Chapter 6: Rumors and Revtions

Chapter 6: Rumors and Revtions

(Elena’s POV)

The next morning, I woke to Catherine Hayes preparing breakfast in the empty–feeling Moonhaven Kitchen.

“Good morning, Luna,” she greeted, concern in her eyes.

“Did Marcus returnst night?” Lasked.

Catherine shook her bhead/b. “The Alpha didn’te bback/b.”

I nodded, unsurprised. Probably with Sophia and Oliver again.

My phone rang–Patricia.

“Elena,” my mother’s voice broke with tears. “Please help David. I know you’re suffering in that pack, but he’s

your brother

Her words stung. Even she saw my pain. However, she didn’t stay on my side.

“I mentioned David to Marcus,” I said quietly. “He’ll consider itter.” Patricia’s sob of relief was audible through the phone. Thank you, Elena. Thank you so much.”

She ended the call bquickly/b, as if afraid I might change my mind about asking the Alpha for help.

I ate my breakfast in silence, the weight of my family’s expectations heavy on my shoulders.

Returning to the Northern Territory Central Healing Institute at noon, I found an unusualmotion in the

main corridor.

Sophia stood surrounded by pack nurses, distributing expensive moonstone jewelry from an elegant gift box.

“These bare /bfrom Alpha Marcus,” she announced with ba /bradiant smile. “He wanted to show appreciation for

everyone’s hard work.”

The nurses gossiped excitedly around her.

“The Alpha is so generous!”

“Sophia is so lucky to have his attention.”

“They make such a perfect couple.”

My chest tightened as I watched the scene unfold.

Sophia spotted me and approached with a knowing smile. “Elena, I bhave /bsomething for you toob./bb” /b

She extended a delicate moonstone pendant, its surface gleaming with ethereal light.

The nurses watched expectantly. Refusing would create unnecessary drama and disrupt pack harmony.

“Thank you,” I said curtly, epting the gift.

I retreated to my office immediately, tossing the jewelry into a drawer without a second nc

Sophia followed me into the office, closing the door behind her.

Chapter 6 Rumors and Re

“You and Marcus aren’t very close as mates, are you?” she asked with feigned concern.

“That’s not your business, I replied tersely.

Sophia’s expression shifted to mock regret. “I feel terrible aboutst night. Marcus stayed up all night caring

for Oliver’s feverb./b”

My hands clenched involuntarily.

“He’s such a natural father figure,” she continued sweetly. “Did you know he’s nning to have Margaret ckwood adopt Oliver into the ckwood lineageb?/b”

The words hit me like a physical blow. Marcus was considering formally bbringing /bOliver into his family

bloodline.

Nurse Rachel knocked on the door. “Healer Sophia, you’re needed for a patient consultation.”

Sophia left with a triumphant nce, leaving me to grapple with the implications of her revtion.

I sat alone in my office, mocking my own reaction. Why did I still care about Marcus’s decisions?

My phone buzzed with a text from Marcus: “I can find awyer for you, depending on your performance.”

I stared at the message, confused.

Performance? What performance?

Did he mean I should quickly sever our mate bond to make way for Sophia and Oliver?

After a long silence, I replied simply: “Okayb” /b

(Marcus’s POV)

Upon receiving Elena’s reply, I immediately instructed Amber Stone to investigate David’s detention at the Territorial Enforcement Station.

Minutester, my mother Victoria ckwood stormed into my Alpha’s Command Chamber without

announcement.

“Marcus!” she snapped, mming a tablet onto my desk. “Exin this!”

The screen disyed a photo of me with Sophia and Oliver from Crescent Ridge Academy. The image was trending across werewolf social media tforms.

“Secret Alpha Heir?” read one headline. “Marcus ckwood’s Hidden Family?” proimed another.

“The rumors are spreading like wildfire. Victoria continued furiously. The entire werewolfmunity is gossiping about your supposed secret child.”

I studied the photo with growing irritation. “Oliver is not my son.”

Victoria’s expression softened slightly with relief. “Then sever your mate bond with Elena immediately, since you don’t love her and had no pups. Mark a more suitable Luna from a prominent werewolf family.”

b“/bMy mate bond affairs are not your concern,” I said coldly.

Victoria’s frustration exploded. “Elena will see these rumors too!”

“She won’t care,” I replied tly.

Victoria stared at me in exasperation. “Clean up this mess yourself!”

Chapter 6 Rumors and Re

She stormed out, leaving me alone with the trending gossip.

I immediately contacted my public rtions team to remove the rted discussions from all werewolf social

media tforms.

(Elena’s POV)

I spent the afternoon upied withplex healing sessions, unaware of the online buzz circting

through the werewolfmunity.

By the time I emerged from the healing chambers in thete afternoon, exhaustion weighed heavily on my

shoulders.

I removed my healing robes and rubbed my stiff neck as I returned to my office.

Subconsciously raising my head, I found the Alpha’s tall figure standing at my office bdoor/b.

I raised my head in confusion, meeting Marcus’s intense golden gaze. “Alpha, is there something I can help

you with?”

Marcus studied me with those piercing eyes. “Have you seen any news today?”

I frowned, genuinely puzzled by his question, “News? What kind of news?”

He stared at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. “Nothing,” he said finally, turning to leave.

“Wait.” I stepped forward quickly. “Thank you for finding awyer for David. I really appreciate it.”

bMarcus /bpaused, his broad shoulders tensing slightly

“When you have time, I’ll give you the mate bond severance agreement to bsign/b,” I continued.

Before I could finish my sentence, Sophia appeared from around the corner. She slipped her arm through Marcus’s with practiced intimacy, deliberately asserting her im in front of me.