Chapter 21
Evelyn’s ’s POV
“Mom p>
Rowan came chasing after his sister toward me, with Rhys trailing close behind. I offered both boys some water, noticing Rhys’s thirsty glance though he was too proud to ask. Without hesitation, I handed him my own bottle.
The pack families around us, upon hearing Rowan’s loud call for “Mom,” turned to stare at us with undisguised interest. Their whispers carried clearly to my sensitive ears.
“So that’s the Omega Luna Calvin kept away from pack affairs p>
“No wonder she was never at the council meetings. An Omega as Luna, what was he thinking p>
“But she’s too beautiful for other men to see p>
“The twin heirs seem so close to her. Does this mean the Alpha is still involved with her p>
Their judgmental tones were nothing new. As an Omega, I’d only ever been allowed to interact with the pack’s inner circle, and even they had barely concealed their disdain. In their eyes, an Omega Luna was a stain on the Bloodbane Pack’s prestigious reputation.
I noticed Clara’s face freeze at the sight of me, her gaze like poisoned arrows wishing to pierce through my heart. Yet whenever others looked her way, she’d quickly don that sweet, gentle mask of hers. The act was almost impressive,if it weren’t so painfully obvious to me.
My darling Alexis had become the center of attention among the children since we arrived. Children’s affection was always so pure and simple. They saw how kind I was with Alexis and ran over calling me “Miss,” which caught me by surprise. I recovered quickly and gave them a warm smile.
“Thank you for playing with Alexis,” I said gently.
“It’s getting late. We should head back for dinner,” I told the children. “Alexis, say goodbye to your new friends p>
My little one waved to her newfound playmates and jumped into my arms for a hug. I lifted her up, taking Rowan’s hand with my free one. He in turn held onto Rhys, forming our little chain as we walked toward our tent.
Then Clara’s fake sweet voice broke the silence.
“Ms. Blackwell, where are you taking Calvin’s kids?” She sounded so concerned, but everyone knew she was acting like the Bloodbane Pack’s Luna,like I was some kind of kidnapper.
All eyes turned to us again.
I ignored her completely and continued walking with my children toward our tent. From the corner of my eye, I saw Clara attempt to follow, but her ridiculous stiletto heels sank into the grass, sending her tumbling to the ground.
Calvin, who had just ended a phone call, witnessed the scene. His brow furrowed slightly as he gestured to nearby staff. Someone immediately went to help Clara up.
When she didn’t receive the sympathy she clearly wanted from Calvin, disappointment flashed across Clara’s face. She was about to put on her teary-eyed act when Calvin’s phone rang again.
Seeing both boys obediently following me, he answered the call and turned away.
After ending the call, he came over to collect the boys.
I could tell from his tense expression that company matters were pressing. Looking at Rowan and Alexis, I could see they weren’t ready to leave yet.
“Alpha Calvin, since you need to handle work matters, why don’t the children stay and play another day?” I suggested. “You can arrange for a driver to pick them up tomorrow p>
Calvin’s questioning gaze fell on Rowan’s face, who immediately expressed his desire to stay.
Even Rhys, fidgeting nervously, said, “Dad, I want to stay with my brother p>
After speaking, he glanced furtively at me, then looked down dejectedly when I didn’t immediately acknowledge him.
My heart ached a little.
Staff members helped Clara to stable ground. She put on her fragile act, “Calvin, my leg hurts p>
Calvin’s brow furrowed again. “I’ll have someone take you to the hospital p>
Clara’s eyes reddened with false weakness. “Couldn’t you take me yourself p>
“Not possible,” Calvin replied firmly. “Company emergency p>
Hearing this, Clara quickly switched to a softer tone.
“Then you should focus on your work. Maybe Rowan and Rhys can stay at my family’s place tonight? You can pick them up whenever you’re free p>
She shot me a pointed look before adding, “My father hasn’t seen you in a long time. He’s been wanting to invite you over for dinner p>
Rowan shook his head firmly.
“No thanks, Miss Clara. My brother and I will stay with Mom. Dad’s driver will pick us up tomorrow p>
Rejected again, Clara’s fingers clenched tightly. She turned her attention to Rhys, hoping he’d be easier to sway,but he was completely absorbed in the new toy Astrid had just given him.
Astrid shot Clara a challenging smile.
Astrid had clearly figured it out. Rowan obviously preferred me, his birth mother. Rhys, on the other hand, seemed a bit misguided,his playful nature made him easily distracted by new toys.
Children’s toys p>
If Astrid could claim these two handsome boys as her godsons, she’d happily supply them with all the toys they could want.Her family company had partnerships with major toy brands; one phone call and they could have whatever they desired.
Alexis nestled in my arms, rubbing her tiny tummy. “Mommy, my tummy’s singing,” she said with childlike innocence.
I kissed her forehead softly. “Alright, sweetie. Mommy will get you something to eat p>
Astrid followed behind us with a potential godson in each hand, heading toward the dining area.
Calvin left first to handle his work emergency.
Clara maintained her act until he was gone, then her face turned cold as she watched our happy group of five heading to the restaurant.
In the restaurant restroom, I ran into Clara who had been waiting for me. Her hostility was immediate as she demanded I stay away from Calvin.
“Calvin and I ended a long time ago,” I replied calmly. “Instead of threatening me, you should whisper in his ear at night and convince him to give me custody of the children p>
“Stop pretending, Evelyn,” she hissed. “You deliberately showed up in front of the twins to use your blood connection to get back with Calvin. I’m telling you, it’s impossible. Everyone knows I’m the one he truly loves p>
I had intended to speak reasonably with her. If Clara could truly influence Calvin to give me custody of my children, I could tolerate her venom.
But Clara was clearly just here to vent her insecurities on me.
My expression cooled instantly.
“If that’s what you choose to believe, then there’s nothing more to discuss,” I said flatly.
“Don’t you walk away from me!” Clara screeched.
Her hand with those ridiculous long nails lunged for my arm, but I easily sidestepped her attack. With those high heels, she lost her balance and fell to the floor.
This time, she truly twisted her ankle.
From the ground, Clara spat venomously, “Do you know what Calvin says about you, Evelyn? He says you disgust him! He says those five years with you were suffocating, like being in prison p>
I’m no naive fool.I understood women like Clara, what they valued most, and how their words mixed truth with lies. She couldn’t get past the fact that I was Calvin’s first mate and kept coming to me to vent her frustrations.
I approached her with a cold expression.
I curled my lips into an icy smile.”Clara, I was Calvin’s first kiss, first night, first mateship, first experience of fatherhood,” I said softly. “What do you think that means to him p>
I watched her face flush with anger, my smile growing more radiant. “Do you know how inexperienced he was on our wedding night? How passionate? How… enduring p>
“All his skills were learned with me. When he holds you, who do you think he’s really thinking of you or his… ex-mate p>
Each word struck Clara’s heart like a dagger. Her chest heaved violently. The mere thought that the man she coveted had shared my bed for five years was driving her mad.
Since I’d started this, I might as well deliver the killing blow.
I shook my head in mock disappointment.
“Such a shame. That awkward, passionate, and… remarkably enduring Calvin Wolfe,” I slowed my words,”is a side only I have seen. You’ll never get to p>
Clara glared at me with pure hatred, and I smiled brilliantly down at her, looking down on the jealousy and hatred in her eyes.
“The man I trained from the ground up,are you happy with him? When he holds you, do you think his mind’s on your face, or on… me p>