From Betrayed Luna to Wolf Queen (Lillian) novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40 Playing Pitiful

Lillian’s POV:

I asked him to drop me at 58 Galaxy Road.

On second thought, as I was getting out of the car, I still said to him, “Thanks.”

The man inside just looked at me–something heavy in that gaze–and gave a small nod.

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After I got out, just before closing the door, I added, “I tried to explain things to Julian. He doesn’t believe we haven’t been in contact. This whole situation, I-”

‘No need to explain.”

‘But what about you two? Your relationship?”

No explanation?

When something like this comes between brothers, it could crack something that’s lasted years. Finn and Julian had worked ogether on plenty of projects over time.

Finn didn’t seem concerned. “Even a mate bond can break. A brotherhood? That’s easier.”

didn’t know what to say.

3ut it was the way he said it–that weight behind the words. And the look in his eyes behind those glasses. Something shifted there, ust for a second.

t sent a chill through me.

Thankfully, Finn didn’t say anything else. The car door closed on its own, and I heard him tell the driver, “Let’s go.”

Then he was gone.

Even after the taillights disappeared into the dark, I still felt it–that look he’d given me. Made it hard to breathe for a second.

dialed George. He picked up fast. “Miss.”

‘Come get me at 58 Galaxy Road.”

‘On my way.”

George showed up soon after.

He handed me his phone–a few photos pulled up. Iris on the hospital rooftop, threatening to jump.

I let out a cold laugh. “Change tomorrow’s release. Put out the photos of me at the clinic alone. Getting the procedure.”

Everyone knew what an abortion did to a female’s body without the father’s psychic energy to help her heal.

Iris wanted to play pitiful tonight? Wanted to flip the narrative in this city?

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10:41 am

Chapter 40 Playing Pitiful

Fine. I’d hit her with something even more heartbreaking. Watch her little act crumble.

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Back at Creekwood Manor, I’d just gotten out of a hot shower and settled into bed when my phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number.

A photo.

Julian, lifting Iris down from that rooftop ledge.

I turned my phone off.

Definitely Iris, using a burner number to send this.

Go ahead. Enjoy it while you can. The more you gloat tonight, the harder you’ll fall tomorrow.

Third–Person POV:

After they’d talked her down from the roof, Iris wasn’t doing well. Her post–birth wounds were screaming, pain threading through everything.

Eleanor and Hilda were both there, hovering.

Eleanor kept wiping at her eyes. “Iris, sweetie, what were you thinking?

“You have to think about the pups. They’re so small. They need you.”

It had been terrifying tonight. That building, Iris standing on the edge like that… One wrong move and she’d have been gone.

Now Iris‘ face was wet with tears. “I… I don’t know what came over me.”

“I didn’t mean to. I just… I just wanted to find Ethan, I-”

Her voice cracked, broke apart on a sob. Eleanor’s heart twisted.

Hilda cut in. “This is all Lillian’s fault! Look what she’s done to Iris these past few days. Pushing her like this.”

\

Iris kept crying. “What did I even do to deserve this? Why are they saying these things about me?

“Everyone in this city is cursing me. What did I do? I…”

The despair in her voice made Hilda pull her closer. “Shh. Don’t cry. Get some sleep. By morning, everything will be fine”

Eleanor nodded. “That’s right. Rest now. When you wake up, it’ll all be better.”

Iris sobbed against Hilda’s shoulder, her breath hitching, ragged.

Then she looked at Julian. Her eyes swam with tears–needy, fragile, lost “Ethan? Are you leaving again?”

Hilda and Eleanor froze.

Seeing Iris mistake Julian for his brother, Eleanor started crying too “My poor Iris.”

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10:41 am P p p p

Chapter 40 Playing Pitiful

Her depression was spiraling again.

Julian’s brow pulled tight.

Iris called out again, voice breaking. “Ethan.”

Eleanor and Hilda both shot him looks. Meaningful. Expecting.

Julian’s whole presence went cold. Dangerous.

He didn’t say a word.

Just turned and walked out of the room.

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