Underwater: The Silent Luna novel Chapter 175

Chapter 175

Joseph felt the headache pressing harder then, the ache behind his eyes spreading into a dull throb. He excused himself because he

really did need sleep, even if only for a few hours. He could not keep moving on fumes and bad coffee forever. But even before he

allowed himself rest, he made one more call. He called Brian and asked him to have one of their trusted men watch Cynthia.

He did it because, for all his certainty that last night’s horror was bigger than her, he also knew Ashley had not lied about Cynthia

wanting to scheme her way back into Ethan’s life. And after what Joseph saw in the cabin, the way Ethan looked at Meadow, the wa

the whole room bent around his love for her, Joseph understood with startling clarity that Meadow was all Ethan cared about now. Cynthia did not belong anywhere near that. Whatever she wanted, however she planned to get it, Joseph intended to stop her before

she could even begin.

He was glad, truly glad, that Ethan had found love again. And he planned to protect that love by all means until Ethan could walk

again and take control of the pack with his own feet under him.

Back at the cabin, the day was already moving. Everyone was awake and busy in the strained way people became when they were trying not to think too hard about what night had brought. Keith and his Kappa had gone to get the medical supplies Dr James requested. The doctor wanted to move quickly with the operation now. Every hour felt risky. Every delay like an invitation for

something to go wrong.

In the living room, Meadow sat with Ethan and asked him through the mind link:

“When will the guards that would protect this place arrive?” Meadow asked through the mind link.

Ethan squeezed her hand.

“Soon,” Ethan replied.

The answer was simple, but he gave it gently. Truthfully, he enjoyed every excuse to hear her voice in his head now. It still amazed him. The soft private sound of her thoughts. The way his name and simple words moved through the link. He was already optimistic in the dangerous way hope made men. He had begun to believe that one day she would speak aloud too, and he would hear her for real. Not just in his mind. Not just through Nightshade. But with her own mouth, her own breath, her own trembling voice.

Carnila joined them in the living room soon after. Brad was still asleep in the cabin, recovering from the beating he took. Rashel was in the kitchen helping Elaine cook, trying to make herself useful after the previous night’s suspicion. Dr James sat at the dining table studying and preparing for the operation, the papers and focus around him making him look almost detached from the house

even while sitting inside it.

Ethan had decided already that the operation would happen at night when Meadow was asleep. That part, at least, they all kept from her. Camila cleared her throat to get Ethan and Meadow’s attention before sitting on the two-seater across from them. Ethan was on the couch, not his wheelchair. Because he had started feeling some sensation in his lower body again, his backside hurt when he sat too long in the chair, so he preferred the cushion for now. Even that small discomfort made him think of possibility.

Sensation. Recovery. The word maybe.

“What would you like to discuss?” Ethan asked her.

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Chapter 175

Camila nodded and smiled, but there was strain in it.

“Dr James would like to leave Whitewood after the operation. He does not feel safe hanging around, and he does not want to be a

bother,” Camila said.

The words came out quickly, as though she wanted them gone. Ethan frowned immediately.

“That is absurd. He has no reason to worry,” Ethan said.

Camila shook her head.

“We were lucky Alpha Joseph was available. It would be best if he left and kept his head down. When the matter is resolved, the he

will return,” Camila replied.

Ethan did not like that answer.

“Who will attend to me and check to be sure that the surgery is successful?” Ethan asked.

Camila smiled reassuringly.

“I will,” Camila replied.

Ethan still frowned because, in his mind, she was a therapist, not the sort of doctor he should be relying on after a delicate

operation. Camila knew that and moved quickly to reassure him further.

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Underwater: The Silent Luna