Chapter 77
Chapter 77
Tori’s POV:
Every muscle in my body tensed at the sound of my name in that familiar voice.
Slowly, I turned to face him.
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Ethan stood a few feet away, looking as handsome as ever in his tailored gray suit.
“What a coincidence seeing you here,” he said, his voice soft with something like hope.
I nodded curtly and turned to leave, heading toward the cashier to pay for Morgan’s bracelet. Before I could take three steps, Ethan grabbed my
hand, his fingers wrapping firmly around my wrist.
“You really can’t stand the sight of me, can you?” he asked, hurt evident in his voice.
“I thought after our last conversation at the hospital, we might at least be friends p>
I yanked my arm free from his grasp.
“I appreciate what you did for me, taking that burn instead. But that doesn’t change anything between us,
His expression fell. “Tori p>
Ethan p>
“If you ever need my help with something, I’ll do what I can,” I continued. But beyond that, we don’t need further contact p>
“Are you really this cold-hearted?” he asked, his silver eyes searching mine. “After everything we shared p>
I sighed, feeling the weight of our history pressing down on me.
‘I’m asking you to let this go, Ethan. Move forward with your life. Your… affection for me has only ever brought disaster. For both of us p>
Without waiting for his response, I stepped around him, paid for the bracelet, and walked out of the store, leaving another piece of my past
behind.
I walked out of the boutique, my mind still tangled with thoughts of Etha and our complicated past.
Lost in my frustration, I wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings and ddenly collided with a solid chest.
“Someone’s deep in thought, a deep voice observed with amusement.
I looked up, startled to find myself face-to-face with Lucas Grayson. His ver-blue eyes held a hint of curiosity as he steadied me with a light touch to my elbow.
“Alpha Lucas? What are you doing here?” I asked, taking a small step back o restore some personal space.
He gestured around the upscale shopping center.
“Howling Plaza belongs to Grayson Enterprises. I’m doing a routine inspeon of the property. His eyes focused back on me. And you?
O
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Chapter 77
Shopping day p>
I nodded, lifting the small gift bag in my hand.
“I’m getting Morgan a birthday present. Her party’s tonight p>
Lucas glanced at the bag and nodded. ‘I can give you a ride there if you’dke p>
ས ཛཱ, 12% *
Before I could respond, he turned to several well-dressed men standing a respectful distance behind him-I hadn’t even noticed them until
now.
“Ethan will handle the rest of the inspection. Forward the reports to my office by tomorrow morning p>
My stomach tightened at the mention of Ethan’s name.
So they had been together, just inspecting different areas of the mall.
“Thank you,” I managed, trying to keep my voice neutral.
In the car on the way to the restaurant, Lucas reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a sleek black card with a moonstone embedded in
its center.
“Here,” he said, offering it to me. “It has no limit, so enjoy yourself without worrying about expenses p>
I stared at the card, my fingers hesitating before taking it. “Alpha Lucas, I can’t-
“Just Lucas,” he interrupted, his tone firm but not unkind.
His steel-gray eyes held mine, unwavering. “Drop the ‘Alpha.’ I hear that title enough from everyone else p>
“I… okay, Lucas,” I tested the name on my tongue, feeling strangely intimate saying it without the title.
A slight relaxation around his eyes was his only visible reaction.
Before I could say anything else, his phone rang.
Lucas frowned as he glanced at the screen before answering.
“Grayson,” he said, his voice immediately shifting to that authoritative Alpa tone I’d become familiar with. As he listened, his expression darkened. “When did this happen? Another pause. ‘No. I’ll handle it myself p>
He ended the call with a heavy sigh, running a hand through his dark hair
“There’s an issue at the mall that requires my immediate attention,” he explained briefly, pulling up to the entrance of Moonlight Restaurant.
“I understand,” I said, gathering my purse and the small gift bag. “Thank you for the ride p>
“Enjoy the party,’ he said, his eyes finding mine again. “When you’re finished tonight, call me. I’ll come pick you up p>
I didn’t answer. I must have looked as shocked as I felt-the idea of calling the Alpha of Moonhaven s most powerful pack to serve as my
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Chapter 77
personal driver was absurd.
I’d have to be completely insane to think that was appropriate.
“Goodbye, Al- I caught myself as Lucas gave me a pointed look. “Lucas,” finished, opening the car door.
“Until next time, little wolf, he replied, his voice softening just slightly on the nickname.
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I stepped out of the car and was immediately greeted by an excited Morgan, who couldn’t seem to decide whether to look at me or the luxury vehicle I’d just exited.
“Was that?” she started, her voice pitched higher than usual.
“Alpha Lucas,” I finished for her, feeling oddly self-conscious.
Morgan’s gaze darted between me and Lucas, who was still sitting in his idling car.
She waved enthusiastically at him, then called out, “Would you like to join us, Alpha? There’s plenty of room p>
Lucas rolled down his window.
“Thank you for the invitation, Morgan, but I’m afraid business calls. Please enjoy your birthday celebration. Tonight’s expenses are on me p>
Morgan’s mouth fell open. “Really? Thank you, Alpha Lucas p>
He nodded, then locked eyes with me briefly before driving away.
“Tori,” Morgan whispered, grabbing my arm as we walked toward the entrance. “You are officially my lucky charm. How did you end up in Lucas
Grayson’s car p>
I hesitated, unsure how to explain the complicated relationship between Lucas and myself.
Friend? Benefactor? Potential something? None of the labels seemed to fi
‘It’s… a long story,” I said finally. ‘I’ll tell you another time p>
Morgan seemed to accept this, too excited about the prospect of a free birday dinner to press further.
She pulled me through the restaurant toward a private room in the back.
As we passed one of the semi-private dining alcoves, I glanced in and my eps faltered.
Through the gap in the curtains, I caught sight of a familiar face-Trent.
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Claimed by the Alpha’s Love
Chapter 78
Tori’s POV:
I felt my entire body go rigid, my heart suddenly pounding against my ribonge.
“Is everything okay?” Morgan asked, noticing my sudden change in demeanor.
“Yeah, I just… I don’t think it’s safe to stay out too late. Maybe we should wrap up the celebration soon and head back,” I said, glancing
nervously toward the curtained alcove.
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Morgan waved her hand dismissively, her cheeks already flushed from the wo glasses of wine she’d consumed.
“Don’t worry so much, Tori. Moonlight Restaurant has excellent security. Nothing bad happens here-it’s where all the high-ranking families
come to dine p>
I nodded, trying to seem reassured while silently praying I wouldn’t cross paths with Trent.
But as the night wore on, my concern shifted from Trent to Morgan, who kept accepting drinks from well-wishers until she could barely keep
her head up.
By the time the party started to disperse, Morgan was slumped in her chain completely intoxicated.
The other guests said their goodbyes, leaving just the two of us in the private room.
I sighed, looking at Morgan’s unconscious form.
Taking her phone from her purse, I texted her brother: Morgan’s had too much to drink. Can you come pick her up at Moonlight Restaurant?
Jason replied immediately: On my way. Give me 20 minutes.
I exhaled with relief, setting the phone down.
When I looked up, my blood froze in my veins.
Trent stood in the doorway, his lips curled in that familiar predatory smile
Glancing at Morgan’s helpless form, I quickly stood and moved toward the exit. I couldn’t let him near her. I stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind me, putting myself between Trent and my friend.
‘Well, well, Trent said, his gaze sliding over me with uncomfortable familarity.
“I caught a glimpse of you earlier and could hardly believe my eyes. Had to come back and see for myself. He moved closer, invading my personal space. “Tori Sullivan, out and about. You got released awfully fast didn’t you p>
His fingers reached out to touch my hair, and I jerked away.
His other hand caught my wrist, holding me in place.
‘I’ll scream, I warned, my voice steadier than I felt. “There are people everywhere p>
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