Rejected Luna Returns with Secret Twins (Lysandra) novel Chapter 76

Chapter 76

My mother’s words hung in the air between us, each syllable another nail in my composure,

I stared at my father’s sleeping form, his chest rising and falling in the steady rhythm of healing. The machines around him beeped softly, measuring a heart that–unlike mine–seemed at peace.

“And you just let them leave?” I kept my voice low, dangerous.

Mom gave me that look–the one that made even Alphas think twice. “Let them? She’s not our prisoner, Tristan.”

“She was injured in my territory-”

“And now she’s gone. What’s this really about?” She studied my face with uncomfortable intensity. “You’ve made it perfectly clear for five years that you want nothing to do with her.”

I turned away, unwilling to give her the satisfaction of seeing whatever emotion might betray me.

“Alpha Alaric has no right to enter my territory and take what belongs to-” I caught myself. “He’s

overstepped.”

“I’ve known Alpha Caspian and Luna Aurelia for years,” she said, the unexpected shift making me

turn back. “They’re noble wolves.”

My eyebrows shot up. “You know the Ravencrofts?”

“Your father and I both do.” She adjusted my father’s blanket absently. “Years ago, your father

wanted to form an alliance with Moonshade Pack. They agreed. But do you know what happened?

They never showed up.”

I scoffed. “Was it an accident, or were they too arrogant to come to our territory? Or did they pretend to agree when they never intended to ally with us in the first place?”

“No.” Her silver eyes clouded with memory. “Later, we learned the truth.”

“Which was?”

“Their newborn daughter died.”

The revelation hit me unexpectedly. “They had a daughter?”

“There were rumors their infant daughter perished in an accident.” Mom’s voice softened. “Afterward, pack members stopped mentioning her, as it only deepened the Alpha couple’s grief.”

I turned to look out the window, trying to process this information. So the mighty Moonshade Pack had experienced loss too.

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Since then, all of Moonshade’s hopes rested on their son, Alaric,‘ she continued. “They gave everything to their only child, raising him with love and responsibility. They were terrified of losing him too. But they never forgot to teach him his mission as pack leader. He’s an Alpha with tremendous potential. If you wanted, you could consider an alliance with him.”

I kept my eyes fixed on the city skyline. “Mom, whatever that family went through, I can express my condolences. But that doesn’t mean I need to ally with their son.”

Especially not after seeing that security footage, I thought bitterly.

I needed answers. The idea of Alaric having some claim of “family” over Lysandra gnawed at me like an open wound. After leaving my parents‘ room, I headed straight for the administrative wing, determined to see exactly how she’d been discharged from my territory without my knowledge.

“Alpha Wolfbane,” she stammered, rising from her chair. “How may I assist you?”

“Show me Lysandra Wolfbane’s discharge papers.”

Her fingers trembled on the key Lysandra Wolfbane?” She frowned at her screen. “I don’t see

anyone by that name registered in our system.”

“Check again.” My voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.

More frantic typing. “Um…perhaps…” Her eyes widened slightly. “Oh, yes, here. Lysandra Smith.” Her

voice quivered on the surname.

Smith. Of course. Five years and I still wrote her name as Wolfbane on the admission papers when I took her to the hospital. She wasn’t my wife anymore. Wasn’t my anything.

“She was discharged today,” the receptionist continued, sliding a tablet toward me. “These are the

documents.”

I snatched it from her, scanning the electronic forms. My jaw clenched when I reached the signature at the bottom: Alaric Ravencroft. His name appeared under “Relation to Patient” with a single word:

Family.

Family? My throat tightened. How the fuck was he her family? Husband? Lover? Kieran’s unfaithful

friend?

***

I left the hospital with rage burning through my veins. Her deception, Alaric’s interference, the lost business deal–it all twisted inside me like a knife. I couldn’t return to the office, couldn’t face Varian’s knowing looks or my secretary’s nervous tiptoeing. What I needed was to drown these

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thoughts, to burn away the image of Lysandra in Alaric’s arms. Alcohol seemed like the only

solution.

I claimed the farthest corner of the bar, away from curious eyes and wagging tongues. The bartender approached cautiously, respect and fear battling in his expression.

“Your strongest whiskey. Neat. The whole bottle.”