Chapter 181
I lay slumped over Lirian’s hospital bed, unsure of how much time had passed before exhaustion finally claimed me.
The sterile smell of antiseptic mixed with the faint aroma of rain wafting in from a slightly cracked window.
Outside, the storm raged on, each drop of rain hitting the glass with a gentle rhythm that echoed through the quiet hospital room.
In my dreams, the sound of the rain transported me back to another stormy night, years ago–a memory etched deeply into my mind.
It was the night I first brought Lirian to Moonshadow. He had been an enigma back then, an outsider with no place in the pack.
His striking looks caught everyone’s attention, but his blank, emotionless expression kept them at bay.
Lirian never spoke much, and instead of mingling with others, he followed me everywhere.
His silent presence had unsettled me at first.
I remembered how the other pack members would mutter behind his back.
“Why’s he always following her around?” they’d whisper, their tone dripping with skepticism.
But he didn’t care. He ignored everyone else, trailing after me like a shadow.
Then there was Arman–the pack bully who had decided I was an easy target.
That day, he had cornered me near the training grounds, his voice filled with mockery.
“What’s a weakling like you even doing here? You’ll never be one of us.”
I’d stood there frozen, tears pooling in my eyes, unable to defend myself.
But before I could even comprehend what was happening, Lirian charged at him.
In an instant, Arman was on the ground, gasping for air as Lirian loomed over him, his fists.
lenched tightly.
The Alpha’s Substitute Luna: A Heart Clained, A Soul Reborn
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Chapter 181
Say one more word,” Lirian had growled, his voice low and menacing, “and I’ll make sure you regret it.”
I’d rushed forward, grabbing Lirian’s arm. “Stop!” I pleaded, my voice trembling. “You’ll hurt him too
much.”
Lirian had looked at me then, his piercing gaze softening just a fraction.
He had let Arman go, though not without a warning glance that ensured Arman wouldn’t come near me again.
That was the first time I realized Lirian wasn’t just a quiet, peculiar boy. He was fiercely protective, even if his way of showing it scared me a little.
Another memory surfaced–one of a thunderstorm much like this one. I had always been terrified of thunderstorms, curling up under the covers as a child, trembling with fear.
When my parents were alive, they would sit with me, stroking my hair and whispering soothing words until I fell asleep.
After they were gone, the storms became my worst enemy.
I would lie alone in the dark, crying silently into my pillow.
Lirian had noticed. One night, as lightning streaked across the sky and thunder roared, he had awkwardly sat down beside me.
His hands, rough from years of hardship, had clumsily patted my back.
“It’s just noise,” he had said softly, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. “You don’t have to be scared.
That night, for the first time in years, I’d fallen asleep to the sound of the storm, with Lirian’s presence chasing away the shadows.
A sudden clap of thunder jolted me awake, my heart pounding in my chest.
For a moment, I was disoriented, the dream still clinging to me like a fog.
Then I felt it–a soft, rhythmic patting on my back.
My breath caught as the sensation pulled me fully into the present.
Slowly, I lifted my head, and my gaze met Lirian’s. His eyes were open, dark and penetrating. studying me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.
Chapter 181
Don’t be afraid,” he said, his voice steady but soft, like a quiet reassurance. “I’m here.”
Tears welled up in my eyes, spilling over before I could stop them. I didn’t care about hiding my
emotions anymore.
“I was so scared,” I admitted, my voice breaking. “I thought you wouldn’t wake up. I thought I’d lose you.
Lirian’s expression flickered with surprise, and for a moment, he was silent. Then, as if piecing together what I’d said, he asked,
“You stayed here the whole time?”
Inodded, my fingers instinctively reaching for his hand. “Of course, I did. Where else would I be?”
His hand was warm despite his injuries, and I held it tightly, as if letting go would somehow pull him away from me again.
Lirian’s gaze softened, and he leaned back against the bed, his features relaxing for the first time since I’d entered the room.
“You didn’t have to,” he murmured, though his tone lacked conviction.
wanted to.” I countered firmly.
He hesitated, his eyes locked on mine, as if searching for something unspoken.
The Alpha’s Sul
