The Wrong Brother's Temptation novel Chapter 118

Chapter 118

Sienna

My fingers that were scrolling through the list paused instantly. “What kind of concerns?”

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“Work things,” Aaron supplied. “He missed a few crucial deadlines. The Harrington clause yesterday for instance. Things like that.” He paused. “I’m not saying this to make you worry. I’m saying it because I think Connor hasn’t told you and you should know.”

“What does that have to do with the succession talks?”

“The elders coming isn’t just tradition,” he stated. “Dad invited them specifically because he wants their input on the candidates and on their readiness.” He looked at me carefully. “If they find concerns, they can recommend the succession go differently than expected.”

“Differently meaning?” I probed on.

“Meaning they could recommend the younger son,” Aaron said, quietly. “If they felt the older one wasn’t demonstrating the right…” he searched for the right words, “…reliability and leadership qualities.”

I went very still.

“Aaron,” I said, and something in my voice made him look at me directly. “Are you telling me this because you think I should know, or because you truly want me to worry about it?”

He blinked.

“Because,” I continued, “if the answer is that you genuinely believe Connor deserves the succession and you’re worried for him, I appreciate that. But if any part of this is you planting something again….”

“Sia…”

“I need to know which one,” I folded my hands on my chest.

He was quiet for a long moment.

“Both,” he said, finally, and the honesty of it was more surprising than any version of a denial would have been.

“I think both, if I’m being truthful. I do think he deserves it. I’ve never wanted the responsibility, you know that. And at the same time I…” he stopped. “I’m worried that whatever’s distracting him is going to cost him something he actually wants. And I think you know what’s distracting him.”

I looked him in the eye.

“So yes,” he confirmed. “Both. I’m telling you because I think you should know and because some part of me hoped knowing would… I don’t know”

He sighed. “Make you create space for him to focus on work because we both know how much he likes being

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15:45 Thu, Jul 23

Chapter 118

in charge.”

I grew defensive without really meaning to.

“He’s not distracted because of me,” I emphasized. “Not in the way you mean.”

Aaron looked like he wanted to say some more but then decided against it and simply nodded.

“Thats good then”

He had barely said that line when I heard Sandra’s voice fleeting towards us through the corridor.

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She was in the doorway in heels that were impressive for midday, and looked around the living room with a very weird expression.

“What,” she said, looking around, “is happening to this house?”

“Elders are arriving,” Aaron answered, already moving toward her. “Mom asked for help with arrangements”

“The furniture is completely different,” Sandra noticed as she walked past him into the room, her eyes moving across it.

“And the walls…why are there old things on the walls, it looks like…”

“Like the ancestral home of a pack alpha,” I said, mildly, because it did.

Sandra turned to look at me.

“It’s supposed to look traditional,” I explained. “The elders don’t really like modern stuff”

“I know what elders respond well to,” Sandra shut me down almost instantly. “I’ve met pack elders and I have also attended formal pack events.”

She looked at Aaron with a frown. “Why didn’t you call me? This is exactly the kind of thing I should be involved in.”

Aaron shrugged. “Mom called her”

That only deepened her frown. “Your mother called her,” she pointed in my direction, “instead of me

“Mom knows Sienna has done these events before,” Aaron said carefully.

“I could have done it,” Sandra said, and the hurt underneath the sharp edge of it was real.

“I wanted to be involved. I’m your girlfriend, Aaron and I don’t like being sidelined on every important event.I wanted to be part of this.”

“Baby, she did ask for you but I told you were tired and resting so she called Sienna instead.”

Aaron lied to her face but I didn’t bother correcting him

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Chapter 118

“But now that you are here, you can be absolutely involved.” He then turned to me for help.

“Can’t she, Sia?”

“The living room is mostly done,” I informed.

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“But if Sandra wants to take over it from here, that’s fine. I’ll go work on the individual rooms and the kitchen. I dusted my hands against my jeans. “First impressions matter so she can take all the credit.”

“I dont need credit for the work you did. I can get it for my own hardwork.”

“I didn’t mean it that way”

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