Crippled Luna's Farewell: Half A Life Without My Alpha's Deadly Deception

Chapter 78

Abby, completely unaware of the sudden tension, leaned forward and gave Sarah a small, affectionate kiss on the cheek.

“Bye–bye, Auntie,” she said sweetly.

Sarah smiled, returning the soft gesture. She bid Cole and Abby farewell, then turned to follow Leo out of the lodge.

What she didn’t notice was the way Cole’s eyes lingered on her retreating figure, his expression unreadable.

As they walked, Leo glanced at her, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

“How do I feel like Cole was looking at me with suspicion?” he mused aloud.

Sarah arched a brow. “Really? What’s he got to scrutinize you for?”

Leo let out a soft chuckle. “Could it be that he saw me getting too close to you and thought our relationship was too ambiguous?”

Sarah’s smile faltered slightly.

Leo’s words were teasing, but a part of her didn’t find them amusing.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she muttered. “That’s not it.”

Leo watched her closely. “You sound awfully sure about that.”

Sarah’s gaze flickered ahead. “They want Arnold and Linda together more than anything.”

Leo didn’t argue. Instead, he looked at her with something close to quiet understanding.

Then, unexpectedly, his voice dropped to something softer.

“You should pay more attention to the men around you, Sarah.”

She turned her head slightly, caught off guard by his tone.

something in his

say anything, Leo simply smiled, his usual playful

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Half A Life Without

Chapter 78

tilting his head toward the main road.

just like that, the moment

lodge, Sarah couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted–something subtle, something

the hot springs and the soft murmur of guests filled the lodge, Sarah prepared to leave. She had spent enough time

a car, her

voice came through. “You must come to Lancelot Manor for dinner tonight.”

“Grandma,

she could politely decline, the woman continued, “You’re at Hot Springs Lodge, aren’t you? Perfect. I’ll have Arnold pick you up and

mouth to protest,

staring at the phone. The invitation had turned into an order, leaving her no choice but

an hour. The lodge’s grand clock

one came.

even a simple call or

lounge. A small part of her wasn’t surprised. She had been stood up

phone. No missed calls. No texts.

on her lips. So much for

away earlier, hadn’t bothered to

waited long enough, she decided to arrange for a

was about to make the request at the front

were set with mild

Chapter 78

he asked.

she replied.

raised an