The Fake Luna: Marked By The Alpha King

Chapter 117: Chapter 117 Who the hell was she talking to?

Ethan’s POV

"That fucking bastard!"

I hadn’t even finished reading the article before my blood pressure hit the ceiling. My fist slammed down on the desk so hard the lamp rattled.

My assistant jumped, looking like he was about to bolt from the room.

"Alpha, please calm down. If this really is about Miss Smith, then for the sake of the company’s reputation, perhaps we should inform HR—"

"I’m talking about the asshole who WROTE this!" I cut him off, my voice rising. "That piece of shit journalist!"

I couldn’t stop myself. The curse words kept coming, one after another, until I finally lost it completely and hurled his phone across the room. It hit the wall with a satisfying crack.

"Alpha!" My assistant gasped, scrambling to retrieve his now-damaged device.

I didn’t wait for him to catch up. I was already out the door, my wolf clawing beneath my skin, demanding action. I called an emergency meeting with all department heads, my Beta included.

Everyone filed in looking tense, probably expecting some kind of crisis. Market crash. Hostile takeover. Territory dispute with another pack.

Instead, I stood at the head of the table and addressed the only thing that mattered.

"That article circulating online is complete garbage," I said, my tone leaving no room for argument. "Nothing in it is true. Miss Smith is not that kind of person. You’ve all worked with her. You know her character. You know her work ethic."

I scanned the room, making eye contact with each of them in turn. My wolf’s dominance seeped into my voice, forcing submission without me even trying.

"Pass this down to every employee under you: I don’t want to hear a single word of gossip about Aria Smith. "

"If I catch anyone spreading that article—or even talking about it—they’re fired. Immediately. And I will personally see to it that they’re sued for defamation."

I didn’t wait for questions. I turned on my heel and walked out, slamming the conference room door behind me.

Back in my office, I yanked off my tie and threw it onto the couch. My chest was heaving. My hands were shaking. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been this furious.

Every vile comment I’d seen online felt like a punch to the gut. People were tearing Aria apart, calling her things I couldn’t even repeat. And for what?

Because some bitter journalist with an axe to grind decided to write a hit piece?

I’d been with Aria for six years. I knew her better than anyone. She was stubborn, yes. Headstrong. Independent to a fault.

But she was also loyal. Honest. She didn’t play games. She didn’t manipulate people.

Hell, she barely even looked at other men. The only time she ever paid attention to male actors on her phone was when she was researching something for work.

Aria was... innocent. In a way that most she-wolves weren’t. I’d been the one to guide her, to show her what it meant to be with someone. She’d trusted me completely.

And now people were destroying her reputation like it meant nothing.

I forced myself to take a breath and pulled out my phone. I needed to call her. But the moment I opened it, I saw the alumni group chat lighting up with notifications.

They were all sharing the article. Some were mocking Aria outright. Others were tagging me, offering fake sympathy.

*"Damn, Ethan. Sorry, man. That’s rough."*

*"Guess you never really know someone, huh?"*

My jaw clenched so hard I thought my teeth might crack.

I started typing.

**"This article is a lie. Aria and I are fine. Thanks for the concern."**

I hit send. But it wasn’t enough. It didn’t carry the weight I needed it to.

So I typed another message.

**"Aria works harder than anyone I know. Every client she’s worked with respects her professionalism. The claims in this article are completely false. I’m asking all of you not to spread it. I’ve already contacted my lawyers."**

There. That was better.

I leaned back in my chair, exhaling slowly. My wolf was still restless, pacing inside my mind, but at least I’d done *something*.

Then my phone rang.

Clara’s name flashed on the screen.

I answered without thinking. "Hello?"

"Why the hell are you defending her?!" Clara’s voice was shrill, almost hysterical. "Ethan, she cheated on you! She’s been sleeping around and you’re still—"

"Clara, stop." I cut her off, my tone sharp. "That article is bullshit. I know Aria. She would never do something like that."

There was a beat of stunned silence on the other end. Then Clara’s voice came back, colder this time.

"That article was written by a verified reporter, Ethan. How can you just dismiss it?"

"Reporters lie all the time," I snapped. "Especially when they have a personal vendetta. This guy is a hack. End of story."

"Ethan—"

"I said drop it, Clara." My patience was wearing thin. "And don’t go spreading rumors either. I mean it."

I hung up before she could argue further.

For a moment, I just sat there, staring at my phone. My wolf was growling low in my chest, agitated by the conversation.

Then I pulled up Aria’s contact and hit call.

The line rang once. Twice. Then—

*"The number you are calling is currently busy. Please try again later."*

I frowned. She was on another call.

I tried again. Same result.

My fingers tightened around the phone. Who the hell was she talking to?