30 Days to Freedom: Abandoned Luna is Secret Shadow King novel Chapter 62

Chapter 62: Livvy, You Are Mine

(Olivia’s POV)

“Stop hitting me, Mom, I’ll talk,” Caleb cried out in pain from the silver–tipped whipping. His back was already covered in angry red welts.

“This pup is actually for me to raise on behalf of…” Before he could finish, Theodore’s deep voice cut him off like a blade.

“Caleb, who are you saying you’re raising the pup for?” His tone was dangerously low.

Seeing Theodore and me walk in, Caleb was terrified and stammered, “I–I didn’t say on behalf of anyone. I meant I was securing an heir for our Thorne family.”

“Evelyn refused to accept my mating proposal, and my parents were pressuring me, so I had Clara give me a pup.” He desperately pleaded with his parents, his voice breaking.

“It was for the family’s sake, I swear!”

But Elder Thorne saw through the charade instantly. Her son was clearly taking the fall for Theodore.

Disgusted, she threw down the silver whip with a clatter. “Fool!”

The Elder of the Thorne family, furious but needing to save face, could only mutter to his guests. “We’re making fools of

ourselves.”

Then he turned to Elder Thorne, saying he would give a generous wedding gift. I offered a generous dowry of fifty million

dollars and was willing to cooperate with the Thorne pack on a territory opening project.

This puzzled Theodore. He couldn’t understand why I, who should despise Clara, would be so magnanimous.

He looked at me questioningly, his amber eyes searching my face for answers.

However, Elder Thorne was unmoved. “No,” she firmly refused.

“Years ago Ophelia was expelled from our pack for destroying someone else’s mate bond. Now we will not allow Clara to

re–enter the Thorne pack with her mother.”

“Our Thorne pack may not be as wealthy as the Crimson Pack, but we don’t stoop to accepting charity.”

I played the part of a gentle and benevolent Luna, taking the older she–wolf’s hand. “Elder Thorne, we don’t mean to force a marking,” I said softly.

“But they are fated mates and have a pup. We just want to see them happy.”

My words, however, did not fool Elder. She saw the pain behind my performance.

“Child,” she said pointedly, “when you love someone too much, your reason is blinded by the mate bond, you…”

The comment struck a raw nerve. My eyes instantly reddened with unshed tears.

At Theodore’s signal, Caleb knelt and begged his mother for her blessing. His knees hit the cold infirmary floor with a dull

thud.

With his son still willing to be the scapegoat, the Elder of the Thorne family sighed in defeat. “Fine, let’s decide it this way,”

he conceded.

He asked Theodore to help boost the Thorne family’s pack standing in return.

Elder Thorne added a stern condition. “I’ll say this now. If she mates into our Thorne family, she becomes one of us.”

“How I discipline someone of such poor character will be my business.”

I readily agreed, my voice steady despite the turmoil in my chest.

As we were leaving, Caleb, his back covered in raw welts from the silver whip, thanked us. He invited us to the upcoming

mating ceremony.

Seeing his injuries, I felt a pang of regret. In my quest for revenge, I had implicated the innocent Thorne family and tarnished their reputation.

I felt I might have gone too far. But Theodore protectively wrapped his arm around me and led me away before I could voice my doubts.

The next day, Gina Frost, Killian’s assistant, arrived at the manor. She was a sharp–eyed woman with an efficient demeanor.

“The professor told me to infiltrate the enemy’s ranks,” she explained with a smile.

I took her to the study. Gina is a very skilled computer expert.

During a break, a video call came through on a secure channel Gina had set up. She assured me it was a private line to Killian.

She discreetly left the room, closing the door behind her.

I answered, but instead of my former colleague, I was greeted by the bright face of his daughter, Elara. “Pretty Auntie, Ellie misses you so much!” she chirped.

Her innocent voice was like a balm to my weary heart.

“Pretty Auntie, let me show you my dad’s room!” Elara exclaimed, grabbing the camera.

She led me on a virtual tour down a hallway and pushed open the master bedroom door. I gasped.

The walls were covered with portraits of me from various stages of my life. Even a painting of me in formal Luna attire hung prominently.

The paper on some was worn and curled. Evidence they had been painted years ago.

I was stunned.

“Auntie, look, Dad really loves you,” Elara whispered, picking up the Luna portrait. “This is Dad’s favorite. He even hugs it to sleep.”

Just then, Killian’s clear voice came from the doorway. “Ellie, aren’t you chatting with Auntie Olivia? Are you done?”

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