After Severance,Alpha Fell in Love With Ex-Luna

Chapter 83: The Weight of Secrets

Chapter 83: The Weight of Secrets

(Elena Blackwood’s POV)

I remained silent for half a minute, studying Marcus’s face carefully. His golden eyes held that familiar dangerous edge, but there was something else beneath the surface. Something I couldn’t quite identify

“What do you want to eat?” I asked in a calm tone. “I’ll make it.”

The words felt strange on my tongue. How long had it been since I’d offered to cook for him? Years, perhaps. Back when I still believed our mate bond meant something.

Marcus studied my face intently, as if searching for cracks in my composure. I kept my expression neutral, deliberately obedient. It was a facade, and we both knew it.

Instead of exposing my pretense, he pulled me into his arms.without warning. His scent surrounded me, that familiar mix of cedar and dominance that once made my heart race.

Now it only made me feel hollow.

In the Alpha’s Private Chamber, our mating was intense and desperate. Marcus’s hands roamed my body with practiced familiarity, claiming what he believed was his.

Yet I felt completely detached, as if watching from outside myself. My body responded to his touch through the mate bond, but my heart remained locked away.

I stared blankly at the ceiling above our bed, feeling nothing despite our physical connection. The ornate molding seemed more interesting than the Alpha moving above me.

This was what our relationship had become. Physical need without emotional intimacy. A hollow shell of what mates should be.

(Marcus Blackwood’s POV)

After a long time, I rolled away from Elena, my breathing still heavy. Something felt wrong, but I couldn’t pinpoint what.

“Make me the same lunch you used to prepare,” I said, watching her face for any reaction.

Elena sat up slowly, pulling the silk sheet around herself. “I don’t remember your tastes.”

Her words hit me like a physical blow. “What do you mean?”

“I never truly knew you,” she replied with devastating honesty. “I always relied on Catherine Hayes for Information about your preferences.

The admission stung more than I expected. Had I really been that distant? That unknowable?

“I’m not picky,” I said quietly, though the words felt inadequate.

Elena got up and began dressing, her movements efficient and emotionless. I watched her from the doorway as she headed toward the Moonhaven Kitchen.

Memories flooded back unbidden. Elena in that same kitchen years ago, her face bright with enthusiasm as she prepared my meals. Her sweet greetings when I returned home. Her eagerness to please me

Chapter 83 The Weight of

And

my

dismissive responses. My cold shoulders. My complete indifference to her efforts.

past? The pressure in my chest

the moment. Elena glanced back at me, and I saw recognition in her eyes. She knew who was calling before I even looked at

flashed on the

answering, putting distance between

was distraught, bordering on hysterical. “Oliver fell and injured

for you.”

my chest.

strangers here,” Sophia continued, her voice breaking. “He

keeps

back at Elena, who had turned away, deliberately avoiding my gaze.

over,” I told Sophia, ending

kitchen, where Elena was already preparing

that had

I could speak, Elena asked without looking up. “Will

be back later,” I said, though the

urreal

eat the lunch I prepared. No point in wasting

stung. She didn’t care whether I stayed or left.

expected.

Territory Central Healing Institute to find Oliver withdrawn and

huddled in the corner of his bed,

been like this since the fall, Sophia explained, her eyes red–rimmed,

has made

carefully. He was thin and pale, his small frame seeming even more fragile in the

circles shadowed his

radiant despite her supposed distress. Her skin glowed with

and well–nourished.

him?” I asked, suspicion

face flushed. “I do my best,

off with me,” I interrupted. “Away from whatever is

I asked, studying her face. “The evidence was circumstantial at

with her sleeves. “Oliver, tell

boy looked between us, then nodded slowly. “They pushed me down the

Chapter 23 The Woo

eyes didn’t match his words, Fear, yes, but not of the memory. Fear

mother

take him to the Blackwood Ancestral Manor,”

Manor, Margaret Blackwood and Victoria Blackwood were notably absent. Only Grace

said coolly, “the Blackwood family is already doing you a favor by taking

you understand

with embarrassment. She opened her

led Oliver away, the boy clinging to a small comfort toy. He

at his mother.

should go.” Sophia said

simple farewell. “Take

(Elena Blackwood’s POV)

presumably with

sought me out. She cornered me near the Surgical Wing, her smile