Alpha's Discarded Luna (Talia) novel Chapter 57

Chapter 56

Talia’s POV

The taller receptionist crumbles first. Her voice trembles, all traces of superiority gone. “Miss, I’m so sorry. I spoke out of turn. Please don’t post that video. Please.”

The shorter one follows, desperation flickering behind her eyes. She knows what losing this job means–the benefits, the salary, the status. “We apologize. Our behavior was completely unprofessional. According to company policy, you can’t go upstairs without an appointment, but you’re welcome to wait here in the lobby. Please. Rest as long as you need.”

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I’m not here to ruin anyone’s life. I put my phone away and say nothing more.

They retreat to their desk, chastened, not daring to look at me.

The afternoon stretches. The sky outside the massive lobby windows fades from blue to orange to bruised purple. I haven’t eaten since morning–didn’t dare leave in case Aires emerged while I was gone. Hunger gnaws at my stomach, but I ignore it. Electra has been missing for days. A few missed meals are nothing.

Footsteps echo across the marble. Familiar. Arrogant.

Niek.

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He spots me immediately, sprawled on the lobby sofa like he owns the building. His eyes light up with malicious glee.

“What’s this?” He glances at the receptionists. “What’s she doing here?”

The taller one straightens, still rattled but trying to recover. “Mr. Thorne, this lady is here to see Mr. Perseus. No appointment, so we can’t let her up.”

The shorter one can’t resist a parting shot, keeping her voice low but audible. “Claims to be Mrs. Perseus. Can’t even reach him on the phone.”

Nick’s smirk widens. He saunters over,

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relishing every step.

“Well, well. Look who it is.” He stands over me, looking down like I’m something stuck to his shoe. “Mrs. Perseus? Or should I say Ms. Jackson? Funny—if you’re really Mrs. Perseus, why are you sitting down here like a stranger?”

I say nothing. Silence fuels him, but engaging is worse.

“I told you to be smart. Told you not to chase after Aires.” He tsks, shaking his head. “But you wouldn’t listen. Had to humiliate yourself.” He taps his cheek mockingly. “Does your face hurt from all the slapping?”

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I meet his eyes. “You took Electra.”

It’s not a question. Nick’s been haunting us for weeks, provoking, sneering, setting traps. Electra has a temper—he knew exactly what he was doing.

His grin widens, smug and vicious. “So what if I did? You think she’s the only one who’ll pay? I could take you right now, and Aires wouldn’t lift a finger.” He leans closer. “After I threw water on you, did he cut me off? No. He’s still my friend! Still trusts me. You know what that means?”

I’m tired of his voice. His gloating. His certainty that he’s won.

He turns to the receptionists, putting on a

Chapter 56

show. “Oh, I almost forgot–I don’t have an appointment either. But I’m going up to see Aires now. That’s fine, isn’t it?”

Their faces transform. All the contempt they had for me melts into sycophantic

smiles.

“Of course, Mr. Thorne! Your relationship with Mr. Perseus–no appointment

needed. Please, go right up.”

He glances back at me, disdain dripping from every word. “There are always shameless women trying to seduce Aires. Keep your eyes open. Don’t let this kind of trash through.”

The receptionists laugh on cue. “Don’t 16:22

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worry, Mr. Thorne. No strangers will get

past us.”

He disappears into the elevator,

victorious.

Half an hour later, the doors open again. Nick emerges, and behind him—

Aires.

I rise from the sofa. “Aires.”

Nick cuts me off instantly, voice sharp with manufactured urgency. “Aires, we need to go. Something’s wrong with Imema. Now.”

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Aires doesn’t look at me. He walks past like I’m furniture.

I step into his path. “One minute. Just give me one minute.”

Nick’s voice rises, righteous and indignant. “Talia! Imema could be dying, and you’re blocking him? What’s wrong with you? Are you trying to hurt her?”

I keep my eyes on Aires. “When you were mocking me downstairs, you weren’t in any hurry. Funny how urgency appears

now.”

Nick sputters. “Don’t twist this–if something happens to Imema, Aires won’t

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forgive you!”

A cold laugh escapes me. “Nick, that’s fascinating. I haven’t done anything, yet you’re already blaming me. What, do I have psychic powers now? Can I kill from a distance?”

“You-”

“Enough.” Aires’s voice cuts through like ice. He looks at Nick. “Where is she? Take

me there.”

I try again. “Aires.”

His gaze finally lands on me, and it’s arctic. “If something happens to her because you delayed me, Talia, I will hold2

Chapter 56

you responsible.”

My fists clench. My nails bite into my palms.

He walks past. Nick throws me one last contemptuous look and follows.

I stand alone in the lobby, watching them

leave.

***

The hospital is familiar by now. I’ve spent too many hours in these halls, too many nights waiting for scraps of his attention.

I follow at a distance, watching them enter Imema’s room. Then I wait. Qutside

Chapter 56

the door, in the corridor, like I always do. Like a servant. Like a ghost.

An hour passes. Maybe more. I’ve lost track.

Finally, the door opens. Aires steps out.

He sees me standing there. No surprise. No recognition. Just that cold, flat gaze that makes me feel like nothing.

He walks past me, and I follow. “Aires.”

He keeps walking. His voice is ice. “Didn’t you say you’d never beg me?”

My hands shake at my sides. I want to scream that I’m not begging, I’m

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demanding you release my friend, you

took her, you have no right!

But Electra’s face flashes in my mind, tied

to a chair and terrified.

I swallow everything.

“I need to talk to you about Electra.”

He doesn’t respond, doesn’t even slow down to reply. He just keeps walking toward the elevator, leaving me to follow or fall behind.

I follow.

For her, I’ll follow him to hell, if it comes

to that.

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