Underwater: The Silent Luna novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36

There was a light knock on the door, sharp enough to break the fragile calm Ethan and Meadow had settled into. Ethan didn’t

bother to turn.

“Enter.”

The door opened and Beatrix, head maid of Ethan’s wing, stepped inside. She bowed deeply, eyes lowering out of habit.

“Alpha, the guest has been settled into her room,” she said.

But Ethan didn’t respond.

For a fraction of a second Beatrix froze, her heartbeat visibly stuttering. Her gaze darted sideways and landed on Meadow standing quietly near Ethan’s desk. Realisation crashed over her like a cold wave. Her posture crumpled instantly.

She bowed again, lower, deeper, and repeated the words with a tremble in her voice.

“Luna… the guest has been settled into her room.”

Meadow stiffened. Luna. The word wrapped around her like a cloak woven from equal parts awe and discomfort. Her chest tightened, not with fear, but with confusion. She had never belonged anywhere. She had never been someone worth bowing to. Now people looked at her like she was something sacred and untouchable..

She didn’t know how to breathe under that kind of attention.

“Go to your friend,” Ethan murmured, snapping her gaze back to him. “I have some work to do here. I’ll link you when it’s time to

head to the lake.”

He turned to Beatrix. “And from now on, only workers who understand sign language are assigned to this wing.”

Beatrix nodded instantly, grateful for the dismissal, and slipped out.

Meadow hesitated for a heartbeat. Ethan didn’t look at her again, too consumed by whatever anger still simmered beneath his calm, but the gentleness of his instruction lingered in her chest.

She left quietly.

On the way to Victoria’s room, Meadow’s palms grew sweaty. Every step felt heavier. Seeing her friend always filled her with relief, but today… Meadow’s emotions were too large, too new, too fragile. She wondered if Victoria would understand. Or if she would call

her foolish. Or naïve.

She finally reached the guest room and knocked softly.

“Come in!”

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Chapter 36

Victoria’s voice high and bright as always, warm enough that Meadow’s nervous heart steadied. Meadow opened the door and Barely

had time to take a breath before Victoria launched at her with the force of a hurricane.

Victoria squeezed her so tightly Meadow thought her ribs would collapse. Her scent, sweet, familiar, wrapped around Meadow like a

childhood memory.

When Victoria finally pulled back, she cupped Meadow’s cheeks, studying her expression.

“Tell me everything.”

Meadow shook her head and signed, “There is nothing to tell.”

Victoria’s face softened with a pitying smile that made Meadow’s stomach twist. She knew that look. It meant I’m sorry it didn’t

work out. It meant I know you hoped for something different.

“So it wasn’t Alpha Joseph like you thought?” Victoria asked quietly.

Meadow shook her head once.

“It was a better option,” she signed.

Victoria blinked at her. “A better option?”

Meadow nodded.

Victoria stared at her friend as if she’d suddenly sprouted horns. “What are you talking about? How can you possibly say Alpha Ethan”, she gestured dramatically, “our grumpy, inactive Alpha, is a better catch?”

She paced dramatically, ranting with her hands flying everywhere.

“He doesn’t socialise, Meadow! He hides in his wing like some ancient relic. He barely speaks to anyone. He’s cruel, short-tempered,

dismissive, how on earth is that a better catch?!”

She paused only to press her palm to Meadow’s forehead, as though checking for illness.

Meadow bit back a smile. Not because Victoria’s words were wrong, Ethan did have a reputation, a terrible one, but because Victoria had no idea what Meadow had seen of him. What she had felt. The quiet warmth. The unexpected gentleness. The softness he tried

so hard to bury.

Meadow stood up suddenly, her heart pounding. Without thinking she began pacing, her hands moving with excited, chaotic signs.

“He is a great catch, Vikky.”

Victoria’s mouth fell open in disbelief.

Meadow continued signing quickly, almost breathless.

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Chapter 36

“He asked them to bring you here so I wouldn’t be alone. He might be short with everyone, but he’s kind to me. He,”

Her cheeks flushed at the next part. Her fingers hesitated, then formed the words anyway.

“He took me to a cabin. And we, cuddled. Last night.”

Victoria’s gasp could have shattered glass.

She looked ready to scream with excitement, until her gaze dropped to Meadow’s neck. Her bare neck.

Victoria’s joy collapsed like a dying flame.

Her voice turned grave, chilled by worry.

“Do not get invested in that man, Meadow. He mistreats women and dumps them.”

Her eyes were full of fear, not judgement. Fear for her friend. Fear of heartbreak. Fear of seeing Meadow fall for someone who didn’

fall back.

It was the warning many had whispered in shadows. Rumours carried through the pack like poison.

But it hit Meadow like a stone to the chest.

And the room suddenly felt smaller, colder, heavier with the weight of everything unsaid.

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Underwater: The Silent Luna