Call me Mom :Mated to my EX's Alpha Father のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 61 - チャプター 70

Lucian's Point of ViewI stood at the manor entrance, watching the darkening sky with growing concern.Juliette had not returned home.It was well past dinner. The servants had cleared the dishes hours ago. The candles in her chambers remained unlit. Her seat at the table sat empty.Where was she?"George," I called to my Beta, who stood nearby. "Send men to search for the Luna. Discreetly. I want to know where she is.""Yes, Alpha." George bowed and hurried away.I resumed my vigil at the door, arms crossed, jaw tight.This was unlike her. Juliette was responsible. Considerate. She always sent word if she would be late. She knew how quickly rumors could spread if the Luna was seen wandering about after dark.Had something happened? Was she hurt? Had Katherine's scheming somehow escalated beyond what I had been told?The thought made my blood run cold.I should never have let her go out alone. Should have insisted on guards accompanying her everywhere. Should have—The sound of carria

Juliette's Point of ViewI woke to a pounding headache.The light streaming through the curtains felt like daggers stabbing directly into my skull. My mouth was dry as parchment. My stomach churned unpleasantly.This was why I didn't drink.I groaned and pressed my face into the pillow, trying to escape the brutal morning light.As I lay there, willing the pain to subside, I noticed something strange.A scent lingered in the air. Faint but distinct. Something musky and warm that I couldn't quite identify.My wolf stirred inside me, suddenly alert.What is that smell? she demanded. It's... it's...She couldn't finish the sentence. Instead, a wave of heat rolled through my body, settling low in my belly.Mate, my wolf whined. I want mate. I need mate. Why won't he claim us? Why does he reject us?Not this again.He's impotent, I reminded her tiredly. We've been over this.But that smell... it's his. I know it is. And it makes me feel...She didn't need to finish. I could feel it too. An

Juliette's Point of ViewThe massive paw swung toward my face.I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for the impact.It never came.A blur of gray fur slammed into the wolf above me, knocking it aside with a vicious snarl. Rosie, transformed into her wolf form, stood over me protectively, her hackles raised and teeth bared.The attacking wolf scrambled to its feet, confusion replacing bloodlust as it realized who it had nearly struck.The Luna of Silvercrest.The other pursuing wolves had caught their prey. Two smaller wolves lay pinned to the ground, whimpering and struggling uselessly against their captors.I pushed myself up slowly, wincing at the pain in my shoulder. Dirt clung to my dress. My hair had come loose from its pins.But I was alive. Unharmed.As I steadied myself, I caught a glimpse of the two captured wolves.One was unfamiliar. Scrawny and terrified.The other...I recognized Marcus immediately. Cordelia's maid's son. The gambling addict we had been carefully cultivating

Juliette's Point of ViewThe manor was quiet when I returned.The journey back from Ashvale had been long and exhausting. My body ached from the earlier fall, and my heart felt heavier than my tired limbs.I had barely stepped through the entrance when I saw him.Lucian stood in the main hall, his arms crossed, his expression concerned. He had clearly been waiting for me."Juliette." He crossed the distance between us in a few long strides. "You're back. How did it go?"I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came.The exhaustion. The grief. The memories of Felix that had been haunting me all day. It all crashed together, and suddenly I felt like I might crumble.Lucian's eyes softened. He reached out and gently took my arm."It failed, didn't it?" His voice was quiet. Understanding. "The plan didn't work.""No." I shook my head quickly. "The plan succeeded. Everything went exactly as intended."His brow furrowed with confusion. "Then why do you look so...""Sad?" I finished for hi

Juliette's Point of ViewI gestured at the chest of money."This is half," I said calmly. "The other half will be delivered once you've completed the task to my satisfaction."Martha's eyes flickered with calculation. Marcus simply stared at the gold like a man dying of thirst who had stumbled upon an oasis."How will we know when you're satisfied?" Martha asked carefully."When Cordelia begins to lose her grip on reality. When people start to notice that something is wrong with her." I smiled coldly. "You'll know. And so will I."Martha nodded slowly. "And the debt collectors?""Will be paid off today. By tomorrow morning, Marcus will be free of his obligations." I leaned back in my chair. "Do we have an understanding?""Yes, Luna." Martha rose to her feet, pulling her son up with her. "We understand perfectly.""Good. Then you may go. I'll send word when I need an update."They gathered their half of the money, stuffing it into bags they had brought. Marcus kept glancing at me with