Luna Forsaken (Arya and James) novel Chapter 84

84 Adopted by an Alpha, Betrayed by a Mate 2

Arya’s POV

My feet hit the ground inside, and something in my chest loosened by an inch.

Not peace.

Not safety.

A pause.

A moment where the world wasn’t actively reaching for my throat.

Maxwell turned toward Milley, his expression shifting slightly. Less hard.

“Milley,” he said.

Milley looked like her lungs stopped working.

“Yes, Alpha,” she blurted, almost snapping to attention inside her car.

Maxwell’s gaze flicked from her to me and back again.

“Thank you,” he said simply. “For helping her.”

Milley blinked like she didn’t expect gratitude from an Alpha.

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Then she nodded too fast. “Of course, Alpha. I didn’t know at first, I just, she was on the highway and I,

Maxwell lifted a hand.

“That’s enough,” he cut in. “You did well.”

Milley looked stunned.

Then curiosity pushed through her fear. She glanced at me, then back at him.

“Alpha…” she said carefully. “Who is she… to you?”

My body went still.

I hadn’t expected that question.

And I hadn’t expected Maxwell to answer.

Maxwell didn’t hesitate.

<84 Adopted by an Alpha Betrayed by a Mate 2

He turned toward me.

And when he spoke, his voice carried the weight of a decision already made.

“Arya is my adopted daughter.”

The words hit me like a blow.

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4 Mens

Not violent.

Not painful.

Just sudden.

My breath caught.

My eyes burned instantly.

My throat tightened so sharply I had to look away for half a second so I didn’t fall apart at the gate like

a weak thing.

Adopted daughter.

No one had ever claimed me like that.

Not without wanting something back.

Not without expecting payment.

I’d been abandoned when I was little, left behind like a mistake someone didn’t want to carry.

All my life, I’d survived by being useful.

By being strong.

By being dangerous.

Not by being wanted.

I looked back at Maxwell.

He didn’t smile.

He didn’t soften into sentiment.

He nodded once like he meant it and that was the end of the debate.

My eyes stung harder.

< R4 Adopted by an Alpha Betrayed by a Mate 2

Milley’s mouth fell open.

“Adopted…” she breathed. “I didn’t,”

“Go home,” Maxwell ordered. “Rest.”

Milley snapped back into obedience.

“Yes, Alpha.”

She swallowed, then looked at me again, eyes wide and shining.

“It was an honour,” she said, like she couldn’t stop herself.

A sharp laugh tried to escape my throat.

It didn’t become a laugh.

It became a sound.

But it was enough.

Maxwell turned away from the gate and motioned with his head.

“Come.”

I followed him.

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Meno

The walk from the gate into the pack’s inner area felt longer than it was because eyes followed us.

Pack members watched from the paths.

From porches.

From patrol routes.

Some looked curious.

Some looked cautious.

Some looked openly shocked.

I didn’t lower my head.

I didn’t apologise with my posture.

I kept my shoulders squared and my pace steady.

(84 Adopted by an Alpha Betrayed by a Mate 2

Maxwell walked slightly ahead, his presence carving a path through his own territory.

We reached his home.

Large. Clean. Built like a fortress that didn’t need to prove anything.

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MENU

Inside, it was warm.

Quiet.

Controlled.

Maxwell shut the door behind us and the silence landed heavy.

He looked at me again.

He didn’t ask why my clothes were rumpled.

He didn’t ask why my wrists carried faint marks.

He didn’t ask why my belongings were tied in a sheet like a runaway.

He didn’t ask why my eyes looked like they’d been dragged through hell.

He just said, voice low:

“You’re safe here.”

My chest tightened.

I nodded once.

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