From Betrayed Luna to Wolf Queen (Lillian) novel Chapter 173

Chapter 173 Simon

Third–Person POV:

Back at the hospital, once Iris learned that Lillian had already called the police, she completely lost her composure.

“Edith, she called the cops. What are we going to do?”

Edith kept her voice low and steadChapter 172 Why Not?

Third–Person POV:

“I don’t know.” Lillian’s reply was cold and firm, leaving no room for doubt.

She had always been one to think several steps ahead–a habit that was proving useful now.

Who would have guessed that the female pup, who appeared perfectly healthy, was actually sick–and in worse condition than the male:

George mentioned that at the villa where the pup had been kept last night, lights were still on at three in the morning, with doctors and emergency vehicles coming and going.

If Iris had called Lillian at daybreak, it could only mean one thing: the pup’s condition was critical.

So if the pup ended up in Lillian’s hands now, it wasn’t hard to imagine what might follow.

What made the situation almost ironic was that, judging by Julian’s behavior, he seemed completely unaware of any of this.

She had no idea how he’d spent the night searching for the missing pup.

Lillian added calmly, “But don’t worry. I already called the police about the pup for you.”

Julian’s eyes narrowed. “You did?”

“Yes. A missing pup is a serious matter. How could you not have reported it?”

Julian fell silent.

She’d actually contacted the police. That had to mean she wasn’t involved in the pup’s disappearance… right?

His grip on her wrist tightened.

A faint smile touched Lillian’s lips. “Want to know why I called them?”

“Why?”

“Because…”

Instead of explaining, she picked up her phone and played the recording of her earlier call with Iris.

Iris must have truly lost her composure.

Before, she’d always been careful not to say too much over the phone–avoiding anything Lillian could use against her.

But this morning, she’d said everything.

And Lillian had recorded every word

Iris‘ voice filled the room from the speaker. “I’ll give you the pup. You break the mate bond with Julian. Go ahead–send someone to pick it up. The address is-”

“No need.”

Lillian’s own voice cut in clearly.

Julian’s expression turned icy.

The energy around him grew even more intense.

“What?”

“I said no need. You heard me.”

“Don’t you want out of the bond with Julian? Once that pup is in your hands, he’ll end it for sure. You know how he is–he cares deeply about his brother’s pup…”

Iris‘ recorded voice grew increasingly frantic.

But before the playback could continue, Julian snatched the phone and stopped it.

His cold gaze locked onto Lillian.

Meeting his eyes, she felt her smile stiffen slightly.

“Why didn’t you let it finish?” she asked, raising a brow.

Wasn’t the recording proof enough that the pup was with Iris herself?

That this was all her doing?

Turning it off and just staring–what was that supposed to mean?

n that moment, Lillian couldn’t read what was going through Julian’s mind.

But he showed her in the next breath.

And she learned, firsthand, just how stubborn an Alpha could be.

Julian released her wrist. “Did Finn teach you that, too?”

Lillian went still.

‘That Al program his company is developing–did you get that good with it?”

Lillian glanced at her phone on the table, then back at Julian.

She understood now.

When it came to his trust in the Graves Pack, unless he witnessed something with his own eyes and ears–face to face–nothing could shake it.

Before, Iris had been too careful to leave evidence or give Lillian any leverage.

She never said much over the phone.

But now? Julian didn’t believe the recording at all. He jumped straight to assuming it was Al–generated voice synthesis.

“Tch-” Lillian couldn’t hold back a bitter, mocking laugh.

The sound felt hollow even to her.

She wasn’t sure if she was laughing at herself, at whatever was left between her and Julian, or maybe both.

She met his gaze squarely. “I really don’t see the point of keeping me tied to you through this mate bond.”

Love? Hardly.

By now, neither of them seemed to truly believe in something as fragile as love.

People who loved each other trusted each other.

What did she and Julian have? None of that.

“How did we even end up together?” The question slipped out before she could stop it.

Julian didn’t trust her–not at all.

Especially with this situation involving the pup. The disappointment in his eyes, the certainty that she was capable of harming a pup…

If that was who he believed she was, then how had they ever become mates in the first place?

“But I heard you mention hiding something,” Hilda pressed, her eyes narrowing slightly. “And the police not finding it. Are you talking about the pup?”

“Then what was it? And why bring up the police?”

That woman–when would she finally disappear from the Graves Pack for good? The whole pack had been unsettled because of her.

Every time Lillian came up. Hilda’s anger boiled over. “I truly don’t understand what Julian sees in her. This drama just never ends.”

Back when it looked like things there might fall apart, the way Eleanor had treated her… she didn’t even want to think about it.

A woman really did need a strong birth pack behind her.

With a reliable pack supporting her, even her mate’s pack–the Graves Pack–wouldn’t dare push her around.

Margaret’s tone shifted slightly. “Edith told me you slit your wrists?”

She didn’t sound pleased.

Hearing the change in her mother’s voice, Iris‘ chest tightened. “Mom, you have no idea how they treated me after you left…”

She let the sentence hang, emotion choking her words.

Margaret knew exactly what she meant. She let out a cold, knowing laugh. “I warned you a long time ago that Eleanor isn’t a good person. But you didn’t believe me back then. You kept saying she treated you like her own daughter.”

Margaret saw right through Eleanor.

As the Luna of the largest pack in Gilneas City, Eleanor played the friendly socialite among the other Lunas, but her words were sweet on the surface and sharp underneath.

Every remark was crafted to stir up tension between families.

The only reason she’d ever been pleasant to Inis was because Iris had Margaret as her mother

“I have to be with Julian,” Iris insisted, voice firm. “You know it’s not just because I’m into him.”

There were also the benefits to consider…

Ethan was gone. Many of the advantages he’d enjoyed in life were tied to Julian’s circle and resources

If she secured her place with Julian, she could maximize those benefits

Margaret sighed audibly. “But right now, public opinion in Gilneas City is completely against you. You and him-”

“Public opinion is just a mood,” Iris cut in, her tone resolute. “People’s memories are short. They’ll move on.”

Everyone in Gilneas City was cursing her name right now, and it was driving her insane–but Iris was determined to tough it out.

Words were just words. She could handle that.

“After enough time passes, they’ll quiet down on their own,” Iris stated plainly.

Margaret paused, then asked quietly, “Do you really care about him that much?”

“Yes. I do.”

Margaret stayed silent for a long moment.

Hearing the certainty in Iris‘ voice, she didn’t push further.

Besides, as far as she was concerned, the Western Continent situation was nearly resolved, so her own mood had lightened too.

She wasn’t in the mindset to strongly oppose it anymore.

“If you can handle what comes with it, then fine.”

Hearing her mother say that, Iris finally felt a wave of relief.

Truthfully, her biggest fear had been that Margaret wouldn’t approve.

“But I need you to promise me something,” Margaret added, her tone turning stern. “No more actual suicide attempts.”

When she’d heard that news back in the Western Continent, her heart had nearly stopped.

“I know. I won’t,” Iris assured her.

“And what about Simon?” Margaret asked. “Have you mentioned him to Julian yet?”