Underwater: The Silent Luna novel Chapter 76

Chapter 76

Meadow was glowing with excitement at the progress they had made.

It was in the way she moved, too light, too buoyant, as though joy itself had settled into her bones and lifted her from within. Even her silences felt brighter. The space between her gestures hummed with quiet happiness, with something new and tremulous that

hadn’t existed before.

An hour later, Ethan made love to her again, slow, tender, deliberate, like he was learning her body,not just with hunger, but with reverence. There was no rush in him this time. No urgency born of pent-up restraint. Only steady, aching devotion. Every touch was careful. Every kiss was unhurried. He explored her as though committing her to memory, as though afraid that if he did not lear every curve now, the world might steal her from him later.

When they were done, they showered together.

The steam curled around them like a secret. Their hands met under the water without needing to search. Quiet touches. Lingering looks. Soft smiles that said more than bodies ever could. There was no nervousness between them now, only an ease that felt fragile in its newness, and therefore precious.

They had planned to spend the rest of the day by the lake.

The thought of it warmed him. Meadow laughing, sunlight on her face, the water reflecting in her eyes. A simple joy. A stolen peace.

But Ethan knew there was one person he had to see first.

Unbeknownst to Meadow, he had already linked the staff discreetly, ordering them to prepare a private picnic by the lake and take Meadow there once everything was ready. He had chosen the place himself. The quiet bend where the water curved inward and the trees leaned close, forming a natural shelter of green and light.

Today was for her.

For laughter.

For peace.

For joy.

For everything he had denied himself for seven years.

“I have to check on my mother,” Ethan told Meadow gently.

The words were quiet, careful, not wanting to bruise the fragile happiness still hovering between them.

She smiled at him, serene and trusting.

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Chapter 76

“It’s okay. I can wait,” she signed.

The simplicity of her confidence made something tighten in his chest. She had no fear that he would leave her behind. No doubt that he would return. She simply believed in him.

His heart tightened at her patience.

“I won’t keep you waiting, I promise. You can go to the lake before me. I’ll meet you there,” he said before wheeling himself out of the room, fully satiated, fully content, fully alive.

The door closed softly behind him.

And with it, the softness slipped from his face.

The moment he stepped into the hallway, the warmth eased into quiet command. His shoulders squared. His eyes sharpened. The Alpha returned, not as a mask, but as an instinct he no longer needed to fight.

But the staff saw it.

They saw the light in his eyes.

They had been the ones arranging the roses. They had seen the deliberate care with which he had chosen each detail. They knew how significant that gesture was. And silently, as they bowed and moved aside, they rooted for him and his wife.

Ethan entered his mother’s office.

Amber did not look up.

The quiet scratch of her pen against paper was the only sound in the room. She sat rigid behind her desk, spine straight, expression

unreadable.

She still hadn’t forgiven him for skipping breakfast.

“Come on, mother,” he teased lightly.

The tone slipped out before he could stop it.

She looked up at him, surprised, and frowned.

That tone.

She had not heard it in years.

Not since before the accident. Not since before the darkness had settled so deeply into him that even his laughter had died.

“So… you’re in a good mood?” she asked cautiously.

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Chapter 76

He nodded.

“Of course I am, mother. Why wouldn’t I be?” he said, glancing around her office as though it had all suddenly become unfamiliar.

“I suspect Malcolm pissed you off. Joseph was furious all through breakfast,” she said.

“I am in a good mood,” he replied with a quiet chuckle, “but it has nothing to do with that greedy fuck.”

The curse was soft, almost fond with disdain.

Amber laughed softly despite herself.

The sound surprised them both.

“Thank you for being kind to Meadow while I was away,” Ethan continued. “She told me you took her out.”

Amber rolled her eyes dismissively.

“I see you’ve warmed up to her too,” she said.

“It’s hard not to,” Ethan admitted.

The words carried no conflict. No defensiveness. Just truth.

Then his expression grew serious.

“And thank you for putting her in my life. I’d appreciate it if you truly start seeing her as my wife, and not as a live-in nanny or baby machine, as you once implied.”

The air shifted between them.

Amber laughed lightly.

“It’s hard not to treat her like your wife,” she said. “She threw a fit when I told her I’d cut her loose after a baby. You should have seen her, Ethan. She was furious, and I think she even messed up her signs. Victoria had trouble translating.”

His brows snapped together.

“You what?” Ethan demanded. “Why would you say that to her?”

The humour vanished from his voice. There was no teasing now, only quiet anger.

Amber exhaled slowly.

Not defensive.

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Chapter 76

Not dismissive.

Just honest.

“I had to,” she admitted. “I was afraid you’d grow attached and she would break your heart like the others. Meadow is beautiful. Mute or not, she is a great catch. That’s why I took her phone. I wanted her to adjust. I wanted her to accept her situation. I wanted her to know you, before I gave it back. I wanted to buy you both time.”

She paused.

The pause was heavy with memory.

“When I offered to cut her loose and called you a cripple, and she still stood up for you, I realised she was the one. That was the moment all my mistrust melted away.”

Ethan sighed.

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Underwater: The Silent Luna