Chapter 15: Unexpected Revelations
Chapter 15: Unexpected Revelations
(Ethan’s POV)
I stood frozen in the doorway of Blackwood Manor, my anger building as Martha Thompson’s words sank in.
“Your Luna left about an hour ago. Said she was meeting friends for dinner.” Martha’s tone was deliberately casual as she
continued polishing the already gleaming table. “Possibly a male friend, from what I gathered.”
My jaw clenched. “A male friend?”
Martha shrugged, not meeting my eyes. “That’s what she said, Alpha King. Should I have stopped her?”
The challenge in her voice was unmistakable. Martha had served our pack faithfully for years, but her loyalty clearly lay
with Samantha in this conflict.
“No,” I replied coldly. “That won’t be necessary.”
I pulled out my phone and dialed James. He answered on the first ring.
“Sir?”
“What did you find about those flights from the Eastern Territories?” I demanded, pacing across the living room.
James cleared his throat. “Several arrivals of note, sir. Most significantly, Hector Grayson landed yesterday morning.”
Hector Grayson. The name sent a surge of territorial rage through me. The Alpha King of the Southern Territory had no business in my region without formal notification.
“And Rebecca’s transfer?” I asked, my voice dangerously low.
“In process, sir. The paperwork is being expedited, but there’s resistance from the Council. They’re questioning the timing, given the… announcement.”
I cursed under my breath. “And my sister?”
“We’ve located her. She’s currently at the communications office, apparently handling the fallout from last night’s
announcement.”
“Handling it?” I nearly growled. “She created this mess!”
“Yes, sir. She claims she was trying to help.”
I grabbed my leather jacket from the coat rack. “I need to deal with my sister first. Keep digging on Grayson’s movements.
I want to know everywhere he’s been since arriving.”
“And Luna Reed, sir?”
I paused at the door. “I’ll find my mate myself.”
Ending the call, I turned to Martha, who was still pretending to clean.
“When she returns, tell her to stay put. We need to talk.”
Martha finally looked up, her eyes reflecting years of dedicated service but also fierce protectiveness.
“With all due respect, Alpha King, perhaps Luna Reed needs space right now.”
My patience snapped. “She’s my mate. My Luna. Not some casual acquaintance who can just disappear without a word.”
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Chapter 15: Unexpected Reve
And yet, Martha replied softly, “she did exactly that.”
I stormed out, slamming the door behind me. The scent of Samantha’s perfume still lingered in the air, taunting me with
its fading presence.
My wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin, urging me to track her, to find her, to bring her home where she belonged. But first, I needed to address the source of our current predicament.
My sister had some explaining to do.
(Samantha’s POV)
The bell above the door jingled cheerfully as I entered the Full Moon Diner. The familiar scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling venison welcomed me like an old friend.
Gregory Bennett looked up from behind the counter, his weathered face breaking into a wide smile.
“Luna Reed! It’s been too long,” he exclaimed, his eyes crinkling with genuine pleasure. “I remember when you and Alpha Blackwood used to come in every week.”
I returned his smile, though mine held a touch of sadness. “Good morning, Greg. Those were good times, weren’t they?”
“The best,” he agreed, already preparing my usual order without being asked. “You two would sit in that corner booth for
hours, planning your future together.”
My gaze drifted to the booth he mentioned. So many dreams had been shared there, whispered across that scratched
wooden table while our hands intertwined beneath it.
“Just the venison dumplings and herbal tea today, please,” I said, pulling myself back to the present. “To go.”
Greg nodded, his expression softening with understanding. “Coming right up, Luna.”
As he prepared my order, I noticed the television mounted on the wall, broadcasting the morning news. Rebecca Taylor’s
face filled the screen, her resemblance to me unmistakable yet somehow hollow. The caption read: “Future Luna Speaks
Out.”
I quickly looked away, focusing instead on counting out bills from my wallet. My funds were limited since stepping back from my healing duties, but pride prevented me from accessing the joint account I shared with Ethan.
“Here you go,” Greg said, handing me a paper bag and a thermal container. “On the house today.”
I shook my head firmly. “I can’t accept that, Greg.”
“Then consider it payment for all those times you treated my arthritis,” he insisted. “That moonlight herb salve you made.
works better than anything the pharmacy sells.”
Reluctantly, I accepted his kindness, placing the money on the counter anyway. “Thank you, Greg. For everything.”
Twenty minutes later, I pulled into the driveway of Hector Grayson’s Northern Territory estate. The Southern Alpha was
waiting at the door before I’d even turned off the engine.
“You’re punctual,” he remarked as I approached, his dark gray eyes warming at the sight of me.
“And you’re surprisingly casual,” I replied, noting his simple black sweater and dark jeans–a stark contrast to his usual
formal attire.
Hector stepped aside to let me enter. “I thought the occasion called for something less intimidating than my usual
wardrobe.”
I stepped inside, my gaze sweeping over the elegant interior. The space was minimalist yet luxurious, with artwork that probably cost more than my entire healing practice.
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“Your home is beautiful,” I commented, a teasing note entering my voice. “Are you secretly some wealthy heir just pretending to live a normal Alpha life?”
Hector’s lips quirked in amusement as he offered me guest slippers. “My family has been fortunate in business ventures outside pack politics. Does that disappoint you?”
“On the contrary,” I replied, following him to the kitchen. “I brought breakfast, though I’m now wondering if my humble offering will seem inadequate.”
He gestured for me to sit at the marble island. “I’d be honored to share whatever you’ve brought.”
I unpacked the venison dumplings and herbal tea, suddenly feeling self–conscious about the simple diner food. “It’s nothing fancy. Just my favorite breakfast from a place near my old school.”
Hector’s movements were graceful as he retrieved plates and cups, setting them before us with precision. I noticed how slightly out of place he seemed eating such ordinary food, his refined mannerisms better suited to fine dining.
“I should warn you,” I said between bites, “I’m a bit short on funds since stepping back from my healing duties. So when we go out for lunch later, we’ll need to choose somewhere… economical.”
Hector paused, his dark eyes studying me with an intensity that made my cheeks warm.
“I find that refreshing,” he finally said. “Most people in my circle are eager to flaunt wealth they haven’t earned.”
I laughed softly. “Well, I’ve definitely earned my current state of near–poverty.”
His expression turned serious. “Samantha, if you need financial assistance-”
“I don’t,” I interrupted firmly. “But thank you for the offer.”
Hector nodded, respecting my boundary. “Then I’ll choose an appropriate lunch venue. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get ready for our outing.”
As he left the kitchen, I called after him, “Nothing too fancy, Grayson!”
His soft chuckle echoed down the hallway.
(Hector’s POV)
I closed the bathroom door behind me, stripping off my casual attire and stepping into the shower. The hot water cascaded over my shoulders as I tried to clear my thoughts.
Samantha Reed was downstairs in my kitchen. The Luna of the Northern Territory–estranged Luna, I reminded myself- was sitting at my counter, eating diner food she’d brought as a gesture of friendship.
The situation was unprecedented.
I showered quickly, my mind racing. After drying off, I dressed in dark slacks and a charcoal button–down–casual enough not to intimidate but refined enough to maintain my dignity as Alpha King of the Southern Territory.
Yes, actually I am Alpha King of the Southern Territory. But I have always hidden my true identity and presented myself as a respected healer in the eastern region.
Before heading downstairs, I checked my phone. The news about Ethan Blackwood and Rebecca Taylor was still dominating social media. The announcement video remained pinned to the top of the Blackwood Enterprises account, with no clarification or retraction.
My jaw tightened. Ethan was allowing his mate to be publicly humiliated rather than risk his business dealings. It was a decision I found both tactically unsound and personally reprehensible.
I descended the stairs silently, werewolf instincts making my footfalls nearly imperceptible. In the living room, I paused,
< Chapter 15 Unexpected Reve
surprised by the sight before me.
+15 Puntos >
Samantha had fallen asleep on my sofa, her body curled slightly, one hand tucked beneath her cheek. Her face, for the
first time since I’d encountered her at Crescent Bay, looked peaceful.
The strain of recent events had clearly taken its toll. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, visible even in sleep.
Moving quietly, I retrieved my favorite cashmere throw blanket from the adjacent chair and carefully draped it over her. The cream–colored fabric settled around her like a protective cocoon.
For a moment, I allowed myself to study her features–the perfect curve of her cheek, the delicate arch of her eyebrows,
the soft fullness of her lips. Her beauty was undeniable, but it was her strength that had captured my attention from our
first meeting.
As I turned to leave, her hand suddenly caught my wrist. Her grip was surprisingly warm, her fingers closing around my skin with sleepy certainty.
“Ethan, you’re back…” she murmured, still caught in dreams of better days.
