After She's Terminal The Alpha Regrets (Elaine and Lucas) novel Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Adrian studied her expression, fingers drumming lightly on the table. For a moment, Elaine was nervous he’d get up and walk out. Then his expression eased.

“Don’t be so nervous,” he said, his voice softer. “I’m not that serious about it, Elaine. In fact, I had never thought we would take that collaboration seriously after graduation.”

She let out a sigh, relaxing into the chair. “Thank goddess. I thought you were truly upset.”

“Never. We both had our own lives. But I am glad we’ve been brought back together now. This foundation of yours

“To help the less fortunate,” Elaine supplied. “For the lower-tier wolves who may not have the funds or ability to seek out medical help, food, shelter. I want to be able to provide a place where they can obtain that support.”

“Very noble of you. I’d like to help. You were top of our class, I trust your judgment in this.”

Elaine lit up. Someone who actually trusted her. Who knew her. It was like they were back in college again, away from her suffocating family and the weight of her future as a Luna.

“Thank you, Adrian.”

“May I ask why the sudden interest in starting this foundation?”

Elaine stilled. “Oh.” She can’t help the small sound that escapes her. The reason behind it was not one she liked to share. With anyone. “Just wanted to help others.”

He frowned, sensing this wasn’t the truth.

Elaine kept going before he could ask more questions, “Now, let me tell you about the plans moving forward…”

Elaine walked back out into the ballroom to see that everyone was already seated, the stage lit, and someone speaking. She crossed quietly, looking for an empty seat. A familiar figure waved her over.

Liam.

He’d saved her a seat, of course he had. She sat down.

“I’m sorry about before,” Liam whispered over to her. “About what I said with Lucas and Ayla…”

Elaine glanced sideways at him. “Don’t worry about it.”

“It’s not why you left?”

“What? No. I was meeting an old friend.”

Liam smiled, clearly glad he hadn’t upset her too much. “Oh, good.”

Elaine looked back toward the stage, raising a brow as she saw Lucas walking up to it. With Ayla with him. Last time he’d invited her somewhere, Elaine had heard for weeks after how much of a fool she’d made herself. She’d never asked the details, but it was clear Ayla didn’t know how to act in front of a crowd.

Elaine was only half-listening to what Lucas was talking about: gratitude, shared struggles with other packs, challenges they should all be made aware of. Standard. She might have been more interested if she were still his wife. But she’d already checked out of that, if only mentally. She was watching Ayla.

Ayla looked almost smug, scanning the crowd as if she had always belonged there in front of it.

1/2

Chapter 19

+20 BONUS

“…to the Moonwatch Pack, for their continued support–” Liam was saying.

“We truly wouldn’t be where we are today without them,” Alya chimed in. The room itself seemed to still. Why was she talking? Elaine leaned forward on the table, tilting her head. Did Ayla even have any idea what she was talking about? “Lucas and I truly want to thank every Alpha and every pack here tonight. Together, we are so much stronger.”

Lucas and I?