Page 73 of The Alpha's Bullied Rejected Mate

Their boots echoed softly against the marble floor as they turned toward a dark hallway, and a silver door lay at the end.

They finally arrived at the door, and one of the two guards at the entrance pushed it wide open for them to step in.

Athena took a quick glance around the room. It was a study. Tall brown shelves full of books lined the walls, and a dimmed chandelier light cast a soft glow over the dark room.,

Two gray leather couches were positioned at the centre of the room. And a silver-haired lady was seated on one of the couches, cradling a book across her swollen belly. She was a witch—Athena could feel her energy.

“I can’t sit here all day reading,” she said aloud, clearly oblivious to their presence, though it wasn’t clear who she was speaking to.

As soon as she sensed them, she lifted her gaze from the book, and Athena was met with a pair of beautiful, dark blue eyes. Her face lit up as she shut the book down and clapped her hands together, “Oh! They’ve arrived!”

The woman stood carefully and walked toward them, beaming as if she were reuniting with her long-lost childhood friends. She stopped in front of them and addressed Athena first.

“Hello,” she said warmly, flashing Athena a bright smile.

“I’m Luna Mitchell—”

“Blackwood,” a deep masculine voice cut in from the corner.

“Luna Blackwood,” the voice thundered again.

Athena turned in the direction of the voice as a tall man came into view. He had an imposing presence with his steel-gray eyes and very dark hair.

Luna laughed, covering her mouth with the back of her hand.

“I’m Luna Blackwood,” she corrected. She leaned in and pulled her into a side hug, mindful of the boy in her arms.

“Old habits,” she whispered to Athena.

Athena smiled. They must be newlyweds.

The man strode forward, towering over the rest of the figures in the room, and stood beside Luna.

“Tell me, wife,” he drawled, “how do I etch our last name into your memory so I don’t have to correct you every time?”

Luna gave a half-smile, gently reminding him with her eyes that they weren’t alone.

Marcus cleared his throat behind them.

“I can see you, Vale,” the man muttered, sounding bored.

Athena barely stifled a laugh.

“Hello, Luna,” Marcus said politely, stepping forward. “I hope you’ve both been well,” he added, referring to the baby in the woman’s belly.

Marcus extended a hand, and Luna was about to take it when the man stepped between them.

“It’s Mrs. Blackwood to you,” he said icily to Marcus.

Marcus chuckled. “It would be rude not to greet an old friend by name. Don’t you think so, Luna?”

“You’re right, Marcus. It’s good to see you too,” she said, taking his hand with a smile.

“And since when were you two friends?” the dark-haired man wolf asked, shooting Marcus a sharp glare.

“Good to see you too, Commander,” Marcus quipped, and Athena laughed quietly to herself.

She could sense a powerful energy emanating from the dark-haired man. He wasn’t a witch or a demon. He was a wolf.