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.

creeping into his tone. "Just a few

you next time," she said. And then, without waiting for his response, the call

his phone screen, his heart sinking. He hadn't even gotten the chance to tell her about the gift he bought for

since she answered was now

...

his 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

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

at his desk, flipping through reports. When he saw Alex enter, he looked up. “You look like someone just kicked your puppy.

to say something, but hesitated. He wasn't even sure how to put it into

pressed,

leaning against the doorway. "I just feel like... Mom isn't as warm as she

studied him for a moment before sighing. "People change, Alex.

frowned but

Alex had left her unmoved, but the moment her phone buzzed again,

It was Cole.

a strong feeling that the person behind

and sure enough, Abby's bright,

screen.

Sarah!" the little girl chirped, holding up a small pendant shaped like a delicate snowflake. "Look! I love it!

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

grinned, turning the pendant in her hands. "It's

friends, and they were