Mated to the Alpha and His Beta

Chapter 417

Gabriela

I’d been happy enough when Lenora rang me to see if I’d have lunch with her, but I’d been waiting during the entire meal for her to question me about what had happened with Stella. So far, she hadn’t said a word. Finally, I decided I couldn’t stand it any longer.

“Sometimes, wolf pups have a double doubling.” The words shot out of me without me fully knowing why I said them. It wasn’t true, and I couldn’t be sure Lenora knew that.

I’d just lied to her face. It felt terrible, but also like the only choice I could make.

Lenora’s eyebrows rose, and her teacup stopped halfway to her lips. She put the cup down without drinking. “Oh, my. That sounds like quite the surprise.”

“You heard about it, didn’t you? What happened at the school. I’m sure the rumors are flying.” My laugh. rasped in my throat without much humor. Heat blazed in my cheeks.

My friend leaned forward with a look of concern. “I wasn’t going to ask you about it. But if you want to talk

about it…”

Oh, I did, didn’t I? I needed to unburden myself to someone about my worries, but I didn’t dare.

I couldn’t reveal that my granddaughter was a Celestial, not without also having to explain what that

meant. It would have to be enough just to start a rumor of my own.

as I’m sure you

heard. I don’t

a gentle smile. “But here in Brightsky, we welcome

I hadn’t really been afraid my

and I had experienced a lot together all those years past. It

to feel like I could

She’s a Celestial.

to come out, and I held them back by

pat my hand. “Is this double doubling,

she was a little girl, and now she’s a lovely young woman. Time flies the older we get,” I said with

be undone. She has her family around her to support her. I’m sure she’ll be able to weather this change without

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Chapter 417

hope you know, I’m here for you. Whatever

next hour, we chatted about other Brightsky gossip. Lenora relieved my mind that the news about Stella had spread, but nobody was saying anything unkind. In an enclave open to anyone, a child who grew into an adult within hours wasn’t even close to being the most scandalous

me, a much lighter heart. On the way back to our quarters,I thought I’d stop off and pick up a few

about other

I wasn’t even sure she could count them, or if she’d really be able to ever name her accurate age again. Would she continue

the appearance of a young woman, never

all.”

over