Chapter 84
I thought about it and replied, “I’ll come see you whenever I can.”
Lirian’s voice was low and rough, as if he was struggling to hold something back. “Hmm,” he mumbled, his eyes lingering on mine, filled with unspoken words.
With one last look, I turned and left, heading back to Moonshadow.
As I stepped inside my home, the warm glow of the lamps greeted me, but I barely had a moment to take in the comfort of my surroundings before I noticed Ethan sitting on the couch, his expression serious and uncharacteristically tense.
He looked up as I entered, his jaw clenched slightly, and I realized he was upset.
I approached him cautiously, sensing a storm brewing beneath his calm demeanor. “Ethan? What’s Wrong?”
His eyes narrowed, and there was a hardness in his gaze I rarely saw.
“Back already?” he asked, his tone edged with frustration. “Alaric called, said you were at Iron Claw. Thought you weren’t coming back tonight.”
I stared at Ethan, my mind racing.
“How is that even possible?” I cried out. “If I was going to be late back, I would have told you myself! There’s no way I’d let anyone else call. It must have been some kind of misunderstanding on Mr. Alaric’s part.”
Ethan folded his arms, his gaze fixed and unwavering. “Sophia, maybe this is more than a misunderstanding.” His voice held a restrained edge. “I know I shouldn’t meddle in your personal
matters.
But Sophia, you just got out of things with Ryan, and now I see you around Lirian constantly. I can’t help but worry. Do you really understand how this could end?”
The concern in his eyes softened the hard lines on his face, and I could feel the weight of his care in his words.
Ethan wasn’t just my brother; he was my protector.
Don’t worry, Ethan. I understand.” I offered him a gentle smile, hoping it would reassure him. “I’m
not about to make the same mistakes again.”
Ethan studied me, searching for any trace of hesitation. When he didn’t find it, his expression eased: “Alright. As long as you know. I just… don’t want to see you get hurt, Sophia.”
I nodded, sensing a subtle shift in the air between us. The usual tension that accompanied our conversations seemed to dissipate. For once, Ethan’s protectiveness didn’t feel overbearing. It felt comforting
He must have sensed the peace settling over us, too, because he cleared his throat and spoke with a
gentler tone.
“Good. That’s all I wanted to hear. You’re not mad at me for saying all that, right?”
I shook my head quickly, giving him a little nudge. “Of course not, Ethan. You’re only looking out for me, and I appreciate it.”
Ethan’s stern face softened, guilt flickering briefly in his eyes as he leaned back against the sofa. “Thank you. Sometimes I can’t tell if I’m just overreacting. But it’s hard not to when it comes to you.”
I chuckled lightly, the sound easing the last bit of tension between us. “I know, Ethan. Besides, you’re not wrong about me making better decisions. I actually want to help out around Moonshadow if you’ll let me.
I’ve been thinking of learning about investments recently. You know, so I’m not just wandering between places all the time.”
The surprise on Ethan’s face was evident. “You? Investments?” he asked, raising an eyebrow, though his expression held pride.
“Yeah, I thought I could start with that,” I said. “Maybe I can help you run things here.”
Ethan seemed to pause, the pride in his eyes mixed with wonder. “I never thought I’d see the day,” he admitted with a grin. “You used to be all about carefree fun, barely sticking around to learn anything. practical. Maybe something really did change in you recently.”
A pang of bittersweet nostalgia struck me. If only he knew. I had, indeed, changed–my last life’s mistakes had reshaped me completely, but he couldn’t understand that.
You know, I just realized I was wasting time back then,” I murmured. “You were always here. working hard while I… well, I wasn’t.”
Ethan’s face softened further, and he rested a hand on my shoulder. “Sophia, I just want you to be happy. Seeing you like this–eager, focused–I don’t know whether to be proud or worried.”
The Alpha’s Substitute Luna: A Heart Claimed, A Soul Reborn.
Be proud,” I reassured him, smiling.
The next day, I went to Lirian’s house to catch up on some schoolwork. He was in his study,
reviewing paperwork when I arrived, but he gave me a nod and a brief smile before returning to his ” tasks.
I settled onto the couch, spreading my notes out, determined to make progress. The quiet, the shared space–it was peaceful.
As I immersed myself in my work, a sudden voice broke the silence.
“Brother!” The voice was bright and full of energy. I looked up, surprised to see a young girl standing at the doorway. She had wide, curious eyes and an innocent face, not much older than a teenager.
When she noticed me, her expression changed. “Brother, who is she?” she asked, her tone suddenly. guarded.
I felt the girl’s hostility towards me, as if she was accusing me of being an outsider who shouldn’t be here.
I laughed a little and asked Lirian, Lirian, is this……?
