bChapter /bb190/b: bBrother /b

Chapter 190: Brother

(Elena ckwood’s POV)

The next day, I received the investigation results from Rachel Thompson. As expected, it was exactly as I bhad /bthought.

The investigation results from Rachel revealed that Sophia Rivers‘ alibi was at Moonrise Cosmetic Enhancement Clinic, with Hazel Green as her witness.

I stared at the message on my phone, my jaw clenching with frustration. Of course Hazel would provide Sophia with a perfect alibi.

The pieces were falling into ce, but not in a way that would help David get justice. Hazel’s involvement made everything moreplicated.

I pondered whether Hazel Green’s opposition to my returning to the Whitmore Family stemmed solely from personal grievances against the Whitmore Family. I regretted myck of rity on the underlying reasons.

What had the Whitmore family done to earn such hatred? The mystery gnawed at me like a persistent ache.

While lost in thought, I was interrupted by a voice. “Elena?!”

Startled, I looked up to see Adrian Whitmore and Jacob Hayes approaching me in the lobby of Shadowmere Medical Center.

I almost forgot that my foster mother, Dorothea Whitmore, was also at Shadowmere Medical Center, albeit on a different floor. Feeling awkward about running into Adrian, I realized that being under the same roof meant an eventual meeting.

I hadn’t anticipated staying in the Northern Territory for several days. The prolonged stay was making everything moreplicated.

“Brother…” I began hesitantly.

Adrian questioned my return from Riverside City. His eyes searched my face with concern and confusion.

Jacob Hayes also expressed curiosity about my presence in the Northern Territory despite supposedly being in Riverside City. His professional demeanor couldn’t hide his surprise.

Forcing a smile, I apologized to Adrian for not intentionally keeping it from him. I acknowledged my emotional turmoil and theplexity of my situation.

“I also didn’t intend to stay, but since my mate bond severance with Marcus hasn’t gone through, I’m still the Shadow Moon Pack’s Luna,” I exined.

The words felt heavy on my tongue. Being trapped between two families was exhausting.

I further rified that Victoria ckwood had promised to persuade Marcus to sever the mate bbond /bbafter /bI bpleted /bhis treatment.

Adrian’s expression darkened immediately. His protective instincts were clearly triggered bby /bbmy /bbexnation/b.

Adrian doubted the breliability /bof bVictoria /bckwood’s wordsb, /bbsuspecting /bbshe /bbmight /bbbe /bbdeceiving /bbme /bbfor /bbher /b

Chapter 190: Brother

son’s sake. “Is Victoria ckwood’s word reliableb?/b”

Adrianughed bitterly. “She’s probably trying to fool you for her son’s sake.”

I was speechless. His assessment was probably urate, but I had little choice in the matter.

Adrian grasped my wrist, his grip firm but not painful. The determination in his eyes made me nervous.

“Come, follow me to see the ckwood family,” he dered.

I hesitated and tried to stop him. “Brother-”

But Marcus emerged from the elevator at that moment. The timing couldn’t have been worse.

+3 Points

Their eyes met, and unspoken tension filled the air. The atmosphere became charged with barely contained hostility.

Marcus stopped in front of Adrian, his expression carefully neutral. “Young Master Whitmore, what’s wrong, why does your face look so bad?”

Whether his question was intentional or unintentional, it clearly struck a nerve with Adrian.

Adrian questioned Marcus’s feigned ignorance, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Alpha Marcus asks knowingly?”

Adrian sneered. “My sister was forcibly kept by your ckwood family, why, the Shadow Moon Pack didn’t even notify us?b” /b

The usation hung in the air like a challenge. I could feel the tension escting between them.

Marcus acknowledged his mother’s oversight and promised to personally apologize upon his discharge. “This matter is indeed due to my mother’sck of consideration.”

Marcus followed his diplomatic approach. “When I am discharged from the medical center, I will definitelye to apologize in person, what do you think?”

But Adrian frowned, clearly unsatisfied with the response. His protective instincts weren’t easily appeased.

Adrian couldn’t fault Marcus’s seemingly wless demeanor. After a moment, heposed himself and issued a warning.

“Alpha Marcus still takes good care of his health, don’t, in the end… drag my sister down.”

Marcus narrowed his eyes but remained silent. The implied threat was clear to everyone present.

Adrian turned to me, his expression softening slightly. “I know you have concerns, but you need to know that it is worth it for the Whitmore family to offend others for you.”

His words were clearly directed at Marcus. The message was unmistakable – they would protect me regardless of consequences.

Marcus smiled without saying a word. His silence was more unnerving bthan /bany response would have beenb. /b

I chuckled, trying to diffuse the tension. “Isn’t it because I’m not used to it yet!”

Adrian suggested visiting our mother, and I agreed to join him. Anything to escape this bufortable /bconfrontationb. /b

Before I could finish responding, Marcus casually interjected. “I haven’t formally bmet /bbmy /bbLuna’s /bbfoster /b

Chapter 190 Brother

mother.”

Adrian’s eyebrows shot up. The audacity of Marcus’s statement was breathtaking.

Acknowledging their legal mating status, Adrian’s expression shifted to something almost mischievous. “Since you’re legally mated to my sister, shouldn’t the brother–inw address me as ‘Brother‘?”

He was deliberately trying to take advantage of Marcus. Seeing the situation unfold, I almostughed.

Marcus hesitated, his pride clearly warring with diplomatic necessity. Being a year older than Adrian made the request even more galling.

Adrian pretended to be embarrassed. “It seems that Alpha Marcus is unwilling.”

His tone carried just enough disappointment to make the challenge impossible to ignore.

Marcus’s cheeks bulged slightly as he struggled with his response. Finally, he chuckled reluctantly.

“Brother,” he said through gritted teeth.

I watched in amazement as my foster brother sessfully maneuvered the Shadow Moon Pack’s Alpha into submission. Adrian’s yful attempt to take advantage had worked perfectly.

The word hung in the air between them, a small victory that shifted the power dynamic ever so slightly.

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