Chapter 97 : Brotherly Bonds

Xavier

Seeing the situation between Chase and Carolina, Rylan quickly stepped between Chase and Carolina in case he decided to attack while holding the hilt of his dagger. "Aren't you listening? That's not your daughter. That's Maya disguised as Elena."

That made the Alpha of the Bloodmoon Pack fall silent in an instant.

"At least now we know how Maya got into Alpha Xavier's pack house," Carolina said as the silence deepened.

"But why did she have to kidnap Karen," Mike interjected.

"To kill her herself or give her to Nathan to kill," Rylan said as if it were obvious.

"I doubt it," Xavier said.

"And how do you know that?" Rylan demanded.

Xavier was silent for a moment before answering. "Karenina believes that Maya is attracted to her as a woman." Here he hesitated, the words tasting like ashes on his tongue. "Maya tried to make a move on her."

The silence that followed his revelation was deafening until Mike asked with an innocent look on his face, "What exactly did Maya try to do? Is she trying to..."

Then he groaned, cutting off his words and breath as Selene elbowed him in the stomach.

"You pervert," she muttered, frowning at him.

"Are you sure that Maya fell in love with Karenina?" Carolina asked.

Xavier nodded silently. "It is possible that she has turned against Nathaniel and wants to keep Karenina for herself."

"And how do you know that?" Rylan demanded again. "It's possible that she plans to hand Karen over to Nathan."

"Maybe."

"What are we going to do?" Selene asked worriedly. "Even if Maya isn't working with Nathaniel anymore, that doesn't mean Karen is out of danger."

"I will send out a team to look for her. The rest of us will stay here-"

"What the hell are you talking about?" shouted Rylan. "I'm going to look for her too."

As if not interrupted, Xavier continued. "That way, when they find her, the message will be relayed to us and we'll all know her location and won't have to search anymore."

No one disagreed with him. As if their silence was answer enough, Xavier called for a guard, then sent a small number of warriors to scatter and search the area for Karen.

"Alpha Xavier," Chase said, stepping forward to get his attention. "I would like to sincerely apologize for my actions against your... chosen mate."

"Screw that," Rylan grumbled inwardly.

"I realize now that Elena isn't really my daughter. If that's the case, then she's already... Well, and we have the same enemies as before, Nathaniel and that Maya woman. I sincerely hope that we don't cross the path of no return and become enemies. I want to help your fiancée return safely."

Xavier took a long look at the other Alpha. "Considering the unusual circumstances, I will accept your regrets and your offer of help. But know this," he warned. "If you dare to make another attempt on her life, by deed or by command, our alliance is over and I will kill you."

Chase nodded in agreement. He could not believe he had been fooled by an impostor. Then the weight of his defeat hit him. Elena was really dead. His beloved daughter was gone, and he had to be alone, not wanting anyone to witness his grief. No one stopped him or questioned him as he left.

"You should all return to your rooms," Xavier ordered, and everyone did so willingly, as there was nothing else that could be done at the moment to help Karen.

"Why are you still here brother?"

Xavier glanced at Rylan, who was heading for the window instead of the door. Although he could not see the young man's face, he could tell that Rylan was troubled by something, and he felt that he knew what it was. And his hunch proved correct when Rylan spoke.

"It's about Karen," he said and then continued, "That's been my conclusion." He paused for a moment before continuing. "What does she mean to you?"

Frankly, he was not at all surprised when Rylan asked that question, but it was none of his business, so he remained silent. Rylan didn't seem to mind.

"I lost her, didn't I?"

"We're going to get her back." I'm going to get her back, that was what Xavier was thinking.

Rylan shot him a disgusted look over his shoulder before he went back to staring out of the window. "You know what I mean," he muttered.

The truth was that Xavier did know, but he said nothing, neither confirming nor denying it. To be honest - if only to himself - even though Karen had declared with great passion that she no longer wanted Rylan but would try to be with him, he still had his doubts. Karen had loved Rylan for a long time, even though he hated to admit it. It was possible that Karen still loved him. And that made him angry. Karen was supposed to be his.

"I can't blame her..." Rylan muttered. Then he let out an unfunny little laugh. "I'm really surprised she hasn't given up on me, but she has now. I've given her plenty of reasons."

Why he was revealing such personal detail, Xavier wondered, unable to understand, but there was no denying that there was a melancholy hanging over his brother. Was he sad that Karen might not love him anymore?

"You love her," Xavier said emotionlessly.

After a few seconds when he thought Rylan wouldn't answer, he finally did.

"Yes," he whispered. Then he shook his head and sighed sadly. "But not enough. Not what Karen needs."

Both knew he was referring to his inability to let go of Carolina, but neither mentioned the name of his old lover.

"I've been such an asshole."

He almost commented that Rylan was a whiny bastard just to spite him, but he did not. Whatever this discussion was, it was too serious to be the subject of ridicule - on either side. He still didn't understand the point of all this talk and wished Rylan would just get on with it.

"What is your point, Rylan? Just spit it out."

This seemed to infuriate the young man in front of him, who turned quickly, his hair and clothes rustling around him, before finally shutting up. "I'm not good enough for her! That's it. I've already said it. Are you happy now?"

Xavier did not even blink in the face of his younger brother's anger, not commenting on his statement even though he secretly agreed with it. No more true words had ever been spoken.

"Are you not going to mock me? Call me an unworthy bastard who shouldn't exist?"

"No."

That seemed to shock Rylan into a moment of silence. But only for a moment.

"Do you love her?" he asked fiercely, glaring at Xavier.

It was Xavier's turn to let the silence between them grow, until finally...

"I still don't know."

"Huh." Rylan crossed his arms. "You haven't said no, and that's saying a lot, coming from you. But Karen is going to need more than that."

He understood but didn't say anything.

"She cares for you, you know. Even I can see that. But if you're just trying to mate her for her uniqueness, you can forget about her. I can't stop you, but she will. Karen is not going to be satisfied with anything other than love."

"I'm aware of that."

"Just... don't hurt her, or you'll have to face me, and I won't hold back."

All Xavier did was raise a single black eyebrow in response. Though he disliked his brash brother, and could barely stand to be in the same room with him, there was... a bond between them now that had never existed before. Not brotherly love, but something. An understanding. They both cared for one girl, Karenina Mason, but it seemed that in a very Rylan-like way, he was giving his brother permission to date his best friend without interfering.