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 concern for her. I had watched Isadora grow up from a rebellious teenager into a strong Luna.
Chapter 20 Sleeping in the Same Bed I Won’t Touch Her
“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 respects you publicly and gives you dignity, other matters shouldn’t be overanalyzed.”
I pressed closer to the door, unable to pull myself away.
Isadora’s next words made my stomach turn. “His mistress is pregnant, Mother. She’s already appearing
publicly as ‘the future Luna Drake.”
Eleonora’s response came without hesitation. “Since you only have a daughter, you should raise the
mistress’s pup as your own if it’s male.”
“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.
“All powerful Alphas’ Lunas go through this, it’s perfectly normal,” Eleonora said. “Did you think you were
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. “I support your decision to sever the mate bond with Alaric.”
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