Mated To My Mate's Worst Enemy (ARIA) novel Chapter 140

Chapter 140

Chapter 140

ARIA

1

I heard voices ahead-female voices, familiar ones. I slowed my pace automatically, not quite eavesdropping but not announcing my presence either.

+5 Pearls

“How’s the new work going?” Celine was asking, her tone friendly and curious. “I know you were so happy to be reassigned to Healer Ivory’s service.”

“Oh, it’s wonderful,” Margo replied, and I could hear the enthusiasm in her voice. “So much better than before. I’m learning actual skills now. Contributing to meaningful work rather than just washing clothes and serving meals.”

“That’s good,” Celine said. There was a pause, then she added carefully, “Though I have to say, Luna Aria has been impressing people lately. Taking on all these dispute cases. People are saying she’s fair and thoughtful in her judgments.”

I slowed even further, curious about Margo’s response. About whether my efforts had made any difference in how at least some pack members viewed me.

“Good for her, I suppose,” Margo said, and her tone was dismissive rather than approving. “Though settling disputes isn’t exactly revolutionary work. Anyone with basic common sense could do it.”

“Still,” Celine pressed, “it’s more than she was doing before. Shows she’s taking her role seriously. And Alpha Kael seems pleased with how she’s handling things. They’ve been eating lunch together every day. Making a point of being seen together. Everyone’s noticed.”

“Have they?” Margo’s voice was skeptical. “And what’s everyone saying about it?”

“That it’s good,” Celine said, sounding slightly defensive now. “That it shows the bond is strengthening. That Luna Aria and Alpha Kael are working through what happened and rebuilding their relationship.”

Margo made a noncommittal sound. “Or it shows that Alpha Kael is doing his duty. Making the political gestures he needs to make to support his Luna publicly, even if privately things are more complicated.”

“That’s not fair,” Celine protested. “You don’t know what their relationship is like privately. You’re just assuming-”

“I’m just saying her life isn’t my business,” Margo interrupted. “What Luna Aria does or doesn’t do, whether she and Alpha Kael are genuinely reconnecting or just putting on a show for the pack-none of that affects me or my work. I’m focused on assisting Healer Ivory, who is actually doing important things rather than settling petty disputes about property boundaries.”

“Settling disputes is important too,” Celine insisted. “It keeps the pack functioning smoothly. Prevents small conflicts from escalating into larger problems.”

“Sure,” Margo agreed in that same dismissive tone. “And like I said, good for her. I just don’t care. My life is so much better now that I don’t have to be involved in Luna Aria’s daily routines or pretend to be invested in whether she’s earning the pack’s respect.”

12:48

Chapter 140

+5 Peails

There was a pause, and when Celine spoke again, her voice was cooler. “That seems harsh. She’s trying. Isn’t that worth something?”

“Is it?” Margo challenged. “Look, Celine, I know you still serve her so you probably feel some loyalty or whatever. But from where I’m standing, Luna Aria trying to be adequate doesn’t change the fundamental reality. She’s here because she bonded with Alpha Kael at a politically convenient moment. Not because she earned the position. Not because she’s particularly suited for it. Just because circumstances aligned.”

“That’s not entirely fair either,” Celine said, though she sounded less certain now.

“Maybe not,” Margo conceded. “But it’s honest. And honestly? Healer Ivory is way too swamped with important work to be bothered about what Luna Aria is doing or whether Alpha Kael is making public shows of support for his mate. Ivory has research to conduct, patients to care for, compound formulas to perfect. She doesn’t have time or energy to invest in caring about Luna Aria’s attempts to seem competent.”

“You think she doesn’t care at all?” Celine asked quietly.

“I think she’s moved on,” Margo said firmly. “From whatever complicated feelings she might have had about Alpha Kael bonding with someone else. From any resentment about Luna Aria taking a position many thought should have been hers. From all of it. She’s focused on her work, on her contributions to the pack, on things that actually matter rather than political theater and relationship drama.”

“And you think that’s best?” Celine pressed. “For everyone to just move on and focus on their own responsibilities?”

“I think it’s the only practical option,” Margo replied. “What’s the alternative? Everyone sitting around obsessing about pack dynamics and who should be with whom and whether Luna Aria will ever truly earn respect? That’s exhausting and pointless. Better to just accept reality and focus on what we can actually control-our own work, our own contributions, our own lives.”

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