Chapter 24 Cian's Protection
Malia's POV
The feeling of being watched never leaves.
Over the course of three days, I see shadow shapes that vanish before my eyes. Sense movement from the corner of my eyes that I can’t see.
It's making me paranoid. Tense.
Tired of always having to watch my back.
I’m in the library Thursday night night trying to concentrate on an essay that’s due tomorrow when Cian appears in the seat opposite me.
Silent as always.
His unexpected appearances—how he seems to sweep through rooms unseen, like a ghost, unless he wants to be seen—are getting used to me.
“You look tired,” he notes as he pulls out his sketchbook.
“Thanks. That’s the last thing any girl wants to hear.”
One side of his mouth twitched—like he was about to smile.
We get some comfortable silence going, the drowsy hum of the library lulling my nerves into semi-calm.
But I can't focus my attention.
My eyes are drawn again and again to the windows, the shadows, the doorway.
"What's wrong?" Cian queries, not looking up from his sketch.
I hesitate. “What makes you think something’s wrong?”
“You’ve checked the exits four times in the last ten minutes. And your wolf keeps surfacing—I can see it in your eyes.”
Naturally he noticed. Cian notices everything.
“I think someone’s following me,” I confess quietly. “Or watching me. I've seen... shadows. Figures that fade. We don't know yet. But there is some official who is making this happen. Falsifying records. Silencing questions."
His gray eyes are steady on mine. "And you fit the profile for every student who’s gone missing."
"Hybrid," I say numbly. "Low status. Vulnerable."
"Yes." I just expect him to say it’s all paranoia or stress.
Instead, he puts his pencil down and I look at him with complete seriousness.
"When did this start?"
"Three days ago. After I left the library late."
"Have you said anything to anyone?"
“Aiden. He told me not to go anywhere alone."
Cian nods slowly, processing. "He's right. But that's not enough."
"What do you mean?"
He closes his sketchbook, and comes to focus on me fully—an intensity I’m still getting used to.
"Something’s going down on campus. Something dangerous. My brothers and I have been... investigating," he says.
My blood races. "The disappearances?"
His eyes narrow slightly. "You know about those?"
"Freddy identified patterns in the school records. Transfers—"
"Not transfer," Cian interrupts quietly. "They disappeared. And the school covered it up.” He smiles grimly.
Hearing him confirm it makes it real in a way it wasn’t before.
"Why?" I whisper. "Why would the school cover up lost students?"
"Because admitting as much would be admitting they can't protect everyone, if they acknowledged that, they would be saying that the forces were too powerful for them to handle. Would ruin their reputation. Would raise questions about who's responsible." He leans forward slightly. "And some members of the administration may be implicated."
My stomach drops.
“I’ll see you out the door.”
“You don’t have to—”
“I know. I’m going to do it anyway.”
—----
We stroll across campus in a easy silence.
Cian moves beside me like a shadow—there but not intrusive, alert but at ease.
I feel safer with him here.
Like whatever was watching me wouldn't dare come anywhere near Cian Moonfall while hes nipping around
“Can I ask you something?” I ask tentatively.
“Always.”
“Why do you think I’m being targeted? Specifically me, not just any hybrid?”
Cian is silent for a few steps.
Then: “Because of what you represent”
“Which is, what?”
“Change. Challenge to the system. Something the old guard is pissed off and scared by.”
“There’s nothing I’m challenging. I’m just trying to survive,” I say.
“Survival’s a challenge when the system is bent on your failure.” He glances over at me. “You’re not just surviving. You’re building connections. Building allies. You’re going after people who have power.”
“You mean your brothers.”
“Among others. But that’s not the only one.…”
“That’s not intentional—”
“Doesn’t matter. Perception is what counts.” His voice is thoughtful. "Someone sees you as a threat. To the hierarchy, maybe, or to their plans, or to something else we haven’t yet figured out."
We reach my dorm building, and Cian pauses at the door.
“Stay alert,” he says. “Trust your instincts. If you get a feeling something’s off, it probably is.”
“I will.”
He begins to leave, then turns back.
“Malia.”
“Yeah?”
"If anything feels wrong—and I mean anything—find me. Not Aiden. Not Rowan. Me."
I scowl. “Why not them?”
“Because Aiden is going to do something stupid and dangerous, and Rowan is going to try to deal with it diplomatically.” His expression is serious. “Then I’ll do whatever I have to.”
Without hesitation. Without mercy.”
There was something almost terrifying in his certainty. But also… reassuring.
“Why are you so concerned about protecting me?” I ask quietly.
Cian is silent for a long moment, his gray eyes searching my face.
Then, I hear it so faintly that I almost miss it: "Because losing you is not an option."
I don't even have time to reply, and he's gone - fading into the darkness as if he never was there.
I get ready to say that I don't need to hold anything back, and my heart skips a beat.
Because losing you is not an option. What does that mean?
Why would losing me matter to Cian Moonfall?
I open my phone and look at his contact.
Three Moonfall brothers.Three different kinds of protection.
Aiden–fierce, possessive, slotting in some battle against something he won’t name.
Rowan - kind and reliable, providing security with compassion.
Cian—soft and definitive, he provides unconditional protection.
I think about the research done on hybrid bonds.
Multiple bonds where documented in exceptional cases…
The bond chooses, not the wolf.
No. That’s not possible.
Isn’t it?
—---
When I get to the dorm, Aiden is sitting at his desk, but he turns at once.
“You're late.”
“Cian walked me back.”
Something flickers across his face. “Good.”
“He told me about the investigation. that the disappearances were true.”
Aiden's jaw tightens. “He shouldn’t have—”
"I knew. Freddy had uncovered the patterns." I throw my bag down and turn to him. "Why didn’t you just tell me?"
“Because I wanted to keep you out of it.”
“What, out of something I’m already in the middle of?” I shake my head. “That’s not protection, Aiden. This isn’t protection, Aiden — that’s just leaving me defenseless.”
“I'm not defenceless, you know. We have us.”
“Us?”
“Me. My brothers. We’re taking care of it.”
“By keeping me in the.dark?
“By keeping you safe!” His voice escalates, frustration breaking through. “Do you have any idea what’s at stake here? What could happen if—”
He interrupts himself, walking away.
“If what?” I say again.
“If I lose you.”
Cian's earlier statement echo in my head.
Because it’s not an option to lose you.
Two brothers, same sentiment. Different delivery.
I walk up to Aiden’s desk. “Why would my being gone even matter? I'm nobody—”
“Stop saying that.” He spins around to face me, his eyes blazing. “You’re not nobody. Not to—” He pauses, jaw tightened. “Just stop saying it.”
“Then tell me the truth. Why do you care? Why do your brothers care? What aren’t you telling me?”
Aiden stares at me, as if torn.
Then: “Because you’re ours.”
My breath catches. “What?”
“You are ours” he says, softer this time.
“Whether you know it or not. Whether you accept it or not. We’re ours, and we fight for ours.”
“I don’t understand—”
“I know. And I can’t tell you Not yet.” He runs his hand through his hair, tired. "Just... trust me. Trust us. We won't let anything go wrong with you."
“Although I make everything harder?”
A ghost of a smile momentarily flicks across his face. “Since you complicated everything that much.”
We stand there, the silence between us was heavy with unsaid things. Then Aiden's phone buzzes.
He glances at it and his face darkens.
"I have to go. Emergency council meeting."
"At this hour?"
“Welcome to life as a Moonfall heir.” He snatches up his jacket. “Lock the door behind me Don’t let anyone in, just me, Rowan, or Cian. Okay?”
“Aiden—”
“Understand?”
“Yeah.”
He nods once and leaves. I lock the door after him as commanded. Then I drop down onto my bed, mind racing.
You're ours. What does that mean?
And why are those words both terrifying and right at the same time?