Mated to My Intended's Enemy novel Chapter 178

Chapter 178: Chapter 178 The Shrimp Shells

Freya

Isabella watched me with appreciation, and when I handed her the perfectly cleaned shrimp, her smile was genuine. "No one does it like you do, Mom."

As I continued peeling shrimp for Isabella, Aunt Emma suddenly paused, her keen eyes focusing on my hands.

"Dear Luna, where is your ring?" she asked, her voice carrying across the table.

At her words, every pair of eyes—including Silvano’s—turned to my bare left hand. The absence of the silver band with its moonstone centerpiece felt conspicuous now, though I’d grown accustomed to its absence.

After our mating ceremony, despite our increasingly cold relationship, I had always worn the ceremonial bonding ring Luna Victoria had selected for us. It was tradition, symbolizing not just our union but my position as Luna.

My shrimp-peeling motion paused imperceptibly before I responded with practiced casualness, "I was in a rush this morning and left it at home."

The truth was more deliberate: I had removed the ring when I first prepared the divorce papers. I had placed it in the envelope alongside the agreement, a symbolic return of everything he’d given me.

However, we weren’t officially divorced yet. I knew Luna Victoria would vehemently oppose our separation—a Luna and Alpha divorce would shake the pack’s stability, especially with Isabella’s position as heir to consider.

If I brought up the subject now, in the middle of dinner with the pack’s most traditional elder present, it would create chaos and likely make it impossible for Silvano and me to proceed with a clean separation.

Luna Victoria smiled at my explanation. "I see. Be sure to wear it next time, dear. A Luna’s ring carries the pack’s blessing."

I nodded noncommittally, and conversation resumed around us. Silvano’s eyes lingered on my bare finger for a moment longer, his expression unreadable, before he turned his attention back to his meal.

After dinner, everyone moved to the living room for dessert and coffee. As always,Aunt Emma orchestrated the seating to push Silvano and me together.

"Silvano, make room for your mate," she instructed firmly when he took a seat in one of the oversized leather armchairs.

My mate still wouldn’t spare me a glance, but he shifted slightly. Unable to keep refusing Aunt Emma’s wishes without causing a scene, I perched on the edge of the chair beside him.

This was the first time we had sat this close to each other in months. I could clearly smell his familiar scent. Once, that scent had been home to me. Now, Selene stirred restlessly, confused by the proximity to our mate who no longer acted like one.

I focused on my berry tart, showing no intention of initiating conversation with Silvano. He seemed equally determined to maintain our silence, his body angled slightly away from mine despite the limited space.

"You two make such a perfect match,"Aunt Emma sighed, smiling at us both with clear satisfaction.

From the outside, perhaps we did. He was powerfully built and commanding, the very image of an Alpha in his prime. I had been told I complemented him with my quieter grace. We looked perfect together on the surface—the strong, dominant Alpha and his beautiful Luna.

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