Abandoned Luna: Now Untouchable-Chapter 391 Family Tensions

Author’s pov

Meanwhile, at the Locke mansion, the grand ballroom buzzed with Colorado Springs’ elite.

Half the old money families in Colorado Springs had shown up, along with tech entrepreneurs, socialites, and even a few celebrities who served merely as glittering accessories to the truly powerful.

Getting an invite from the Lockes was a symbol of status, proof that your family remained relevant and influential.

Families on the decline had long been struck from the guest list, not even allowed to drop by with gifts on holidays, let alone attend such a prestigious celebration.

But something was off. The gala had been underway for half an hour and all guests had arrived, but the evening’s guest of honor, Martha, still hadn’t shown up.

Zane, the head of the Locke family, kept greeting the guests with the rest of the family.

Maggie acted like the perfect hostess and took charge of the guest list. She invited her own family, the Shadow Pack, and even the Blood Moon Pack, who had never been close to the Lockes.

No one said a thing. Once Zane agreed, everyone else went along with it.

By now, guests were beginning to whisper about Martha’s absence.

"Shouldn’t Martha be out by now ?"

"I heard she came down with something a couple days ago and has been laid up in bed."

"She’s not attending her own celebration ?"

"Of course she’ll attend. She’s the guest of honor ! Cassian went to fetch her. They should be down any minute."

The murmurs rolled through the crowd like the first rumbles of a storm. Even the orchestra’s music couldn’t drown out the unease creeping through the air.

A few guests exchanged wary glances, wondering if the Lockes were hiding something.

--

Across the room, Alpha Sebastian and Alpha Yardley were chatting with members of the Cole family.

Even though Silver Peak Pack wasn’t based in Colorado Springs, everyone in high society knew the Black family.

Even before the alliance with the Lawson family, Alpha Yardley had expanded his business empire into Colorado Springs, with Silver Peak investing in numerous development projects throughout the region.

The Cole family had immediately sought out the Blacks for conversation upon arrival.

The Locke family, as hosts, were notably cold, particularly toward the Coles, whom they completely ignored.

Nevertheless, the Coles kept their cool.

Julian stood tall beside the Cole patriarch, his easy smile hiding the sharp calculation behind his eyes.

To outsiders, it looked like polite conversation. In truth, every word was a careful move on the chessboard of reputation.

Zane and other Locke family members put up with the tension, knowing their family was in the wrong for what they’d done to the Coles.

Keeping things civil on the surface was the best they could hope for.

Maggie was currently entertaining a couple of artists, smiling warmly while casting sidelong glances at the Black family, the Cole family, and the Lawsons.

Her laughter was soft and practiced, the kind that didn’t reach her eyes. Every now and then, her gaze flicked toward Sebastian and Cecilia, her pupils narrowing ever so slightly.

Julian was having a great time chatting with the Cole patriarch as if nothing had happened.

[ Enjoy your laughter while it lasts. Soon none of you will be smiling, ]Maggie thought darkly.

The corner of her mouth twitched upward in a smile that was too sharp to be friendly. Beneath the shimmer of her diamond earrings, her jaw tightened, and her hand clenched around her clutch until her knuckles turned white.

Her phone buzzed in her clutch. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Excuse me, I need to take this call, "she apologized smoothly, lifting her dress slightly as she walked away with elegant steps.

She moved gracefully through the crowd, but every step felt heavy with intent. Once she was out of sight, the warmth drained from her face, replaced by a chill that could cut glass.

She pressed the phone to her ear, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Make sure everything is ready. I don’t want any mistakes tonight. "

Ten minutes later, Alpha Sebastian’s phone rang.

"Sebastian, my grandmother is missing... "Cassian’s voice came through, shaking with worry.

--

Cecilia and Tang pulled up to their destination.

Light spilled from inside the building. From the car, they could see a small courtyard enclosed by walls and an open door beyond.

They had parked beside a river that flowed nearby.

"Tang, we need to make this quick. You can handle this, right ?"Cecilia asked.

"No problem. I’ll make sure your family gets a nice, peaceful nap,"Tang replied with surprising confidence.

"Be gentle,"Cecilia insisted. "Don’t hurt them."

Tang nodded. "Trust my skills."

They both exited the car and walked inside.

The place reeked of herbal medicine, with steam filling the house. The pungent smell made Cecilia’s stomach turn.

Though her morning sickness had improved in recent days, strong odors still triggered her nausea.

She pressed a hand against her chest and took a deep breath.

Tang guided her carefully over the threshold, steadying her to prevent any stumbles.

The interior was spacious.

Cecilia looked to the left and saw her parents and grandmother rising from their chairs.

"Cece !"

Esther rushed to embrace her daughter, not having seen her in days.

"Mom,"Cecilia murmured.

VanDyck and Helena approached as well.

"You’ve lost weight,"VanDyck observed with a furrowed brow.

"Have I ?"Cecilia touched her face self-consciously.

She wasn’t ready to reveal her pregnancy yet.

Helena took Cecilia’s hand. "Come sit with Grandma. The doctor hasn’t arrived yet."

Cecilia had no choice but to follow and sit down.

Esther and VanDyck joined them.

Tang, seeing the situation, found a seat as well.

His gaze caught two figures lurking behind a door in the back room. It was the two bodyguards Alpha Sebastian had assigned to protect Cecilia’s parents !

The bodyguards were waving frantically for Tang to come over, clearly having something urgent to tell him.

Tang shot them a disapproving look, blaming them for failing to properly monitor Cecilia’s family.

The bodyguards were frustrated themselves.

Helena was sneakier than they’d expected. She’d claimed she was just taking VanDyck to see a doctor in town and would be back soon, telling the guards they didn’t need to come along.

Then VanDyck returned alone, saying Helena had gone to Colorado Springs to see a doctor.

Esther and VanDyck had been frantic and insisted on going after her.

Unable to stop them, the guards had tagged along to Colorado Springs.

They’d intended to report this to Alpha Sebastian but were persuaded not to when Esther and VanDyck begged them to keep quiet.

They just wanted to bring Helena back.

Fearing Alpha Sebastian’s wrath, the guards had stayed silent.

"Grandma, where’s the doctor ? What’s taking so long ?"Cecilia asked with a forced smile.

She was wondering whether Tang should make his move right here if necessary.

Helena replied calmly, "He stepped out to pick someone up. We just have to wait."