Alpha's Discarded Luna (Talia) novel Chapter 118

Chapter 116

Aires‘ POV

I sit at the head of the long conference table, surrounded by the top shareholders and executives. Even on a Sunday, critical decisions wait for no one. We are deep into discussions about the upcoming merger when the door to the boardroom bursts open.

Imema rushes in, her breathing ragged. Her face is flushed red, yet somehow pale underneath, and she is wringing her hands tightly in front of her. Tears glisten in her eyes.

“Alpha!” Her voice cracks. 1712

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My secretary, Mr. Harlan, rushes in right behind her, looking haggard.

“Sir, I tried to tell Madam that you’re in an important board meeting, but she didn’t listen. She said it was something urgent-”

I raise a hand, cutting him off. My eyes are fixed on Imema. She looks genuinely distraught, and a wave of sympathy washes over me.

“It’s okay, Harlan,” I say calmly. “You know Miss Volkov is family. Leave us.‘

وو

I notice a faint flush of color returning to Imema’s cheeks as she hears my words.

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Harlan bows slightly and exits, closing the door behind him.

“What is it, Imema?” I ask, concern lacing my voice.

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“Aires—” She catches herself. “I mean, Alpha! It’s about Aeson. It’s urgent.

Please… can you give me five minutes in a more private area?”

I glance at the shareholders seated around the table. Every face shows curiosity and mild annoyance at the interruption, but my decision is instant.

My heir comes before everything.

Excuse me, gentlemen. I’ll be right back

< Chapter 116

I say firmly, already rising from my chair.

Imema and I walk quickly down the corridor to my private office. The moment the door closes behind us, she collapses into tears.

“I’m sorry, Aires! I’m so sorry!” she sobs, covering her face with both hands. “I couldn’t be a good guardian for Aeson… I’m so sorry. I can’t apologize enough. I’m worthless. Talia is right I should have

died long ago…”

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T

୮

Hearing Talia’s name makes my mood sour instantly. I remember the cruel words she had thrown at Imema, but right now, anxiety is rising fast in my chest.

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Chapter 116

“Imema, will you tell me what exactly happened?!”

She takes a shaky breath, tears still streaming down her face. “Actually… Aeson was feeling very down because Luna Talia was going to an amusement park with Robin without him. I thought I would cheer him up by taking him out too… but Aires! I had no idea Luna Talia

would be at that exact park near where

I took him. I think… I think he couldn’t

resist her and left with her, leaving me behind. I searched for him everywhere. I spent the last hour looking for him, but I couldn’t find him anywhere, Aires! I’m so sorry… so sorry!!”

My blood freezes in my veins. I grab her4:31

Chapter 116

shoulders. “Imema, what exactly are you saying? He’s lost! My son is missing?”

She nods miserably, sobbing harder. “I’m sorry, Aires. I don’t deserve to be in your or his life-”

Frustration bubbles up. “Why did you

take him-”

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Before I can finish, Imema sways dangerously, her knees buckling as if she is about to faint. I step forward quickly and catch her in my arms.

Guilt hits me hard. She is terminally ill, yet she spent nearly an hour in the blazing

sun searching for my son. I hold her

steady, supporting her weight.

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“It’s okay,” I say, softening my tone. “We’ll find him.”

She becomes frantic, clutching my shirt. “It’s not okay! I’ll take all the punishments, but please find Aeson safely…”

Suddenly, my wolf stirs from its dormant state deep inside me. Our mate doesn’t play dirty, he growls protectively.

I snap at him mentally.

Stay shut and remain dormant. All you do is distract me from the truth – the truth that she has always deceived me.

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Yet, even I cannot deny one fact: when it comes to Aeson, Talia has been nothing but sincere and caring.

Without thinking, I say, “She won’t use him against me. Not like this.”

Imema’s POV

I stay in Aires‘ arms for a moment longer than necessary, letting my body tremble weakly.

“No, no Aires… please don’t misunderstand me… I’m not saying she wants to harm Aeson!” I whisper brokenly. “But it seems Luna Talia must have said something to him earlier, which is why he was so restless and kept |

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insisting on going to the amusement

park.”

“I should have understood that a cub can’t resist his mother wolf’s presence. If I had known… I would never have gone to that place. Never…”

I let the sentence trail off, my voice filled with regret. Inside, satisfaction burns bright as Every word plants another seed

of doubt about Talia.

i

Aires is still holding me gently, but I can sense the conflict in him. He defended her just now. Even after everything, he said she wouldn’t use Aeson. That

performance at the piano competition really did something to him. He looked at

Chapter 116

her differently that day – with respect, maybe even lingering attraction. Talent has always drawn him. It’s what first pulled him toward me.

No. I cannot allow this to continue.

Aires, who once believed every word I said over Talia’s, is now hesitating. He’s defending her. If he starts seeing Talia as the victim or as someone worthy again, all my carefully built plans will crumble. I have worked too hard, sacrificed too much, to let that happen.

Aeson was supposed to be my bridge to permanent power in this family. Losing him now is not an option.

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I need to regain full control.

I pull back slightly, looking up at him with tear–filled eyes, bringing out an expression of pure devotion mixed with heartbreak. My voice comes out soft and trembling. “Aires… I only wanted to make Aeson happy. I thought a day out would help him forget the pain of seeing his mother choose another child. But I was wrong. A mother’s pull is stronger than anything… stronger than my efforts…”

I lower my gaze, letting fresh tears fall. “If anything happens to him, I won’t be able to forgive myself. Punish me however you want. But please… bring Aeson back safely.”

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Chapter 116

I sway again, deliberately, forcing him to hold me tighter. “I’m sorry… I feel a little dizzy. The sun was too much, but I couldn’t stop looking…”

The guiltier he feels, the better it is. By the time this day ends, Aires will question everything about Talia again — and turn

to me even more.

—

I will make sure of it.

B

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