CHAPTER 29

The silence between them was deafening. Estella’s words hung in the air, sharp and unyielding, as Brian stared at her, his expression a mix of frustration and something deeper—something she couldn’t quite place. For a moment, she thought he might finally break, that he might tell her everything she needed to know. But instead, he simply turned away, his shoulders tense.

“You’re exhausted, Ella,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “We’ll talk in the morning. For now, you need to rest.”

Estella’s frustration flared again, but before she could protest, Brian gestured toward the staircase. “Your room is ready. I’ll have someone bring you something to eat.”

She wanted to argue, to demand answers right then and there, but the weight of the night’s events pressed down on her. Her body ached, her ankle throbbed, and her mind was a whirlwind of emotions. Reluctantly, she nodded and began to climb the stairs, her crutch tapping softly against the polished wood.

As she reached the top of the staircase, she glanced back at Brian. He stood at the bottom, his hands clenched at his sides, his gaze fixed on the floor. For a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of vulnerability in his expression, but it was gone before she could be sure.

Her room was just as she remembered it—grand and luxurious, with a large bed draped in silken sheets and a balcony overlooking the moonlit gardens. But the opulence did little to comfort her. She felt like a prisoner in a gilded cage, trapped by Brian’s secrets and her own growing doubts.

A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. A maid entered, carrying a tray of food and a steaming cup of tea. “Mr. Stone asked me to bring this to you,” she said, placing the tray on the bedside table. “Is there anything else you need?”

Estella shook her head, forcing a small smile. “No, thank you.”

The maid nodded and left, closing the door softly behind her. Estella sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the food but feeling no appetite. Her mind was too restless, too consumed by the events of the night and the questions that still haunted her.

Why was Brian so determined to keep her in the dark? What was he hiding about Vivian and Ethan? And why did he keep insisting that she trust him when he gave her no reason to?

She picked up the cup of tea, the warmth seeping into her hands, but she couldn’t bring herself to drink it. Instead, she set it down and walked to the balcony, pushing the doors open and stepping into the cool night air.

The full moon hung high in the sky, its pale light casting long shadows across the gardens below. Estella leaned against the railing, her eyes scanning the darkness. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being watched, that danger lurked just beyond the safety of the mansion’s walls.

As she stood there, a faint sound reached her ears—a low, mournful howl that sent a shiver down her spine. It was distant, but unmistakable. The werewolves were still out there, hunting, waiting.

“You shouldn’t be out here.”

Estella turned sharply to see Brian standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable. He stepped onto the balcony, closing the doors behind him.

“I needed some air,” she said, her voice tight. “And I needed to think.”

Brian sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I know you’re angry, Ella. And I know you have every right to be. But I need you to understand that everything I’ve done—everything I’m doing—is to protect you.”

“Protect me from what?” Estella demanded, her frustration boiling over. “From the werewolves? From Vivian? From whatever secrets you’re keeping? How can you expect me to trust you when you won’t even tell me the truth?”

Brian’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, he looked away, his gaze fixed on the moonlit gardens. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and heavy with emotion. “There are things you don’t understand, Ella. Things I can’t explain yet. But I need you to believe me when I say that I’m doing everything I can to keep you safe.”

Estella shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. “I want to believe you, Brian. I really do. But every time I think I’m starting to trust you, something happens that makes me doubt you all over again. I can’t keep living like this—in the dark, not knowing who or what to trust.”

Brian stepped closer, his eyes searching hers. “I know I’ve made mistakes. And I know I’ve hurt you. But I swear to you, Ella, I will do whatever it takes to make this right. Just give me a little more time.”

Estella wanted to believe him. She wanted to trust him, to let go of her doubts and fears. But the weight of everything she didn’t know—everything he refused to tell her—was too heavy to ignore.

“Time for what, Brian?” she asked, her voice breaking. “What are you waiting for? What are you so afraid of?”

Brian hesitated, his expression torn. For a moment, it seemed like he might finally tell her the truth. But then he shook his head, his gaze dropping to the ground. “I can’t explain it yet, Ella. But soon. I promise.”

Estella’s heart sank. She had hoped—prayed—that he would finally open up to her. But once again, he had shut her out.

“I can’t keep doing this, Brian,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I can’t keep waiting for you to trust me enough to tell me the truth. If you really care about me, if you really want me to be your mate, then you need to start treating me like an equal. Not someone you need to protect, but someone you can trust.”

Brian’s eyes met hers, and for a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of regret. But then he nodded, his expression resolute. “You’re right, Ella. And I will tell you everything. But not tonight. Tonight, you need to rest. We both do.”

Estella wanted to argue, to push him further, but the exhaustion in his eyes stopped her. He looked as tired as she felt, as if the weight of the world was pressing down on him.

“Fine,” she said finally, her voice resigned. “But this isn’t over, Brian. I need answers. And I need them soon.”

Brian nodded, his expression softening. “You’ll have them, Ella. I promise.”

He reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face. For a moment, they stood there, the tension between them palpable. Then, without another word, he turned and left, closing the balcony doors behind him.

Estella watched him go, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. She wanted to trust him, to believe that he was truly trying to protect her. But the shadows of doubt still lingered, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that the truth—whatever it was—would change everything.

As she turned back to the balcony, the mournful howl echoed through the night once more. Estella shivered, pulling her shawl tighter around her shoulders. The full moon was rising, and with it, the danger that lurked in the shadows.

She only hoped that, when the time came, she would be ready to face it.