Chapter 77: Confrontation by the Moonstone Pool

Chapter 77: Confrontation by the Moonstone Pool

(Elena’s POV)

I averted my gaze, acting as if I hadn’t seen Marcus standing by the Moonstone Reflecting Pool. My footsteps quickened as I walked past him without acknowledgment.

The stone path crunched beneath my feet. I kept my eyes fixed straight ahead, refusing to give him the

satisfaction of recognition.

At Moonhaven Estate Great Hall, I deliberately ignored Marcus’s presence as he followed me inside. The familiar opulence of the estate felt suffocating now.

Marcus stopped me before I could reach the door. “Is bthis /bhow you greet your mate?”

His voice carried that dangerous edge I knew so well. The Alpha authority in his tone made my shine stiffen.

I turned to face him, my expression cold. “Greeting? Like how you greeted me for the past six

“You ignored mepletely then, I continued, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Why do you suddenly care about pack protocol now?”

Marcus’s golden eyes studied my face. “The investigation results areplete.”

My heart clenched, but I kept my expression neutral. “And?”

“I can transfer Sophia to internal medicine if you dislike her presence in the surgical department,” he offered.

Bitterness flooded through me like poison. Even now, he was still protecting her.

“How generous of you,” I said coldly. “Still favoring Sophia over your own Lunab./b”

Marcus stepped closer. “I didn’t interfere with the investigation results.”

Iughed harshly. “You expect me to believe that?”

“Elena-

“No,” I cut him off. Tm done with your lies.”

My voice grew stronger with each word. “Sophia has tried to harm me repeatedly. The business meetingb. /bwhere I was almost assaulted–how could she im ignorance?”

Marcus’s jaw tightened. “That wasn’t-

“And her fall at the institute,” I continued relentlessly. “Even with surveince footage proving my innocence,

you still believed she was meless.”

The memories burned in my chest/ Every betrayal, every moment he chose her over me.

“The anesthesia tampering,” I pressed on. “A newly graduated trainee nurse wouldn’t dare tamper with critical medications without direction from a superior.”

Marcus reached for me, but I stepped back. “You think I’m stupidb?/bb” /b

“Even if evidence pointed directly at Sophia, you’d still protect her,” I said bitterly. “The investigation results

Chooter 77: Confiontato

are meaningless when you control the oue.”

I freed myself from his approaching grasp. Tm done being byour /bfool, Marcus.”

I turned and walked away, leaving him standing by the Moonhaven Reflecting Pool. His expression was

unreadable in the fading light.

Two dayster, I apanied Patricia to Shadowmere Medical Center to visit David. The hospital’s grand foyer bustled with activity.

“Elena!” Adrian Whitmore’s voice called out.

I turned to see him approaching with Benjamin Hayes. Adrian looked as refined as always, his amber eyes

warm bwith /brecognition.

“Adrian,” I greeted him with genuine warmth. “What brings you here?”

“Checking on some pack business,” he replied smoothly.

I

I gestured to Patricia beside me. “This is my mother, Patricia ckthorne.”

Adrian’s expression softened. “Mrs, ckthorne, I’m Adrian Whitmore. My pack guards are p

ng your

son.”

Patricia’s eyes widened with gratitude. Thank you so much for your kindness.”

“It’s nothing. Adrian said modestly. “My mother Dorothea likes Elena very much. She’s asked me to take care

of her.”

Benjamin suddenly stared at Patricia intently. His sses reflected the lobby lights as recognition dawned in

his eyes

“You’re the woman from before: Benjamin said slowly. “The one my Luna encountered while searching for her

Both Elena and Adrian looked surprised. Patricia’s face showed vague recognition.

b“/bYour mother?” Patricia asked Adrian uncertainly.

Adrian nodded. “Yes, that was my mother, Dorothea Whitmore.”

Benjamin exined the incident to Adrian in low tones. Patricia listened, her expression growing thoughtful.

“I remember now,” Patricia said softly. “The poor woman seemed so distressed.”

I chatted with Adrian briefly, promising to visit Dorothea soon. After saying goodbye, I apanied Patricia

to David’s recovery chamber.

Patricia seemed distracted as she gently stroked David’s hand. He rested peacefully, the machines monitoring his steady progress.

I noticed her absent–mindedness. “Mom, what’s troubling you?”

Patricia avoided my gaze. “I’m just surprised by our acquaintance with the Whitmore family.”

Her voice grew wistful. “I still grieve for losing my first daughter years ago.”

My heart ached for her pain. “Do you want to find your lost child?”

Patricia sighed deeply. “I worry I wouldn’t recognize her after so many years.”

Chaces 77 Confrentation.

“Did you give her anything?” I asked gently. “Any distinguishing marks?”

Patricia’s eyes grew distant. “She had a red birthmark on her wrist.”

At noon, I returned to the institute. The familiar corridors felt different somehow, charged with unspoken

tensions.

As I passed the Central Healing Institute Reception Desk, Pack Nurse Rachel handed me a bouquet of blue

roses.

“These are from Nathan Sterling,” she said with a knowing smile.

Other nurses gathered around, their voices filled with envy. “The Luna is so blucky/b!”

“Nathan Sterling is such a romantic!”

Annoyed, I reluctantly epted the flowers. Inside the bouquet, I found a card and a small jewelry box with an expensive designer logo.

The card read: “To my beloved Elena.”

My stomach churned with unease. This wasn’t Nathan’s style at all.

(Sophia Rivers‘ POV)

I watched from outside Elena’s healing chamber, satisfaction coursing through me. The scene was ying

out perfectly

I quickly sent a message to Marcus through the packmunicationwork. Let him see how his precious Luna was being courted by another Alpha.

(Elena’s POV)

In the evening, I saw Nathan pacing outside the Institute Main Entrance. His usual confident demeanor was

reced by obvious worry.

I approached him hesitantly. “Nathan?“.

He looked up, relief flooding his features. “Elena, I bneed /bto apologize.”

“For what?”

“I didn’t send those flowers or jewelry,” he said quickly. “A friend, knowing my affection for you, took it upon

themselves to do bso/b.”

His amber eyes were earnest. “I wouldn’t do anything inappropriate, especially since you and Marcus haven’t

severed your mate bond yet.”

“I care about your reputation within the packmunity,” he continued.

I felt a wave of relief. “Thank you for considering my honor. I’m not angry because I believe your exnation.”

Nathan looked surprised. “bYou /btrust me so easily?”

“You’ve helped me many times,” I said simply. “You’re my friend.”

bNathan /bseemed moved but also guilty. “You trust people too easily, Elena.”

I smiled slightly. “I trust you because you’re my friend and have proven your loyalty.”

(Nathan Sterling’s POV)

Chapter 77 Confrentation

After escorting Elena back to the institute, quilt gnawed at my conscience. She trusted me sopletely, yet

I was deceiving her.

I sent a message to Sophia: “Don’t act independently again, or I’ll ensure you never be Marcus’s true mate and Luna of the Shadow Moon Pack.”

(Sophia Rivers‘ POV)

I received Nathan’s message while sitting with Oliver at the institute. Displeasure shed through me, but I

needed his continued assistance.

I wouldn’t confront him directly. Instead, I began plotting my revenge against both Elena and Nathan’s growing closeness.

(Elena’s POV)

At the ckthorne home, Patricia was cooking in the kitchen when the doorbell rang.

“Elena, can you get the door?” Patricia called from the ckthorne Family Kitchen. I can’t leave the stove.”

I walked to the front door and opened it. My expression immediately darkened upon seeing

there.

is standing

I tried to close the door, but Marcus blocked it with his hand. His golden Alpha eyes were unfathomable.

“Not wee?” he asked with dangerous calm

“You.” I suppressed my anger, whispering harshly. “What are you doing here at my family’s home?”

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