Luna Forsaken (Arya and James) novel Chapter 81

81 Lies in My Office, Ash on My Hands 2

James’s POV

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The packhouse corridor was busy, wounded being carried, warriors moving, people whispering, crying, shouting orders, arguing, mourning.

And through the noise, one thing was constant:

I felt eyes on me.

Everywhere.

Pack members looked at me like I was a stranger.

Like I was the man who promised safety and delivered death.

Some didn’t even bother hiding the accusation.

Others turned away, disgusted.

I kept walking.

Head down.

Jaw clenched.

Hands tight.

I didn’t stop until I reached my office.

The door was shut.

Two guards stood outside, stiff and alert.

They straightened when they saw me, but it didn’t look like respect.

It looked like fear.

I shoved the door open and stepped inside.

Leah was already there.

Freshened up.

Changed.

Hair neat.

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Face healed enough that she looked almost normal, though the bruising around her nose still betrayed the fact that Arya’s hands had been on her.

She was sitting near my desk like she belonged there.

Marcel stood beside her, arms folded, eyes scanning the room like he was assessing damage and calculating what it meant.

The moment Leah saw me, she jumped up and rushed toward me.

“James!” she cried, throwing her arms around me in a tight hug. “I was worried!”

I didn’t hug her back.

My arms stayed at my sides.

Rigid.

Leah didn’t seem to notice at first.

“I was so worried,” she repeated, voice trembling. “And when I saw the carnage, James, it’s horrible. Horrible!”

I stared over her head at Marcel.

Marcel’s face was arranged in a look of genuine concern.

It was convincing.

Too convincing.

Which made my stomach twist harder.

Marcel stepped forward slightly.

“James,” he said, voice heavy. “Is this why you left the gathering?”

I nodded once.

That was all.

Marcel’s brows drew together.

He glanced around my office like the room itself offended him.

“This is… unacceptable,” he said. “Do you know who did it?”

I didn’t answer immediately.

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My jaw tightened.

Marcel’s voice sharpened.

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“Because if you know,” he continued, “I will rally warriors. We will return the favour. No one messes

with my son-in-law and gets away with it.”

My mouth felt dry.

I forced words out.

“I don’t know who it was,” I said.

Marcel’s eyes held mine.

“Are you sure?” he pressed.

“Yes,” I said, flat.

Marcel exhaled slowly.

Then he tilted his head slightly.

“What do you plan on doing now?” he asked.

I shrugged.

Not because I didn’t care.

Because I didn’t trust myself to speak.

Leah pulled back from me then, frowning.

She looked between Marcel and me.

Then she spoke, voice quick, eager, trying to be useful.

“I heard Arya has left,” Leah said.

I felt my chest tighten.

The mention of her name in this room made my blood boil.

Leah continued anyway, oblivious or careless.

“I’m sure she isn’t the one behind the attack,” she added quickly, as if she was doing Arya a favour. “Maybe someone she knew found out and sent men to save her.”

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Nixon’s voice cut in from the doorway like a blade.

“That’s enough.”

Leah snapped her head toward him.

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Nixon stepped into the room, Devin and Archie behind him, both looking like men who were done

playing polite.

Nixon’s eyes locked onto Leah.

“We wouldn’t have pushed them back if Arya hadn’t taken charge,” Nixon said, voice cold. “If she

hadn’t led.”

Leah’s lips parted.

Nixon didn’t stop.

“She left,” he said. “That’s all. She didn’t orchestrate the attack. She didn’t ‘send men.’ She fought, and

she left.”

Leah’s face twisted.

But before she could speak again, Nixon added, sharper, “You should be happy she’s gone instead of

trying to blame her for something.”

Leah’s eyes flashed with anger.

Marcel’s gaze darkened instantly.

“Watch your tone,” Marcel warned, voice low.

Nixon laughed, short, humourless.

“You might have James by the balls,” Nixon said evenly, “but not me.”

The room went still.

Leah stared like she couldn’t believe a Beta would speak like that to her father.

Marcel’s expression tightened into something dangerous.

Nixon took a step forward, fearless.

“If you overstep with me,” Nixon continued, “I will leave this pack too. I didn’t swear to serve you. I

swore to serve my Alpha.”

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