Tasting

416–Everybody Loves Nora

Silas:

I hissed at Nora before I walked downstairs with Cain. She had come to the rooftop to convince us to let her stay. But we had to be rude to her. Yet she wanted to stay, that innocent sweet Nora.

We would never do that.

Never!

“She cannot stay here,” I insisted again as I reached the last step of the staircase.

“I know,” Cain agreed.

“If she stays, I will-” I quickly looked away, unable to tell my brother exactly why I didn’t want her to remain with us.

“I don’t know what I will do,” he admitted, being more honest about his emotions than I could ever be.

“She will be safest when she is away from us,” he nodded, patting my back.

How could I be satisfied with her leaving with that jerk? But ever since Yuki had developed her hatred for her, I was afraid to let her stay in this pack when my brothers and I couldn’t properly protect her.

‘She should stop talking. Seriously. Every time I hear her voice. I feel this strange surge of emotions. I cannot control myself around her,‘ my wolf finally spoke up.

416–Everybody Loves Nora

I tried to make her stop talking, but she wouldn’t listen. That was the issue with innocent little Nora.

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She wouldn’t understand anything. I wished I could tell her about my feelings, but I couldn’t. She was already afraid of Ryker; imagine how she would feel watching her stepbrothers transform into monsters and roam the mansion looking for someone to devour.

And her scent was something we couldn’t ignore.

‘I know. But why? She is a she–wolf, not our mate. Why are we feeling this way?‘ I was utterly lost. Even my wolf, Laso, had no idea why we were experiencing these emotions.

We just knew that we needed to kick her out for now. Once she was gone and the few months of torment were over, we could bring her back.

‘What if she had fallen for Brody by then? The way everyone is upsetting her is not good for her health,‘ Laso would squirm and groan every time we distressed her.

‘If we don’t do this, she will not leave. She is stubborn, Laso. If we reveal our truth to her, she would insist on staying and taking care of us. And you know that is impossible. I wouldn’t want my brothers looking at her in that state. They would tear her apart, and not just in a brutal way,‘ I fell silent, knowing that her scent could drive anyone

If I was feeling this way, they would too.

nad.

Especially Cain. His desire would likely lead him to take her to bed, and then what?

‘I don’t want to fight my own brother,‘ I hissed, feeling the pain in my heart. This would be the toughest year for me.

Knowing Nora was living with Brody while I endured the agony of a

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416–Everybody Loves Nora

hundred deaths, I didn’t know how I would survive it.

“Maybe that will keep us going? With every passing year, the pain intensifies, and this year will be worse for us. But thinking about staying alive to see her again would help us,” my wolf was so right.

That would do wonders.

If I could get through these next few months, I would be ready to do whatever it takes to ensure she doesn’t end up as our stepsister again.

No way would I allow it.

“Dad is calling you,” Cain said, gently shaking me awake and handing me his phone.

“Yes, Dad?” I asked.

“You did the right thing. She needs to leave. I love you boys, but I wouldn’t want you to hurt her. I can’t take care of her or look after her, and this old man Yuki has developed a strange fascination with her misery. So, I am sure she won’t be safe here. But I promise you, once it’s all over, we will bring her back with respect and maybe even explain why –“My poor dad was suffering so much.

He had found a real daughter in her. Except the next time he saw her, I wouldn’t allow him to call her my stepsister.

“But Dad, why the hell did Yuki say Brody has to accept her?” I grumbled, frustrated by that part.

They were making it difficult.

“My son, I don’t want her to live somewhere without a title. Besides, wouldn’t it be good if she found love in the meantime?” Of course, Dad had no idea what he was talking about. Cain gave me a reassuring look to

416–Everybody Loves Nora

calm me down.

We were already late and needed to make Nora leave soon.

“Dad–fuck you—” I paused, knowing my dad wouldn’t mind. He understood our curse and what happens when we are in pain.

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“Don’t worry; she can always leave him if she wants because she wouldn’t be marrying him,” that part at least gave me a glimmer of hope.