#Chapter 40: Unruly

Elara The whispers began almost immediately. Rather than helping me climb to my feet or taking the vase from my hands, the onlookers turned to each other, not even bothering to hide their cruel words. “Is that the Omega who became the Donovan Luna?” someone murmured. “Why wasn’t Alpha Alaric by her side?” Another whispered, “Is that Alaric’s missing daughter who got swapped at birth?” “She’s so unruly for an Alpha’s daughter,” one older woman scoffed. “I wonder if it has anything to do with her Omega upbringing…” The last one hit harder than I cared to admit, and I clenched my teeth against the swell of emotion threatening to choke me. Zoe, now clinging to my skirt, was trembling too, her wide eyes shimmering with unshed tears as she looked up at me. I crouched down to her level, smoothing her hair and murmuring, “It’s okay, sweetheart. You’re okay. Everything’s okay. Are you hurt?” Zoe shook her head, although her lower lip was trembling