Chapter 12
Aria’s POV
- m. Lucas’s small hand tightened in mine as we The Silver Moon pack house loomed before us, its white stone facade catching the late afternoon sun. approached the massive oak doors. My son’s forest green eyes were wide with wonder, taking in every detail of the place that should have been
his birthright.
“It’s so big,” he whispered, pressing closer to my side. His heart was racing – I could feel it through our joined hands.
“Remember what we talked about? I knelt to his level, straightening the collar of his navy sweater. The color brought out the gold flecks in his
Lucas nodded solemnly. “Be polite, stay close to you, and…” He lowered his voice conspiratorially, “don’t show
now off my
special abilities.”
“That’s my smart boy.” I kissed his forehead, breathing in his familiar scent of pine needles and sunshine. The scent that had kept me going through countless sleepless nights and endless struggles.
The doors swung open before we could knock. Marcus stood in the entrance hall, his imposing frame silhouetted against the warm light within Six years had turned more of his dark hair silver, and new lines creased the corners of his eyes. But the alpha power still radiated from him like beat from a furnace,
His gaze locked onto Lucas immediately. I felt my son straighten beside me, instinctively responding to the presence of an alpha. For a moment, no one moved. The silence stretched thin as spun glass, fragile and sharp–edged.
“Father,” I broke the
the silence, my
voice steady despite the storm of emotions in my chest. “This is Lucas.”
Marcus took a step forward, then another, his movements careful as if approaching a wild thing that might bolt. When he knelt before Lucas, 1
elt before saw his hands trembling slightly.
“Hello, Lucas.” His voice was rough with emotion. “I’m… I’m your grandfather.”
Lucas glanced up at me, seeking permission. At my slight nod, he offered his small hand. “Nice to meet you, sir.”
ver my son’s shoulder, his eyes met mine,
Marcus’s breath caught. Instead of shaking the offered hand, he pulled Lucas into a fierce embrace. Over bright with unshed tears. “Tm sorry,” he mouthed silently. “So sorry.”
The moment shattered as Aurora’s voice cut through the hall like broken glass. “Well, isn’t this touching?” My stepmother descended the grand staircase, each click of her heels against marble a deliberate statement. Her silk dress whispered expensive taste, but her smile was pure polson. “The prodigal daughter returns, and with a… surprise.”
Lucas retreated to my side as Aurora’s cold gaze swept over him. Her lip curled slightly. Really, Aria? Bringing your bastard wolf into this house? Have you no shame?”
“Aurora” Marcus’s voice cracked with alpha authority, but she was already continuing
“What will the other packs think? Silver Moon’s bloodline tainted by some unknown male’s spawn? Her perfectly manicured hand pressed against her chest in mock concern. “Or perhaps you don’t even know who the father is?”
The temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees. Lucas pressed closer to my leg, his small body trembling slightly. But before I could. respond, I felt him straighten beside me.
I looked down at my son and saw something of myself in his lifted chin, in the quiet dignity with which he faced Aurora’s cruelty. A surge of fierce pride out through my anger.
“Lucas,” I said softly, letting a smile touch my lips. “Say hello to Aurora. She’s your grandmother.”
His forest–green eyes widened in confusion. “But Mom, I thought Grandma Olivia was my real grandma?”
The words hung in the air like smoke. Aurora’s face went slack with shock, then mottled with rage. Behind her, Marcus drew in a sharp breath, The mention of Olivia’s name seemed to fill the grand hall, awakening old ghosts and older pain.
Aurora’s hands clenched into white–knuckled fists at her sides. She had spent years trying to erase Olivia’s memory from Silver Moon, to establish herself as the pack’s true Luna. But my mother’s sacrifice had earned her a place in pack history that no amount of designer clothes or social
Chapter 12
maneuvering could match.
“How dare you…” Aurora’s voice shook with fury. “How dare you come here and-”
“That’s enough. Marcus’s command filled the space, heavy with alpha power. “Aurora, leave us.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but something in his expression made her think better of it. With a final venomous glare in our direction, she turned and stalked from the hall, her silk dress snapping around her ankles like an angry flag. D
In the silence that followed her departure, Lucas tugged at my sleeve. “Did I say something wrong. Mom?
“No, baby.” I smoothed his wild dark hair, so like his father’s. “You said exactly the right thing.”
Marcus cleared his throat, and I noticed how his eyes glistened in the fading afternoon light. His fingers fidgeted with his suit cuff – a nervous gesture I remembered from my childhood. “Would you… would you both like to see the gardens?” His voice softened as he added, “The roses your mother planted… they’re still blooming. White ones, her favorites. We’ve kept them exactly as she left them.”
“Can we go see the roses, Mom?” His eager voice held none of the shadows that darkened the space between his grandfather and me. His eyes sparkled with innocent curiosity, reminding me that some things were more important than old wounds.
The gardens would be nice,” I said softly, surprising myself with how much I meant it. The familiar scent of polished wood around us, and for a moment, I was that little girl again, following my mother through these halls as she tended to her beloved roses.
Chapter Comments
oh so
NOW she’s clear on who the father is?!
I thought she told the father there was no fixing how he treated her. why would she even go back to that pack and intro Lucas. she koows aurora and the step sister hate her
