All Chapters of Hooking Up With Her Ex's Alpha Dad: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Claire's POVThe moment Jennifer and I stepped into our apartment, she practically bounced on her toes with barely contained excitement. Her eyes were sparkling with curiosity, and I could tell she was dying to hear every single detail about my trip with Theo."Okay, spill," she demanded, throwing herself onto our couch and patting the cushion beside her. "And I mean everything. Don't you dare leave out a single juicy detail."I couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm as I settled beside her, tucking my legs underneath me. "Where do I even start?""Start with the obvious," Jennifer said, gesturing wildly. "You left here as Theo's secretary, and you came back looking like a woman who's been thoroughly ravished by a very powerful Alpha. So clearly, something major happened."Heat flooded my cheeks at her blunt assessment, but I couldn't deny the truth of it. I did feel different—more confident, more settled, like I'd finally found my place in

Claire's POVWhat did she mean by that? I mean, she'd invited me. She remained seated, regarding me with the sort of expression one might reserve for something unpleasant tracked in on the bottom of a shoe. Her steel-gray eyes—so like Theo's, yet utterly devoid of his warmth—swept over me with undisguised disdain."So," she said, her voice cutting through the afternoon stillness like shards of ice, "you're the Omega.""The Omega," as if my rank was the only thing about me worth acknowledging. The dismissal was so complete, so casually cruel, that it took my breath away.I remained standing, uncertain whether to take a seat uninvited. Luna Roanna made no gesture toward the elegant chairs arranged around the room, clearly intending for me to remain on my feet like a servant awaiting orders. The power play was obvious and effective—she sat in comfort while I stood before her like a supplicant."I am," I replied, forcing my voice to r

Claire's POVMy hands were still trembling as I walked away from Luna Roanna's estate, the afternoon sun doing nothing to warm the chill that had settled deep in my bones. The confrontation had left me shaken in ways I hadn't expected—not just from her threats, but from the realization of how far I'd pushed back. I'd stood up to one of the most powerful women in werewolf society and lived to tell about it.But the victory felt hollow. The look in her eyes when I'd walked away promised retribution, and I knew this was far from over.I needed time to process what had just happened before facing Theo. He would see the stress in my face immediately, would demand to know every detail of my conversation with his mother. And while I had no intention of hiding anything from him, I wanted to find my equilibrium first, to sort through the emotional wreckage before bringing it home to him.I walked slowly, trying to let the peaceful neighborhood settle my nerv

Claire's POVThe drive to Theo's penthouse passed in a blur of city lights and gentle pressure—his hand warm and steady on my knee, an anchor keeping me tethered to the present moment instead of spiraling into the chaos of everything that had just happened. He didn't speak, didn't ask questions, didn't demand explanations. He simply drove with quiet purpose while his thumb traced small, soothing circles against my leg.I found myself focusing on that simple touch, using it to ground myself. The familiar scent of his car—gradually replaced the memory of Adrian's alcohol-tainted breath. The steady hum of the engine drowned out the echo of Luna Roanna's threats. Slowly, incrementally, my racing heart began to settle.When we reached his building, Theo guided me through the lobby and into the private elevator with the same protective care, his hand at the small of my back, his body positioned slightly between me and the world. Even the doorman's polite g

Theo's POVI pulled through the familiar gates of my mother's residence. My hands gripped the steering wheel with controlled tension, the memory of Claire's bruised cheek fueling a cold fury that had been building since she'd told me about yesterday's confrontation.I'd left Claire at her apartment with promises that I would handle this, that she would never have to face my mother's cruelty alone again. The trust in her eyes as I'd kissed her goodbye had only strengthened my resolve. This ended today.The same stern-faced housekeeper who had admitted Claire yesterday opened the door, her expression shifting from practiced welcome to barely concealed nervousness when she saw my face."Alpha," she said, the title automatic despite the family connection. "Luna Roanna is in the morning room. Shall I—""Get out of my way," I cut her off, already moving past her into the house.I found my mother exactly where I expected—seated at the a