Chapter 33
I don’t need Arman’s approval, and I certainly don’t need to pine after a man who didn’t deserve my
love.
I have Ethan, my brother, who has always been there for me, loving me unconditionally.
I have Lirian, loyal and protective, standing by my side no matter what.
And though my parents are gone, the love they left me with is more than enough to keep me strong.
oked at Arman now, his face contorted with anger as he stood before me, shouting that he wouldn’t apologize.
His pride was so fragile, so twisted, that he would rather dig himself deeper into his mistakes than admit he was wrong.
Linda’s eyes gleamed when she saw Ethan enter the room.
This was a man she could never hope to reach, someone out of her league in every way, but here was her chance.
She took the opportunity to play the same tired game, putting on her victim mask, her voice quivering as she said, “I’m sorry, it was all my fault. They just wanted to get justice for me.” She blinked up at Ethan, hoping for sympathy, hoping for him to fall for her act
But Ethan was unmoved. He stood tall, his expression unyielding.
“This isn’t justice,” he said coldly. “This is slander. You can only apologize for yourself. There are two others who need to do the same.”
He turned his gaze to Arman and Ryan, who were standing silently, watching Linda’s performance.
Arman’s face flushed with frustration, but he said nothing. Ryan looked away, avoiding eye contact with everyone in the room. They both knew they had no defense, no way out of the
mess they had created.
Without proof, it’s slander,” I said firmly, my voice steady. “You owe me an apology.”
Arman’s face twisted with fury. “I will *not* apologize to you,” he spat, his voice shaking with an
Ethan stepped forward, his presence dominating the room. “Then perhaps you’d like to explain to
„The Alpha’s Substitute Luna: A Heart Claimed, A Soul Reborn
25.84%
phapter 31
the Pack why you refuse to admit your mistakes. Or maybe you’d prefer to be known as the one who Couldn’t face the truth?”
The room fell into a tense silence. Everyone’s eyes were on Arman now, waiting for his next move. But he had no cards left to play. Finally, with a muttered curse under his breath I saw them moving
forward
The soft murmurs of the crowd filled the air as everyone began to whisper. The dignitaries present could feel the weight of the situation. If this incident spread beyond the banquet hall, it would surely have consequences for their social standing. Everyone here had a reputation to protect.
Ryan and Arman, reluctantly stepped forward. Their pride was bruised, but they had no choice. They couldn’t afford to make this worse. “1. I apologize,” Ryan said through clenched teeth, his eyes darting between me and Ethan.
m sorry,” he muttered, avoiding eye
Arman’s apology was no more sincere. contact, his voice low
and forced.
I crossed my arms, looking at them with cold indifference,
“Apology accepted,” I said softly, though my voice carried enough bite for them to feel the sting. But acceptance was not the same as forgiveness.
Not even close.
This superficial apology was nothing compared to the years of pain they had inflicted on me. It wasn’t nearly enough.
Linda stood by, looking as though she might burst into tears at any moment. Her eyes flickered toward Ethan, hoping–praying–that he would soften toward her. But Ethan wasn’t moved by her! performance.
After she murmured her forced apology, he turned to her and stated, “You and Ryan are no longer invited. Now leave, or I’ll have security escort you out.”
Linda’s face drained of color. She choked back a sob and turned to Arman, giving him a desperate, tearful look, hoping he would intervene on her behalf.
But Arman was still being restrained by Lirian, his face growing more frustrated by the second.
Ryan, humiliated and seething with barely contained rage, grabbed Linda’s hand without saying a word. He yanked her toward the exit, and Linda had no choice but to follow. She cast one last, pitiful glance at Ethan, her eyes wide and pleading,
but he didn’t even spare her a glance.
A Heart Claimed. A Soul Reborn
¿
25.9%
To him, she was invisible.
Arman, still fuming, demanded Lirian release him. “Let go of me!” he growled, but Lirian remained unfazed, his grip like iron.
Ethan didn’t seem concerned either, but after a moment, he spoke, “It’s okay, Lirian. Let him go.”
gave th
Lirian hesitated. His gaze shifted to me as if waiting for my signal. He wouldn’t release Arman until I
word. It was clear who he was taking orders from.
