[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-my-sister-stole-my-mate-and-i-let-her":3,"chapter-my-sister-stole-my-mate-and-i-let-her-my-sister-stole-my-mate-and-i-let-her-chapter-402":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","My Sister Stole My Mate, And I Let Her",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},764526,1010,"Chapter 402 TRADITIONAL SUPPORT STRUCTURES","my-sister-stole-my-mate-and-i-let-her-chapter-402",402,"\u003Cp>SERAPHINA’S POV\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ava stepped out from behind Alois, small fingers curling into the fabric of his coat as if she needed the contact to stay anchored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked thinner than I remembered, the softness of childhood sharpened into something more fragile and watchful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gave a tiny wave. “Hi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re...” My voice faltered. I swallowed, stepping forward slowly, as if sudden movement might frighten her away. “You’re okay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ava gave a small nod. “I’m okay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But something in her tone told me that wasn’t entirely true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I crouched in front of her. “Can I hug you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hesitated for a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she threw her arms around my neck. I pulled her close, one hand cradling the back of her head as if I could shield her from everything she’d endured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was so worried when I heard about the fire,” I murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m fine,” she whispered, her grip tightening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Ava pulled back, I kept my hands on her shoulders, searching her face. “What about your grandmother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face instantly shuttered, and her head dropped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The fire in Moonlight Alley did not take them,” Alois said. “Ava and her grandmother survived the initial incident.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relief surged before something in his tone pulled it short.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But?” I asked quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alois inclined his head. “Her grandmother’s health had been declining prior to the fire. The conditions that followed accelerated the inevitable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My grip on Ava’s shoulders tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She passed,” he finished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked down at Ava. Her gaze was still trained on the floor, lashes casting faint shadows against her cheeks. There were no tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That almost made it worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m so sorry,” I said softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shrugged one shoulder, a small, dismissive motion that didn’t match the weight of what she’d lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s okay,” she said. “She was tired.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My chest ached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alois continued, his voice measured, “After her grandmother’s passing, Ava...withdrew. She has not responded well to traditional support structures.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A delicate way of saying she’d shut down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She trusts you,” he added. “More than anyone else I’ve ever known her to interact with. I believed bringing her here might help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She can stay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ava glanced up at me at that, something flickering in her eyes—surprise, maybe. Or relief she didn’t quite know how to show.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re safe here,” I told her gently. “You can stay as long as you want. As long as you need.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lips pressed together, uncertainty shadowing her eyes as she gave a shallow nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Okay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stood slowly, my hand slipping into hers. She didn’t pull away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll take care of her,” I told Alois.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave a small nod, as if that was the answer he’d expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside me, Kieran’s hand brushed against my back—a silent acknowledgment, steady and supportive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s get you settled,” I said to Ava, squeezing her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She followed me without resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guest room I chose was one of the quieter ones, tucked away from the main flow of the packhouse. Soft light filtered through the curtains, the space warm without being overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ava stepped inside and paused, her gaze moving slowly over the room as if she were cataloguing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can stay here,” I said. “I have some things to take care of, but I’ll be back soon. If you need anything, you can come find me. Or Kieran. Or anyone. You’re not alone here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She nodded, but didn’t move further in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I crouched again, gentler this time. “Hey.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes lifted to mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t have to pretend you’re okay,” I said softly. “Not here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a second, I thought she might say something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, she wrapped her arms around me again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, she didn’t let go right away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I held her, one hand smoothing slowly over her back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve got you,” I murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she finally pulled away, she moved toward the bed and sat down, hands folding neatly in her lap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I lingered for a moment longer, making sure she was settled before rising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll have someone bring you breakfast,” I told her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She nodded again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I turned to leave, her small voice stopped me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sera?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had curled up on the bed into a tiny ball. “Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled. “Anytime.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I rejoined Kieran and Alois, and we moved toward Aaron’s quarters in silence, the tension building with every step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards stationed outside straightened as we approached and immediately stepped aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, Aaron sat on the edge of the bed, hands resting loosely on his thighs, posture slack in a way that wasn’t relaxed so much as...disengaged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Imani sat nearby, angled toward him, her body tilted forward as if unconsciously reaching for him but not daring to close the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their son was tucked against her side, one hand clutching her sleeve, wide eyes fixed on the man who was supposed to be his father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment we stepped in, Imani looked up. Relief flooded her face when she saw me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady Sera,” she gasped, rising to her feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gave her a gentle smile. “How are you holding up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lips parted, eyes shimmering with uncertainty, searching for words that refused to come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I...” She glanced back at Aaron, her expression wavering. “I’m trying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brief thought occurred to me that Ava wasn’t the only one not responding to traditional support structures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My gaze softened as it dropped to her son. “And him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He hasn’t left my side,” she said, her hand coming down to rest on the boy’s head. “I didn’t want to keep him away any longer. I thought...maybe seeing him might help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The squashed hope in that sentence pressed painfully against my chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re doing the right thing,” I assured her. “Being here with him. Both of you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes glistened, gratitude flickering through the grief. “Thank you...for letting us stay. For everything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shook my head. “You don’t have to thank me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kieran stepped forward and called out gently. “Aaron?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaron lifted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alpha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Imani flinched at the sound, her shoulders tightening, but she steadied herself quickly, drawing in a quiet breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alois studied Aaron for a moment before moving closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I?” he asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kieran gave a short nod. “Go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Imani hesitated, glancing between us, then at Aaron and Alois, understanding slowly dawning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is...to help him?” she asked, fragile but steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” I assured her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She nodded, swallowing hard, and looked down at her son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on,” she murmured, brushing a hand over his hair. “Let’s give them some space.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy resisted for a second, his gaze still fixed on Aaron, but eventually allowed himself to be guided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she passed me, her fingers brushed mine lightly—an unconscious gesture, seeking reassurance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s going to be okay, right?” she whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re going to do everything we can,” I said softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She held my gaze for a moment longer, then gave a small, trembling nod before leading her son out of the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door clicked shut behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alois moved with precise calm, crouching in front of Aaron, his gaze intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaron didn’t react to Alois, didn’t flinch, didn’t even track the movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alois’ hand lifted, hovering just within reach, and I felt a faint, controlled pressure brushing against the edges of my awareness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Psychic energy, but unlike anything I was used to wielding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where mine surged and strained against resistance, his moved with quiet precision, threading inward rather than forcing its way through, slipping into the spaces Aaron couldn’t guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaron remained still, his expression unchanged, but something shifted beneath the surface, something I could feel more than see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of confusion crossed his face then, brief and unanchored, like a reaction without understanding. It faded just as quickly as it appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no awareness behind it, no recognition of intrusion—only a momentary disturbance that didn’t know what it was responding to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alois stilled, not physically but in focus, as if something he had been tracing had reached its end, or its limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence stretched, heavy and expectant, no one daring to interrupt, because whatever he was confirming in that moment mattered more than any question we could ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Aloi finally withdrew, the pressure eased with him, the subtle psychic tension receding until the room felt like itself again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He straightened slowly, composure intact, but there was a seriousness in his expression now that hadn’t been there before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well?\" Kieran pressed, the restraint he’d been holding onto thinning. \"What did you see?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alois’s gaze lingered on Aaron for a moment longer, something thoughtful and distant passing behind his composure, before he looked back at us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We should discuss this elsewhere. Gather everyone.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1444,"2026-06-03T02:27:49.405Z",1,"novelbin.me","e293f840f1c0d452c1153e98c56c2512087252e7e7864c570d96e362b04cd9dd","my-sister-stole-my-mate-and-i-let-her-chapter-403","my-sister-stole-my-mate-and-i-let-her-chapter-401",488,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmy-sister-stole-my-mate-and-i-let-her-cover.jpg"]