Chapter 24

Aria I had no desire to set foot in the Alpha’s mansion. In fact, I hadn’t been there in two and a half decades—not since the days of that arrogant bastard, Alpha Owen. But the moment I realized my daughter had gone into heat at the party—and that was why she hadn’t come home—I knew I had to go. If her heat was as strong as that day, or worse, there’d be some fucking going on. And I wasn’t about to let my daughter lose her flower without a proper marriage—unlike me. It still felt like yesterday when the man I loved with all my heart betrayed me for someone hotter. The memory left a bitter taste in my mouth. Thank the goddess for Garfield, though. He gave me comfort when I needed it most, and so did Josh. Then I paused, thinking of Aina. My daughter. Every time I look at her, I see myself—the way I used to be. Soft. Too soft. I learned early that a girl needed to be sharp and quick-witted, but no matter how much I tried to make Aina that way, she always ended up as the one people picked on. I had been the same before I met Owen. Back then, he was the Alpha’s son, and when we played, he never went easy on me. Somehow, being around him sharpened my tongue. Looking back now, it’s almost funny. I didn’t want Aina to end up like I did, so I’ve always been strict with her. That doesn’t mean I don’t love her—I do, fiercely. I was happy the day she paired with Alex, but my gentle girl accepted his rejection without a fight. I was furious. Then, when she told me the Alpha’s son was her mate, I was finally proud she’d stepped up her game. But I still don’t trust that boy. After all, his father’s blood runs in his veins. The sooner Aina gets pregnant—securing her place and her son’s claim as the next Alpha—before Osborne gets tired of her, the better. The dress and the spa had already drained a good chunk of money from our purse. Business was struggling so badly that I could barely provide for my children, let alone myself. Things were hard—harder than I’d like to admit. Garfield always did his best, but still, we were as broke as dirt. At least Aina would soon be living with her mate—one less big mouth to feed. I was still lost in thought, weighing our poverty in my mind, when the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it,” I called, heading over to open the door. Standing there was the Luna. My heart skipped. “Oh—did something happen to my daughter? I just left now… what did that girl do?” I asked quickly, a note of panic in my voice. The Luna calmly removed her glasses. “No, she hasn’t done anything.” I let out a breath of relief—only for her next words to catch me off guard. “I came here to see you,” she said. And the moment I took a proper look at her, I knew exactly what she was here for. “Let’s talk in your car,” I told her, and she nodded without question. I didn’t want anyone overhearing what we were about to discuss. We climbed into her car, facing each other. “So… Osborne told you, even after he promised not to, huh?” I asked. Her eyes widened. “What?” Oops. Wrong move. “Sorry… Osborne knew.” I quickly shook my head. “Isn’t that why you’re here?” She swallowed. “That you used to be my husband’s girlfriend?” I nodded. “Yes. I told Osborne this morning when your son was interrogating me. At this point, I have nothing to lose, so I said it.” The Luna exhaled slowly. “I don’t know what happened between you two, but—” I cut her off. “He loves you. Isn’t that why, after making out with me, he went over and marked you? Look—he’s a prick, and if I were you, I wouldn’t trust him.” My tone was blunt, matter-of-fact. She studied me. “You’re still hurt about it, aren’t you?” That made me scoff. “No. I’d never be hurt over someone who discarded me after using me.” Her expression tightened, almost defensive. “He didn’t.” I blinked, caught off guard. “He did.” She shook her head. “No. It was because of the late Alpha—that’s why he married me. I always knew he had feelings for someone else… but he never said who. That’s why he never felt the need to touch me. It’s always been you.” Her voice broke, tears spilling down her cheeks. Words kept tumbling out, tangled with sobs, until I didn’t know what else to do but pull her into my arms. “It’s alright. It’s in the past,” I murmured, patting her back gently. “It’s alright.” I kept holding her, but in my heart, I shut the door on Owen. He was my past. Garfield was my present. When she finally calmed down, she blew her nose and gave me a weak smile. “I’m sorry you have to see me like this,” she murmured, her eyes still red and puffy from crying. I waved it off. “Nah, it’s fine. We’ll be in-laws soon, so there’s no need to feel awkward. If you’re worried your husband still loves me… I honestly don’t think he ever really did. So, forget about it.” I brushed the topic aside, mostly because a headache was already creeping in. “Hah… it was the way he looked at you,” she said suddenly, her tone almost thoughtful. “That’s how I knew something was up. And the way you answered him—so casually, as if you weren’t speaking to the Alpha you’re supposed to fear—I just knew you two had a past.” I held her gaze, unbothered. “Luna, those who know me know I’ve got a sharp tongue. And honestly, your husband didn’t look at me in any special way. If you ask me, I’d say he looked at me the same way he did when we were just… friends.” My mind wandered briefly, remembering those days. “Oh,” she murmured, tilting her head. I chuckled softly. “Before there was anything between us, we used to be friends—back when we were younger. We always played rough, and when I sharpened my tongue, your husband was my favorite victim.” That made us both burst into laughter. “That’s the look he gave me,” I added once we calmed down. “Like the Owen I knew as a kid—not the Owen who once fell for me. I never really understood why he suddenly left me for you… but it’s all in the past now.” She smiled faintly, then leaned in and hugged me, and for a moment, the tension between us eased.