The Alpha’s Hidden Heirs by Avery Rose

Chapter 87

Selene

When we returned to the pack house, my parents immediately pulled Luna into their arms, holding her tightly as

if afraid they'd lose her again. At their age, Leo and Luna were their greatest joys.

“I'm okay, Grandpa. Don’t worry, Grandma,” Luna reassured them in her soft, sensible voice.

| noticed Leo standing off to the side, quietly watching Luna but making no move to approach her. His expression

was troubled, his little fists clenched at his sides.

Was he feeling guilty? Was he blaming himself for what had happened?

While everyone else was focused on Luna, | walked over to Leo. Kneeling in front of him, | gently patted his

shoulder. He lowered his head, avoiding my gaze.

“What's wrong, my big boy? Why do you look so upset? Don’t you want to see your little sister?” | asked softly.

Leo was only a few minutes older than Luna, but | had always told him he was her big brother, that it was his job

to protect her.

“I'm sorry, Mom. | couldn't protect Luna,” he murmured, his lips trembling.

I ran my fingers through his hair, and he finally lifted his head to meet my gaze. His eyes were brimming with

unshed tears, making my heart ache.

“Don’t cry, sweetheart. You're my strong boy. None of this was your fault, okay?” | assured him gently.

He shook his head. “I-"

Before he could say more, | pulled him into a tight hug, rubbing his back soothingly.

“Tears don’t suit you,” | whispered. “You have to be strong. One day, you'll grow into a powerful man.”

“Just like Uncle Magnus?” he mumbled against my shoulder.

| chuckled and nodded. “Yeah, just like your Uncle Magnus.”

We pulled apart, and his eyes flickered toward Luna. She saw us and immediately rushed over on her tiny legs.

“Leo!” she called, throwing her arms around him.

| stood up, letting them have their moment. Leo hugged Luna tightly, then looked at me. | gave him an

encouraging smile.

“I missed you. Where did you go?” he asked her.

Luna pulled back slightly, hesitating before replying, “I was with...” She trailed off, glancing at me.

| subtly shook my head. She blinked, then turned back to Leo. “I got lost. Mommy's friend foundand took

care of me.”

She was lying, just as | had told her to in the car. | had warned her not to mention Kane to anyone. She had

askedwhy, almost as if she wanted to talk about him.

But | hadn’t given her much of an explanation. | had simply forbidden her from bringing up his name, especially

in front of Leo. | knew my son despised that man as much as | did. In a way, it felt like

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karma-one of Kane's own children harboring such a strong dislike for him.

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Still, it madewonder-why did Leo hate him so much? He had barely met the man. As Luna had told me, Kane

had never spoken harshly to him. So what was the reason behind his deep resentment?

The pack house was filled with relief and joy now that Luna was hsafely.

That evening, everyone kept asking Luna about what had happened. She simply told them she had gotten lost

while following a kitten.

Axel, however, stepped in and told everyone to stop questioning her, warning that constantly reliving the

experience could harm her mental well-being.

‘When Magnus returned to the pack house, the first thing he did was call Luna into his room.

| felt a wave of nervousness. Was he going to dig into this?

Axel caught my eye and subtly reassuredthat he would take care of things.

| lingered outside Magnus’s bedroom, listening intently.

“Where were you?” Magnus asked.

“Uncle Magnus, | was with Mommy's friend,” Luna replied.

“Oh, | see. And how are you feeling now, sweetheart? Did anyone hurt you?”

“No, Uncle. Mommy's friend was really nice. He tookto get ice cream and even gavemy favorit e

brownies!”

“He?” Magnus repeated, picking up on the detail immediately. “Your mommy's friend is a man?”

| tensed.

“You might as well cin,” Magnus called out suddenly. “You do realize eavesdropping is rude, right?”

Caught.

| sighed, pushing open the door and stepping inside.

| let out an awkward laugh. “Sorry, Magnus. | was just passing by...”

Axel bit his lower lip, trying-and failing-to hold back a laugh.

| shot him a glare. Wasn't he supposed to be on my

side?

Clearing his throat, Axel stepped in to help. “She’s telling the truth. | think you're overthinking things.”

Magnus arched a skeptical brow and turned his sharp gaze on Axel.

“Stop covering for her, Axel. I'll deal with you later. For now, lettalk to her.”

Axel swallowed hard. He could tell Magnus wasn’t buying it.

Magnus turned back to Luna. “You can go to your room now, sweetheart. Your uncle brought a lot of chocolates

for you-he’ll send them up soon.”

Luna’s face lit up at the mention of chocolate. “Okay, Uncle!”

She kissed Magnus’s cheek and skipped out of the room, leavingto face my brother alone.

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“Selene, where was she? Are you lying to me?” Magnus asked, his voice low and serious.

“Magnus, | told you-my friend found her.”

“Which friend?” His tone sharpened. “Givea name.”

| glanced at Axel, silently pleading for help.

He nodded slightly and placed a hand on Magnus’s shoulder. “Bro, why are you interrogating her? She can have

male friends, you know.”

Magnus stood up from his bed and turned to Axel with a cold smirk.

“Oh, really? That's funny coming from you. Weren't you the one who used to beat up any guy who got too close

to her?”

My eyes widened in shock.

| whipped my head toward Axel, who was now scratching the back of his neck, looking guilty.

“Stop talking nonsense, Magnus,” Axel muttered, clearly uncomfortable. “Calm down.”

| was stunned. All these years, whenever a boy showed interest in me, Axel would step in and say Magnus had

ordered him to keep them away.

But now...

“So it was you all along?” | asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “Why did you do that?”