Chapter 337 - 71: An Unwelcome Assignment

The knock came before they had fully settled back into the room.

Sonia glanced toward the hallway. "That should be Seth."

She crossed to the foyer and pulled the heavy door open, revealing Seth on the threshold, still wrapped in his dark coat. He stepped past her into the warmth, stripping off his gloves while she shut out the night air behind him.

"I was told to come straight here," he said, his eyes moving around the living room. "Apparently, Vance told me he had a surprise waiting for me."

From his spot by the sideboard, glass in hand, Dane gave him a dry look. "You’re late."

"I wasn’t aware I was invited to a family crisis."

"You are now," Hannah muttered from the couch.

Seth looked between her, Ramon, and the others, his gaze eventually settling on Dane.

"I didn’t know you people sold the place across the road."

"We didn’t," Ramon said.

Seth frowned. "Then who’s the new neighbour?"

Sonia folded her arms with a sigh. "You wouldn’t believe us if we told you."

"Try me."

"It’s Aurora."

The amusement disappeared from his face.

"You’re joking."

"No," Dane said.

Seth stood still for a moment, then slowly unbuttoned his coat. Sonia reached for it, but he kept his hold on the fabric, his mind clearly racing.

"How?"

Ramon gave him the short version: Silvercrest had reached a quiet agreement with Jonathan, transferring the deeds to Vance. Then Aurora had shown up at the gates.

Seth listened without interrupting, only handing his coat to the butler when Ramon finally finished.

"So she really moved in."

"That’s what it looks like," Ramon said.

Seth shook his head under his breath. "Unbelievable."

Dane watched him carefully. "You said Vance sent you over here. What did he want?"

"To send me here."

"That much we gathered."

Seth moved to the vacant armchair and sat down.

"He didn’t explain much. I assume he knew she was coming to BloodMoon and wanted me here to make sure she got settled in properly—and, more importantly, to ensure there wasn’t a clash between her and your family."

Dane gave a short scoff. "Bit late for that."

"Apparently Vance doesn’t think so."

Sonia sat on the edge of the sofa. "What exactly did he tell you?"

"He said Aurora made her choice and he wasn’t going to interfere. He told me to call him when I got here if I wanted more information."

"Convenient," Dane muttered.

"Very."

Destiny, who had been quiet beside Dane, finally spoke.

"And you’re just supposed to stay here until he decides what he wants?"

"Apparently," Seth said, glancing at her.

Dane caught the brief look Seth gave Destiny before turning back. Seth had only met her once, but there was no mistaking that he knew exactly who she was. There wasn’t much anyone in their circle didn’t know about her by now.

Sonia got to her feet, cutting through the heavy atmosphere.

"Well, since you’re apparently staying, you might as well eat."

Seth looked up. "Honestly? I haven’t eaten since noon."

"Then you’re eating." She pointed toward the kitchen. "Hannah."

Hannah groaned as she pushed herself off the couch. "Why me?"

"Because you were sitting there doing nothing."

"I was recovering from listening to all of you."

"And now you can recover in the kitchen."

Hannah followed her down the hall, still complaining under her breath.

Ramon waited until they were gone before looking back at Seth.

"You should have told Vance no."

"I tried." Seth leaned forward, rubbing his hands together. "He reminded me who he is. I wasn’t going to cross hairs with a Lycan who’s already angry."

Ramon gave a slow nod. "Fair point."

"Besides, staying here isn’t exactly punishment," Seth added, glancing around the room. "I’d rather be in this house than sitting across the road wondering what she’s planning next."

"She isn’t going to do anything tonight," Dane said.

Seth looked at him. "You sound certain."

"I am."

"Then why are you drinking like you’re waiting for a siege?"

Dane looked down at the glass in his hand.

"Because I know her."

Seth gave a quiet laugh. "That makes two of us."

Destiny looked from one man to the other.

"You two are going to talk yourselves into an escalation if you keep this up."

"We’re not doing anything," Seth said.

"He’s the one Vance sent to supervise," Dane added, nodding toward Seth.

"And you’re the one I’m apparently supposed to stop from climbing the fence."

Dane held his gaze. "I wasn’t planning to climb anything."

"Good."

Ramon lifted a hand before either of them could continue.

"Enough."

Dane took another drink and let the room go quiet.

For a few minutes, the only sounds came from the kitchen—cupboard doors opening and closing, something clattering against the counter, and Hannah saying something that made Sonia laugh. It was the first time since Seth had arrived that the tension in the room truly eased.

Then Seth’s phone buzzed.

He pulled it from his pocket, looked at the screen, and his expression instantly shifted.

"Vance?" Dane asked.

Seth locked the phone and slipped it back into his pocket.

"No."

"Who?"

Seth hesitated.

"Aurora."

Destiny turned her head, and Dane’s grip tightened slightly around his glass.

"What does she want?"

"She says she’s settled in," Seth said, looking at Dane. "She wants to know if I can come by tomorrow."

"You haven’t answered."

"No."

"Don’t."

"I wasn’t planning to." Seth leaned back and stretched his legs out in front of him. "Saves me the trouble of explaining why I suddenly became unavailable."

"Food’s ready!"

Hannah’s voice carried from the kitchen. She appeared first, carrying a serving bowl, with Sonia right behind her.

"Finally," Seth said, getting to his feet.

Destiny laughed softly, but Dane’s focus remained fixed.

He set his glass down on the side table and turned to Destiny.

"Come upstairs with me for a minute."

She glanced at him, surprised. "Now?"

"Yeah. Come on."

Destiny got up and followed him toward the stairs, leaving the rest of the group to head into the dining room.