Evelyn’s POV
The sunset painted amusent Park orange and gold. Alexis laughed in her stroller while Rowan pushed her along. Rhys still bounced between rides, full of energy after our whole day here.
We’d done everything—the carousel that made Alexis squeal, the mini train around the park, even the water area where the boys got soaked despite my warnings. Exhausting, but seeing them happy was worth it.
Irina showed up with Nathan,Julian was stuck in etings at the hotel.
Watching all the kids play together, I couldn’t help smiling. My boys hadn’t looked this happy in ages.
"The Viking ship was the best!" Rhys yelled, swinging his arms. "I wasn’t scared!"
"You scread the loudest," Rowan teased, ssing up his brother’s hair.
"Did not!" Rhys grinned.
"Bumper cars were cool too," Nathan jumped in before the brothers could fight. "Let’s try the big coaster next ti."
"Only if your mom rides with us," I said to Irina.
"No way. I’ll hold the bags and take pictures," she laughed, making the kids giggle.
We said goodbye to Irina and Nathan at the entrance. I got the kids into the car, strapping Alexis in while the boys climbed in beside her.
Just as I sat down, Jackson called.
"Hey," I kept my voice light for the kids.
"They released Clara," Jackson sounded angry. "The Alpha Council let her go an hour ago. Alpha Calvin got her a lawyer, paid bail, everything."
My hands tightened on the wheel. After the poison, the lies—Clara was free. Because Calvin made it happen.
All my evidence ant nothing when Calvin Wolfe stepped in.
"I see," I said carefully, feeling the kids watching from the back. "Keep posted."
I hung up and took a breath to calm down. I was furious.After all this ti, Calvin still chose Clara over and our children’s safety. That hurt more than I wanted to admit.
Driving ho, I started planning. If Calvin would use his power to protect Clara, I needed to be smarter. This was about keeping my kids safe now.
In the mirror, I saw Rhys and Alexis asleep. Only Rowan was awake, watching .
"Mom?" he whispered. "Aren’t we going to Dad’s?"
"No, baby. You and Rhys are staying with and Alexis tonight."
His face lit up, then fell. "What about Dad? Is he coming too?"
That innocent question hurt. He still wanted us all together.
I pulled over and turned around, taking his hand.
"Rowan," I said softly, "your father and I aren’t together anymore. You and Rhys have been living with him, but now you’ll stay with and Alexis. Is that okay?"
I watched understanding cross his face. My smart boy who saw too much.
"I know," he whispered. "You’re divorced. You’re not mates anymore. Like Jimmy’s parents at school. Jimmy lives with his dad but sees his mom a lot."
I squeezed his hand. "That’s right. You can call or video chat with your father anyti. Visit him too. I’ll never stop you from seeing him."
He studied my face. "Mom, can’t you and Dad be together again? Like before?"
Before. That word brought back everything I’d tried to forget.
Our life wasn’t the fairy tale Rowan imagined.While Calvin ran his Pack and company,I played Luna under Diana’s judging eyes. I rembered the whispers—how I wasn’t good enough, how being an Oga made weak, even though I was the Norse Pack Alpha’s daughter.
Calvin never defended . In public, he was cold and distant, treating more like an obligation than a mate. But at night...at night he was different.Passionate, demanding, possessive. Those nights were the only tis I felt any connection to him at all, the only tis I could pretend what we had was real.He was two n in one body.The public Calvin was the Alpha, businessman, leader.The private one marked over and over.
Looking at Rowan now, I couldn’t lie to him. "Your father and I have separate lives now. But that doesn’t an we love you and Rhys any less. You’ll always be the most important people in our lives."
He nodded slowly, processing my words. "Will you marry soone else, Mom? Like a different Alpha?"
The question caught off guard, but I got it.I knew about mixed Pack families. Step-parents playing favorites, kids not getting equal love.
"No," I said firmly. "Just you, , Rhys, and Alexis. Would you like that?"
I paused before adding, "Rowan, if I could give you and Rhys a better life, would you co? Have you thought about being an Alpha yourself?"
His eyes went wide. "Like Dad?"
"Yes." I nodded. "I could take back the Norse Pack from your father. They belong to our bloodline. You and Rhys could lead our Pack soday."
Rowan’s young face turned serious. "Mom, I... I don’t know. Dad says being Alpha is hard."
I wished I hadn’t pushed him. He was just a kid, Alpha blood or not.
"You’re right," I said, stroking his hair. "You have ti to decide. I just want you to know you have choices."
He nodded, looking relieved. I started driving again, watching in the mirror as Rowan fell asleep next to his siblings.
At ho, I got the kids bathed, fed, and into bed easily. The boys were worn out from the park, and Alexis cuddled her stuffed wolf while I sang her to sleep.
I knew Calvin would call. He wouldn’t just accept his sons not coming ho. Right on cue, as I sat down with my wine, the phone rang.
I looked at it, thinking. Fighting never worked with Calvin. He was too stubborn, too used to winning. Maybe I needed a new approach.
"I told you," I said softly when I answered. "If you protect her, the kids stay with ."
"I don’t agree," Calvin’s deep voice still made shiver, even now.
I kept my voice gentle. "Calvin, you can’t keep hurting like this."
I heard his breath catch slightly at my change in tone. We’d been nothing but cold or combative with each other since our separation. This was the first ti either of us had lowered our defenses, even montarily.
A tiny pause. "When have I ever hurt you?"
The question almost made laugh. When hadn’t he hurt ? From day one, I’d been just a vessel for his heir, a decoration at Pack events, a body in his bed.
But I couldn’t say that if I wanted him to listen.
Instead, I rembered when things were different. After the twins, Calvin changed for a while. He ca ho early, took fewer trips. He’d dry my hair, eat with , help with the babies. Sotis he’d whisper sweet things, making hope.
But it didn’t last. He went back to being cold and distant. I’d wake up to find his side of the bed empty, like he was never there.
After the long silence, he spoke first.
"Why so quiet?" Calvin’s voice was rough.
I saw the crack in his shield and took my chance. Fighting wouldn’t work with Calvin, but maybe reaching for whatever feelings he had left would.
I looked at the dark sky, thinking."Rember when the twins were three? Your mother took them from , wouldn’t let see them."
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