his voice tinged with urgency.

“Let me see if there are any blisters!” another insisted, leaning closer, his brow furrowed with concern.

“Get the ointment! Now!” a third shouted, his tone sharp with panic.

Meanwhile, I was engulfed in flames, my own pain overshadowed by their frantic attention to her.

It was a crew member who finally noticed me, his eyes widening in alarm. He dashed over, voice trembling with urgency, and seized the fire extinguisher, spraying it over my burning body until the flames sputtered and died.

“Miss! Hang in there!” His voice echoed in my ears, a desperate plea that barely registered through the haze of pain.

My vision blurred, and as I tilted my head upward, all I could see were the four men lifting Carrie below deck as if she were made of porcelain. Their eyes—every single one of them—were fixed solely on her. Not one of them spared me a glance.

These were my brothers, the very blood I had once trusted with my life. Yet, in my moment of anguish, not a single one turned their eyes my way.

When the crew finally carried me back to my room, every breath felt like daggers piercing my chest. The fire had ravaged my skin, the burns so deep they seemed to cling to my very bones. Each movement sent fresh rivulets of blood oozing from my wounds.

I could feel the wolf within me howling, urging me to tap into my healing instincts. But the silver-lined whip marks and the searing burns had stifled that urge, and my recovery was agonizingly slow.

The room was eerily silent—I was utterly alone.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed, jolting me from my thoughts.

With great effort, I lifted my arm and answered the call, my voice barely a whisper.

“Ms. Swan, we still need a few documents for the private island you purchased,” the voice on the other end stated, professional yet distant.

“I’ll send them… right away…” I managed to rasp, my throat raw from pain. “Please, finalize everything. I need to get there… as soon as possible.”

It was my only refuge, that island I had claimed with my own hands—isolated, far removed from the chaos and heartache that surrounded me.

Just as I hung up, a chillingly familiar voice cut through the air behind me.

“Who were you talking to?”

Christian.

Quickly, I shoved my phone beneath the covers, forcing myself to appear calm. “No one,” I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

He stood at the door, his gaze dropping to the burns that marred my body. His brows knitted together in immediate concern.

“What the hell happened to you?” He strode over, and for the first time, I detected a flicker of panic in his voice. “Why didn’t you call me?”

I looked down, a bitter smile tugging at my lips.

Call him?

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