The Alpha's Regret Return Of The Betrayed Luna (Addison) novel Chapter 77

Chapter 77: Chapter 77 The Poor Mila

She stepped back slightly but kept her hands gently on Addison’s arms, her eyes shining with fondness.

"I’m Mila—your cousin. We were very close as children and treated each other like sisters. You even used to protect me when we were growing up," she added with a soft chuckle.

As Mila finally released her, there was a spark of hope and longing in her eyes—clearly waiting, perhaps even yearning, for some flicker of recognition in Addison’s expression.

Seeing this, Addison felt a sense of relief wash over her. It reassured her that her first impression of Mila might truly have been right. Pushing aside the strange ache in her heart, she returned the hug and offered Mila a warm, sincere smile.

"Hello, Mila. I’m Addison. Thank you... for staying by my parents’ side all these years."

Her words were genuine, and her smile reflected her heartfelt gratitude. The Alpha King and Queen, watching the exchange, felt their anxiety melt away. Relief softened their expressions as they saw no trace of resentment in their daughter’s face.

Mila smiled sweetly, though her eyes shimmered with emotion. "No, no—please don’t thank me, Addison. I’ve long seen the Alpha King and Queen as my own parents. They’ve treated me with more kindness and care than I ever received from my birth family, and being with them when they needed someone... it felt only right."

Her voice wavered slightly, and she looked a little flustered, almost on the verge of tears as she lowered her gaze.

"And if... if you feel uncomfortable—like I might have usurped your place these past six years—I sincerely apologize. That was never my intention. I’m more than willing to step aside and return everything to you."

Her tone was soft, almost too docile, and the sincerity in her trembling voice tugged at the heart.

Maybe Mila had been carrying all these emotions silently for years, and now, she was finally letting them out—trying to prevent any misunderstandings before they could take root. But as Addison listened, her brows gradually furrowed.

On the surface, Mila’s words were filled with kindness, loyalty, and affection. Yet, when Addison pieced them together, something felt... off. As if beneath that gentle tone was an implication—that while Addison had been gone, Mila had stepped into her place, filling the void left in the Alpha King and Queen’s hearts, becoming their daughter in everything but name. And now that Addison had returned, Mila was "gracefully" stepping aside, handing the role back over.

If anyone else had been listening, they might easily misunderstand the situation. It could appear that Addison had come back only to cast her cousin out, resenting her for being close to the royal family, wanting to reclaim her position without regard for Mila’s feelings or sacrifices.

Addison blinked, trying to shake off the thought. Was she reading too much into this? Was it just her own mistrust whispering doubts—shaped by all she had endured in the Midnight River Pack? Or was this strange intuition rooted in something real? She didn’t know. And perhaps that uncertainty was what unsettled her most.

The Queen quickly stepped in, her voice gentle yet firm, hoping to dispel the tension in the room.

"Mila, look at you—still so cautious and afraid," she said with a sigh, her eyes softening with concern. "You don’t have to be like this, not here. Addison wouldn’t mind you staying with us. She’s nothing like your half-siblings who always pushed you away and schemed against you."

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