Evelyn’s ’s POV
I couldn’t help feeling a tug of happiness when I walked into the room and saw my little Alexis lying on the bed, waving a candy at the phone while mumbling about eating sweets. My heart ward at the sight of her innocent gesture.
"Sweetie, you’ve already had candy today. If you eat more, little bugs will grow on your teeth. How about saving it for tomorrow?" I gently suggested, moving closer to her.
Alexis shook her head firmly, her eyes wide and earnest. "Not for . For him."
I assud she ant Rowan and ruffled her soft hair affectionately. "We’ll give it to your brother when he cos, okay?"
Taking the phone, I expected to see Rowan on the other end, but the call had already ended. A wave of disappointnt washed over .
The weekend was approaching, and I wanted both my boys to visit.
I quickly sent Rowan a voice ssage, asking if he’d like to co over. The silence that followed felt heavy, like the weight of everything left unsaid between Calvin and .
The next day, still with no response from Rowan, I ca across news about Wolfe Haven International expanding into the entertainnt industry. The comnts section was filled with speculation about the "Rich CEO" stepping down from his pedestal for love. Once again, Calvin and Clara’s nas were trending.
The old mories ca back like a pain that wouldn’t go away.
Calvin never wanted his photos in public. His team would quickly delete any photos of him that showed up in the news. Even though I was his Luna and his legal wife, he wouldn’t let share our photos online.
But three years ago, sothing different happened. Calvin let people see a video of him at a pack eting with Clara. That’s when I knew the truth.Calvin didn’t mind being seen with others in public, he just didn’t want to be seen with .
Thinking about those five years still hurt, though the pain had evolved from drowning desperation to a dull ache.
My phone rang,Astrid calling.
"Hey, Eve! My cousin just opened a family resort and it’s having a test run today. Why don’t you bring Alexis? Let’s go enjoy ourselves for a couple of days," she suggested brightly.
I hesitated. "What about your identity? Won’t it be risky?" Astrid’s obsessive fans were notorious, so bordering on dangerous.
"Don’t worry," she assured . "It’s just family and friends for now, not open to the public. Completely safe."
It had been so long since I’d taken Alexis on a proper outing.
I agreed, sending Rowan another ssage inviting him along, though I received no response.
My heart filled with concern for my son. Had sothing happened? Was Calvin restricting his communication with ?
We arrived at the Lakeside Resort. I was carrying Alexis out of the car when I suddenly stopped. I saw Rowan and Rhys getting out of another car, and Clara was following them.
She extended her hand to Rhys, who took it without hesitation. Even from a distance, I could hear his excited voice. "Dad, hurry up! Aunt Clara said she’d take kite flying. Let’s see who can fly it higher!"
I stood motionless, the weight of Alexis in my arms suddenly heavier.
Behind Rhys ca Rowan, looking noticeably downcast.
Alexis spotted her brother instantly and waved her little arms excitedly. "Brother!" she called out.
Rowan seed startled at first, as if he couldn’t believe his ears. After Alexis called out again, his face lit up with genuine joy.
"Mom! Little sis!" he waved back enthusiastically.
My eyes inevitably t Calvin’s across the distance. We both imdiately looked away, mutual coldness hanging in the air between us like an invisible wall.
Alexis wiggled out of my arms and ran toward her brother. As Rowan started to move in our direction, Clara caught his arm.
"Rowan," she said with a big pout, "Auntie specially made ti to be with you and Rhys. Are you really going to leave alone?"
Rhys joined in, tugging at his brother’s sleeve. "Co on, we promised Aunt Clara we’d fly kites together."
Clara smiled sweetly. "I bought so many kites. Don’t you want to play with them, Rowan?"
"I want to!" Rhys exclaid excitedly. For him, playti was playti, regardless of who it was with.
I could see the conflict on Rowan’s face. He glanced toward Calvin, then lowered his head in resignation. "Okay," he mumbled.
By then, Alexis had reached them, looking adorable in her white collar top and pink overalls, with a matching candy bag slung across her body.
She grabbed Rowan’s hand, calling him "brother" in her sweet voice.
Though clearly happy to see his sister, Rowan’s expression changed after noticing the way Calvin looked at . He tightened his grip on Alexis’s hand.
"Dad, I’ll take my sister back to Mom," he said quickly, pulling Alexis in my direction.
I t them halfway, bending down to stroke Rowan’s hair. "Rowan, why didn’t you respond to my ssages?" I asked gently.
He glanced at Calvin before answering, "I’m sorry, Mom. Dad hasn’t let use my phone lately, so I didn’t see your ssages."
I caught Calvin’s gaze from the corner of my eye, knowing full well this was deliberate on his part.
"That’s alright, sweetie. I understand," I assured him with a smile.
Just as I was about to ask if he wanted to join us, Clara’s sugary voice cut through the air.
"Evelyn," she said with false concern, "I know Calvin agreed to let you see the children on weekends, but you shouldn’t be so clingy. Children need ti with their father too. You’re putting both Calvin and the boys in an awkward position."
I straightened up, the smile fading from my face as cold anger took its place.
"What exactly is awkward for him?" I retorted with a bitter laugh. "Is it awkward that his children want to be with their mother instead of their future stepmother? Or is it awkward to choose between spending ti with his children or his lover?"
Calvin’s POV
I pressed my lips together tightly as I watched the scene unfold. My gaze locked on my eldest son, who was nestled in Evelyn’s arms.
The sight stirred sothing uncomfortable within .
"Rowan, co here," I commanded, my voice leaving no room for argunt.
I’ve always been strict with my sons’ upbringing, personally overseeing their education and behavior. In my eyes, Rowan had been a well-behaved, obedient child until Evelyn reappeared in his life. Sothing had changed in him since then.
When I saw tears forming in my son’s eyes, sothing twisted in my chest. This wasn’t the reaction I expected from him.
"Calvin Wolfe, what are you yelling at him for?" Evelyn snapped, imdiately pulling Rowan closer and whispering comforting words. "Don’t be afraid, Rowan. Mom’s here."
Alexis joined in, wrapping her small arms around her brother, mimicking her mother’s actions by gently patting his back. "Brother, don’t be scared," she said in her tiny voice.
I felt my brow furrow as I watched the three of them hugging. When I saw Evelyn and Rowan together, with this child who looked just like her, it brought up feelings I didn’t want to think about.
"Rowan," I repeated, more firmly this ti, "I said co here."
My wolf stirred restlessly within , sensing my rising frustration. Every instinct told to reclaim what was mine—my son, my authority, my pack order. Yet sothing held back when I saw the protective stance Evelyn took with our children.
The little girl, Alexis, caught my eye again. Sothing in her look made feel strangely connected to her. Every ti I looked into her clear eyes, I felt like I knew her from sowhere. It confused how this child I barely knew could make feel this way.
When Alexis had offered candy through the video call yesterday, attempting to comfort as if she understood my pain, it had montarily broken through my dark mood. Even my wolf had cald at the sight of her innocent gesture.
Now, watching her comfort Rowan with the sa instinctive care, I felt my anger softening despite myself.She was so small, yet already showing the protective instincts.
But I couldn’t allow myself to be distracted. This confrontation with Evelyn had been brewing for too long. The sight of her,my ex-mate,standing defiant before with my children, awakened both my Alpha’s territorial instincts and a deeper pain I refused to acknowledge.
"I won’t repeat myself again," I stated coldly.Distance was safer than confronting what her presence still did to after all this ti.
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