Underwater: The Silent Luna novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Meadow shook her head firmly, her hands moving with conviction.

There was more to Ethan than the pack’s rumours. More than the shadows they whispered about. She had seen shades of him no

one else cared to notice, softness buried under armour, warmth wrapped in silence, protection disguised as indifference.

She wouldn’t let anyone, including Victoria, paint him with a single brush.

“Enough about my husband,” she signed, nudging her friend’s knee with a playful glare. “Let’s talk about you. Met someone?”

Victoria groaned dramatically, flopping back onto the cushions.

“They’re all douchebags,” she announced, hands flying as if that alone could exorcise the terrible men she’d encountered.

Meadow laughed, her silent, breathy giggle that made her shoulders shake, an expression of pure affection and amusement.

They talked for a long time after that. About the past. About the girls from their childhood who still acted like children. About Victoria’s latest terrible crush. About Meadow’s art. Victoria’s stories. Their dreams, fragile, selfish, innocent.

For a little while, Meadow forgot all the chaos swirling around her.

Then Ethan’s voice brushed Meadow’s mind gently.

Meadow. Meet me in the entrance hall.

Excitement fluttered inside her chest. Meadow signed quickly to Victoria that Ethan wanted to take her to the lake. Victoria

squealed so loudly the staff outside probably heard.

“Go! Before he changes his mind! Lakeside date? Meadow, that’s so romantic!”

Meadow blushed, shaking her head while her friend wiggled her eyebrows mischievously.

Meadow rushed to their shared room, heart pounding lightly. Ethan was waiting near the doorway, expression unreadable but posture relaxed, more relaxed than usual. Without a word, they headed toward the lake.

The staff they passed paused mid-step, whispering among themselves. None dared comment, but shock and curiosity lingered in the

air like perfume.

Meadow had no idea Ethan had arranged anything.

When they reached the lake, her breath hitched.

The water shimmered gold beneath the late sun. A blanket was spread near the water’s edge, adorned with soft pillows, fruit, pastries, fresh sandwiches, and warm flasks of herbal tea. It was picturesque, gentle… almost intimate.

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Chapter 37

Ethan had planned this.

She turned toward him slowly.

He wasn’t looking at the picnic, he was watching her. Watching her wonder, absorbing her smile as if it were the only thing that mattered.

Her chest tightened, and a soft sigh slipped from her lips, barely a sound, but meaningful in its rarity.

Ethan’s gaze flickered briefly, taking note of the tiny sound. But he didn’t draw attention to it.

Meadow knelt on the blanket, fingertips brushing the fabric, heart swelling. If she had a voice, she would have squealed like Victoria. Instead, she closed her eyes and let the joy wash through her.

Ethan stood a few steps behind, silently taking in the scene, the beauty of the lake, the warmth of the sun, and his wife sitting in the middle of it like something pulled straight out of a painting.

He felt something shift inside him.

Something dangerous.

Something tender.

He allowed himself one selfish thought:

We will do this more often when I return.

Victoria joined them for a short while, chattering, making jokes, moving like a breeze that never stopped. But Ethan kept his

distance, his expression carefully neutral.

He studied Victoria in the quiet way only an Alpha could. He measured her reactions to Meadow, her subtle movements, the glances

she made when she thought no one watched.

Was her loyalty genuine? Or convenient?

He couldn’t tell yet. Victoria’s energy was loud, but her motives were quiet.

Still, Meadow loved her. Meadow trusted her. And for now, that would have to be enough.

As the sky deepened into orange and pink, the trio headed back to the mansion. Victoria excused herself with a grin, promising

Meadow four days of “non-stop girl time.”

She was halfway down the hallway when Ethan spoke.

“We’ll be having dinner soon. Staff will show you the way.”

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Chapter 37

His tone was clipped, formal, but polite enough to be tolerable. Victoria nodded respectfully and flashed Meadow a quick smile before disappearing into her room.

Ethan and Meadow entered their bedroom together. The moment the door clicked shut, Meadow released a soft, breathy sigh, one of

happiness.

She was glowing.

She signed quickly, “I’m glad we went. The lake was beautiful.”

Ethan looked at her, shoulders relaxing as he watched her.

“Did you have fun?” he asked quietly.

Her smile answered him before her nod did.

“I’m glad,” he murmured. “Maybe we’ll do that more often. Just the two of us.”

He paused, then smirked faintly. “Your friend is a bit too hyper for my liking.”

Meadow laughed silently, shoulders shaking. A tiny sound escaped her lips, barely there, but Ethan caught it. His eyes softened,

though he said nothing.

“I’ve asked them to prepare a studio for you in this wing,” he said. “For your art. Something to keep you busy when I’m away.”

Her eyes widened. Her palms pressed to her chest, gratitude blooming there like a second heartbeat.

“Victoria will leave in four days. I hope that’s alright?”

Meadow nodded, her smile bright and delicate.

Grateful for her friend.

Grateful for her husband’s thoughtfulness.

Grateful for this small, fragile peace they were beginning to build.

And Ethan, watching her closely, wondered how someone so gentle could make him feel so fiercely.

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Underwater: The Silent Luna