Alpha's Discarded Luna (Talia) novel Chapter 90

Talia’s POV

Robin’s face lights up like sunrise breaking through clouds.

“Dad! You’re here!”

Raymond’s gaze sweeps over the scene–the teachers

hovering nervously, Imema’s disheveled state, me with my hand still tangled in her hair, Aires’s grip on my wrist. His voice drops, cold and dangerous, cutting through the tension

like a blade.

“It seems anyone can bully my son when I’m not around to

supervise.”

The temperature in the corridor plummets. His presence fills the space, commanding, absolute, impossible to ignore. The teachers shrink back instinctively, suddenly aware they’ve

miscalculated.

They’ve rarely seen Raymond. They know the families here

are wealthy, powerful–but Aires is the titan of Starlight City.

He’s come personally for Aeson multiple times, made his

presence felt. In their minds, the scales have always tipped toward him, toward the devil they know.

14:42

< Chapter 88

Now they realize their mistake. This man radiates a different

kind of power–older, more dangerous, utterly unconcerned with their opinions.

Raymond reaches out casually and removes Aires’s grip from

my wrist. It takes no effort at all, as if Aires’s iron hold was

nothing more than a child’s grasp. Aires’s eyes narrow, but he

says nothing.

Free of restraint, I raise my hand and slap Imema again.

And again. The sounds echo off the sterile walls, sharp and

satisfying. Her screams pierce the air–genuine now, no

performance.

Aires moves to stop me. Raymond’s smirk freezes him in

place.

“Eleanor.” Aires’s voice is rough, strained. “That’s enough.”

My hand aches from hitting her. I don’t care. I stare down at

Imema, voice like frozen steel. “Apologize. Now.”

She’s beyond reason, her perfect mask shattered into jagged

pieces. “Aires! She hit me! How dare she? Did you see that?

Don’t let her get away with this! Make her pay! I want her to

2/9

14:42

< Chapter 88

suffer!”

Aeson steps back, fear flickering in his young eyes. He’s never

seen Imema like this–ugly, raging, features twisted into

something unrecognizable. The gentle angel who brought

him treats and whispered comfort has vanished, replaced by

a screaming stranger.

Aires’s voice cuts through, sharp as a whip. “Imema. Calm

down.”

She clutches his arm, nails digging in, desperate. “Aires!

Aren’t you going to defend me? After everything? You’re just going to stand there?”

Robin’s innocent voice pipes up, perfectly timed, perfectly

devastating. “Yes, Mr. Perseus. Aren’t you going to defend

Ms. Perseus? Ms. Volkov told Aeson that Ms. Perseus and

I tried to hurt him instead of saving him. She said you lied

about the rescue to protect Aeson’s feelings.”

He tilts his head, all childhood innocence wrapped around

razor–sharp truth.

“Now I understand why Ms. Perseus and Aeson fight so much. It’s because Ms. Volkov keeps telling lies. Aeson believes her, 3/9

14:42

< Chapter 88

so he hates his own mom. That’s really sad.”

Aires’s eyes sharpen to daggers. He looks at Aeson.

Aeson stares at the floor, refusing to meet anyone’s gaze. His

small shoulders hunch, hands clenched at his sides.

Understanding dawns on Aires’s face. He heard Aeson’s

earlier slip, the almost–confession. He’d planned to address it later, privately–not in front of teachers, not like this, not with

everyone watching. But the truth is out now, impossible to

stuff back into its box.

“Apologize,” Aires says.

Imema’s head snaps up, disbelief warring with fury. “What

did you say?”

“Apologize.” His voice is ice, brooking no argument. “To Robin

and Eleanor.”

“Aires? You want me to apologize to her?”

“Last time.” Each word drops like a stone into still water.

“Apologize.”

4/9

14:42

< Chapter 88

The rage drains from Imema’s face, replaced by something colder–rapid calculation, survival instinct kicking in. She lost control. Robin’s crude tactics and my slaps pushed her past her limits, made her forget herself, made her human.

Now she remembers who she’s supposed to be.

She presses a hand to her forehead, swaying dramatically. “My head… Aires, I think I’m unwell again. The stress, the

confrontation—it’s too much. My condition-”

I laugh softly, the sound hollow. “Perfect timing, as always.

The moment accountability arrives, so does your convenient

illness.”

Imema ignores me, tears flowing prettily down her swollen cheeks. “Ms. Perseus, Robin, I apologize for frightening you.

I wasn’t myself. The pressure of my illness–it makes me do

things I don’t mean.”

Raymond studies her with predatory interest. “Your

remember what happened, then? The pushing, the lies, the

manipulation?”

She forces a trembling smile. “Yes. Sometimes I can’t control

my emotions. It’s my condition. I’m so sorry.”

5/9

14:42

< Chapter 88

“Ah.” Raymond’s tone is pleasant, devastatingly so. “So you have more than one illness? A terminal condition and

emotional instability? Should someone so burdened really

be apologizing? Perhaps we should apologize to you for

expecting basic decency from a dying woman.”

Imema’s smile freezes. She recovers quickly, approaching Robin with wounded grace. “Robin, I’m so sorry. I was unwell and lost control. I never meant to push you or frighten you. Can you ever forgive me?”

She knows the drill. Apologize quickly, move on, don’t dig the hole deeper. Survival 101.

It still burns. I see it in the tightness around her eyes, the rigid

set of her shoulders.

Robin beams understanding, angelic and forgiving. “You’re

sick? That’s okay. I forgive you. My dad says sick people need

extra kindness.”

The contrast couldn’t be more pointed.

My gaze shifts to Aeson. “And you?”

6/9

14:42

< Chapter 88

He startles, defiant chin lifting even as uncertainty flickers

behind his eyes. “I didn’t do anything wrong! He provoked me

-said he wanted to steal you, make you his mom! He’s trying

to make me angry so I’ll apologize and look bad!”

I meet his eyes, calm and steady, refusing to look away.

“Robin saved your life, Aeson. Everyone in that restaurant

saw it. Everyone here knows it. You still refuse to admit the

truth. When did you become a liar?”

His face crumples, tears threatening. “You’re my mom! You

don’t believe me, but you believe him? Some stranger’s kid?”

Something twists in my chest–old pain, familiar grief. I

ignore it. “I believe the truth. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. The

truth.”

Aires’s voice is quiet but absolute, the command of an Alpha

who expects obedience. “Aeson. Apologize. Now.”

Under that cold, unblinking gaze, Aeson’s defiance crumbles.

He bows his head, voice barely a whisper. “I’m sorry.”

Robin waves it off, gracious in victory. “It’s okay. You’re Ms.

Perseus’s son. I understand why you’re upset.”

7/9

14:42

< Chapter 88

Aeson’s fists clench. He knows Robin’s smugness, the triumph

behind those innocent eyes. But he says nothing.

Raymond surveys the scene, utterly unconcerned by the

emotional wreckage. “Children fight. It’s normal. My son isn’t

made of glass, and I don’t need to be summoned for every

playground squabble.” He turns to the teachers, his voice hardening to something dangerous. “In the future, don’t call

me for trivial matters. I pay for him to learn, not for you to

use me as a disciplinary crutch. If your staff can’t manage basic childhood conflicts, perhaps this kindergarten should reconsider its educational philosophy.”

The teachers nod frantically, too intimidated to speak, too

aware of their miscalculation.

Raymond hands me a thick file. “For you. Everything you

requested.”

I glance inside, nod my thanks.

He looks at Robin. “Ms. Perseus has business to attend to.

You’re with me today.”

Robin nods obediently, then turns to me with those earnest

eyes. “Ms. Perseus, I’ll go with Dad today. We’ll practice 8/9

14:42

< Chapter 88

tomorrow, okay? Don’t forget our competition.”

I wave as they leave, warmth lingering in my chest despite

everything.

The teachers scatter like leaves before wind.

I face Aires. “We need to talk. Privately.”

“Let’s discuss it at home.” His voice is careful, measuring.

He’s right. This isn’t the place. I follow him out.

Write your comment

Similar stories

THE UGLY WIFE

BECOMES THE BILLIONLA RE’S SWEETHEAR

9/9