The Alpha’s Regret Claiming His Luna novel Chapter 33

Chapter 20: The Void Left Behind–2

There was a pause on the other end of the line. “Alpha Ethan, you mean the special healing

broth Miss Winters used to make?”

“Yes,” I growled, impatience sharpening my tone.

Martha’s voice grew hesitant. “I’m afraid I can’t make that, sir.”

“Why not?” I demanded.

“That broth needs the herbs soaked overnight, plus fresh venison prepared in a specific way. Also, I only know the ingredients, not the proportions or the preparation methods Miss Winters

used. I really can’t do it.”

Frustration surged through me. Of course Martha couldn’t make it. No one could make it like

Olivia did.

“At least make plain broth,” I ordered, my voice tight with irritation.

“Right away, Alpha Ethan,” Martha replied, relief evident in her tone.

After hanging up, I massaged my temples, trying to ease the pounding headache. The silence

of the manor seemed to mock me, emphasizing just how much I had taken Olivia’s presence

for granted.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. My heart leaped unexpectedly, hope surging

through me before I could suppress it.

“Come in,” I called quickly, unable to disguise the flicker of joy in my voice.

The door swung open, and my smile froze, then fell as Cassandra Evans stepped into the room. Disappointment crashed over me with surprising force.

“Why is it you?” The words escaped before I could stop them, cold and unwelcoming.

Cassandra’s smile faltered, her eyes registering the hurt my tone had caused. She clenched

her fists briefly at her sides, composing herself before approaching the bed.

“I heard from Martha you weren’t feeling well, so I came to see you,” she said, her voice

carefully light as she sat beside me. “Are you better, Ethan?”

I shook my head slightly. “I’m fine.”

Cassandra brightened her voice, clearly determined to ignore my cold reception. She pulled

out her phone and began scrolling through images.

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“Look, this is a guide for exploring Silver Lake Territory,” she said enthusiastically. “After Moonrise Peak we can go to the hot springs, and then there’s this amazing restaurant that serves the best venison in the territory.”

Her voice washed over me, becoming an irritating buzz in my ears. My headache intensified, and all I could think was that if it were Olivia sitting here, she would have quietly cared for me. She would have personally prepared my healing broth, spoon–fed me gently, her amber eyes watching me with concern.

The contrast between Cassandra’s excited chatter and Olivia’s gentle care gnawed at my nerves until I couldn’t bear it anymore.

“Enough,” I interrupted sharply. “We’ll talk tomorrow. I’m tired today.”

I couldn’t help the broad smile that spread across my face. “Pretty nice, isn’t it? Liv gave it to me.”

The memory of that day filled me with a quiet satisfaction. Richard Winters had been shocked

by my request, then suspicious, then calculating. But I had meant every word.

A rare light filled my usually cold gaze–years of silent longing finally close to fulfillment. The path to Olivia had been long and complicated, but I had never wavered in my determination.

Ethan Quinn’s eyes widened in genuine surprise. “So you secretly liked her all this time? Damn, I never knew! You hid it deep.”

Gabriel chuckled, shaking his head in amazement. “We all thought you had no interest in

women, even suspected you preferred male companions.”

Ethan elbowed him playfully, grinning with mischievous delight. “Seriously, since when did you

start having feelings for Livvy?”

I lowered my eyes to the cards spread before me, lips curving with secrecy. Some things were

too precious, too personal to share–even with close friends.

“That’s a secret,” I replied simply.

Ethan was never one to let things go easily. He leaned forward, a smirk playing on his lips.

“She ran away to Harbor City to avoid the engagement, remember? Maybe she doesn’t even

care much about you. Gifts could just be polite gestures. Don’t get your hopes up.”

I remained unruffled by his words. Ethan had always enjoyed stirring up trouble, and I knew better than to rise to his bait.

Gabriel looked up thoughtfully, his expression turning serious. “Besides, I heard Livvy’s been with another man. Did you know that?”