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.

but as I’m sure you also

don’t

“But here in Brightsky, we welcome

burst of relief flooded me. I hadn’t really been afraid my friend would somehow reject

was still good to be assured of it. Lenora and I had experienced a lot together all those years

feel like I

She’s a Celestial.

and I held

pat my

a little girl, and now she’s a lovely young

She has her family around her to support her. I’m sure she’ll be able to

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Chapter 417

hope you know, I’m

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

On the way back to our quarters,I thought I’d stop off and pick up a few things for Stella. Her mother had bought

ideas about other

missed? I wasn’t even sure she could count them, or if she’d really be able to ever name her accurate

the appearance of a young woman, never going gray

all.”

murmured to myself as I looked over the bakery case at the cakes