Alpha's Hidden Precious Luna-Chapter 162

Lily POV

After Celeste left with Kai, I sat on my bed, trying to go over Kai’s confession. Was there such a thing as a curse? I was so engrossed in my thoughts until I heard the door opening. I looked up expecting to see Celeste.

I had a lot of questions that I had prepared for her to give me a suitable answer. Instead, it was Luna Helen standing in the doorway.

Kai’s and Celeste’s mother.

My mouth went dry as we stared at each other in strained silence. Luna Helen had never made a secret of her disapproval of me as a potential mate for her son. From the moment Kai and I had connected, she had worked tirelessly to drive a wedge between us.

"Luna Helen," I finally managed, giving a respectful nod. Pack protocol demanded paying respect to the pack’s Luna, regardless of personal feelings.

Plus, I honestly had hoped we had moved past our differences because of how receptive and warm she had been when I woke up, but seeing the awkward silence stretch between us, I didn’t know what to think.

"Lily," she acknowledged, stepping into the room in her usual regal posture that made even the simple act of walking seem like a ceremonial procession. She was carrying a large insulated food container in her hands, her knuckles white from gripping it too tightly. “You’re here alone? Where’s everyone?” she asked looking around.

“Grandma Elena and Grandpa Marcus left a while ago to bring some changes of clothes for me and homemade food. Celeste said she was going to see Kai.” I couldn’t let her know Kai had disobeyed the hospital rules to come see me.

The silence continued between us, making me anxious. Luna Helen’s eyes travelled up and down my entire length as if she was really seeing me for the first time, taking in my hospital gown, tangled hair, and the lingering bruises on my face and arms. Even though she had been here when I woke up.

I resisted the urge to smooth my hair or adjust the gown—showing insecurity would only strengthen her perception of me as unworthy.

"You’re looking... better," she said finally, the pause making it clear this was not entirely a compliment. "The doctors say your recovery is progressing well."

"Yes," I replied, keeping my voice neutral. "Thank you for asking."

Another awkward silence fell. Luna Helen cleared her throat, her eyes darting around the room as if seeking an escape.

"I, ah..." She lifted the container slightly. "I was trying out a new recipe and ended up cooking far too much. I thought you might appreciate something other than hospital food."

The excuse was lame. Luna Helen was renowned for her precise calculations in all things and I know this because Celeste would always use her as an example whenever we were talking about perfection. So, I know she had never in her life accidentally cooked "too much" of anything. "That’s very kind of you," I said, accepting the container she thrust toward me.

Our fingers brushed during the exchange, and she withdrew her hand quickly, as if burned. I pretended not to notice as I set the container on the bedside table and opened it.

The rich aroma of curry chicken soup wafted up, instantly making my mouth water. Not just any curry chicken soup—it was prepared exactly the way I preferred it, with extra ginger and a hint of lemongrass. My favorite comfort food, though I couldn’t recall ever mentioning this preference to Luna Helen.

"This is..." I looked up at her in genuine surprise. "This is my favorite."

Something flickered across her face—satisfaction, perhaps, or triumph at having caught me off guard. "Is it? What a fortunate coincidence."

We both knew it was no coincidence. She had gone out of her way to learn my preferences, to prepare this specific dish. The question was why.

I took the spoon she offered and sampled the soup. It was perfect—the chicken tender, the broth, rich and complex with just the right balance of spices.

"It’s delicious," I said truthfully. "Thank you."

Luna Helen watched me eat with an intensity that made me self-conscious. "You like it, then?"

"Very much." I took another spoonful, hoping the act of eating would reduce the lingering awkwardness.

"Good," she said, nodding as if confirming something to herself. "You need to regain your strength."

I continued eating in silence, while Luna Helen paced the small room, her fingers trailing over the windowsill, the chair, the edge of the bed—she was a restless soul, like Kai.

Without warning, she stepped behind me and began touching my hair, her fingers working through the tangles with surprising gentleness.

"You never put enough effort into your appearance," she said, though the usual sting was missing from her words. "Such lovely hair, but you let it become a bird’s nest."

I froze, spoon halfway to my mouth, surprised by this unexpected physical contact. Luna Helen had never touched me voluntarily before, certainly never with anything approaching tenderness.

"I... haven’t had access to a brush," I managed, unsure how to respond to this strange shift in her behavior.

"Hmm," she murmured, continuing to detangle my hair. "That’s no excuse. A potential Luna should maintain dignity and poise even in the worst circumstances."

Potential Luna? My surprise deepened. Just weeks ago, she had been actively campaigning for Kai to reconsider our relationship. Now she was speaking as if my position as his mate—and future Luna—had been concluded.

"Your hands are healing nicely," she observed, nodding toward the fading marks on my wrists where Lucas had bound me. "Good. Scars would be... unsightly."

The comment was, so typically, Luna Helen—simultaneously acknowledging my trauma while focusing on the aesthetic implications—that I almost laughed. Perhaps sensing my reaction, her fingers paused in my hair, then resumed their gentle combing.

"Kai is awake," she said suddenly, her voice carefully controlled. "Did Celeste tell you?"

"No," I replied, setting down the spoon. "She went to check on him but hasn’t returned. Is he... Is he okay?"

Luna Helen’s hands stilled. "He remembered everything. The accident, the curse, all of it."