“Alpha Jason?” Adrian was shocked. Did that woman dare leave his pack with him?

“Yes, Alpha Jason,” Grace told her son. “When I was Luna, I met his parents, Alpha Martin and Luna Jade, a few times. They are good people.”

Before Adrian could ask more, she continued, “In fact, they were supposed to come to our pack years ago. Your father wanted an alliance, and they agreed. But then…”

Adrian raised an eyebrow. “Are you saying something happened? Were they arrogant and unwilling to join? Or did they simply pretend to want the alliance?”

Grace shook her head. “No. Later, we learned the truth: their newborn daughter died.”

His brows shot up. “They had a daughter?”

“Yes. There was a rumor that she died in an accident. People stopped talking about her to avoid hurting the parents.”

Adrian listened silently; he knew nothing of this.

“From then on, everyone focused on their son, Alpha Jason. They gave him everything, raising him with love. They were terrified of losing him too.”

Adrian stood when his mother finished. He said, “Mom, whatever happened to that family, I can offer condolences. But that doesn’t mean I need their son’s alliance.”

‘Not after what I saw in the footage,’ Adrian thought, leaving his father’s cabin. His mind was racing. Why did Natalia leave with Jason? Was it just a one-night stand?

The thought of her with another man ignited his anger. He felt like smashing everything. He went to the reception area. Everyone stood as he entered.

“Alpha,” they said, bowing.

“Show me Natalia Pierce’s discharge papers,” he ordered.

“Natalia Pierce?” A woman searched, then said, “There’s no patient by that name, Alpha.”

“Check carefully.”

“Oh yes, it’s Natalia M-Miller…” The woman hesitated, noticing the surname.

Adrian realized he’d signed her hospital papers as Natalia Miller last night. He’d almost forgotten she wasn’t a Miller anymore—she was no longer his wife.

He clenched his jaw, remembering his worry for her. She didn’t deserve his concern.

“She was discharged today. Here are the papers.”

Adrian grabbed them and looked at the signature: “Jason Hansley,” he muttered, scoffing. He tossed the papers on the desk and left, furious.

How could Jason sign for her? Who was he to her? Husband? Boyfriend? Or a disloyal friend of her supposed fiancé, Eric? Hadn’t Eric announced their engagement? Did he know about her and Jason?

Reaching his apartment, Adrian went to the bar and opened a bottle of wine. His anger was overwhelming; wine was the only thing that could quell it. He thought about Natalia, disbelieving that the woman who once sought his attention had become this.

After a while, there were knocks. He answered the door to find Lynda, who entered uninvited, seemingly elated.

“Adrian, why are you drinking alone? Let’s have a drink,” she said, going to the bar and pouring herself a glass. “Cheers.”

Adrian watched her. Lynda, once shy and unsure in high society, had transformed.

Lynda stepped back, maintaining eye contact. “Adrian, remember when we met? You said you’d been searching for me. I didn’t understand, but you said I was the owner of your heart.”

Adrian recalled the day.

“You said you were married, but you’d divorce for me. I was fine with that. As long as you loved me, I’d do anything. I even…”

“What do you want to say?” Adrian asked, finishing his drink.

“When will you marry me, Adrian? At least declare me your Luna, so I can bear your name,” Lynda said softly.

Her heels twisted; Adrian caught her before she fell. Her drink spilled on her dress. She steadied herself, wiping the spill over a scar on her hand.

“I’ve been with you a long time. Just declare me your Luna.” She wrapped her arms around his neck.

Adrian’s eyes fell on her scar, reminding him of Natalia. He shook his head, removing her arms.

Lynda, angry, left, saying he didn’t love her anymore. Strangely, her words didn’t affect him as much as Natalia’s had. Although he considered giving Lynda his name, his heart wouldn’t let him make her his Luna.

The final sentence, and the FindNovel.net advertisement, have been removed as they were extraneous to the cleaned-up text.