Alie watched the swing arc high before speaking again. "Will it be okay to send Juniper to Karn’s house? I’m worried. It turns out June’s family isn’t as solid as we all thought; I just hope they accept her."
Gabriel gave the swing a gentle push from behind. "She deserves that abandonnt, A. And you can’t let your empathy cloud your judgnt about her past."
"I’m not," Alie countered. "But this is bigger than her past actions. She was recently seen talking to soone Karn couldn’t see, which is deeply unsettling. If Juniper is isolated from her family, even a dysfunctional one, Ophelia will take advantage of that vulnerability." Alie paused, her eyes searching Gabriel’s for understanding.
"She tried the sa manipulative tactics with Flora when Flora was going through a rough patch. The only reason we know is that Flora trusted us enough to talk about it. We have no guarantee that June will do the sa, and I dread what Ophelia could coerce her into doing while she’s feeling lost."
She lowered her feet as she turned to face Gabriel. "I think Brother Nick should know about this," she stated.
Gabriel moved to the front of the swing set, lowering himself onto the swing right next to her. "I won’t tell Nick," he pronounced.
"Why?" Alie asked, confused, arching an eyebrow.
"It’s better if he stays away from June," Gabriel added. "She’s a manipulative woman who knows what she’ll do to get what she wants. It’s better for them to stay apart. In fact, this whole situation must stay between you, , and Karn."
Alie considered his words for a mont, then gave a slow nod of agreent.
"So, did you arrange a place for her? You’ve to keep an eye on her too," she asked, still looking thoughtful.
"Yes, I have," Gabriel confird. "I’ve inford Karn about it, and he’s on his way to drop Juniper off now. I’m assigning one of my own n to keep a close eye on her. Karn has his own life to manage, after all."
"What ever happened with Karn and Aisha?" Alie inquired, curiosity replacing the worry in her voice. "You told they were together because of so family arrangent."
"Nothing really happened," Gabriel stated simply. "Karn just let go of her since Aisha is in love with her late mate, Joshua. Karn isn’t interested in getting into any kind of relationship himself, and I can’t figure out why. He’s too hard to read sotis. I can’t even read my own beta."
"Not everyone is ready to find love," Alie said softly, watching the movent of the swing chains. "Karn must just want to live freely in his own company for a while. We can only pray for his best."
"You’re right," Gabriel agreed.
~~~~
"Did you try talking with Nick?" Zilia asked as she lowered herself onto the sofa, watching Casaio open the buttons of his shirt.
"Why would I talk to him?" he muttered, tossing the shirt aside. "I went to interrogate the beta hunters’ leader. He is absolutely tight-lipped, not uttering a single word."
"Despite the torture?" Zilia inquired, her voice low.
"Yes. I feel soone big is behind them," Casaio stated, before lowering himself heavily into the recliner.
Zilia moved to the cupboard, taking out a loose shirt for him. "You should see Nick once," she urged. "He needs you in this tough ti. I an, we can’t fulfill the void his mate created, but at least we can be his support. And he’s always more open with you. Even Royal Mother was so worried for him."
"I don’t wish to see him," Casaio clarified, taking the shirt from her and putting it on.
"Don’t say that," Zilia pleaded. "Rember, we are the reason Juniper and your brother started fighting with each other. Cas, don’t let the cursed forest’s effect occupy your mind. You must rember that Nick is your brother."
"Zilia, I don’t think Nick and I were ever close to each other," Casaio stated simply.
She let out a deep sigh, shaking her head in frustration. "Then we won’t talk to each other until you go and et Nick." Anger suddenly flashed in her eyes, and she took a step back from him.
"Zilia, don’t be like this," Casaio said, rising to his feet.
"I will," she insisted. "You are ruining your relationship with Dominick for no reason. You better go and talk to him rather than trying to please ." With that final statent, Zilia stepped out of the bedroom, leaving Casaio standing alone.
Casaio shut his eyes for a mont before making his way toward Dominick’s chamber.
Reaching the closed doors, he didn’t bother knocking. Instead, he used teleportation, landing him silently inside the bedroom.
His eyes imdiately found Dominick, who was curled up on a plush sofa, fast asleep. The heavy velvet curtains were entirely drawn, plunging the large room into a dull, lancholy gloom.
Without wasting a second on hesitation, Casaio strode over and wrenched the curtains open, letting a shaft of blinding, late afternoon’s sunlight flood the room.
Dominick’s eyes snapped open abruptly, his sleep shattered by the sudden invasion of light. He blinked hard, seeing a tall, dark figure silhouetted against the brightness. He rubbed the sleep and confusion from his eyes.
"Cas," he murmured.
"What have you done to yourself? Go and freshen up," Casaio said.
Dominick sat up slowly, lowering his feet onto the soft rug. "You should leave alone," he stated, not eting Casaio’s gaze.
"Everyone is worried for you," Casaio retorted with a sharp voice. "Are you going to hurt the others with your pain? You’re a Sinclair. Stand up and start working. That’s how you’re going to get Juniper out of your head." He took a step closer. "She doesn’t even deserve your ti or a single thought. I don’t understand when you’ll finally put that through your head."
Dominick didn’t say anything, his brow still set in a deep frown.
"Stand up!" Casaio commanded, his voice impatient.
"I won’t," Dominick complained, his gaze finally lifting to et his brother’s. "You speak with such a cold tone with .
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