The Fake Luna: Marked By The Alpha King

Chapter 246: Chapter 246 That might actually break me

"I know how it sounds," I said quickly. "The mate bond is supposed to be this absolute thing, right? Once you find your True Mate, that’s it—no one else exists."

"But?" Emily prompted.

"But he said her name." The admission came out barely above a whisper. "In his sleep. He was having some kind of dream, and he called out for... for her."

"Who’s ’her’?"

"An Alpha’s daughter. She’s been... involved in some of the recent pack politics." I didn’t mention the confrontation at the gala, or the way Vanessa had looked at Damian like he was supposed to belong to her. "I don’t think they were ever actually together, but..."

"But you’re wondering if he wanted them to be," Emily finished.

I nodded miserably.

"Have you asked him about it?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because..." I pressed my palms against my eyes. "Because what if he confirms it? What if there’s some part of him that does wish things had been different? What am I supposed to do with that information?"

Emily was quiet for a moment.

"You’re human," she said finally. "Right?"

I nodded.

"So you don’t have the same... instinctive understanding of the mate bond that wolves do." She leaned forward.

"Aria, I’ve seen the way that man looks at you. I was there when he showed up at the Sylvia’s estate, remember? He looked at you like you were the only thing in the entire world that mattered."

"People can look at you a certain way and still have doubts," I said. "Still wonder about roads not taken."

"Maybe." Emily’s voice was gentle. "Or maybe you’re overthinking a random sleep-talking incident because you’re scared."

The observation hit too close to home.

"Scared of what?"

"Of believing you deserve this," Emily said simply. "Of accepting that maybe, just maybe, you found something real. Something that doesn’t come with conditions or hidden agendas."

My throat felt tight.

"You barely know me," I managed. "How can you—"

"Because I recognize it," Emily interrupted. "That fear. I see it every time I look in the mirror."

There was something broken in her expression—something that made me realize we were both carrying wounds we couldn’t quite name.