All our lives 24

Posted by admind, ? Views, Released on June 28, 2025

Chapter 25

I didn’t know what to say when Leo asked about my scars. Would he even believe the truth? I knew he wouldn’t.

In Leo’s eyes, Eva was his wife and his mate. He thought she was the one who held him close in the night. He thought she was the mother of his heir.

He wouldn’t hear a single harsh word about her. Leo would think I was trying to drive a wedge between him and his wife. He already thought I

was a schemer.

And if I did dare to tell the truth, Eva would take it out on my mother. I couldn’t lose her when I was so close to finally finding her.

But I had to tell him something. I couldn’t just ignore a direct question from an alpha. Even Eva couldn’t get away with disrespect that blatant.

I finally decided to tell him the truth, just without telling him who had done it. If he wanted to know so badly, he could talk to Alpha Arthur or the healers. They all knew.

“It was when I was young,” I said. “Another cub was angry about my looks. She beat me until I couldn’t struggle, clawed up my face, and shoved me down onto a hot stove. The scar never fully healed.”

“That’s awful,” Leo said, and for once there was sympathy instead of pure disdain when he looked at me as Tessa.

“It was a long time ago,” I said. “It doesn’t hurt.”

“Still, it shouldn’t have happened. Was the other cub reprimanded?”

I shook my head. “No. Her position in the pack was higher than mine. I’m just a half–blood, she was a full wolf.”

He blinked. “You’re half human?”

I nodded. “My mother.”

Leo crossed his arms. “I didn’t know there were any humans in this pack.”

“She was hurt in a Rogue attack,” I admitted. “She’s in the hospital.”

“Oh.” Leo looked away. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“”

“Don’t be. You stopped them.” I decided to take my chance to say it. “Thank you for that. For killing the Rogue King. I know it cost you dearly, but thank you.”

Leo said, “I’m healing. And it was my duty as an alpha.” He sighed. “I hope your mother will heal as well.”

I bowed. “Thank you. I need to get back to work.”

“Of course.” Leo paused. “Wait, just one more moment.”

I paused in the doorway. I tried to hide my nerves. Why was he suddenly so interested in

“You’re half human,” he said. “Have you ever shifted?”

“No, alpha,” I said, cringing.

“Oh. Well, it might happen still. I hear it takes longer, for half–bloods. Just listen for your wolf.”

I nodded. Then, for some reason, I said, “I saw her once. In my mirror.”

Leo smiled. “There you are, then. I look forward to seeing you join the hunt?

“Thank you, Alpha Leo,” I said. “But I really must go.”

“Yes, yes, I shouldn’t keep you.”

I burried to the winter linen closet. Leo and I had made quite a mess of the place. I needed to clean it up before it was discovered.

Eva found me just as I finished straightening up the closet. She was still in a foul mood. She shoved a list of chores at me.

I glanced over the list. “This is a lot,” I protested softly.

“You know you have to earn your keep,” Eva said, voice dripping false sweetness. “And your mother’s, too, Plus, you’re eating for two, so that’s more resources we have to waste on you.”

“This pup was your idea,” I pointed out.

Chapter 25

+25 Bonus

Eva shrugged. “Whatever. Get the work done or find another pack to take you in.” She smirked. “I’m sure there are dozens of alphas looking to recruit a pregnant, wolf–less, half–blood.”

I shuddered. As bad as things were for me in the pack, they were still my family. A strange pack would likely treat me a hundred times worse.

I sighed and bowed. I had no choice but to obey and we both knew it. I stared at the list as Eva flounced away.

It would take me all day and into the night to finish the list. It left me no time to rest, and almost no time to grab anything to eat. But if I didn’t finish, she would report to the alphas that I was slacking and they’d let her punish me. She was a Luna, now, and that meant running