Alpha's Discarded Luna (Talia) novel Chapter 87

Chapter 85

Aires‘ POV

Imema blinks, caught completely off guard by Talia’s sudden

request. “What… what kind of favor?”

Talia’s smile is calm, almost pleasant, which makes it

infinitely more terrifying. “Turn to Aires and say, ‘Aires,

actually, Talia is your great–grandfather.“”

The room freezes.

I feel my face darken, storm clouds gathering behind my eyes. “Talia!”

“Apologies, that was too much.” Her voice holds absolutely no remorse. “Perhaps something simpler. Tell him, ‘Aires, the

daytime sky is dark, and the sun rises at night. And oh yes, tell him that dogs have wings.”

Robin looks up at her, playing along perfectly with innocent

curiosity. “Ms. Perseus, even I know the sun rises in daytime,

and dogs can’t fly. Everybody knows that.”

Talia’s smile widens, her eyes glittering with cold amusement

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“You see that woman over there? People believe everything

she says. If she claimed dogs could fly, they’d probably

believe her. They’d probably build her a monument with flying dogs.”

Robin tilts his head, all childhood innocence masking razor–sharp understanding. “Really? There are people that silly? Grown–ups?”

Talia glances at us–at me, at Imema, at our frozen expressions—and something in her gaze could freeze hell.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have that gift. Otherwise, I’d show you

how easily black can be painted white. How lies become

truth when the right person tells them.”

Robin shrugs adorably, playing his role perfectly. “That’s

okay. Didn’t you say Ms. Volkov has that gift? Watching her

perform would be just as fun. Maybe she can teach me.”

The exchange is sharp enough to draw blood. Even Aeson

understands that they’re mocking us. Mocking what she

considers to be our blindness, just because we are willing to believe what Imema says. She’s just bitter, finding any excuse

to tarnish Imema.

Talia turns back to Robin, her voice softening to something 2/7

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< Chapter 85

warm and real. “Don’t worry. I promised I’d do the competition with you, and I will. We’re going to be wonderful.”

Robin hesitates, glancing at Aeson with genuine concern.

“But… won’t Aeson be upset? I don’t want to make him sad.”

Talia looks at our son. “Are you upset, Aeson?”

Aeson startles at being addressed directly. He wasn’t

expecting that–wasn’t expecting her to acknowledge him at all. He lifts his chin, arrogance flickering across his young features even as uncertainty wars behind his eyes. “Yes! I

forbid you to do the competition with that troublemaker! He’s

not your son–I am!”

Talia raises an eyebrow, completely unruffled. “So you want

me to do it with you instead?”

Robin’s hand tightens on hers. She pats him reassuringly

without looking away from Aeson.

Aeson falters. I see the conflict in his eyes–the rapid

calculation. If Talia performs with him, he’ll lose. He’s already bragged to his classmates about winning. Coming in last would be social suicide. Humiliation. Everything he’s tried to avoid by distancing himself from her. 3/7

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< Chapter 85

Imema notices his hesitation and glides in smoothly, ever

the rescuer. “Ms. Perseus, why pressure a child like this? This

performance is very important to Aeson. Perhaps you could

wait for the next one? I’ll be sure to discuss it with him then.

We wouldn’t want to upset him before such an important

event.”

Aeson relaxes visibly, nodding eagerly, relief flooding his features. “Yes. Next time. I already promised Ms. Volkov. I have to keep my word. It would be wrong to break a

promise.”

Talia looks into her son’s eyes–really looks, searching for

something. “If I asked you to choose between me and Imema,

right now, this instant–what would you say?”

Aeson’s mouth opens, then closes. He looks at me, seeking

rescue, seeking guidance, seeking someone to tell him what

to do.

I step forward, my voice cold and authoritative. “Talia, why

put a child in such an impossible position? He’s five years

old.”

She laughs, short and sharp, the sound cutting through the

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< Chapter 85

room like glass. “Asking him to choose between his mother and a stranger is impossible? Since when are those two things comparable? When did they become equal choices in

anyone’s mind?”

I have no answer. After a long moment, I grasp for something, anything. “If you’d taken better care of him, he wouldn’t be so dependent on others. He wouldn’t need to

look elsewhere for affection.”

She feigns surprise, hand pressed to her chest in mock

astonishment. “Oh? Is that the standard we’re using? Ms.

Volkov takes such wonderful care of him, does she? She feeds

him sweets despite knowing about his lactose intolerance. She gave him cake containing nuts and landed him in the hospital, fighting for his life. When he was recovering, his

stomach raw from being pumped, she brought him seafood

soup.”

Her smile is devastating, precise, absolutely lethal.

“Is that your definition of excellent care, Aires? Because if that’s the benchmark, I’m genuinely frightened for anyone who depends on you.”

I have nothing to say. The words hang in the air, undeniable. 5/7

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< Chapter 85

Aeson’s voice cuts through, defiant and trembling. “She’s still better than you!” He glares at his mother, years of cultivated resentment burning in his young eyes. “At least Ms.

Volkov tried to save me when I was sick. Unlike you and that

troublemaker–you didn’t even care if I died! You wanted me

to die so you could have him instead!”

Something in Talia’s expression shifts–a crack in the ice,

quickly sealed. “Wished you dead?” She studies Aeson carefully, her gaze sharpening. “Who told you that? Who told

you Robin and I wanted you to die?”

I step forward, my voice sharp with warning. “Talia. Don’t

blame Imema for everything. You can’t keep—”

She turns to me, lazy and unconcerned, as if I’m an irritant

rather than an Alpha. “Aires, must you become so defensive

every time I mention her name? Do you want everyone in this room to witness your impropriety firsthand? To see how quickly you jump to her defense?”

“My what?”

“Am I wrong?” She tilts her head, utterly calm. “We were all

present when Aeson had his allergic reaction. Every single

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one of us was in that restaurant. So why would Aeson claim

that Robin and I wished him dead?” Her eyes bore into

mine, merciless. “Unless someone told him that. Someone who wasn’t there. Someone who showed him something he

shouldn’t have seen.”

My gaze shifts to Aeson. “Aeson. Where did you hear this? Who told you that your mother wanted you to die?”

Aeson’s face pales dramatically. He looks at Imema, then at me, then back at Imema. His lower lip trembles, tears welling.

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