Chapter 10
Ryder pressed a kiss to my ear. “Isabelle. Let’s make up,
“After sleeping together for five years, aren’t you tired yet?”
“Don’t you know?”
“I don’t believe in promises. I only care about the results. Get my brother out of trouble, and I’ll be your mistress if that’s what you
want.”
“You’re not a mistress. I am. I’ve been crazy about you and still can’t get enough.”
I hooked my arms around Ryder’s neck and pulled him down, initiating a kiss.
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Ryder was so enticed by me that he was almost driven mad.
He kissed me passionately,all the way from my breast to my vagina.
For a moment, I thought Ryder truly loved
- me.
But he had discarded me like trash.
“Isabelle…..”
We rolled on the bed for a whole night, the next morning, I got dressed, ready to head home.
“Break up with Bran. I’ll figure out a way to deal with your brother’s situation.”
“Bran said the same thing to me.”
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“I’ll give you results within a week,”
“Fine,” I said curtly, and turned to leave without a second thought.
“Isabelle,” Ryder called out.
I turned around.
“Don’t let Bran touch you“.
Right after stepping out, I took out my phone and was startled to find over a dozen missed
calls from Bran.
I switched off my phone and stuffed it into my pocket.
Later that afternoon, there was a knock on the door. When I opened it, I saw the man who had helped us deal with those extortionists.
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“Isabelle, Bran couldn’t reach you. He sent me to check what’s going on.”
“Oh, something is wrong with my phone. It just won’t power on. I was about to head out to fix it.”
At noon, Laura and I returned from the market. As we reached the entrance of our residential compound, I spotted Bran.
Laura headed home on her own.
“What brings you here?”
“Don’t you want me here?”
“Why have you been ignoring me lately?”
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“My mom hasn’t been well. I’ve been busy taking care of her.”
Bran retorted, “So you think these are trivial matters and not worth telling me about?”
“My family issues have already caused you so much trouble. You’re so busy“”
Bran asked, “What exactly have I been busy with? Enlighten me.”
“Who told you something? Spill it.”
“No one.”
“Isabelle, do you think I’m a fool?”
“Bran, it’s you who’s treating me like one. You’ve been keeping secrets from me”
I turned to leave, but Bran lunged forward
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and grabbed my arm. “Baby…”
kept my head down. “I’ve thought about it carefully. We’re not a good fit. Let’s break up.”
Bran’s eyes blazed with urgency. “Tell me, Isabelle! What’s going on?”
“If you won’t mate me, why toy with me?‘
“Baby, I met a woman, but it was just pack politics! Nothing happened, I swear!”
He searched my face, desperate to gauge my knowledge.
I held my tongue.
I looked up, teary–eyed. “Let’s end this.”
“Never!”
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Bran’s grip tightened.
“You’re my mate, not some disposable fling!”
“You’re mine, and I’ll protect you!”
“Bran, you know my family’s situation. I didn’t know your status when we started. I wanted a true mating. I was naive to think we could overcome everything.”
I reached for the door. “Thanks for the memories. Take care.”
Bran yanked me back, growling. “I didn’t say we were done!”
I pulled away. “I hate being left in the dark!”
Bran glared. “What exactly do you want?”
“I want you, not your status. If I can’t have
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your all, I want nothing.!”
Bran pulled me close. “I love you, I can do. anything for you. I’ll free your brother. I’ll use every pack resource!”
Through my tears, I eyed Ryder’s mansion.
I needed them both. To save my brother, I couldn’t risk it all on one.
After splitting, Bran’s fury flared like a wildfire.
Word spread fast, and Ryder summoned Bran for a tense dinner showdown.
Ryder took a long drag from his enchanted cigar, its smoke carrying a faint howl.
“Why waste energy? Just squeeze it out of Isabelle. I loathe these sneaky pups stirring
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trouble.”
He sneered, “Your love den’s in flames, and you’re getting burned.”
Bran’s lip curled in a snarl. “Your den’s quiet ‘cause your fiancée’s as good as dead to you. I.”
“Heard your family’s tied you to the Starlight Pack’s she wolf. Soon, they’ll howl under
–
the Frost Wind Pack’s command.”
Bran inhaled deeply from his cigar.
Ryder pressed on, “What’s with the long face? Is the Starlight she wolf ugly?”
–
Bran exhaled sharply. “Does it matter? Selina’s a beauty, yet you can’t stand her.”
“Stop bringing her up. Interested? She’s
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yours.”
Bran scoffed. “No way. She’s too much of a wild wolf for me.”
“I’m serious. Never touched her,” Ryder’s voice was ice–cold.
Bran’s eyebrow shot up. “Really?”
Ryder’s silence said it all. Bran was shocked. “Engaged for years. What’s the play?”
Ryder slowly blew out smoke. “Don’t like her”
Bran barked a laugh. “You think you can dodge her forever?”
Ryder abruptly changed gears. “Slept with the Starlight alpha’s daughter?”
Bran leaned back, twirling his lighter.
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“Thankfully, no.”
Ryder’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “Ha! Dumping her for Isabelle? You’re dreaming.”
“Your father would break your legs first.”
Bran’s grin was wicked. “I won’t dump her. I’ll make her dump me. Then my father can’t touch me.”
Ryder’s eyes dropped. Reaching for his moon – inscribed cigarette case, he almost pulled out another, forgetting the half- smoked one in his mouth.
He flicked a cigarette to Bran.
“You’re playing with fire. If she hears, she’ll go wild. Word’ll spread, and you’ll be a laughingstock. Your family will cage you.”
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Bran lit the cigarette, the flame casting an orange glow. After a long drag, he exhaled. “Ever had a heart – only relationship?”
Ryder slowly blew out smoke. “I feel deeply.”
A sly smile on Ryder’s face. “Wonder if I could be smitten? There’s someone I can’t forget.”
Bran leaned in, intrigued. “Who?”
Ryder’s smile grew, sadness in his eyes. “The one who mattered most“.
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