Chapter 16 : Mistaken Identity Chapter 16 : Mistaken Identity ( Hector's POV ) " Ethan , you're back … " Samantha murmured , her fingers warm against my wrist . I froze instantly . Her voice was soft , dreamlike . She was clearly mistaking me for her mate in her half - asleep state . " The sofa is so uncomfortable ," she continued , her eyes still closed . " Carry me to bed ? " My heart pounded against my ribs . This was inappropriate . I should wake her , explain her mistake . Instead , I found myself carefully sliding one arm beneath her knees . The other arm wrapped around her shoulders , lifting her against my chest . She weighed almost nothing . " Thank you , " she whispered , her head nestling perfectly against my shoulder . Her scent enveloped me- a delicate mix of healing herbs and something uniquely her . Intoxicating . I carried her up the stairs , feeling her warmth seep through my clothes . She was noticeably lighter than when we'd worked together three years ago . During our healing missions in the Southern Territories , she'd been vibrant and strong . A powerful healer with remarkable stamina . This version of Samantha felt almost fragile by comparison . Her warm breath tickled my neck as I navigated the hallway . Each exhale sent an unwelcome shiver down my spine . I initially headed toward the guest bedroom , then stopped . That room was cold , impersonal . Without hesitation , I changed direction toward my own bedroom . The sheets were fresh , the space warm and comfortable . I placed her gently on the bed , careful not to disturb her rest . She immediately curled into the blankets . A small , contented smile touched her lips as she settled deeper into sleep . The sight was strangely captivating . For a moment , I couldn't move . The Luna of the Northern Territory was sleeping peacefully in my bed . The political implications alone were explosive . If Ethan Blackwood knew … I stepped back quietly , pulling the door nearly closed behind me . In the hallway , my phone vibrated in my pocket . The screen illuminated with an incoming call : " Ethan Blackwood . " The irony wasn't lost on me . Three years ago , Samantha had shown me her phone during our healing mission . She'd saved him as " My Alpha " with a heart emoji . Her eyes had sparkled when she'd mentioned him . That memory contrasted sharply with the sleeping woman in my bedroom , who had fled from that same man . I silenced the call and slipped the phone back into my pocket . Some conversations were better had in person . ( Samantha's POV ) I woke with a violent jolt , instantly disoriented . This wasn't my bedroom . 13 < Chapter 15 Mistaken Identity +15 Puntos > The sheets beneath me were dark silk , not my preferred cream cotton . The pillows smelled of sandalwood and pine , not Ethan's familiar cologne . With horrifying clarity , everything rushed back . I was in Hector Grayson's bedroom . " Oh my god , " I whispered , mortification washing over me in waves . Had I called him Ethan ? Had I actually asked him to carry me to bed ? The memory made me want to disappear . I scrambled out of bed , my heart racing . My clothes were rumpled from sleep . I quickly folded the blanket that had been draped over me , trying to erase evidence of my embarrassing behavior . I needed to find Hector immediately and apologize . This was beyond inappropriate. I hurried downstairs , following the sounds and scents coming from the kitchen . The aroma of spiced meat made my stomach growl despite my embarrassment . Hector stood at the counter , his tall form commanding the space . His movements were precise as he worked . " I am so sorry , " I blurted from the doorway . " I didn't mean to fall asleep on your couch , let alone …" Hector turned , his dark gray eyes unreadable . " You were exhausted . There's no need for apologies . " " Still , it was completely inappropriate ," I insisted . " Sleep deprivation makes me confused sometimes . I thought you were … " I couldn't finish the sentence . " I've seen the news ," he said , mercifully changing the subject . " About you and Blackwood . " I winced visibly . " Everyone has , it seems . I can't escape it . " " Would you like to talk about it ? " His tone was carefully neutral , offering neither pity nor judgment . " Not particularly , " I admitted , grateful for his directness . " But thank you for asking . Most people just want gossip . " He nodded once , accepting my boundary without pushing further . " I'm preparing dinner . It will be ready in about twenty minutes if you'd care to join me ." The subject change was exactly what I needed . " I'd like that very much . Can I help with anything ? " " Just make yourself comfortable ," he said , gesturing toward the living room . " I'll call you when it's ready . " I retreated gratefully , pulling out my phone once alone . What I saw made my stomach clench - dozens of missed calls from Ethan . Text messages demanded to know where I was , who I was with . Each message grew progressively more frantic and angry . A profound wave of loneliness washed over me unexpectedly . Without my grandmother or a functional relationship with Ethan , I had few genuine connections . I'd given everything to being Luna , to supporting Ethan's ambitions . In the process , I'd neglected to nurture other relationships . Now I was essentially alone in the world . " Dinner is ready , " Hector called , interrupting my spiraling thoughts . I returned to find a table set with an array of dishes that made my mouth water instantly . The presentation was immaculate . Spicy venison steak , herb - crusted lamb , and several side dishes I immediately recognized from the Southern Territories . 253 < Chapter 16 Mistaken Identity " This is incredible , " I said , taking a seat . " How did you know these were my favorites ? " " A fortunate coincidence , " he replied , though his slight smile suggested otherwise . I took a bite of the venison and couldn't help closing my eyes . The flavors exploded on my tongue . +15 Puntos > " This tastes exactly like the dishes from The Silver Fang Restaurant in the Southern Territories , " I said in amazement . Hector's expression softened slightly . " We visited there during our joint healing mission three years ago . " " You remember that ? " I asked , genuinely surprised . " That was just a casual dinner after treating those territorial dispute victims . " " Of course I remember ," he said , serving himself with elegant movements . " You were particularly fond of their spiced venison . You ordered it three nights in a row . " I took another bite , savoring the complex flavors . " Did you order takeout from there ? This is identical , down to the spice blend . " " Just something I made , " he said dismissively , reaching for a bottle of wine . He retrieved an elegant corkscrew from a drawer - a stainless steel tool with an intricately designed seahorse handle inlaid with small sapphires . " Would you care for some Crimson Count Reserve ? " he asked , beginning to open the bottle . I hesitated , then decided honesty was simplest . " No , thank you . I'm … " I paused , realizing this would be the first time I'd said it aloud to anyone . " I'm pregnant . " Hector froze completely , the Seahorse Corkscrew suspended mid - air . His dark gray eyes widened slightly, the only indication of his surprise at this unexpected revelation .