From Betrayed Luna to Wolf Queen (Lillian) novel Chapter 170

Chapter 170 Sick Pup

Third–Person POV:

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As Julian neared Laurel Manor, his phone rang. It was Eleanor. Her voice was tense and direct over the line.

“Iris was already unwell, and now with the pup missing, the stress is pushing her over the edge. She’s having episodes constantly.

“I don’t care what it takes–today, you need to make Lillian tell you where that pup is.”

Every word was edged with urgency.

The phrase “episodes constantly” echoed in Julian’s mind, overlapping with what Finn had told him the night before.

Finn had warned him: Something’s not right with Iris‘ depression.

Frequent episodes.

Something’s off.

The two thoughts tangled together, growing clearer by the minute.

Eleanor was rushing to the hospital and didn’t linger on the call. After a few sharp instructions, she hung up.

The car rolled into the parking lot outside Laurel Manor.

Julian sat for a moment without moving. He closed his eyes, then lit a cigarette and took a slow drag. After all the hours spent searching, the sky was just beginning to lighten into a pale gray.

Thomas watched him from the driver’s seat.

Julian exhaled. “Still nothing on the pup?”

“No.” Thomas shook his head.

Julian took another pull from his cigarette, his gaze drifting toward the goldenrain tree standing under the dull morning sky.

Lillian had always loved goldenrain trees. She said their blossoms looked like fallen sunshine in autumn.

She loved pink mimosa trees too–claimed their flowers smelled like clean rain.

Ever since she’d mentioned it, Julian made sure to plant mimosas and goldenrain trees wherever she stayed.

Now, deep into fall, the goldenrain blossoms had dried and curled, but the leaves still held their green.

Hearing Thomas confirm there was no news, Julian’s expression darkened.

Then he asked a question that seemed to come from nowhere. “What’s your take on Iris‘ depression?”

This wasn’t the first time Finn had raised concerns. Lately, almost every time they spoke, Finn found a way to mention it. He’d warned Julian two or three times already.

Thomas paused, caught off guard. “What are you asking?”

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10:21 am P

Chapter 170 Sick Pup

“Do you think she could be faking it?”

Julian’s voice was low, his eyes unreadable. No one could tell what he was thinking.

Thomas hesitated. Faking it?

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Anyone with eyes could see how Iris felt about Julian. If she was pretending to be depressed just to get his attention, it didn’t add up. Who would want to be seen as a broken she–wolf?

And then there was Ethan’s death…

Turning it over, Thomas gave a slow shake of his head. “I doubt it. I don’t think she’s faking.”

“Why?”

“When Alpha Ethan was alive, Luna Iris was completely devoted to him. They were together at every pack gathering, every public event.”

It wasn’t impossible that losing Ethan had broken her.

“And the pups… What mother doesn’t love her own? One of them has been sickly since birth. That alone would be a heavy blow.”

Losing Ethan had shattered her. Then she gave birth, only to have one pup frail from the start.

And now one was missing…

After listening, Julian found it hard to believe Iris was pretending, too.

His face was Ethan’s face.

Over the past six months, she had…

Remembering how Iris had been acting around him lately, Julian rubbed his tired temples.

Finn’s repeated warnings had planted a seed of doubt, but Thomas‘ reasoning made sense.

Even so, after a stretch of silence, Julian finally said, “Look into it anyway.”

Upstairs, Lillian was asleep when dawn broke. Her phone rang twice in quick succession. The first call was from George.

He’d located the pup and was calling to report.

“The little female isn’t healthy,” George said, voice grim. “Her condition might be even more serious than her brother’s

“Iris had her moved to a private villa. She’s got doctors there around the clock.”

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