chapter 149
Tori's POV:
The afternoon sunlight filtered through Moonlight Café's floor-to-ceiling windows, casting geometric patterns across the polished hardwood floors.
I sat across from Morgan at our usual corner table, my arm still tender from where the phlebotomist had drawn what felt like half my blood supply.
"I'm telling you, Tori," Morgan said, sliding her third chocolate croissant onto her plate with zero shame, "after what they put you through this morning, you need to eat something substantial. Blood loss is no joke."
I raised an eyebrow, watching her tear into the pastry with obvious relish. "Morgan, they took four vials. I'm not exactly on the verge of collapse."
"Four vials!" She gestured dramatically with her croissant, sending flakes of chocolate onto the table. "That's practically a pint! You need iron, protein, sugar—all the good stuff."
She pushed a plate toward me. "Which is why I ordered you their special recovery platter. Very medicinal."
The "recovery platter" consisted of more chocolate croissants, a slice of moon-berry tart, and what looked suspiciously like a double chocolate muffin.
"This is all dessert," I pointed out.
"Dessert is medicine for the soul." Morgan took another enthusiastic bite. "Besides, the Lunar Phase Research Institute should provide post-blood-draw snacks. It's practically negligent that they don't."
I couldn't help but smile at her logic, even as I suspected the real reason for this café visit had less to do with my wellbeing and more to do with Morgan's well-documented addiction to their chocolate croissants.
I reached for a croissant, if only to appease Morgan's hovering. "Fine. But if I go into a sugar coma, you're explaining it to Lucas."
"Deal." Morgan grinned, then her expression shifted, gaze fixing on something behind me. "Oh. Uh, Tori?"
I turned to follow her line of sight, and my breath caught.
Sophia Morris stood frozen in the doorway, her eyes locked on mine with an expression I couldn't quite read.
Sophia's appearance had changed since our last encounter at the club. Her once-vibrant auburn hair hung limp around her shoulders, and dark circles shadowed her eyes.
The fitted designer clothes she'd always favored had been replaced by a simple gray sweater that hung loose on her frame.
She approached our table slowly, each step deliberate, as if she were walking through deep water. The café's ambient chatter seemed to fade into white noise.
"Tori." My name came out barely above a whisper. "Could we... talk? Alone?"
Morgan's protective instincts kicked in immediately. "Whatever you need to say, you can say it in front of me."
I placed a gentle hand on Morgan's arm.
"It's okay." I kept my voice steady, though my heart hammered against my ribs. "I'll be right back."
Morgan's brown eyes flashed with concern, but she nodded reluctantly. "I'll be watching from here. Any sign of trouble—"
"I know." I squeezed her hand before standing.
Sophia led me outside to the small patio area, where wrought-iron chairs sat empty in the cooling afternoon air.
The scent of autumn leaves and distant woodsmoke drifted on the breeze. She didn't sit, instead wrapping her arms around herself as if trying to hold something in—or keep something out.
"Congratulations," she said finally, her voice tight. "On getting your innocence. On... everything."
The words should have been warm. Instead, they landed like stones in still water, creating ripples of unease.
"Thank you." I waited, knowing there was more.
Sophia's gaze dropped to the weathered wooden planks beneath our feet.
"My mother—Lisa Morris—she's been..." A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "The Elder Council investigated her for abuse of power. All those enforcement officers who participated in your... mistreatment. They've all been dealt with."
My breath caught. I'd known Lucas had been working behind the scenes, but hearing the confirmation still sent a chill down my spine.
She deserves worse, Tracy growled in agreement.
"I'm not here to threaten you," Sophia added quickly, misreading my silence. "I just thought you should know."
It was her left hand that drew my attention—the engagement ring there, simple and practical, nothing like the extravagant jewelry the Morris family could afford.
"You're engaged." The observation came out flat, emotionless.
Sophia's laugh was bitter. "Engaged. What a pretty word for what it actually is."
"My father's medical bills are astronomical. The treatments, the specialists—none of it's covered by basic pack healthcare. So yes, I'm marrying Marcus Webb. He's forty-three, one with a modest business and a kind heart."
She touched the simple ring with something like resignation. "He's a good male. That's enough."
The way she said it—as if she were trying to convince herself as much as me—made my stomach turn.
"Sophia, I could—" I started, thinking of the compensation from the Council.
"No." The word came out sharp, final. "I'm not taking charity, Tori. Especially not from you."
She softened slightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Besides, what difference does it make? I lost my favorite mate four years ago. Ryan was..." Her voice cracked. "And I let my family convince me to stay silent when you needed help most. This?"
She gestured to the engagement ring. "This is exactly what I deserve."
Before I could respond, my phone buzzed. Lucas's name flashed across the screen with a simple message: On my way. Five minutes.
"I should go," Sophia said, apparently reading something in my expression.
Sophia smiled, and this time it reached her eyes—tired, but genuine. "Tori, I hope you can acquire happiness. Really happy. You deserve that."
The sincerity in her voice caught me off guard, warming something cold inside my chest.
I watched her walk away, her shoulders hunched against a wind I couldn't feel.
The familiar rumble of Lucas's Maybach drew my attention to the street.
The driver's side door opened, and Lucas emerged. His ice-blue eyes found mine immediately.
"Tori." My name on his lips sent warmth cascading through my chest. "Everything alright?"
I glanced back toward the café, where Morgan pressed her face against the window.
"Nothing important," I said, my voice steady. "Just an old acquaintance. We can head back whenever you're ready."
Before Lucas could respond, Morgan's voice cut through the moment.
"Are you two going to stand there all day, or are you coming back inside where there's actual heat?"
I felt heat flood my cheeks as I tugged Lucas's hand, pulling him toward the café entrance. He followed with that low chuckle that always made my stomach flip.
Once we were back at the table, I wrapped my hands around my now-lukewarm tea. "Actually, I need to head to the Grayson estate this afternoon. Elizabeth invited me to see Fiona and the baby."
Morgan's eyebrows shot up. "Seriously? You're going to visit her?"
"Just a formality," I explained.
Morgan studied my face for a long moment, then nodded decisively. "Okay. I'm coming with you. Though I'll probably just hang around the main house. My mom mentioned something about needing help with inventory."