Underwater: The Silent Luna novel Chapter 49

Chapter 49

Meadow walked back into the mansion feeling as though a piece of her had been carried away with Ethan. The house felt colder without him. Larger. Emptier. Every quiet corner now echoed with his absence, pressing against her chest until she felt small.

He was her only companion here.

Her shield.

Her protector.

Her safe place.

With him gone, the walls seemed to shift. The air felt heavier. And Amber now moved through the mansion like a queen prowling

her territory, untouched, unquestioned, and merciless.

Amber walked past Meadow without a word.

Ashley followed, equally silent.

Their indifference wasn’t kindness. It was dismissal.

Still, Meadow let out a shaky breath of relief. Silence was kinder than direct cruelty. She didn’t know how long Ethan would be away or how long she had to survive without his presence, but she prayed it would be short.

At least he had asked Victoria to stay.

That small act alone warmed Meadow’s heart. Ethan had thought of her even while preparing to travel for something important. He

didn’t want her to be alone. He didn’t want her to be unprotected.

But the moment she turned toward her wing, a voice cut through the air behind her.

“Meadow, join me in the garden for tea. You can come with your friend to translate.”

Amber’s voice.

Cold.

Sharp.

Too sweet to be genuine.

Meadow’s stomach twisted painfully.

Ethan had been gone for less than five minutes. Why couldn’t Luna Amber pretend Meadow didn’t exist? Why couldn’t she leave her

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Chapter 49

alone for just one morning?

Meadow hadn’t done anything wrong. She had been nothing but respectful. Nothing but quiet. Nothing but obedient.

But she knew better than anyone,

Tea with Luna Amber would not end well.

Trying to keep her breathing steady, she hurried to her wing and stopped in front of Victoria’s door. She knocked once.

Victoria opened instantly, relief flooding her face.

“Honestly, this family gives me the creeps,” Victoria said, pulling Meadow inside as if rescuing her from a burning building.

Meadow let out a soft breath, her shoulders relaxing slightly in her friend’s presence.

“I guess that was why you slipped away when Alpha Ethan was leaving,” Meadow signed.

Victoria nodded vigorously.

“I’m not standing near that woman without protection. Just looking at Amber makes me feel like I owe her money.”

Meadow smiled weakly.

Victoria bounced on her feet. “So! What are we doing today? We need a plan, a distraction, something fun, ”

Meadow sighed and signed, “Luna Amber wants us to join her for tea now.”

Victoria’s smile vanished.

“We just had breakfast, for goddess’ sake,” she groaned dramatically. “And tea? With her? Oh, that woman is definitely up to

something.”

She folded her arms, frowning. “It’s bad enough she and your parents tricked you into this whole marriage situation, now she wants to make your life miserable? No. No. That’s wrong. You didn’t force your way into Alpha Ethan’s life; she shoved you into it. She should be grateful you’re peaceful and not tearing down the mansion.”

Meadow’s eyes widened, and she quickly shook her head, signing anxiously, “Do not say things like that in here, Vicky.”

Victoria gasped and slapped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide.

Then she giggled softly. “Right, right. Secret rebellion only.”

Meadow smiled despite her anxiety.

“Come on,” she signed. “Let’s go. If we keep her waiting, she’ll get angry.”

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11:21 Wed, Jun 17

Chapter 49

Victoria groaned but stepped into her slippers and followed Meadow reluctantly.

As they walked toward the garden, Victoria’s thoughts grew sour.

She felt sorry for her friend, deeply, fiercely sorry.

Meadow would never have agreed to this marriage if she had known it was Ethan, not Joseph. Victoria knew Meadow had nursed a

quiet crush on Alpha Joseph for years. And instead, she had been trapped with Ethan, the more handsome but grumpy, severe,

crippled Alpha who most women avoided.

Meadow deserved better.

Much better.

Victoria clenched her fists.

Luna Amber’s manipulation had been despicable.

Cruel.

Inexcusable.

But Victoria swallowed her anger.

Because she knew Meadow was being careful, so careful, about how she spoke of Ethan. About her place here. About everything.

And Victoria would not be the reason her friend got hurt.

They continued toward the garden.

Toward tea.

Toward Luna Amber.

Toward whatever storm waited for Meadow behind that carefully trimmed hedge.

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Underwater: The Silent Luna