The Alpha's Mafia Luna novel Chapter 86

Chapter 86

The door to Naia’s apartment swung open with a creak, revealing her

bright, mischievous smile.

“About damn time,” Naia said, pulling me into a tight hug.

Her warmth felt like a lifeline. I hugged her back, trying not to cry

again. I was tired of crying.

Naia pulled back slightly, eyeing my tired face. “Girl, did you walk

through a thunderstorm of emotions, or did Damian finally turn into

a fire–breathing dragon?”

“Both,” I muttered.

She chuckled and stepped aside. “Well, welcome to my little palace.

Take off those boots, drop that suitcase, and prepare to be

pampered.”

I followed her inside and blinked at the place. It was… shockingly

nice.

“Wait.” I stared at the sleek couch, the indoor plants, the tasteful paintings. “What the hell, Naia? Last I checked, we were two broke

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girls running barefoot through the woods.”

Naia grinned, flopping onto the couch like a cat. “I upgraded, baby.

Got myself a job. Started paying bills. The usual adulting nonsense.”

I raised an eyebrow and dropped onto the couch beside her. “Doing

what? Selling moonlight in jars?”

She snorted. “Honestly, wouldn’t be the worst idea. But no–I work at

a supernatural–themed diner. It’s called Fangs and Fries.”

I laughed so hard I nearly fell off the couch. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope.” She grinned proudly. “Waitressing like a pro. Our manager’s a

vampire with a caffeine addiction. He eats tofu and thinks garlic is a

spice. I love him.”

I shook my head, still smiling. “Naia, you never even passed

supernatural history.”

“I faked it till I made it.” She leaned forward, tossing a pillow at me.

“And now that you’re here, Miss Runaway Royalty, guess who else is

about to get a job?”

I made a face. “Me?”

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Chapter 86

“Bingo.”

“Pass.”

“Girl, you think you can just sit on this couch, drink my orange juice,

and not pay rent?”

“I brought drama.”

“Not accepted as payment.”

We both burst into laughter, and for the first time in days, my chest

didn’t feel like it was being crushed by guilt and grief.

After a moment, she sighed and looked at me, serious for once. “You

okay?”

I hesitated, staring at the little scar on my wrist. “I don’t know.”

“That’s fine.” She patted my knee. “You don’t have to know. You just

have to eat and not set anything on fire.”

“Tempting,” I muttered.

“Want to talk about it?”

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“Not yet.”

“Okay.” Naia stood and stretched. “Let me make you something to

eat. I have soup. And wine.”

“God, I love you.”

“I know.” She smirked. “And now that you’re here, you’re going to

help me clean, cook, and flirt with hot delivery guys.”

I raised my hands in surrender. “I’ll flirt. But I’m not washing a single

plate.”

“Deal.”

She walked into the kitchen, humming off–key. I leaned back and

closed my eyes for a moment, letting the softness of the cushions

hold me. For once, I didn’t feel like someone was about to break in

and tear me apart. It was quiet here. Normal.

Naia called from the kitchen, “So what are we calling this phase?

Healing era? Anti–men era? Or chaos era?”

“All of the above.”

She laughed. “Good. Because I may or may not have signed us up for a

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self–defense class taught by a witch named Margot.”

“Oh god.”

“She’s like ninety, but I swear she could punch a hole through a wall.”

“I’m scared.”

“You should be. She drinks straight vinegar and meditates on top of

parked cars.”

I giggled and walked into the kitchen, watching her stir soup with an

air of complete chaos. “Seriously though, Naia. How did you

afford

this place?”

She waved the ladle dramatically. “Minimum wage and maximum

hustle.”

“I’m impressed.”

“You should be. I cried my first week. Then I got promoted because I

didn’t quit. Also, my landlord’s part troll, so he’s weirdly patient with

people who pay rent on time.”

I leaned against the counter, arms crossed. “So this is what life could

be like if I didn’t have a controlling, jealous Alpha breathing down my

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neck.”

Naia’s eyes softened. “You’ll figure it out. But until then? You have this place. You have me. And tomorrow, we are signing you up for a

job.”

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