All Chapters of Unexpected Mate: The Cruel Alpha’s Little Wolf: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

The following morning... The estate seemed to wake earlier than usual. By the time I came downstairs, servants were already moving quietly through the entrance hall. Fresh flowers had replaced those arranged only yesterday. Silver fixtures gleamed beneath the morning light. Even the guards stationed outside the front entrance appeared more formal than usual. No one seemed nervous. Simply... Prepared. I paused near one of the tall windows overlooking the front drive. Beyond the gates, the long road disappeared into the trees. "You've been standing there for almost five minutes." Kael's voice came from behind me. I turned. He looked exactly as he always did. Dark suit. Calm expression. Those unmistakable blue eyes. Only the small Blackwood crest fastened neatly to his lapel hinted that today was different. "I didn't realise." " I've noticed." I smiled faintly. "Is it that obvious?" "Only to someone looking." He stopped beside me, following

The atmosphere in the drawing room had changed enough that the formality from earlier no longer felt quite so rigid. Adrian reached for his teacup, taking an unhurried sip before setting it carefully back onto its saucer. "I nearly forgot." He slipped a hand inside his jacket. "For someone who has unintentionally become the most persuasive voice in the room." Aurelia blinked. "Me?" A faint smile touched his lips. "You." He withdrew a small velvet pouch and held it toward her. "I brought this with me." Aurelia didn't move. Instead, she looked instinctively at Kael. Her father gave a small nod. "You may accept it." Only then did she step forward, taking the pouch with both hands. "Thank you, Alpha Ashbourne." "You're very welcome." She loosened the drawstring with carefully before tipping the contents into her palm. A delicate silver pendant rested there. It was shaped like a crescent moon, its surface engraved with tiny patterns that shimmered wh

Elder Rowan's announcement settled over the room like a quiet warning. Kael rose first. "Show them to the council chamber." "Yes, my Alpha." Rowan inclined his head before leaving. Adrian remained seated for a moment, studying Kael with mild curiosity. Kael adjusted the cuff of his jacket. "If the council has come unannounced, then they believe whatever matter brings them here cannot wait." I stood as well. "Should I come?" Kael looked at me. "Yes." The answer came without hesitation. "You are Luna." Something inside me settled. Not because I suddenly felt prepared. Because Kael hadn't given me a choice. He simply expected me to stand beside him. Adrian rose from his chair. "I hope you won't consider it presumptuous if I accompany you." Kael met his gaze. "You're welcome to observe." "Thank you." Together, we made our way through the estate. The council chamber occupied the eastern wing of Blackwood House. Unlike the drawing room, it h

"Luna?" I turned. Miss Agatha stood a few steps behind me, her expression carrying the kind of quiet warmth that always seemed to put people at ease. "You look as though you're trying to plan three weeks' worth of work before supper." I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. "Does it show that much?" "I'm afraid it does." A small smile tugged at my lips before fading almost as quickly as it had appeared. "I've been thinking." "I gathered as much." I glanced toward the front gardens where Aurelia had already disappeared with two maids, eagerly telling them all about the pendant Alpha Ashbourne had given her. "Her birthday is in three days." "It is." "And the Midsummer Summit is only three weeks away." Miss Agatha nodded patiently. "I know." I rubbed my forehead. "I've barely begun learning what it means to be Luna." "Now I'm expected to prepare for the most important gathering Blackwood has hosted in years." "And somehow..." My shou

Together we stepped out into the corridor. Aurelia insisted on walking between us. She held my hand with one of hers. Kael's with the other. "I've decided something," she announced. "Oh?" Kael glanced down at her. She nodded solemnly. "Nobody's allowed to be serious today." A smile tugged at my lips. "Nobody?" "Nobody." She looked up at Kael. "Especially Daddy." "I see." "You always do the serious face." "I do?" She demonstrated it immediately, pressing her lips together and staring straight ahead. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. It was... Uncomfortably accurate. Kael looked at her for a moment before one corner of his mouth lifted. "Is that better?" She studied him critically. "A little." "A little?" "Mhm." "You need to smile more." I glanced at him. "I'm inclined to agree." His eyes met mine briefly. "So the vote is two against one." "It is," I admitted. Aurelia beamed. "We win." He gave a resign