The Fake Luna: Marked By The Alpha King

Chapter 291: Chapter 291 She was his second chance

Author’s POV

An hour later, Clara was slumped on the booth’s leather sofa, barely conscious. A sharp knock sounded at the door.

Lily immediately went to answer it. When she saw the tall figure standing in the hallway, she couldn’t help but freeze.

The bar’s lighting was dim and atmospheric, but it couldn’t hide the man’s striking features or his powerful build.

Julian wasn’t conventionally pretty-boy handsome. But there was something intensely masculine about him, something raw and compelling. The Alpha aura rolling off him in waves was impossible to ignore. Just visually, he was twice as mature and commanding as Ethan had ever been.

Lily had always been drawn to men like this. The kind who wore expensive suits but radiated barely restrained wildness underneath all that corporate polish.

"You’re..."

"Julian Cross. Clara’s supervisor."

Even as he spoke, Julian’s gaze had already moved past Lily to find Clara. His wolf surged forward, protective and possessive at once.

*Mate,* his wolf snarled.

Julian froze. That couldn’t be right—he’d scented another Alpha’s mark on her the first time they’d shaken hands, months ago. Faint, fading, but unmistakable.

He’d told his wolf she belonged to someone else and left it at that.

So why was his wolf howling *mate* now, like nothing stood in the way at all? Had the mark broken? Was that the "personal matter" she’d been so quiet about all morning?

He didn’t chase the thought further. He turned to Lily instead, keeping his voice level. "What happened to her?"

"Drowning her sorrows, I guess," Lily sighed. "She’s going through a really rough time. Her mate... he’s divorcing her."

Julian’s jaw clenched at the confirmation. His wolf snarled internally, furious that anyone would reject this woman. She was his second chance.

The Moon Goddess had given him another opportunity after years of loneliness, and he’d be damned if he wasted it.

He sat down next to Clara and called her name a few times, his voice gentle despite the turmoil inside him.

The woman made a small sound, mumbled something incomprehensible, but didn’t seem to register who was speaking to her.

Instinctively, she murmured "Ethan" instead.

Julian’s wolf bristled at the other Alpha’s name on her lips, but he forced himself to remain calm.

Lily shook her arm gently. "Clara, your boss is here. Alpha Cross came to..."

"Don’t... don’t want the divorce. Please. I don’t want it to end like this... I really... really don’t..."

Clara shook her head weakly, then suddenly lurched forward and threw her arms around Julian’s body.

The moment she touched him, Julian felt it. The faint but unmistakable pull of the mate bond trying to form between them. His wolf roared in triumph, recognizing her instantly.

Second chance.

His first instinct warred between pulling her closer and giving her space. Despite how drunk she was, Clara’s grip was surprisingly strong. Her arms locked around his neck and wouldn’t let go.

The bond hummed between them, tentative but real.

Lily jumped in alarm. "Clara! Clara, wake up..."

"It’s alright." Julian’s voice was low and measured after a moment of stunned silence.

He placed his hand on the woman’s back with remarkable calm, rubbing slow circles.

The contact sent sparks through the forming bond, and he felt her wolf—weak and wounded as it was—respond to his.

There was something almost hypnotic about the steady pressure of his palm. Within moments, Clara had quieted completely.

Julian waited until she’d gone still, her breathing evening out like she’d fallen asleep, before carefully gathering her into his arms and lifting her up.

His wolf was purring now, content to have their mate in their arms even if she didn’t know what she was to him yet.

"I’ll take her back now."

"Okay."

Lily stood as well, hurrying to open the door and walk them out.

She followed them all the way to the parking lot, watching as Julian settled Clara into the passenger seat of his sleek black Mercedes with surprising gentleness. The way he touched her, careful and protective, spoke volumes.

Only after he’d buckled her in and closed the door did Lily step closer.

"Alpha Cross?"

"Yes?"

Julian was unfailingly courteous, using respectful address even though Lily was younger than him.

Lily had developed quite a favorable impression of Julian Cross. Clara was her childhood best friend, practically a sister. She hated seeing her suffer like this.

Especially because of Ethan and Aria. Those two had crossed every line.

This Alpha Cross was the CEO of Sentinel Energy, son of Alpha Nathaniel Cross of Shadowveil Pack. His background and credentials far exceeded anything Ethan Holt could claim. And from the way he’d just handled Clara, from the way his Alpha aura had flared protectively around her, Lily was about eighty percent certain the man was interested in her friend.

More than interested, if her instincts were right.

If he could protect Clara, then Clara would finally have a chance to fight back. To make Ethan and Aria pay for what they’d done.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!