Sarah’s POV
I cupped my stinging cheek, the shock of Isabella’s slap still reverberating through my body.
My mind raced to process what she’d just revealed – Alexander had ended their engagement? When? And why hadn’t he mentioned this significant detail during our encounters?
Before I could fully gather my thoughts, a small voice cut through the tension.
“Mommy? Why did that lady hit you?”
My heart froze. Aria stood wide–eyed behind me, her gray eyes – so painfully similar to her father’s – filled with confusion and concern.
Isabella’s gaze immediately shifted past me, focusing on my daughter with predatory intensity.
I could almost see her mind working, analyzing every feature of Aria’s face, searching for the resemblance that would confirm her suspicions.
I couldn’t let that happen. Not here. Not now.
“Elena,” I said urgently, my voice barely controlled, “would you take Aria to the car, please?”
Elena, bless her, didn’t hesitate. She scooped up Aria and hurried out, though I could see the questions burning in her eyes.
Once Aria was safely out of earshot, I squared my shoulders and faced Isabella directly.
“Whatever’s happening between you and Alexander has nothing to do with me,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the pounding of my heart. “His decision to end your engagement is his own.”
“How dare you!” she spat, her perfectly manicured finger pointing accusingly at me.
Her scent changed, becoming sharp with aggression – a sign that even human females in wolf packs often develop.
“Don’t pretend you had nothing to do with it. Alexander ended things with me because of you – obviously!” “What evidence do you have?” I challenged, maintaining my ground.
Isabella laughed, a cold, brittle sound that echoed through the boutique. The few remaining customers and staff were watching us with undisguised interest, their scents thick with curiosity and discomfort.
“You think I’m stupid?” she hissed, stepping closer. “I’ve had you investigated, Sarah Winters.” The way she emphasized my false name made it clear she doubted its authenticity.
“You’ve been throwing yourself at Alexander since you arrived. Did you think no one would notice? Is seducing men just second nature to you?”
“I can explain,” I replied firmly. “Alexander saved me when I first arrived. I’m simply grateful for his help.”
Chapter 240
+25 BONUS
“Oh please,” Isabella sneered, her eyes flashing dangerously. “Stop with all your lies. You don’t think I know about you and Alpha Nate? Your childhood sweetheart?
I heard you’re planning to complete the mate bond soon.” Her lips curled in disgust.
“And at that charity event, you two adopted an abandoned baby together. She’s four now, isn’t she? Being raised by both of you.” She made exaggerated air quotes around the word “both.”
Confusion momentarily clouded my thoughts.
What was she talking about? Then realization dawned – this must be the cover story Nate had fabricated when he “handled” the investigator.
Clever. It explained Aria’s existence while keeping her true parentage hidden.
I decided to play along.
“Nate is arriving tomorrow,” I said firmly, straightening my spine the way a true Luna would. “Our relationship is none of your business.”
“Bullshit!” She stepped closer, her designer perfume overwhelming my senses.
I resisted the urge to wrinkle my nose at the artificial scent. “You’re nothing but a homewrecker.
I don’t know what game you’re playing, but I will not let some nobody with a shady past steal what’s mine.”
“Alexander isn’t a possession,” I replied, my anger rising to match hers.
My protective instincts flared. “And whatever decisions he’s made about your relationship have nothing to do with me.”
“Bitch!” Isabella raised her hand to strike me again, but this time her wrist was caught mid–air.
“That’s quite enough,” a familiar voice said.
Beta Ethan had materialized beside us, his grip firm on Isabella’s arm.
His expression was carefully neutral, but I could sense his anger simmering beneath the surface – the controlled fury of a Beta defending his pack.
“Release me this instant!” Isabella demanded, trying to yank her arm free.
Ethan complied but positioned himself subtly between us – a protective stance that didn’t
go
unnoticed.
“Ms. Laurent,” he said calmly, “I suggest you leave before this situation escalates further.”
Isabella’s gaze darted between Ethan and me, confusion briefly crossing her features when she noted how he’d positioned himself – protectively, in front of me.
“You’re defending her?” she asked incredulously.
“I’m preventing an assault in public,” Ethan replied smoothly. “Ms. Laurent.”
Chapter 240
+25 BONUS
Isabella’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “This isn’t over,” she finally said, her voice low and threatening.
“Whatever game you’re playing, I will expose you. Both of you.” Her gaze flickered to Ethan. “Alexander will
hear about this.”
With that, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the boutique, leaving a stunned silence in her wake.
I exhaled shakily, suddenly aware that my hands were trembling. The adrenaline that had been sustaining me began to ebb, leaving me feeling drained.
“Are you alright?” Ethan asked quietly.
“What are you doing here?” I countered, not ready to address his question.
Ethan’s expression was grim. “Alexander’s starting to suspect who you really are, Summer.
་་
He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “You need to tell him the truth before he uncovers it himself.”
My stomach knotted. “What makes you think that?”
Ethan said. “Last night, he started questioning the findings from when he looked into you before.He doesn’t have proof yet, but he’s looking for it–and you know he’ll find it.”
“I think it’s time to tell him the truth,” Ethan continued. “Before he figures it out himself or hears some twisted version from Isabella.”
I wrapped my arms around myself, feeling suddenly cold despite the warm boutique. “I know,” I whispered. “I just… I need to do it my way.‘
Ethan nodded, respecting my decision as a good Beta should. “Just don’t wait too long. Things are getting complicated.”
“When aren’t they?” I attempted a smile but failed miserably.
After Ethan left, I settled the bill for the dress alterations with the wide–eyed boutique owner and headed out to the parking lot. My mind was racing with implications.
Alexander had broken his engagement. The threat from Isabella. Nate was arriving tomorrow, adding another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation.
When I reached the car, both Elena and Aria were watching me intently from the backseat. Elena’s expression was a mixture of concern and confusion, while Aria simply looked worried.
“Mommy, are you okay?” she asked as I slid into the driver’s seat.
“I’m fine, sweetheart,” I assured her, meeting her eyes in the rearview mirror. Those unmistakable gray eyes. “Who was that mean lady?” Aria pressed. “Why was she so angry?”
Elena was watching me too, clearly waiting for answers.
In that moment, looking between them, I realized the web of secrets I’d woven was beginning to unravel. I couldn’t keep hiding, couldn’t keep running. Not anymore.
Chapter 240
The truth would come out, one way or another.
