The Intrepid Luna and the Machiavellian Alpha

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home seemed strangely heavy. She had spent the morning paying attention to every detail, as always, but something indefinable hung in the air, a ten

red as he walked behind her, brief

as a well-oiled automaton. For several weeks already, she had noticed nuances in his behavior,

se. Luna sat up, her instincts telling her that this moment was a

inine voice spoke out, soft and contro

our home, Ethan. I'm delighted to

an had told him earlier this week about a "necessary adjustment to his team", he hadn't seen fit to specify tha

the floor. Her perfectly fitted black dress contrasted with her shiny blonde hair, and

stant," Ethan said, his tone neutral as if an

ending a polite hand. "Ni

t something in her smile seemed too c

usband is full of praise for you. It is rare t

She detected a note of hypocrisy, or maybe it was her ima

to sit around the table. He seemed almost re

s projects, and weaving with disconcerting ease an invisible network between herself and the two spouses. However, Lun

shook the carefully c

ing man, Luna. You are very

trembled slightly, but she regained her comp

onal man," she replied

"Isabella is a valuable asset to the company. His vis

ured, struggling to m

ry hidden behind polite courtesy. And if Isabella was an asset to the compan

ack to the living room, leaving Luna alone for a moment. She took the opportunity to calm t

he looked agitated,

," he said suddenly, as if to br

arp as a blade. "I'm sure she is, Ethan. But why do

on't know what you're talking about.

ness? » she insiste

d through his hair, a gesture he

. Hiring Isabella was a strategic decision. It

peated, tasting the bi

hy do you always want to look for

ring into his with an intensit

Ethan. And I know whe

only by the distant sound of Isabella

," he finally blurted out, b

d that this exchange solved nothing. On the contrary,

ing and relaxed as if she did not per

h," she said to Luna as she got ready

miling out of

abella, Luna stood for a long

an underlying firmness, "how lon

up at her,

t th

llusion that every

t silence, Luna found a respon

her gut. And if Ethan thought she was going to ignore wh