Underwater: The Silent Luna novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44

The moment they arrived at the dining room, Meadow’s smile faded.

Victoria wasn’t seated.

She was standing beside the wall like a servant while the rest of the family ate, Amber at the head of the table, Levi and Ashley sitting stiffly beside her. Joseph’s seat was empty. He was nowhere in sight.

Meadow’s heart clenched.

She cast Victoria an apologetic look, but her friend gave a small, dismissive shrug. She wasn’t bothered, not on the surface, at least Victoria wasn’t stupid. Everyone in the pack knew Luna Amber trusted no one and detested everyone not directly related to her bloodline. Since losing her husband, the woman had turned colder, crueler, and utterly unpredictable.

Still, Ethan did not find any of this amusing.

“What is the meaning of this?” His voice cut across the room like a blade as he wheeled himself forward. He reached out with controlled strength, pulling out Meadow’s chair. She hurried to assist, her hands gripping the back of the chair in tandem with his.

The small act did not go unnoticed.

Amber’s eyes narrowed, sharp as talons, watching the synchronized motion between her son and his wife. Something ugly flickered

behind her gaze.

“Please sit,” Ethan said to Victoria, leaving no room for argument.

Victoria wasted no time. She pulled a seat next to Meadow and sat down quietly.

Amber’s jaw tightened. “What is the meaning of this, Ethan? This is family time.”

“Victoria is my guest,” Ethan replied evenly, “and I invited her for dinner.”

There was finality in his tone. Amber’s lips pressed together, forming a thin, furious line. Her gaze slid to Meadow, cold, calculating,

suspicious.

She did not trust the mute girl.

Not her quietness.

Not her kindness.

Not the strange pull she seemed to have on Ethan.

Amber refused to believe Meadow’s intentions were pure.

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Chapter 44

And she would watch her.

Every second.

Meadow lowered her gaze and began serving Ethan first. She placed the food carefully on his plate, making sure he had enough.

Then she served Victoria.

But when she glanced back at the dishes, her heart sank.

There wasn’t much left.

Her hands paused in mid-air. Should she ask the staff for more? Should she sit? Was she allowed?

Before she could panic, Ethan looked up.

“It’s finished?” he asked.

Meadow nodded once.

“Beatrix, bring more food,” Ethan ordered calmly.

Beatrix, standing with the other staff assigned to his wing, bowed and left immediately.

Every person in the room stiffened.

Ethan rarely spoke during meals.

He rarely asserted himself in front of his mother.

Today was different.

He wasn’t done.

“I’ve asked Beatrix to get servants who can communicate with sign language,” Ethan said, eyes fixed on Amber. “So my wife can be

more comfortable in the mansion.”

Silence fell like a slap.

Amber swallowed her irritation. She knew better than to publicly challenge him, not after this morning, when Ethan had made it

clear he would not tolerate disrespect toward Meadow.

She forced a tight, polite smile.

“Very well.”

But her mind was spinning.

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Chapter 44

Something was changing in Ethan.

And she didn’t like it.

Meadow kept her gaze lowered, but her heart thrummed in her chest. She could feel the temperature of the room shift, the silent

war of wills between mother and son.

They finished the rest of the meal in uncomfortable quiet.

As soon as the plates were cleared, Ethan straightened slightly in his chair.

“As you know,” he began, voice steady, “Joseph and I travel tomorrow. I’ve asked Victoria to keep Meadow company.”

He let that hang for a moment, long enough for his next words to land with steel-sharp accuracy.

“Please do not trouble them. I won’t be nice if I find out they were bullied or mistreated. Especially my wife.”

Amber’s fingers twitched around her napkin.

Levi swallowed hard.

Ashley looked like she wanted to sink into the floor.

Ethan’s message was loud and clear.

He wasn’t just being protective.

He was being watchful.

And he meant every syllable.

Amber said nothing. But inside, her suspicion burned brighter.

She would find out Meadow’s intentions.

She would expose the girl if she was hiding anything.

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And the best way to do that would be through someone close enough to observe everything.

Victoria.

Amber’s gaze flicked to the young woman.

Yes.

She would make that her angle.

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Dinner ended abruptly, and one by one, everyone left the room.

Victoria waved and wished them both good night before heading to her guest room.

When Ethan and Meadow reached their bedroom, she was still replaying the tense dinner in her mind.

She barely had time to set her hand on the door before Ethan grabbed her gently and pulled her onto his lap.

A soft, breathy giggle escaped her as she landed against him, her arms lightly gripping his shoulders for balance.

The tension between them had dissolved.

She was comfortable.

He was relaxed.

And Ethan, for the first time in days, felt the quiet joy of having her close.

Meadow leaned against him, feeling safe, warm, and relieved beyond words.

The storm of dinner was behind them.

Ethan’s arms were around her.

And for that moment, nothing else mattered.

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Underwater: The Silent Luna