From Betrayed Luna to Wolf Queen (Lillian) novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12 The Perfect Performance

Chapter 12 The Perfect Performance

Eleanor’s POV:

“What?” My heart gave an uneasy thud.

“Iris… was my eldest brother Ethan’s bonded mate,” he enunciated each word with painful clarity. “And I… am Lillian’s.”

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The statement struck me with the force of a physical blow, stealing the air from my lungs. At a moment like this, he was still defending that woman? What kind of bewitchment had that orphan cast upon him?!.

Before I could muster a retort, he was already turning away, a wave of chilly air marking his departure as he strode down the corridor without a single backward glance.

“No, what I meant was…” I stared at his retreating figure, a surge of pure, incandescent fury rushing to my head. He was utterly impossible! With Iris in such a state, all he could fixate on was that vicious harpy!

“Eleanor…” A faint, weak call pulled me from my spiraling thoughts.

Iris was awake! I hurried to her bedside, looking down at her pallid face with a heart full of ache. “Oh, my dear, you’re awake? How are you feeling? Is the pain very bad?”

She drew in a shaky breath, every slight movement seeming to tug at the fresh wound in her abdomen. It was an absolute atrocity, what Lillian had done! How could anyone be so cruel to a female who had just given birth!

“I’m… alright…” Iris shook her head weakly, her eyes clouded and darting around the room. “Ethan? I thought I saw Ethan earlier… Where is he?”

Hearing her ask for Ethan sent my heart plunging. Ethan… my firstborn… had been gone for six months now, lost in that plane. wreck over the mountains… no remains ever recovered.

Seeing Iris like this, how could I possibly voice that brutal truth?

I forced a comforting smile, humoring her confusion. “Ethan? Oh… he just received an urgent call, had to step out for a moment to handle some pack business.”

I clasped her cold hand in both of mine, softening my voice further. “Don’t you fret, my dear. He’ll return to stay with you the moment he’s finished. You just rest now, don’t tire your mind.”

My poor, poor Iris… Was she transferring all her grief and dependence onto Julian, who wore a face nearly identical to her lost mate’s? Well… if that was what the needed… if it kept her stable and safe… then so be it. For now, this was the way it had to be

“But I want to see him… I need to see him now…” Tears traced fresh paths down Iris‘ cheeks, her voice beginning to quaver. “I had a dreadful nightmare… I dreamed that…”

Her breath hitched, her eyes filling with renewed terror. “I dreamed he was covered in blood… Ethan was covered in blood! Did something happen to him? Is he…?”

“It was only a dream! Just a bad dream!” I rushed to reassure her, my own voice tightening with panic. “Ethan is perfectly fine! He’s well! You mustn’t let your thoughts run away with you!”

“Ethan… I have to find Ethan…” Her crying intensified, her fragile emotions clearly spiraling toward another breakdown.

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11:34 am PPPP

Chapter 12 The Perfect Performance

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“Alright, alright, we’ll find Ethan. I’ll contact him right now and have him come to you, okay? Just stay calm, mind your stitches!” 1 fluttered around her, patting her hand while frantically digging in my purse for my phone to call Julian once more.

Third–Person POV:

Eleanor completely failed to notice that as she looked down to dial, behind the veil of Iris‘ lowered lashes, the eyes that had just been pools of fear and tears now flickered with a swift, calculated gleam of triumph.

Lillian’s POV:

Chloe was carefully peeling an apple for me when my phone buzzed with an incoming text.

It was from Iris.

“Julian should be back with you by now, shouldn’t he? Though, I’d wager he won’t stay more than five minutes this time. Care to make a bet?”

My expression instantly frosted over.

Chloe caught the shift in my demeanor. “Who is it?” she asked, instinctively glancing at the screen. When she read the message, face flushed with immediate, hot anger.

“Iris! That conniving, two–faced little-!” Chloe sputtered, incensed. “How dare she put on her innocent act and then send such a brazen, taunting text! The absolute audacity!”

Just as we finished reading the message, Julian reappeared in the doorway of the hospital room. He had, indeed, dealt with whatever crisis and come straight back.

Chloe’s POV:

Seeing Julian, anger shot straight to the top of my skull. ! snatched the phone from Lillian’s limp hand and marched over to him.

“You! Alpha Julian! Perfect timing!” I thrust the screen toward his face. “Take a good, long look! See what your delicate, virtuous. poor–little–widowed sister–in–law really sounds like when she’s messaging Lillian in private!”

I held the phone up, my hand trembling with outrage. “Look! Open your eyes wide and look! This is the true attitude your oh–so- fragile, ever–so–dutiful sister–in–law has toward your mate!”

Julian took the phone, his gaze dropping to the illuminated screen.

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He gave it a cursory glance, his brow furrowing slightly before he looked back at me. “What is the issue with this message?”

I could hardly believe my ears. “What?! You’re asking what the issue is? Julian, can you not read the language? It’s a blatant taunt and a boast! And you’re standing here asking me what’s wrong?!”

Furious, I yanked the phone back, my fingers shaking.

“Fine! Alright! I’ll read it aloud for you, since you seem to be missing the point!” I took a sharp, steadying breath, looked at the screen, and prepared to read the message verbatim “Listen up: Lillian… it was all my… fault?

My voice cut off abruptly. I stared at the screen, stunned

That wasn’t right.

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