Crippled Luna's Farewell Half A Life Without My Alpha's Deadly Deception novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24 

After that day, Sarah barely had time to dwell on Arnold and Linda. 

Leo had flooded her inbox with dozens of gigabytes of study materials, and she needed to absorb it all as quickly as possible. 

After hours of reading, she set down a thick book and nestled into the recliner, exhaustion weighing her down. 

Her eyes fluttered shut, but just as her mind began to drift, her phone vibrated in her hand. 

The screen lit up with Zoe’s name, her best friend and eternal source of adventure. 

“Come out and play, Sarah!” Zoe’s voice bubbled with excitement. “It’s the Moonlight Feast Festival! Everyone’s out partying under the full moon….you *have to come.” 

The Moonlight Feast Festival the first full moon night of summer…was a sacred time for the wolves. It was a night of celebration, of feasts, music, and dancing under the moon’s soft silver glow. 

Sarah hesitated, memories swirling in her mind. It was during the Moonlight Feast Festival of her eighteenth year that she had 

first awakened her wolf. 

“Go,” Lena, her wolf, urged gently. “You haven’t relaxed in ages. And this festival… it’s where it all began for us.” 

After a moment of deliberation, Sarah gave in. She asked Zoe for her location, grabbed her car keys, and headed out. 

The drive was brief, and soon she arrived at the festival grounds. 

The full moon hung low in the velvety sky, casting its serene light across the open field. Strings of colorful lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, their soft glow intermingling with the flicker of a grand bonfire at the center. Exquisite tents dotted the field, adorned with ribbons and banners. Wolves of all ages gathered, their laughter and song filling the night air. 

As Sarah stepped into the lively scene, she scanned the crowd for Zoe. But before she could find her, her eyes landed on someone unexpected…. a small, bouncing figure she hadn’t seen in far too long. 

It was Alex. 

The golden wolf–head mark around his neck glinted in the firelight, a symbol of his lineage. Sarah’s breath caught in her 

throat. 

It had been weeks, perhaps longer, since Alex had last called or spoken to her. She had told herself it didn’t matter, that she had moved on from him and his father. But seeing him now, so carefree and happy, left her feeling hollow. 

Sarah took a deep breath as she told herself to start getting over the feeling and learn to let go gradually. 

With that thought in mind, Sarah didn’t go up to say hello, she just quietly followed the small figure that was bouncing happily in front of her. 

“Alex, come here!” 

A familiar voice broke through the chatter. Linda appeared, stepping into view with her flawless poise. 

Alex’s face lit up as he ran to her, his arms flung wide. “Aunt Linda!” 

He leaped into her embrace, clutching her tightly. 

Chapter 24 

“Happy Moonlight Festival, Aunt Lindal” Alex exclaimed, pulling a small box from his pocket. “I made this for you!” 

Linda gasped as she opened the box to reveal a delicate bracelet made of polished moonstones. Each stone gleamed softly, smoothed to perfection by Alex’s careful hands. 

“You made this yourself?” Linda cooed, fastening the bracelet around her wrist. “It’s beautiful, Alex. Thank you so much! 

You’re amazing.” 

Sarah stood frozen, watching the scene unfold. 

Apang of hurt struck her chest. She remembered the days she had tirelessly bandaged Alex’s scrapes, the nights spent comforting him when he was sick, the countless sacrifices she had made for him. 

Yet here he was, gifting Linda a token of affection he had never thought to make for her. 

Linda’s gaze shifted slightly, her expression softening further as Arnold stepped into view. 

“Alex, let go of Linda,” Arnold said with a quiet authority. His tone wasn’t harsh, but firm, as though concerned about Linda’s comfort. “You’re too heavy to keep clinging to her like that.” 

Sarah blinked, stunned. Arnold’s voice was gentle, attentive in a way she had never experienced herself. 

She had been married to him for over six years, yet he had never once displayed such consideration for her. Not when she had carried Alex on her hip for hours, leaving he 

arm sore for days. 

Not when she had burned herself cooking his favorite meals or worked tirelessly to clean up after their son. 

It was as though a veil had been lifted, revealing the cruel truth she had refused to see. Arnold wasn’t incapable of affection or care….he simply chose not to extend it to her. 

“Arnold, you’re here!” Linda straightened her hair and cocked her head, revealing the delicate curve of her neck, which was sparkling with a delicate necklace of moonlight gems. “Look, it’s the gift you gave me. I’ve worn it all night. Does it look good?” 

“Beautiful,” Arnold replied simply, his eyes lingering on her neck. 

Sarah’s chest tightened. The necklace was clearly chosen with care, a personal and thoughtful gesture Arnold had never bothered to make for her. 

“Daddy!” Alex chimed in, bouncing on his toes. “When did you give Aunt Linda her gift? Why didn’t I know about it? You’re not allowed to visit her without me anymore. We’re family!” 

Arnold certainly couldn’t take Alex along when he went to see Linda. 

How many nights had he spent at her side? Sarah didn’t know the exact number, but she had stopped counting long ago. Even this morning, they had kissed in the office. A stolen moment, brimming with the intimacy he had never shared with her. 

Now, Linda clung to Arnold’s arm, her touch light and familiar, as though it had always belonged there. She leaned in, her voice soft yet deliberate. 

“Let’s go to the center of the venue and grab something to eat,” she suggested, a smile playing on her lips. 

Arnold gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable. 

“Yeah, yeah!” Alex chimed in eagerly, bouncing on his toes. “Let’s go as a family for the holidays!” 

Family. 

wole Farewell: Half A Life Without My Altra’s De 

17.9% 

Chapter 24 

The word sliced through Sarah’s heart like a blade. She had spent years convincing herself that she could build a family with Arnold, that their bond as mates would eventually grow into love, 

But here, under the silver light of the moon, the truth was undeniable. 

Arnold had already chosen his family. And it didn’t include her. 

As the trio laughed and chatted, Sarah quietly slipped away, her chest aching with the weight of her realization. She had clung to hope for far too long. 

Tonight, under the full moon that had once marked the start of her new life, she resolved to let go of the life that had only ever brought her pain. 

Sarah stood rooted to the spot, watching as they walked away. The image of their retreating figures blurred, swallowed by the crowd, yet the sting lingered. 

Her phone buzzed In her hand, jolting her out of her trance. 

“Sarah! Where are you?” Zoe’s voice rang out, vibrant and full of energy, a stark contrast to the heaviness pressing down on Sarah’s chest. “We’re at the center of the venue, dancing by the bonfire! Hurry up and join us!” 

Sarah blinked, swallowing the lump in her throat. She forced herself to respond, promising to meet Zoe soon. 

Following her friend’s directions, she made her way through the lively crowd, her steps heavy at first but quickening as the music grew louder. 

When she arrived, the scene was almost surreal. Shirtless, well–built young men danced around the blazing bonfire, their movements primal and joyous, their laughter echoing under the full moon. The air was electric, a mix of smoke, wine, and raw 

energy.