Page 30 of Abandoned By My Alpha Husband

"Before the Grays claimed her, she lived in the human district," Marcus added. "Her father died early."

"Father?" I frowned. "Her mother's a noble wolf, and her father lived in the human district?"

Marcus explained. "Luna's mother left them after Luna was born. Her father raised her."

"And—" Marcus lowered his voice. "He was human."

Human?

Marcus bowed his head. I said nothing, but we both knew—if that was true, then Elena was... mixed blood?

"However," Marcus continued, "the investigation shows no blood relation."

I tapped the desk. My instincts screamed that Gray had tampered with something. Too careful. Too deliberate. What human would adopt a wolf?

"But I can't find any records from before Luna was claimed," Marcus said. "We only know she worked multiple jobs."

I frowned, tapping the desk again. Abnormal. Her identity had been deliberately hidden. Did that mean... she really was sent by Gray with some hidden agenda?

I kept reading. Before being claimed, she'd worked everywhere. Gas station, nanny, cleaner, dishwasher. My frown deepened. She'd lived like this?

You feel sorry for her? My wolf woke up and asked me.

I didn't answer. But something in my chest did tighten. To cover it, I flipped pages quickly. Then my finger stopped. Five years ago, the Maple Hotel where I'd been drugged—she'd worked there.

My fingertip pressed into the paper. Didn't move.

Combined with last night, the strange familiarity of her body—could it be...

No. She was a wolf, just scentless. And my mate was human. Similar didn't mean the same. Probably a coincidence. I closed the file and locked it in the drawer.

"Understood. Keep this confidential."

Marcus nodded and left.

A crack in the window let in cool morning air. I thought of Elena's face. Hesitated. Then called the healer and told him to prepare contraceptive medicine for Elena.

Unfair to her, maybe. But I'd already decided—only Liam would be my heir.

Still. I wasn't as averse to Elena now as I'd been before.

Chapter Eight

Elena

The healer arrived just as I finished my bath. My hair was still dripping, and I sat on the edge of the bed in my robe, unable to wipe the smile from my face.

Congratulations, my wolf said. She sounded calm, but her tail wagged wildly behind her, betraying her joy.

I touched my cheek—it was warm. Last night... Lucifer and I had bonded. Did that mean we'd taken a real step forward?

"Luna." The healer entered and bowed. He carried a tray with a white porcelain bowl, dark brown liquid steaming faintly. When the smell of herbs reached me, my smile faded. My fingers tightened on the hem of my robe. Unease seized my heart.

"What is this?"

"His Majesty's orders." The healer kept his head down. "Luna, it's contraceptive."

I took the bowl. My fingers clenched around the rim.