The Alpha’s Regret Claiming His Luna novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Shattered Bonds

Chapter 3: Shattered Bonds

(Olivia’s POV)

Ethan seemed to finally realize his girlfriend was still present. As if waking from a trance, he withdrew the arm that had been wrapped around Cassandra’s waist and took two steps back.

His friends, sensing the tension in the air, hurried to smooth things over.

“Let’s switch to Truth or Dare!” Jason Mitchell suggested loudly, clapping his hands to draw attention away from the awkward scene.

Ethan regained his composure and returned to his seat beside me. From the corner of my eye, I could see him watching me carefully, clearly expecting a jealous outburst or tears.

I remained silent, sipping my drink with calm indifference.

“Aren’t you going to say anything?” he finally whispered, his voice tense.

I turned to him, my amber eyes reflecting nothing but cool detachment. “About what?”

For the first time since I’d known him, Ethan looked genuinely unsettled. His brow furrowed as he studied my face, searching for the emotional, accommodating girlfriend he was used to manipulating.

“You’re acting strange tonight,” he muttered, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

I simply smiled and turned my attention back to the game. My wolf, Cora, purred with satisfaction inside me, pleased that we were finally standing our ground.

The group’s attention quickly shifted to Cassandra, who had become the center of the circle. Her laughter rang out as she tossed back another drink, ignoring Ethan’s earlier warning.

“Your turn again, Cass!” Sophie called out, her voice overly bright. “You lost this round!”

Cassandra’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “I choose dare,” she announced, her gaze provocatively sweeping over Ethan.

Sophie reached into a bowl and drew out a slip of paper. Her eyes widened slightly as she read it. “Randomly kiss a man here.”

Shocked murmurs rippled through the room. The temperature seemed to plummet as Ethan’s expression grew frigid.

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+25 Puntos

Yet Cassandra smiled, clearly enjoying the attention. She stood up slowly, making a show of

considering her options.

“Who shall it be?” she teased, her eyes lingering on Ethan before deliberately moving away.

To everyone’s surprise, she sauntered toward Lucas Bennett, a handsome but timid young

man from Ethan’s inner circle. Poor Lucas froze like a deer in headlights as Cassandra

approached.

“Don’t worry,” she whispered loud enough for everyone to hear. “I don’t bite… much.”

Before Lucas could react, Cassandra looped her arms around his neck. His face paled dramatically as he shot a panicked glance toward Ethan.

ENOUGH!”

Ethan’s roar filled the room with such dominance that everyone instinctively lowered their

gaze. Even I felt Cora shrink back slightly at the raw power in his voice.

He stormed across the room in three long strides, grabbing Cassandra’s arm and pulling her

away from Lucas, who looked ready to faint with relief.

“This game is over,” Ethan growled, his ice–blue eyes blazing with fury.

Without another word, he dragged Cassandra out of the private room, slamming the door

behind them.

The silence that followed was deafening. Then, slowly, all eyes turned to me.

I quietly sipped my wine, forcing my face to remain neutral despite the ice forming in my

chest. Three years of love, shattered in a single evening.

“Why are you all looking at me?” I asked softly, my voice steady despite the storm raging

inside.

Sophie approached cautiously. “Liv, are you okay?”

I smiled gently, though my heart was freezing bit by bit. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

I finished my drink in one smooth motion and stood up. “Excuse me, I need to use the

restroom.”

As I walked away, I could hear their whispers following me like shadows.

In the elegant bathroom, I locked myself in a stall and leaned against the door, finally allowing my smile to drop. I took several deep breaths, refusing to cry.

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“Did you see Ethan’s face?” A voice suddenly echoed in the bathroom. I froze, recognizing

Victoria Reed’s distinctive tone.

“I know! He looked ready to tear Lucas apart,” another girl replied with a giggle.

+25 Puntos >

“Ethan’s gone completely crazy, abandoning his girlfriend to chase after Cassandra,” Victoria

continued, her voice dripping with malicious delight.

“Obviously, he only cares about Cassandra,” someone else chimed in. “The way he watches

her every move… it’s like no one else exists.”

“Poor Olivia, just standing there watching her boyfriend go mad over another woman.”

Victoria’s voice lowered conspiratorially. “She’s just a stand–in. Anyone can tell Ethan’s heart

only responds to Cassandra.”

Their words cut through me like silver blades, but I straightened my shoulders. I’d heard

enough.

I flushed the toilet and stepped out of the stall. The girls by the sink caught sight of me in the

mirror and fell abruptly silent, their faces draining of color.

Without acknowledging them, I calmly washed my hands, my reflection composed despite the turmoil inside. The girls hurried away with bowed heads, not daring to meet my eyes.

“Not that I don’t love him anymore,” I whispered to myself, “but that I refuse to love a man who never truly saw me as his true partner.”

I returned to the party only long enough to say my goodbyes, ignoring the pitying glances that followed me out the door.

I continued sorting through my belongings, determined not to leave a single trace behind when I left. My eyes briefly caught the ambiguous marks on his neck, but I looked away

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