Semua Bab Accidental: Alpha's Surrogate Bride: Bab 51 - Bab 60

Ilaria's povMy mind raced.Lucia's was an Italian restaurant near Westbrook University. Was it real? Was George testing me? I had never set foot on that campus in my life. Every detail I knew about Westbrook came from a frantic two-hour internet, I went down a rabbit hole. But no amount of preparation could cover everything.George's eyes were fixed on me as he waited. "Lucia's," I repeated slowly, buying time. "The carbonara...""Best in the city, wouldn't you say?" George pressed, his smile never wavering. "My cousin couldn't stop talking about it, he said all the students practically lived there during finals week."I opened my mouth, still not sure what would come out. If I agreed, I might be confirming something that didn't exist. If I disagreed, he would know I was lying about attending Westbrook altogether.My wolf stirred uneasily in the back of my mind. She could sense the danger, even if she couldn't help me navigate it."Actually—" I started."Lucia's closed down years

Ilaria's povThe Coming of Age ceremony was a sacred tradition among high-ranking wolf families. Every child who showed promise was presented to the pack at age thirteen, where they were expected to demonstrate their ability to shift. It was a rite of passage, a public declaration of their wolf's strength and their family's status.I had never participated in any such ceremony because I had never shifted at all.Margaret hesitated, clearly not briefed on this particular detail. "Well, of course she did. Every young wolf does.""How old was she? Thirteen? Fourteen?""Thirteen," Thomas jumped in quickly. "Right on schedule. We were so proud."George nodded slowly, but I could see the doubt in his eyes. He turned to me directly."That must have been a wonderful day for you, Luna Ilaria. Do you remember what color your wolf was when you first shifted?"Trap. This was a trap.Wolves didn't change color after their first shift. Whatever color you were at thirteen was the color you remained

Ilaria's povI had decided to take a walk through the gardens, hoping the fresh air might calm the anxiety that had become my constant companion.I was near the eastern gate, the one that led to the public road beyond the pack territory when I heard the commotion.The guards at the gate were arguing with someone."I told you, I have a right to see her!" The voice was slurred, aggressive, painfully familiar. "She's my daughter! My own flesh and blood!"My stomach dropped.No. No. No. I moved toward the gate before I could think better of it, my wolf whimpering in recognition of the threat. The guards saw me approaching and exchanged uncertain glances."Luna Ilaria," one of them said, "this man claims to be your father. He's been demanding entry for the past ten minutes."Bill stood on the other side of the iron bars, looking worse than I had ever seen him. His clothes were stained and rumpled, his eyes bloodshot, his face covered in several days' worth of stubble. The stench of cheap

Ilaria's povIt’s been three days of Reed trying to talk to me and me finding excuses to be somewhere else.I knew I was being unfair. Part of me understood that he had been trying to protect me in the only way he knew how. But the wound was too fresh, the humiliation too raw. Every time I closed my eyes, I heard those words.Important partner.Still, life went on. The baby growing inside me didn't care about my emotional turmoil. Today was my scheduled prenatal checkup and I wasn't going to skip it just because my heart was broken.The pack medical facility was quiet when I arrived.Most of the staff had been sent home early due to some administrative issue, leaving only a skeleton crew. The nurse who greeted me was an unfamiliar, a thin woman with sharp features and nervous eyes who introduced herself as Meredith."Luna Ilaria." She dipped her head respectfully. "We've been expecting you. Please, this way."I sat on the edge and waited while Meredith checked my vitals, "Everything

Ilaria's povThe convention center was packed.Reporters lined the walls, cameras positioned at every angle, and microphones bristling like a forest of metal thorns. The stage had been set up with two podiums, one for Reed, one for George and a row of chairs behind them for "honored guests."I sat in one of those chairs, my hands folded in my lap to hide their trembling."Campaign unity." That was what George had called this event when he extended the invitation. A chance for both candidates to appear together before the election, to show the territory that regardless of the outcome, the pack would remain strong and unified.Reed had known it was a trap but refusing to attend would have looked like weakness, like we had something to hide. So here we were, walking directly into the lion's den.George stood at his podium, all charm and confidence, working the crowd like a seasoned performer. His silver hair gleamed under the lights, his smile never faltering, his voice smooth as silk."