+25 <b>BONUS </b>


    Chapter <b>271 </b>


    We stood there in awkward silence for a moment. I couldn’t help but notice how tired Liam looked. There were dark circles under his eyes that hadn’t been there before, and his shoulders were sagging under an invisible weight.


    Goddess, I wanted nothing more than to put my arms around him and hold him.


    And I did.


    I didn’t even think about it—it just happened. Without thinking, I stepped forward and embraced


    him.


    Liam stiffened under my touch, but rxed after a moment and hugged me back. For the briefest second, I let myself lean into him, let myself feel his warmth and smell his subtle cologne.


    But then I realized what I was doing, and I pulled back, suddenly embarrassed.


    “Sorry,” I said. “You just looked sad, so I thought- <fn7fc2> Fresh chapters posted on Find?Novel</fn7fc2>


    “”


    “Don’t apologize. I needed that.” Liam’s smile was wistful but warm. “It seems you did, too.”


    “I… I did.” I hadn’t realized how much I’d needed hisfort, but I really did. Even if I never got to hug Liam again, I was just d to have that brief moment.


    “You know, if anyone were to take E’s ce, I think you’d be a good fit.‘


    My eyebrows shot up.


    “Me?”


    “You share her gentle spirit,” Liam said simply. “Not that anyone can rece her, not by a long shot, but it’s nice to know that someone as kind and empathetic as you is running in the trial.”


    If only he knew that I nned to drop out as soon as possible. That Sophia, or someone else, might get the position that was once mine.


    And if only he knew how not gentle my spirit was these days. I’d spent weeks being bitter and angry about everything Alexander had done. About being forced into this trial, about watching him move on so quickly, about having to hide who I really was.


    I bit down on the inside of my cheek to keep from saying something I’d regret. But one question burned at the tip of my tongue that I couldn’t hold back.


    “Why so soon?” I asked. “It seems the Alpha started looking for a new Luna very quickly.”


    Liam’s expression darkened at that. “I’m not sure. Alexander’s been very closed off since E’s death. I’ve tried reaching out a few times, but…” He shrugged. “He’s grieving. I understand that<b>.</b>”


    “But he’s hosting a Luna Trial,” I bit out. “That doesn’t seem like something a grieving widower would do.”


    “No, it doesn’t.” Liam looked back at my headstone. “If I’m being honest, I suspect he’s being forced into it. An unmated Alpha King is a vulnerability. I don’t think Alexander actually wants to rece his dead wife. I think he’s doing what he has to do to keep his position and protect his son.”


    My jaw clenched. Was that really the case? Until I heard it from Alexander’s mouth, I wasn’t sure if I could trust it. Even then… I wasn’t sure if I could trust anything he said anymore.


    I couldn’t take it anymore. I needed to leave before I said something I couldn’t take back.


    “I should go,” I said, taking a step back. “It’ste, and I have to be up early tomorrow to take care of Lucien.”


    “Right. Of course.” Liam nodded. “Thank you foring here. For paying your respects. I think E would have appreciated it.”


    I forced a smile. “I’m d I could.”


    I turned to leave, but Liam called out after me. “Oh, and Ste-” I stopped, turning to look at him, and he smiled faintly and said, “Would you be interested in having a drink with me sometime?”


    “A… drink?” I turned fully toward him.


    Liam nodded. “I’d like to share more stories. Keep E’s memory alive. And I could use thepany, if I’m being honest.”


    X