Alpha’s Rue: His Shunned Luna (Athena Enchanted) novel Chapter 212

Chapter 212

NOAH

I lean back against the seat, sipping my martini, as I watch Aeliana from across the table. She’s staring at her drink, her fifth cocktail of the night, but it’s barely been touched. For a moment, I fear my topic of conversation has ruined the mood. Jobs aren’t exactly a girls’ night out conversation, but I had to ask her before it’s too late. And when Stacey, my very fun neighbour, left for the ladies’ room, it provided us with the perfect opportunity to talk. However, my delivery wasn’t the best. “Well?” I pause, kicking her foot under the table. There’s an opening for a part-time lecturer at the university and the moment I heard it, I thought Aeliana would be perfect for it, but the whole Luna thing she has going on seems like a job, so I left it alone. Until Alpha Kingston approached me with the same idea.

“I don’t know if I can,” she shakes her head.

“You can,” I argue. “I know you’re more into methodology, but you can handle an introductory theology class,” I tell her, working overtime to convince her before Stacey returns and we have to change the conversation. “It has flexible hours, the pay is good, not that you need it, plus you’d be back in academics without it taking up too much of your time.”

“I’m really busy these days, my honey.” She sighs, “Kingston takes on a lot of my duties so I ease into my role, but he won’t be able to much longer with the alliances he’s working on. I don’t want him thinking I’m pulling away or that I can’t handle being Luna.”

Think?

Oh no this was his idea, he just didn’t want to approach her first because he didn’t want her to feel he was handing it to her. He thought it might come better from me, but she’s not taking it seriously. “Oh, come on, My Ellie,” I pout, leaning forward. “Don’t you want to work with me again? We’ll have fun. And I just know you’d be amazing at it. You have such a brilliant mind my Ellie, you were made for more than just being Luna. It’s a fulfilling and rewarding job I’m sure, but that’s for Kingston, for the pack, but teaching? That’s for you. It’s your dream.” I remind her.

I see a flicker in her eyes, I feel like she’s slowly forgetting who she is here, and while I’m loving having a drinking buddy, Aeliana would be planning lessons and marking scripts before she ever thinks to throw on her shortest dress and follow me out.

“Come on, those kids need someone like you, not some stuffy old professor who will bore them to death and flex his credentials on them while providing nothing but background to them,” I say, somewhat reaching because I don’t know the other contenders for the job, the ad was put out today and they’re hiring as quickly as they can.

Aeliana shifts, her lips parting a few times, but no sound comes out. The glint in her eyes while I talk tells me she wants it, but she also appears scared to reach for it. “Do you want to know what I think?”

“Please,” I nod. “I’ve been talking to a wall for quite a bit.”

She smiles, shaking her head. “It sounds… Interesting, I could potentially enjoy it, but I will have to talk to Kingston first. He didn’t react too well the last time I had a job offer.”

I nod, clapping. It’s definitely a done deal. “Great, hmso then you’re applying for it? Because Alpha Kingston will agree, his first thought was of you when he heard about the vacancy. He doesn’t want you to feel trapped or burdened by your new responsibilities, so he thinks you should apply for the job, and you’ll get it because spoiler… you’re amazing on and off paper.”

Her eyebrows furrow, “He asked you to convince me? Why?”

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I shrug, “No clue. But this could add an extra spark to your life, I know how happy teaching makes you and apparently, so does he.” I smile, “He’s a good husband, my Ellie.”

“I’ll think about it,” she smiles, finally taking a sip of her drink. “But no promises, I don’t think Vale University is the place for me if I’m to get back to work. I’d feel like a nepo baby.”

I feign a gasp, my hand flying to my chest in a dramatic display. “Wow, I feel insulted.”

Aeliana laughs, “You are the hardest-working nepo baby I know.” She winks, “And the prettiest.”

I wink back at her, “And don’t you forget it.”

Her trails over my shoulder, and she grins widely, polite. “You good, Stacey?”

“Yeah, just ran into a friend at the bathroom.” my neighbour says, taking her seat opposite me, next to Aeliana. ” Thanks for bringing me, River’s has become so hard to get into, and I didn’t snag a membership card when I had the chance.”

Aeliana shrugs, “No problem, I love supporting family business.”

As expected, Stacey’s return shifts the conversation to something lighter, clothes. I have tickets to a fashion show that we all can attend, and we immediately start planning our outfits, leaning into the elegant options. Aeliana and Stacey are looking at a catalogue of heels on my phone when I spot a familiar figure under the flashing lights.

Alpha Kingston.

Aeliana had lied about which club we would be at tonight, but somehow, he seems to have found her. He’d make a good hunter.

“My Ellie,” I draw, my tone unchanged while I trail Alpha Kingston over her shoulder.

She doesn’t look up from the phone, she’s swiping through my photos. “Hmm?”

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