CHAPTER 184: CHAPTER 184 MEET YOUR REPLACEMENT, LUNA

Freya

I stared at the beautiful woman standing confidently before me, noting her designer outfit that probably cost more than my monthly salary. Sherry’s gaze flickered over me with barely concealed assessment, though her smile remained perfectly professional.

"Hello, Freya," she extended her manicured hand with practiced enthusiasm. "I’m Sherry. Please guide me in the next few days."

Selene bristled inside me, her instincts sensing what I already suspected – this wasn’t just a new colleague, but my replacement. Still, I kept my composure, shaking her hand firmly.

"You’re too polite," I replied evenly.

"I graduated from CrescentMoon University with a master’s degree this June," she continued, her voice carrying that particular tone of someone who believed credentials equaled competence. "Freya, which school did you graduate from? You—"

She’d only graduated a few months ago and they were already positioning her to replace me?

Perhaps she had unique strengths I wasn’t aware of. After all, there were plenty of employees with master’s degrees in the office, yet I’d earned my position as team leader through proven ability, not just education.

"Sherry," I interrupted gently but firmly, "we have a meeting in a bit, so let’s talk about work first."

She gave a coquettish little laugh that made Selene’s hackles rise. "Ah, look at me, I almost forgot about the main business. Let’s talk about work first."

As we walked toward the meeting room, she leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Freya, I heard that Alpha Moretti is incredibly handsome. Is it true?"

The familiar tightness gripped my chest at the mention of my mate. Even now, after everything, hearing someone else speak of Silvano’s identity with that interested tone made my wolf stir possessively.

"Mmm," I nodded, keeping my response deliberately brief.

"Hearing you say that makes me even more excited to meet Alpha Moretti," she gushed. "It’s a pity that Secretary Jake said Alpha won’t be coming to the company today..."

That was news to me. Silvano hadn’t mentioned he wouldn’t be at Group today, but then again, we barely communicated anymore. My mate had many personal businesses outside the company. Still, the fact that Jake had informed Sherry before me stung more than it should have.

By lunchtime, Sherry practically dragged me to the cafeteria. After collecting our meals, I pulled out my phone to make my promised call to Isabella.

"Calling your boyfriend?" Sherry teased, watching me with curious eyes.

"No, I’m calling my daughter."

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Your daughter? Are you married?"

"Yes."

Isabella

I twirled around in my new dress, enjoying how the fabric swished against my legs. First day of school wasn’t so bad after all. The teachers were nice, and even though some of the kids stared at me funny because I’m the Alpha’s daughter, at least they weren’t mean.

When lunchtime finally came, I was super excited because Dad had promised to call. I rushed to the children’s lounge where we were allowed to use our phones during breaks. My teacher helped me set up the video call, and my heart did a happy jump when Dad’s face appeared on the screen.

But he wasn’t alone. Auntie Aurora was sitting next to him, looking all pretty like always. They were at a restaurant, eating without me!

"You guys are bad," I complained, sticking out my lower lip. "You secretly ate together without taking me."

Aurora smiled that smile that always makes Dad look at her funny. "Because you’re going to school, sweetheart. After class, Auntie will pick you up, and we’ll have dinner together later, okay?"

That made me feel better right away. "That’s more like it."

I looked at Dad, hoping he’d say something too. He picked up some food with his fork and fed it to Aurora before turning to me.

"What would you like to eat tonight?" Dad asked in his deep voice. "I’ll have someone prepare it for you."

I started listing all my favorite foods - the special pasta with cheese sauce, those tiny meatballs Dad’s chef makes, chocolate cake with raspberry filling...

Dad just listened and nodded, cutting his steak into perfect little squares like he always does. Even when he’s eating human food, he’s so... Alpha-ish.

"The clothes you’re wearing today look really good," Aurora said, changing the subject. "They suit you perfectly."

"Really?" I asked, straightening up.

"Of course, they do," Aurora smiled. She leaned closer to the screen. "How was your day at school? Did you get along with the other kids?"

It was easy talking to Aurora. She never made me feel like a baby, and she always listened like what I said was super important. Dad didn’t say much, but he was there, eating his lunch carefully with his knife and fork like he was at one of those fancy pack dinners.

A waiter walked by and smiled at them. I bet he thought they were a family - Dad, Aurora, and me on the screen. Sometimes I wondered what it would be like if Aurora was my mom instead. She never got mad or made rules about what I could eat or when I had to go to bed.

Then I noticed another call coming in. It was Mom.

I bit my lip, suddenly remembering I’d asked her to call me at noon. This morning, when I saw her hugging that other girl, I felt so angry and jealous. But during class today, the teacher told us about how parents love their children more than anything in the whole world. She said that to every mommy, their child is special and nobody can replace them.

That made me feel better about Mom. But now I was talking to Dad and Aunt Aurora, and we were planning dinner, and...

I didn’t answer Mom’s call. I just kept talking to Aurora about school and the other kids in my class. Dad smiled at me, that special smile that made his eyes crinkle at the corners.

A few minutes later, my teacher came over.

"Isabella," she said, "your mom called me. She was worried when you didn’t answer her video call."

My stomach felt all twisty. I forgot that Mom might worry. But I didn’t want to stop talking to Dad and Aurora either. Before I could decide what to do, I heard my teacher say, "Don’t worry, Isabella is fine. She’s currently video calling with her dad and what seems to be an auntie."

Then my teacher’s face changed like someone had said something surprising. "Oh, alright then. Yes, she’s perfectly fine. I understand."

She put her phone away and smiled at me. "Your mom just wanted to make sure you were okay. She said to enjoy your lunch and she’ll see you after school."

I nodded. I went back to talking with Dad and Aurora, but it wasn’t as fun anymore.

I wondered if Mom’s feelings were hurt. But then I remembered how she was hugging that other little girl this morning, and I felt less bad. Maybe Mom didn’t need me anymore either.

"Isabella?" Aurora’s voice pulled me back. "Are you okay, sweetheart? You looked sad for a moment."

I shook my head. "I’m fine. Can we have ice cream for dessert tonight too?"

Dad nodded, but he was looking at me with his special Alpha look, like he could see inside my head. Sometimes I forgot he could feel things through our pack bond.

"Bella," he said quietly, "did something happen at school today?"

I shook my head quickly. "No, Dad. Everything’s perfect."

Perfect. That’s what Mom always said when she was lying about being sad.