Chapter 26
Evelyn’s POV
I watched as my little girl’s bright eyes filled with tears. She sniffled and fixed her gaze on Calvin’s blue, stoic eyes.
“Smile, Alpha,” Alexis requested, her voice small but determined.
Calvin avoided her gaze. “I don’t smile much p>
My daughter’s cherubic face fell in disappointment, her clear eyes reflecting her dejection as her tiny lips pursed downward. I could feel my heart squeezing at the sight. She was about to cry again, and surprisingly, Calvin seemed to notice too.
With visible reluctance, he forced the corners of his mouth upward. The smile was stiff and awkward, but it was enough for Alexis.
My daughter’s face instantly brightened. She turned to me with that radiant smile that always melted my heart, leaning her little face toward mine.
“Mommy, wipe please,” she said sweetly.
I shook my head in amazement. It was a mystery how my daughter could face Calvin’s resting bitch face without flinching. The man had all the warmth and approachability of a brick wall.
I gently dabbed her face with a tissue. The moment I finished, she turned back to Calvin with a beaming smile and proudly presented her clean face, swinging it from side to side.
“All clean now!” she announced, but she swung with such enthusiasm that she began to topple sideways.
Calvin and I both reached for her simultaneously, but he was faster, steadying her with one swift motion.
“Alexis!” I gasped.
She giggled. “I’m okay, Mommy p>
Then, to my utter shock, she planted a quick kiss on Calvin’s cheek. “Thank you, Alpha p>
Seeing she was safe, I let out a relieved breath. Calvin’s expression had darkened, becoming unreadable.
I quickly extended my arms toward my daughter.
“Alexis, come to Mommy now,” I urged, concerned about imposing on Calvin’s limited patience.
But my clever little schemer had other ideas. She pushed Rowan and Rhys toward me instead, her eyes twinkling mischievously as she settled more comfortably in Calvin’s arms.
“Mommy hold brothers,” she declared with a sly smile.
I understood what she was doing. She knew how much I missed my sons, how I longed to hold them whenever I could. My sweet, perceptive little girl was trying to give me that gift. She loved me, loved her brothers, and we all adored her.
Calvin’s POV
I noticed Alexis studying me with an intensity unusual for a child her age.When I looked down, she flashed me a sweet smile and wrapped her small arms around mine, her little pigtails bouncing with the movement.
Something in my chest softened.Before I knew what I was doing, I’d adjusted my hold to support her weight against my chest.
In the end, I found myself holding Evelyn’s daughter while she held our sons as someone took photographs. Alexis kept glancing up at me,her expression falling whenever she caught my serious face. Her eyes began to redden again, a silent threat of tears that somehow worked more effectively than any pack territory negotiation I’d ever handled as Alpha. Even the most aggressive rival packs weren’t this hard to deal with.
I found myself forcing another smile, just to keep her content. An unfamiliar emotion stirred in my chest, something I couldn’t quite identify or control.
After the photoshoot, the three children divided the pictures among themselves like precious treasures. Alexis carefully selected one from her share and presented it to me, her recently tear-filled eyes now sparkling with delight.
“For you, Alpha,” she said, looking up at me expectantly.
I took the phone, then went still.
There we were,the perfect family of five. All together, looking like we belonged.
Alexis was nestled in my arms, her innocent smile radiant as her small hand clutched my black shirt. My own lips were curved slightly upward in the photo, but what caught me off guard was where my gaze had landed on Evelyn, who stood beside me holding Rowan and Rhys. All three sharing the same captivating smile, the same enchanting curve of the eyes when they laughed.
Evelyn noticed my reaction. She stood close enough.
“I apologize,” she said carefully. “Alexis has always liked to share things. Don’t worry about it,you can discard the photo when she’s not looking p>
My expression darkened immediately. Even with my considerable height advantage and despite my slightly rumpled suit from holding her child, her dismissive words cut through me.
“Is that who you think I am?” I growled low. “Someone who would throw away a child’s gift p>
Evelyn’s POV
Calvin was too close. His mint scent hit me, stirring up old memories I’d rather forget.
I backed away.
His expression hardened, any trace of warmth vanishing in an instant.His Alpha aura making retreat impossible.
I glanced at my watch, seeking escape. “Alexis, sweetheart, your brothers need to go home now. Say goodbye p>
Both Rowan and Rhys looked reluctant to leave.
“Dad,” Rowan asked hopefully, “can we stay here tonight p>
Calvin stood in the light, his refusal absolute. “No p>
Rhys’s face fell in disappointment. Rowan, always the protective older twin by mere minutes, quickly reassured him, “Don’t worry, brother. We can come back tomorrow p>
Alexis also seemed devastated at their imminent departure. She looked to me for help, her eyes pleading.
I sighed, kneeling to embrace all three children. “Rowan, R-Rhys,” I stumbled slightly over my younger son’s name,”Mommy will pick you up from school tomorrow, okay p>
“And Alexis, be good. Your brothers need to go to school, but tomorrow Mommy will take you to meet them afterward p>
All three nodded obediently.