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

Chapter 163

“Hmm,” Sarah murmured absentmindedly, flipping a page of her notes. Totally unaware of where he was.

Alex paused, expecting more, but nothing came. He blinked in confusion. "...Did you hear me? I just got back."

"Yeah," Sarah replied simply, still not shifting her attention from her work.

A brief silence settled between them.

Not picking up on her indifference, Alex pressed on, eager to talk. "I missed you Mommy you know? Every day. The pack wasn't the same without you. I really wish you'd come home soon," he said softly, lowering his voice as if it would make her respond more warmly.

But Sarah didn't react.

"And you know what I've been thinking about?" he continued, smiling to himself. "How nice it would be to wake up with you again. Mommy! You'd make me breakfast like before, right? Those pancakes you always made for me?"

Still, there was no excitement, no promise in her response. Just a casual, “We'll see."

Alex's smile faltered slightly. "Come on, mom! Say something nice to me. I've been gone for so long."

"You sound fine," she replied neutrally.

His heart sank slightly at the lack of enthusiasm, but he wasn't ready to let the conversation go just yet. "How about we talk a little longer? It's been too long-"

"I have work to do," she interrupted, her voice polite but firm.

tensed, a hint of desperation creeping into his tone. "Just a few more

to you next time," she said. And then, without waiting for his

sinking. He hadn't even gotten the chance to tell her about the gift he bought for

anticipation that had built up since she answered

...

face as he sat back against his pillows. *Why is she like this?* He had hoped things would feel normal again once he was back in the pack, but Sarah was still as distant as

up and walked out of his room, heading down the hall until he reached his father's study. The door was slightly

at his desk, flipping through reports. When he saw Alex enter, he looked up. “You look

mouth to say something, but hesitated. He wasn't even sure how

happen?" Arnold pressed,

don't know," Alex admitted, leaning against the doorway. "I just feel like... Mom isn't as warm as she

before sighing. "People change, Alex. Maybe you should think

frowned but

conversation with Alex had left her unmoved, but the moment her phone buzzed again, she glanced at the screen and immediately knew this call

It was Cole.

she had a strong feeling that the person behind the call wasn't actually him—

and sure enough, Abby's bright, smiling

screen.

small pendant shaped like a delicate

spread across Sarah's face. "I'm glad you

in her hands. "It's so pretty!

and they