Underwater: The Silent Luna novel Chapter 87

Chapter 87

There was an eagerness, sharp, electric, to meet the witness.

But there was fear too.

A deep, gnawing dread threaded through the brothers as they sat together at the table. Seventeen years of unanswered questions had shaped them, wounded them, and carved shadows into every corner of their lives. To finally have someone step forward, someone who claimed to know what happened, felt like stepping toward a door they had waited their whole lives to open.

But no one knew what waited on the other side.

Ethan and Joseph exchanged a glance. Beneath their composed expressions, they feared what the truth might do to their mother. Amber already looked unwell, her complexion pale, her smile too tight, her movements slower each day.

They feared this revelation would break her completely.

“So this suspect miraculously shows up,” Levi said. His tone was flat, suspicious, edged with irritation. His eyes narrowed as he looked around the table. “Tell me, does no one else find that odd?”

“That is the issue,” Ethan replied quietly, but Levi was already building momentum.

“He shows up after seventeen years,” Levi went on. “Where was he all this while? When we put up posters? When we offered a substantial reward? When we begged people to come forward? Where was he then?” His voice hardened. “Why now?”

Silence fell thick over the room.

Amber reached forward and placed a trembling hand on Levi’s arm. “Dear… let them handle this,” she whispered, her voice fragile. Her eyes glistened as the old wound of her husband’s death reopened, bleeding memories she had fought for years to lock away.

“No.” Levi shook his head sharply. “I want to see this man. I want to ask him to his face why he waited so long.”

Across the table, Meadow inhaled sharply. A sheen of sweat broke along her forehead, tiny beads forming near her temple. Her hands trembled under the tablecloth, but no one noticed. Levi’s growing agitation had stolen the room’s attention.

“I do not think you have to meet with this man,” Ethan said, attempting calm. He kept his gaze steady on Levi.

Levi turned on him. “And why is that? I am in charge of the investigation.”

Ethan nodded. “My point exactly.”

Levi frowned.

Ethan’s voice remained steady, but there was iron beneath it. “You yielded nothing during the thirteen years you were in charge. No

one was willing to cooperate with you.”

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Chapter 87

Levi stiffened.

“You tortured too many people for comfort,” Ethan continued. “You scared them away. This man might have stayed silent because of

that fear. That is why I’m advising you to sit this one out.”

Levi’s nostrils flared. His pride took the hit like a blade to the chest.

“I know you want to find our father’s killer badly,” Ethan said more gently. “He was your best friend. But it is wise you leave this

one to us.”

Levi stared at him, eyes cold. “You mean leave it to Joseph,” he scoffed, “while you hide away in your room.”

The room erupted in tension so thick it became hard to breathe.

Every head turned sharply toward Levi.

“What always happens,” Levi pressed on. “Let’s be frank.”

His gaze locked onto Ethan. “You always push Joseph forward to do everything while you hide away in your room. Joseph has been active longer than you.”

Ethan’s jaw clenched.

“You were only Alpha for a year before the accident,” Levi continued ruthlessly. “Then you refused to continue. You don’t want to be Alpha of this pack, we all know it. So don’t tell me to sit this one out.”

Joseph looked horrified. “Dad, ”

But Levi wasn’t done.

“Joseph alone cannot handle everything! He is overwhelmed, his mate is expecting, and he has a wedding to plan. I am sure he has dreams and aspirations and did not sign up for this life.”

“And I signed up for this?” Ethan asked, fury cutting through his voice like a blade.

He rarely raised his voice.

But when he did, it carried power.

Amber’s lips parted in shock. Her hand trembled violently as she gripped the edge of the table. Lovi opened his mouth again, but she slammed her palm flat on the table.

“Do not say such things, Levi,” Amber snapped. “It is unacceptable.”

Her voice shook, but the authority in it was unmistakable.

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Chapter 87

Levi blinked at her, stunned.

He had been challenged by his Luna, his wife, in front of the entire family.

Amber turned to Ethan, her voice gentler now. “You did nothing wrong, son.”

Levi swallowed thickly and lowered his head. “My apologies, Ethan,” he said stiffly.

The apology was forced. Everyone heard it.

Ethan nodded once, accepting, but not forgiving.

Beside him, Meadow sat silently, her pulse pounding in her ears. Her palms were damp, her breathing unsteady. Her body tried to

calm itself, but something cold and dreadful was creeping up from deep within her chest.

Something she did not yet understand.

Something no one noticed.

Not yet.

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but Levi was the brown wolf that killed the father and mental probably seen it and this is her reaction because he caused her trauma and her mutism

7 days ago

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Underwater: The Silent Luna