Alpha's Discarded Luna (Talia) novel Chapter 68

Talia’s POV

Panic flickers across Robin’s face. It’s quickly masked, but I

see it. His small hands dart behind his back, hiding.

“Ms. Perseus, I’m fine. Really. I just scratched myself.

Accidentally.”

My heart sinks. That’s not a scratch. That’s something else

entirely.

“Robin.” I keep my voice gentle but firm. “Let me see.”

He hesitates, conflict warring in his young eyes. Under my steady gaze, he slowly, reluctantly extends his arm.

I roll up his sleeve.

And gasp.

Bruises and scratches crisscross his small arm–some fresh,

some healing, a map of pain that shouldn’t exist on a child’s

skin. The teachers around us react with sharp intakes of breath. If Robin was hurt at their kindergarten, they 14:33

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responsible. Their jobs, their reputations, everything on the

line.

I examine the marks carefully, my hands trembling with

controlled rage. “Robin. How did this happen?”

He won’t meet my eyes. “I fell. I’m clumsy.”

“Robin.” I wait until he looks at me. “Tell me the truth.”

His lips part, then close. He hangs his head, silent.

I soften my voice, crouching lower to meet him at eye level.

“Robin, don’t you trust me? After everything?”

Something in my tone reaches him. He takes a shaky breath. Then, slowly, he lifts his head and looks past me.

At Aeson.

“Ms. Perseus.” His voice is small but clear. “It was Aeson. He

did this.”

The silence that follows is absolute.

Aeson’s eyes widen, then narrow with fury. “You’re lying! I 2/7

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never touched him! He hit me today–everyone saw it!”

Robin doesn’t argue, doesn’t raise his voice. He just states

facts, calm as still water. “You called me a bastard without a

mother. You said terrible things about Ms. Perseus. I told you to stop, and you wouldn’t.”

“She’s MY mother!” Aeson’s voice rises, shrill with outrage. “I

can say whatever I want about her!”

“She’s my favorite Ms. Perseus.” Robin’s voice trembles, but he stands his ground. “Not a nanny. I won’t let you insult her.

Not ever.”

Aeson’s face twists with jealous fury. “You can’t stop me!

She’ll always be my mother–always! And you’ll always be

just a bastard with no mom!”

“Aeson.” Aires’s voice cuts like ice.

“Enough.” My voice overlaps his.

For a moment, our eyes meet–surprise, maybe, that we

spoke together. Then we both look away.

Aires’s gaze is cold, authoritative. “Where are your manners? 3/7

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Apologize.”

Aeson flinches. He fears his father, respects him in a way he’s

never respected me. But today, something in him snaps.

“I’m not wrong!” Tears spill down his cheeks, hot and furious. “He’s been bragging for weeks! Saying his dad is going to marry my mom, that she’ll be his mother soon! He said she

won’t care about me anymore–that she’ll make him meals

and give him baths and tell him stories and tuck him in every night while I’m forgotten!”

His voice cracks, raw with hurt. “He said I’ll be the one who

ends up a bastard! He’s been rubbing it in my face every single day–how good my mom is to him, like having a mother and not having one is the same thing!”

The room goes still. Even the teachers seem caught between sympathy and shock.

Imema seizes the moment, her voice dripping with manufactured concern. “Aires, this isn’t entirely Aeson’s fault. Ms. Perseus has been neglecting him, pouring all her attention into someone else’s child.” She pauses, letting the words land. “Aeson just wants his mother’s love. Is that so wrong? Ms. Perseus is being irresponsible.”

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She turns to me, eyes glistening with fake tears. “Ms. Perseus,

Aeson is your son. Why are you defending an outsider?”

I meet her gaze without flinching. “Aeson is my son. Aires is

my husband. So tell me why do they spend all their time defending an outsider?”

Aeson, too young to catch my meaning, shouts, “Because

you’re always bullying Ms. Volkov!”

I look at him, this child I carried and raised and loved with

everything I had. “So you and your father believe you’re fair

and just? Always on the side of right?”

“YES!” His certainty is absolute.

The teachers exchange glances. The dynamic shifts

-suddenly they’re looking at Imema with new eyes, calculating. Aeson just admitted that he and his father consistently defend another woman against his own mother.

Imema’s composure cracks, just slightly.

I smile, thin and cold. “Then you’ll understand me perfectly. Because Robin has been bullied. By you. And I’m being fair

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and just, defending the one being hurt. Is that wrong?”

Aeson’s mouth opens, but nothing comes out.

“But you didn’t even ask what happened!” he finally

manages.

I laugh softly. “Neither do you. You never ask. You just assume

it’s my fault.” I look down at Robin, my voice softening. “And

besides, I trust Robin. He wouldn’t hurt anyone without

reason.”

Robin has been good to me. Kind. Appreciative. He helps with

dishes without being asked, praises my cooking, looks at me

like I matter. Unlike-

“Ms. Perseus.” Robin’s small voice breaks through my thoughts. “I was wrong. No matter what Aeson said, I

shouldn’t have hit him. I want to apologize.”

I study his earnest face. “You’re willing to do that?”

He nods firmly. “Yes. I am.”

I nod, pride warming my chest despite everything. “Then go

ahead.”

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Robin walks to Aeson, standing straight and tall despite his

small frame. “Aeson, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have hit you.”

Aeson turns away, arms crossed, refusing to look at him. His

pride won’t let him accept so easily.

Robin glances back at me, uncertain.

I smile encouragement. “Whether he forgives you is his

choice. But knowing you did something wrong and choosing

to make it right–that’s what matters. You took responsibility,

Robin. You’re a good kid.”

His face lights up like sunrise.

The teachers exchange glances. Finally, one speaks.

“Mrs. Perseus?” Her voice is cautious, respectful now. “Are

you Robin’s guardian?”

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