Temporary Luna, Permanent Heartbreak - Chapter 85: Chapter 85

"Which she-wolf?" Celeste's voice sounded puzzled.
Sterling thought for a moment but didn't give an answer, only saying, "It's nothing, go rest early."
He decided to keep it from her and investigate personally.
"But... Sterling..." Celeste wanted to use this opportunity to call Sterling over and spend time with him, but he had already hung up the phone.
Hearing the busy tone on the other end, Celeste bit her lip in frustration. Although Sterling agreed to be in a relationship with her, it seemed like she couldn't find the same feelings as before. He used to stay on the phone until she hung up. Just by calling him "Sterling," he would do anything for her. But now, it seemed like he was no longer like that. What did he mean by his recent statement?
Celeste pondered over it but couldn't figure out the reason. The current Sterling had become increasingly inscrutable to her. She couldn't help but rub her temples, and suddenly, someone firmly grasped her shoulders from behind.
In the next moment, her waist tightened as she fell into a warm embrace. "Drinking alone is boring. I'll keep you company," a flirtatious voice whispered in her ear.
In the dim light, the man's outline was visible, but due to backlighting, she couldn't see his face clearly. His voice in this hazy night was especially alluring. His long fingers skillfully pinched her waist, causing Celeste to tremble uncontrollably.
The man was about to lean in for a kiss when Celeste pushed him away abruptly, then retreated quite a distance. "Why did you come?" Her expression turned cold, and her tone followed suit.
The man remained concealed in the shadows, slowly crossing his arms. "On such a romantic night, wouldn't it be a very lonely night?" His voice was languid, with a hint of indifference.
"I'm not lonely," Celeste controlled her emotions and said, "You should leave. It's not good for people to see us together."
The man let out a light chuckle. "Just a moment ago, you clearly had feelings for me."
"That was just a normal reaction. It doesn't mean anything." Celeste tried to hide her embarrassment by taking a swig of alcohol.
"Are you afraid that Sterling will find out?" The man was blunt.
The hand holding the wine glass suddenly stiffened. In the past, the thing she disliked the most was when others used Sterling to pressure her. However, after a moment, she nodded. "You're right."
The man tilted his head and chuckled softly. "Is this the same carefree Celeste? I almost don't recognize you."
"Don't provoke me, and don't think that your words can still get to me." Celeste looked earnestly at the man. "I'm not the same she-wolf I was four years ago. I know what to do and what not to do."
Four years ago, relying on Sterling's affection, she was stubborn, arrogant and indulgent.
She knew that no matter what decisions she made, Sterling would protect her—even if she willfully decided to mate with his best friend and have a pup. Although they lost all contact after that, Sterling still took her in when she was at the end of her rope.
Even though she firmly believed that she had always been the she-wolf Sterling loved the most, his mating to Zara had always been a thorn in her side.
After losing Sterling once, she had experienced many hardships in the four years that followed. It dawned on her that she had to hold onto what she had.
"You should leave," she said, turning her back to him.
With a light chuckle, the man left in a hurry, showing no signs of interest.
With the cup in her hand, Celeste pressed it to her chest. She had finally found the alpha she had lost four years ago. This time, she wouldn't repeat the same mistakes. She was determined to become Sterling's true Luna and grow with him, like a garden that flourishes under the moon's warm embrace.
"Alpha Ashford, this way, please," said Linda, guiding Sterling to a private hospital instead of going to the office during working hours.
They didn't enter the hospital but headed to the cafe next door.
"The hospital has kept this matter tightly concealed, and no one dares to talk about it outside. I spent some money to have someone find the attending healer involved in this incident," Linda whispered as they walked.
She was wearing a neat uniform that accentuated her slim and tall figure. Her high heels made a light tapping sound on the ground, crisp and decisive.
Linda quickly reached the cafe's entrance and opened the door for Sterling. "The attending healer is inside. The initial steps have been taken and the groundwork has been laid. Whatever you want to ask, he will tell you everything."
As an assistant, Linda was diligent and capable.
Sterling remained composed, not showing any reaction throughout the process.
Linda had gotten used to his seriousness and led him to the entrance of a private room. "He's inside."
Suddenly, Sterling quickened his pace and grasped the door handle.
Linda's brows furrowed slightly.
It was rare for her to see Sterling so uncomposed. In her memory, no matter how big the pack crisis or dangerous the situation, he was always calm and collected, never losing his alpha composure.
Sterling didn't immediately turn the handle but hesitated for a moment. It wasn't clear what he was thinking.
Linda could only see the mature and handsome face of the alpha, with his thick eyebrows knit together, and his eyes deep and contemplative. His lips were tightly pressed together.
A few seconds later, he pushed open the door and entered.
Inside the private room, a middle-aged man was already seated. His appearance was characterized by a few extra pounds, but his neat and tidy look and the faint scent of healing herbs that lingered around him suggested that he was a seasoned pack healer.
Seeing Sterling, the man immediately sat upright. Without any introduction, he stood up, his eyes showing a hint of unease as he looked at Sterling.
The presence of Sterling before him was imposing, and he didn't seem like an ordinary pack member at all.
"Please sit," Sterling said calmly.
The man sat back down.
"This is Alpha Ashford. Please tell him everything you know," Linda said.
The man glanced at Linda, nodding nervously.
Sterling sat quietly, and the man couldn't help but scrutinize him. Although this alpha appeared young, the aura surrounding him was not to be underestimated; it was quiet but pervasive. The man sat even straighter.
"Was the she-wolf who took the live corneal transplant from your hospital a young female? How much do you remember?" Sterling was the first to speak, his voice steady, emanating the authority of a powerful alpha.
The healer cleared his throat. "There's only been one instance of this experience in my life, and I remember it with great clarity."
Sterling didn't speak further but signaled for him to continue.
The man hesitated, leaning closer. "I already told you. Aren't you afraid of getting me into trouble? Even if the she-wolf involved agrees to the live corneal transplant, it's not allowed by pack regulations. My healer license would be revoked if this was discovered. Obtaining a healer license is not easy."
Sterling raised both hands.
This simple action startled the healer, causing him to shrink his neck, thinking that Sterling might attack him.
It couldn't be helped; this alpha in front of him seemed challenging to get along with.
"Rest assured, I just want to know the truth," Sterling said coldly. "Neither you nor the hospital will face any consequences."
He took out a check from his pocket and placed it in front of the healer.
The healer's eyes widened as they saw the check, and they couldn't help but marvel at the amount, counting the zeros in secret.
How straightforward!
This alpha, who looked so dignified, wouldn't deceive him with such straightforwardness.