He Doesn't Love You Anymore (Amber and Ethan) novel Chapter 31

Please Call Me Luna Amber,

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Please Call Me Luna Amber

(Dominic’s POV)

The evening air carried a chill as I walked along the riverbank behind the Howling River Restaurant. The water reflected the moon’s glow, casting silver light across the surface. I spotted Ryalling alone on a decorative boulder, staring blankly at the flowing water.

He didn’t look up as 1 approached, though now he sensed my presence. The scent of his distress was ministakable.

“You know you need to take a few patches for pissing off my mate Issid, stopping beside him.

Ryan glanced up, his expression a mixture of resignation and frustration. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small silver case, opening it to reveal several moonshinecigareties.

“Want one?” he offered, extending the case toward me.

I rarely smoked, but tonight seemed appropriate. I took one and sat beside him as he flicked his lighter, illuminating our faces momentarily in the darkness.

“I began after taking a drag, “your ex–girlfriend owns this restaurant.”

Ryan winced. “I didn’t know she’d be here tonight. She told me she was out of town.”

“But you knew it was her r

restaurant,” I pressed, my voice hardening; slightly

He nodded reluctantly. “Yes.”

“Why bring Paige here, of all places?” I asked, struggling to understand his reasoning.

Ryan exhaled a cloud of smoke that drifted toward the river. “They have the best venison steaks in Silvercrest. I thought Paige would enjoy it.”

I raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. “There are dozens of restaurants with excellent venison.”

“Look, Shannon wanted to pay me back the money I invested in her restaurant,” Ryan explained, running a hand through his hair. “It was supposed to be a simple business transaction. I didn’expect her to show up and cause a scene.”

I studied his face carefully, searching for deception. “Why are you will financing her restaurant? Why maintain contact at all?

Ryan’s shoulders slumped. “I feel like I owe her.”

“Owe her what?” My eyes narrowed to slits.

“Shannon was a model before she opened this place,” he said quiety. “Modeling for supernatural clients. It wasn’t it wasn’t always safe work.”

Understanding dawned. “You helped her get out.”

He nodded. “Tencouraged her to pursue her passion for cooking instead. Loaned her the money to start this place.”

I took another drag of the cigarette, considering his words. “Have you been honest with Paige about this?”

“I’ve dated many she wolves, Dominic,” Ryan said defensively. “I’ve always treated them with respect, I’ve never cheated.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

Ryan sighed heavily. “Shannon and I are just friends now. My involvement with the restaurant is out of gujit, nothing more.”

I remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

“As for Paige…” His voice softened. “She’s kind, Generous. Loving She deserves someone who can give her everything.”

“And you can’t?”

1/3

Please Call Mo Luna Amber

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He shook his head. “I care for her, but I can’t give her the kind of love she wants. I won’t trap her in a loveless marriage. In wouldn’t be fair.”

phone buzzed in my pocket, Interrupting our conversation. I pulled it out to find several messages from Amber. My eyes

widened as I read.

“Dominic, I’m furious with Ryan right now. How dare he bring Page to his ex–girlfriend’s restaurant? Did you know about this? If you did and didn’t warn me, I swear I’m going cold on you for a ranili.”

I scrolled to the next message.

I’m going to have a word with Shannon. She deliberately tried to make Palge look bad. I won’t let her get away with it.

And finally

“Find out what Ryan’s real intentions are with Paige. If he’s just stringing her along, Fll help her break this engagement myself.

I slipped my phone back into my pocket and stood up slowly. Ryan watched me warily,

“What did she say?” he asked.

Without warning, I punched him squarely in the jaw. He tumbled backward off the boulder, landing hard on the ground

“That was me venting for Amber,” explained calmly as he rubbed his jaw. “And a little for myself. I didn’t expect you to choose your ex–girlfriend’s restaurant either.”

Ryan spat blood onto the grass. “Fair enough.”

Textended a hand to help him up, which he accepted after a moment’s hesitation. “You’ve put my relationship with Amberat risk tonight. She’s only just starting to trust me.”

“I’m sorry,” Ryan said, and I could tell he meant it

I nodded, glancing back toward the restaurant. “Now I need to make sure my mate hasn’t tom your ex–girlfriend to pieces.”

[Amber’s POV)

I marched through the restaurant with Paige at my side, my anger timmering just beneath the surface. We returned to the private dining room where Elliot Graves and his partner Jessica were waiting

Jessica rushed over as soon as we entered, her expression concerned. “Are you alright?” she asked Paige, who nodded weakly.

Jessica turned to me, lowering her voice. “Icalled Shannon. She’s on her way.”

“Good,” I replied, my tone deceptively calm, “I’d like to have a word with her.”

Paige grabbed my arm. “Amber, you don’t have to-”

“Yes, I do,” Interrupted gently. “No one treats my best friend this way.”

A few minutes later, the door opened, and Shannon Miles walked. She wore a form–litting red dress that complemented her unusual silver–gray eyes. Her hair was styled in loose waves that framed her face perfectly.

I greeted her with a sweet smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “Shannon, what a pleasure.”

Recognition flashed across her face as she realized who I was. We’d met briefly at a charity event last year, though we’d never spoken directly.

“Amber Chase,” she said, her voice cool. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

“And I about you,” I replied, linking my arm through hers as if we were old friends. “Would you mind stepping outside with me for a moment? I’d like to have a private conversation.”

Please Call Me Luna kimbre

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Before she could protest, I was already guiding her out of the roomy grip on her arm firm enough that she enldn’t easily pl

“We’ll be right back,” I called over my shoulder to the others.

Ted Shannon down the hallway to a quiet corner of the second figs. The corridor was dimly lit, with no other gue

“This area doesn’t have surveillance cameras, da

question

sked riversationally,

onigh we both knew it wasn’t really a

Shannon’s expression handened. “What do you want?

I removed my coat and threw it directly in her face, catching her off eard. While the was momentarily blinded, I stepped closer, my voice dropping to a dangerous grow

“I’ve seen a lot of tactics like this, old lady, since I was a student,” said, muy amber eyes flashing with fury. “Still trying to steal someone’s mate with your pathetic tricks.”

Shannon yanked the coat away from her face, her own eyes narrowing. “I don’t know what you’re talking about

“Don’t play innocent,” Ispat. “You deliberately set Paige up tonigh. Made her look unstable in front of Ryan

My hand began to change, fingers elongating into a wolf’s paw with sharp claws. I wrapped it around Shannon’s throat, apphing just enough pressure to make her uncomfortabile.

“You think because you’re pretty, you can take whatever you want? Thissed

Shannon’s eyes flashed, and a low growl escaped her throat. Her own partial shift began, nails lengthening into claws that used to grab my wrist.

“You’re one to talk,” she snarled, trying to pry my hand from her neck. “Weren’t you just abandoned by Ethan Blackwood? and now you’re clinging to Dominic just because you saved his life once?”

We struggled against each other, both partially shifted. My wolf Cora howled inside me, eager for the tight.

“Give her hell*, Cora urged in my mind.

Shannon twisted, breaking my grip. “If anyone’s shameless, it’s you,” she taunted. “At least I’m honest about what I want. You’re just climbing the pack ladder the only way you know how.”

I laughed, genuinely amused by her attempt to hurt me with words “Is that supposed to bother me? I’m completely unmune to such verbal insults.”

1lunged forward, grabbing a fistful of her hair. “The difference between us is that I’m Dominic’s lawful mate now. No matter what you think of me, that’s the reality.”

Shannon winced in pain but continued to struggle against my grip

You should address me as Luna Amber,” I sneered, “instead of beb

; sa disrespectful to me.

זדו!

going home with you tonight

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I’m going home with you tonight

(Amber’s POV)

My hand connected with Shannon’s face in a satisfying slap. The sound echined through the empty corridor as I recalled what Paige had just told me

“You showed her photos of you and Ryan at the Welt Moon F

Festival hissed, my voice dripping with venom.

Shannon stumbled backward, her hand flying to her reddening click “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

Paige’s tearful words replayed in my mind. During my brief absence, Shannon had comered her, rewaling that Ryan had financed the entire restaurant. She’d even shown Paige a picture of them embracing at the Wolf Moon Festival.

“He’s always treated me as his special one,” Shannon had supposely i

fold Paige. “You’re just temporary until he gets bored.”

I grabbed Shannon’s wrist as she tried to claw at my face. “Paige didn’t push you. You fell on purpose to make her look bad.” “Let go of me?” Shannon snarled, her eyes flashing with anger.

“My best friend was in tears because of you,” I growled “She told me Ryan has dated many she–wolves, but he’s always treated them with respect. He’s never cheated.”

Shannon laughed bitterly. “Is that what you think? Ryan and I have history that goes beyond anything he has with Paige.”

I tightened my grip on her wrist. “Which makes your behavior even more pathetic.”

The situation felt eerily familiar. I’d been in Paige’s position once, falsely accused by Victoria and Melissa of pushing someone The memory made my blood boil, but I forced myself to think strategically.

My usual instinct was to fight fire with inferno, but I needed to be smarter. Ryan held considerable influence, and a direct confrontation might not protect Paige.

A plan formed in my mind. If I wanted to win this battle, I needed to control the narrative.

“You know what?” I said, releasing Shannon’s wrist. “You’re not worth it.”

I turned as if to walk away, then suddenly stumbled, deliberately falling to the floor with a convincing cry of pain.

Shannon looked down at me, momentarily confused. That’s when struck, taking my own claws across my face and neck in quick, controlled movements that looked worse than they were

“What are you doing?” Shannon gasped, realizing my strategy too late.

Theard footsteps approaching–perfect timing. I covered my face with my hands and moaned loudly.

“My head… it hurts…”

Dominic and Ryan rounded the comer, freezing at the scene before them. I lay on the floor, blood trickling from the self- inflicted scratches, while Shannon stood over me looking guilty.

Dominic’s eyes widened in shock, then narrowed dangerously. His entire body tensed as he rushed to my side.

“Amber! What happened?” His voice was tight with concern and barely contained rage.

I moaned pathetically, playing up my injuries. “I’m fine… really

Shannon had also fallen to the floor, clutching her cheek where I’dslapped her. A waitress helped her to her feet as she called out weakly, “Ryan… she attacked me…”

Before she could continue, Paige appeared behind Ryan, her face flushed with anger. Without hesitation, she marched up to Shannon and delivered a stinging slap.

Im going home with you tonight

“That’s for lying about my flaned!” Palge shouted, raising her for another strike.

Ryan caught her arm. “Paige, stop! What’s going on here?”

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