Chapter 20. Sleeping in th
Chapter 20: Sleeping in the Same Bed, I Won’t Touch Her
Chapter 20: Sleeping in the Same Bed, I Won’t Touch Her
(Olivia’s POV)
Eleonora’s brows drew together at my question. For a moment, her composure slipped.
“What do you mean by that? Of course Leo is your only child.” she said, but I heard the tremor in her voice.
Her hands tightened around her wine glass. The crystal stem looked fragile under her grip.
I wanted to expose her right here and now. The words burned in my throat.
But Theodore’s voice cut through my thoughts. “Mother, Olivia and I are planning to adopt a child.”
He reached for my hand across the table. His touch was warm, but I felt nothing.
“Our family will soon have more than just Leo,” he announced. His smile was strained.
Eleonora leaned forward, her expression shifting.
“What’s the adopted child’s name?” she asked. “When can I meet them?”
Theodore’s answer came quickly. “We’ve only received photo albums from Lyra’s Hope Sanctuary so far.”
“We haven’t formally met the child yet,” he continued.
“Don’t ever say anything about Livvy having another pup again.” Theodore looked at his mother seriously.
I understand.”
I found myself unable to focus on their conversation. My attention drifted across the table to Isadora.
Something was wrong with her tonight.
Isadora was typically the most lively person at any gathering, dominating conversations with stories and
laughter.
But tonight she sat in silence. Her eyes seemed distant and hollow. Seemingly lost in thought.
What struck me was her eating. Just last week in our pack group chat, she had mentioned wanting to lose
weight for summer.
She had said she would focus on light eating and avoiding rich foods.
Yet here she was, eating without pause. She focused only on the two richest dishes in front of her–the
braised venison and cream–laden soup.
Her fork moved from plate to mouth. She barely seemed to taste what she was consuming.
I wanted to show concert for her I had watched Isadora grow up from a rebellious teenager into a strong
Luna
But after Evelyn’s betrayal, I couldn’t afford another misplaced trust. Not when my world was already crumbling
I pushed back from the table need to check on Leo ‘
indora’s hand shot out to stop me, but i was already standing. “ni find him myself.”
hapter 20. Sleeping in th
The entertainment room buzzed with electronic sounds. I found Leo and iris absorbed in their video game.
controllers clicking
“Leo, don’t stay up too late,” I called.
He barely glanced up from the screen. Just five more minutes, Mom.”
I was about to respond when a voice drifted from the nearby tea room. The door was slightly ajar, and I
recognized Alaric.
“If it weren’t for wanting my brother–in–law’s investment, I wouldn’t accompany her back to her family home.”
My blood ran cold. He was talking to someone on the phone, his tone low and intimate.
“Even if we sleep in the same bed, I won’t touch her, Alaric continued.
“She lies in bed like a dead fish, completely unable to arouse my desire.”
There was a pause, then his voice shifted. “I only have you in my heart, baby.”
Alaric was betraying Isadors
My first instinct was to burst into the tea room and expose him. But something held me back.
Isadora deserved to hear this from me first. She needed to know what kind of monster she had mated with.
I turned toward the study where I had seen Isadora heading earlier. I walked quickly.
But as I approached the study door, I heard crying from within. The door was slightly open.
Isadora sat in a chair, tears streaming down her face while Eleonora loomed over her.
“I want to sever the mate bond with Alaric,” Isadora sobbed. “I can’t take his betrayal anymore.”
My heart clenched. She already knew.
“Absolutely not,” Eleonora said.
“As the eldest daughter of the Redgrave family, you cannot afford to lose control of your mating,” Eleonora stated. It would be laughable to outsiders.”
Isadora looked up. “But he’s cheating on me, Mother, How can I pretend
verything is fine
“You are the Luna of the Drake pack,” Eleonora continued. “Your focus should be on controlling power, status.
and wealth,”
Those things will pave the way for your children’s future,” she added.
Isadora’s voice broke. “What about my happiness? What about my dignity?”
Eleonora waved a hand. “Alaric’s betrayal is a common mistake all Alphas make.”
“As long as he respecte you publicly and gives you dignity, other matters shouldn’t be overanalyzed.”
I pressed closer to the door, unable to pull myself away.
feadora’s next words made my stomach turn: “His mistress is pregnant, Mother. She’s already appearing publicly as the future Line Drake.”
Eleonora’s response came without hesitation. Since you only have a daughter, you should raise the mistress’a pup as your own if it’s
Chapter 20 Sleeping in th
“Having the mistress around will actually prevent other she–wolves from pursuing Alaric,” she added.
Isadora’s voice rose. “Are power and status more important than my daughter’s happiness?”
The sound of a slap echoed through the room. Eleonora had struck her own daughter.
you were
“All powerful Alphas‘ Lunas go through this, it’s perfectly normal, Eleonora said. “Did you think you special?”
She laughed scornfully, bringing up my mother, “Look at your brother’s beloved Livvy’s mother, Lila Blackwood, how foolish to sever her mate bond so easily.”
My hands clenched into fists.
“And what was the result? Livvy’s father quickly recovered from the trauma of a broken mate bond, mated with that mistress, and is still living happily with her now. And Lyra? She bore the infamous reputation of a jealous Luna and died within a few years.”
Eleonora’s voice was mocking. “Do you want to be equally stupid and follow the same path?”
In her eyes, my mother’s actions had never earned her respect. My mother had always considered her a good friend, yet in her heart, she had always looked down on my mother. My mother’s strength and courage were, in her eyes, nothing but foolishness.
I could not tolerate anyone slandering or looking down on my mother.
I shoved the study door open. Both women turned toward me.
I helped the trembling Isadora to her feet. My gaze met Eleonora’s
“Isa, don’t be afraid,” I said. 1 support your decision to sever the mate bond with Alaric.”
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