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.

second, she saw something in his eyes–concern, maybe even a

anything, Leo simply smiled,

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Farewell. Half

Chapter 78

tilting his head toward the main road.

that,

away from the hot spring lodge, Sarah couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted–something

murmur of guests filled the lodge, Sarah prepared to leave. She had spent enough time here, and though the warm water had soothed her body, her mind remained restless.

a car, her phone buzzed. It was Arnold’s grandmother.

the old lady’s warm yet commanding voice came through.

hesitated. “Grandma,

Hot Springs Lodge, aren’t you?

her mouth to protest, but the line

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

hour. The lodge’s grand clock chimed softly, marking the

one came.

Alex. Not even a simple call or

of her wasn’t surprised. She had been stood up by Arnold before, but she

her phone. No

curled on her lips.

who had slipped away earlier, hadn’t bothered to check

decided to arrange for a car

to make the request at the front desk, Leo appeared, hands tucked casually into his

His sharp, handsome features were

Chapter 78

somewhere?” he

Manor,” she replied.

raised an eyebrow.