Chapter 15 : Unexpected Revelations Chapter 15 : Unexpected Revelations ( Ethan's POV ) I stood frozen in the doorway of Blackwood Manor , my anger building as Martha Thompson's words sank in . " Your Luna left about an hour ago . Said she was meeting friends for dinner . " Martha's tone was deliberately casual as she continued polishing the already gleaming table . " Possibly a male friend , from what I gathered . " My jaw clenched . " A male friend ? " Martha shrugged , not meeting my eyes . " That's what she said , Alpha King . Should I have stopped her ? " The challenge in her voice was unmistakable . Martha had served our pack faithfully for years , but her loyalty clearly lay with Samantha in this conflict . " No , " I replied coldly . " That won't be necessary . " I pulled out my phone and dialed James . He answered on the first ring . " Sir ? " " What did you find about those flights from the Eastern Territories ? " I demanded , pacing across the living room . James cleared his throat . " Several arrivals of note , sir . Most significantly , Hector Grayson landed yesterday morning . " Hector Grayson . The name sent a surge of territorial rage through me . The Alpha King of the Southern Territory had no business in my region without formal notification . " And Rebecca's transfer ? " I asked , my voice dangerously low . " In process , sir . The paperwork is being expedited , but there's resistance from the Council . They're questioning the timing , given the … announcement . " I cursed under my breath . " And my sister ? " " We've located her . She's currently at the communications office , apparently handling the fallout from last night's announcement . " " Handling it ? " I nearly growled . " She created this mess ! " " Yes , sir . She claims she was trying to help . " I grabbed my leather jacket from the coat rack . " I need to deal with my sister first . Keep digging on Grayson's movements . I want to know everywhere he's been since arriving ." " And Luna Reed , sir ? " I paused at the door . " I'll find my mate myself . " Ending the call , I turned to Martha , who was still pretending to clean . " When she returns , tell her to stay put . We need to talk . " Martha finally looked up , her eyes reflecting years of dedicated service but also fierce protectiveness . " With all due respect , Alpha King , perhaps Luna Reed needs space right now . " My patience snapped . " She's my mate . My Luna . Not some casual acquaintance who can just disappear without a word . " 1/4 Chapter 15 : Unexpected Reve And yet , Martha replied softly , " she did exactly that . " I stormed out , slamming the door behind me . The scent of Samantha's perfume still lingered in the air , taunting me with its fading presence . My wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin , urging me to track her , to find her , to bring her home where she belonged . But first , I needed to address the source of our current predicament . My sister had some explaining to do . ( Samantha's POV ) The bell above the door jingled cheerfully as I entered the Full Moon Diner . The familiar scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling venison welcomed me like an old friend . Gregory Bennett looked up from behind the counter , his weathered face breaking into a wide smile . " Luna Reed ! It's been too long , " he exclaimed , his eyes crinkling with genuine pleasure . " I remember when you and Alpha Blackwood used to come in every week . " I returned his smile , though mine held a touch of sadness . " Good morning , Greg . Those were good times , weren't they ? " " The best ," he agreed , already preparing my usual order without being asked . " You two would sit in that corner booth for hours , planning your future together . " My gaze drifted to the booth he mentioned . So many dreams had been shared there , whispered across that scratched wooden table while our hands intertwined beneath it . " Just the venison dumplings and herbal tea today , please , " I said , pulling myself back to the present . " To go . " Greg nodded , his expression softening with understanding . " Coming right up , Luna . " As he prepared my order , I noticed the television mounted on the wall , broadcasting the morning news . Rebecca Taylor's face filled the screen , her resemblance to me unmistakable yet somehow hollow . The caption read : " Future Luna Speaks Out . " I quickly looked away , focusing instead on counting out bills from my wallet . My funds were limited since stepping back from my healing duties , but pride prevented me from accessing the joint account I shared with Ethan . " Here you go , " Greg said , handing me a paper bag and a thermal container . " On the house today . " I shook my head firmly . " I can't accept that , Greg . " " Then consider it payment for all those times you treated my arthritis , " he insisted . " That moonlight herb salve you made . works better than anything the pharmacy sells . " Reluctantly , I accepted his kindness , placing the money on the counter anyway . " Thank you , Greg . For everything . " Twenty minutes later , I pulled into the driveway of Hector Grayson's Northern Territory estate . The Southern Alpha was waiting at the door before I'd even turned off the engine . " You're punctual , " he remarked as I approached , his dark gray eyes warming at the sight of me . " And you're surprisingly casual , " I replied , noting his simple black sweater and dark jeans - a stark contrast to his usual formal attire . Hector stepped aside to let me enter . " I thought the occasion called for something less intimidating than my usual wardrobe . " I stepped inside , my gaze sweeping over the elegant interior . The space was minimalist yet luxurious , with artwork that probably cost more than my entire healing practice . < Chapter 15 Unexpected Reve +15 Puntos > " Your home is beautiful , " I commented , a teasing note entering my voice . " Are you secretly some wealthy heir just pretending to live a normal Alpha life ? " Hector's lips quirked in amusement as he offered me guest slippers . " My family has been fortunate in business ventures outside pack politics . Does that disappoint you ? " " On the contrary , " I replied , following him to the kitchen . " I brought breakfast , though I'm now wondering if my humble offering will seem inadequate . " He gestured for me to sit at the marble island . " I'd be honored to share whatever you've brought . " I unpacked the venison dumplings and herbal tea , suddenly feeling self - conscious about the simple diner food . " It's nothing fancy . Just my favorite breakfast from a place near my old school . " Hector's movements were graceful as he retrieved plates and cups , setting them before us with precision . I noticed how slightly out of place he seemed eating such ordinary food , his refined mannerisms better suited to fine dining . " I should warn you ," I said between bites , " I'm a bit short on funds since stepping back from my healing duties . So when we go out for lunch later , we'll need to choose somewhere … economical . " Hector paused , his dark eyes studying me with an intensity that made my cheeks warm . " I find that refreshing ," he finally said . " Most people in my circle are eager to flaunt wealth they haven't earned . " I laughed softly . " Well , I've definitely earned my current state of near - poverty . " His expression turned serious . " Samantha , if you need financial assistance- " " I don't ," I interrupted firmly . " But thank you for the offer . " Hector nodded , respecting my boundary . " Then I'll choose an appropriate lunch venue . If you'll excuse me , I need to get ready for our outing ." As he left the kitchen , I called after him , " Nothing too fancy , Grayson ! " His soft chuckle echoed down the hallway . ( Hector's POV ) I closed the bathroom door behind me , stripping off my casual attire and stepping into the shower . The hot water cascaded over my shoulders as I tried to clear my thoughts . Samantha Reed was downstairs in my kitchen . The Luna of the Northern Territory - estranged Luna , I reminded myself- was sitting at my counter , eating diner food she'd brought as a gesture of friendship . The situation was unprecedented . I showered quickly , my mind racing . After drying off , I dressed in dark slacks and a charcoal button - down - casual enough not to intimidate but refined enough to maintain my dignity as Alpha King of the Southern Territory . Yes , actually I am Alpha King of the Southern Territory . But I have always hidden my true identity and presented myself as a respected healer in the eastern region . Before heading downstairs , I checked my phone . The news about Ethan Blackwood and Rebecca Taylor was still dominating social media . The announcement video remained pinned to the top of the Blackwood Enterprises account , with no clarification or retraction . My jaw tightened . Ethan was allowing his mate to be publicly humiliated rather than risk his business dealings . It was a decision I found both tactically unsound and personally reprehensible . I descended the stairs silently , werewolf instincts making my footfalls nearly imperceptible . In the living room , I paused , < Chapter 15 Unexpected Reve surprised by the sight before me . +15 Puntos > Samantha had fallen asleep on my sofa , her body curled slightly , one hand tucked beneath her cheek . Her face , for the first time since I'd encountered her at Crescent Bay , looked peaceful . The strain of recent events had clearly taken its toll . Dark circles shadowed her eyes , visible even in sleep . Moving quietly , I retrieved my favorite cashmere throw blanket from the adjacent chair and carefully draped it over her . The cream - colored fabric settled around her like a protective cocoon . For a moment , I allowed myself to study her features - the perfect curve of her cheek , the delicate arch of her eyebrows , the soft fullness of her lips . Her beauty was undeniable , but it was her strength that had captured my attention from our first meeting . As I turned to leave , her hand suddenly caught my wrist . Her grip was surprisingly warm , her fingers closing around my skin with sleepy certainty . " Ethan , you're back … " she murmured , still caught in dreams of better days .