I Am His Wolfless Luna Chapter 109

Aria's POV

After changing my clothes, I settled in the grassy area outside the training camp, letting the evening sunlight warm my skin. David had left earlier, probably calling Zoe about watching Lucas tonight.

My stomach let out a growl that could rival a bear's, quickly followed by that now-familiar wave of nausea that seemed determined to make my life miserable. I dug through my bag, praying I'd find just one more cherry lollipop—those sweet little lifesavers were the only things keeping me functional these days. Finding nothing but receipts and tissues, I couldn't fight it anymore and scrambled to the nearest shrub just in time to dry heave.

Nothing came up—not surprising since I'd barely managed two crackers all day. I sat back on my heels, wiping away the cold sweat that had beaded across my forehead. From this spot, I could see the front of the building, though the sun's glare off windows and windshields made everything shimmer and distort.

A red sports car pulled into the lot, and a slender blonde figure stepped out, movements precise and calculated like she was being photographed. I squinted, shielding my eyes with my hand. Great. Emma.

Seeing Emma here sent a painful mix of sadness and jealousy coursing through me. A thousand questions demanded I march inside and confront Ethan, but I chose to remain hidden among the shrubs instead, where I could avoid both of them. I was done being part of their drama. Really.

The loud, powerful rumble of an engine suddenly caught my attention. That had to be Leo. He always did love those noisy, attention-grabbing vehicles. Emma turned her head toward the sound of the car, slightly lowering her oversized designer sunglasses and jutting out her rear in what I assume she thought was an enticing pose.

I rolled my eyes so hard they nearly fell out of my head—did she really think that was sexy? The way she stood there, hip cocked, chest thrust forward, reminded me of those plastic mannequins in mall windows—stiff, artificial, and trying way too hard. Everything about her screamed "look at me"—from her obviously dyed platinum blonde hair to the suspiciously round breasts that defied gravity in ways nature never intended.

I glanced down at myself, crouched by bushes after dry-heaving, wearing ordinary jeans and a T-shirt that had once been pristine but now featured a small collection of barely-visible stains that told the story of my life as a single mom. The hem was slightly frayed, and one seam was starting to come loose—something I kept meaning to fix but never found the time for. I couldn't remember the last time I'd bought casual clothes for myself that weren't from a thrift store's discount day.

"Something smells rotten around here," Leo announced, hands tucked into his front pockets.

"What do you mean? It's spring, there are flowers blooming everywhere," Emma responded in that affected voice of hers.

"Must be the stench coming off you then—that sickening smell that lets everyone know what a whore you are," he replied with a charming smile. "Makes me want to vomit. Ugh!"

Emma's face turned crimson as she seemingly sniffed at herself before responding with outrage, "You have the nerve to insult me when even Aria the half-breed won't date you? What happened at the charity opera that night, hmm? Did Aria stand you up?"

"No," Leo answered sharply, his jaw tightening. "She's a single mother who'd walk through fire for her kid. I find that kind of loyalty admirable." He crossed his arms, eyes narrowing. "How'd your latest scheme with Ethan work out? The one where you tried clawing your way back into his bed?"

I pressed myself deeper into the bushes, barely breathing, afraid they'd spot me but desperate to hear Emma's response. Emma tilted her chin up, a smirk spreading across her face like oil on water—slick and toxic. She radiated smug satisfaction as she adjusted her designer purse.

"Not that it's any of your business," she purred, tossing her hair with practiced precision, "but Ethan and I spent the most magical night together. The things that man can do..." She let the suggestion hang in the air, her eyes gleaming with malice.

Her words pierced my chest like tiny daggers. Each syllable twisted deeper, making it hard to breathe.

Leo burst out laughing—a harsh, disbelieving sound that cut through the tension. "God, you're pathetic," he said, giving her a mocking thumbs-up. "Your lips move, but all I hear is bullshit. Ethan would need to be drugged unconscious to go anywhere near you willingly."

Emma's smug expression hardened, her perfectly painted lips twisting into something ugly. "Spout whatever nonsense makes you feel better," she hissed, venom dripping from every word. "We both know what this is really about. You're obsessed with Aria, following her around like a lost puppy." Her smile turned cruel. "Planning to drag her and that little bastard of hers back to your precious Northern territory? How sweet."

"Shut your mouth," Leo growled, the muscles in his neck standing out like cords. "You don't get to talk about them. Not ever."

He pushed past her, shoulders rigid with fury as he yanked open the building's door. Emma's laughter followed him—high and brittle, like breaking glass. "Hit a nerve, did I?" she called after him.

I waited until Emma sauntered inside before crawling out from my ridiculous hiding spot, brushing leaves and dirt from my knees. My mind raced, trying to process everything I'd overheard. Emma was a liar—I knew that. But what about Leo? Had he really been loving me all along?

I took several deep breaths, willing the nausea to subside. The evening air felt suddenly cool against my skin as uncertainty settled over me like a shroud.

The door swung open again, and Leo emerged looking like he'd just gone ten rounds with his inner demons. When he spotted me, his expression shifted, shoulders relaxing as a genuine smile replaced his scowl.

I nodded toward his oversized truck, trying to appear casual despite the turmoil inside. "Ready to go?"