Chapter 31
Evelyn’s POV
That night, the black Maybach appeared outside my apartment building.
Alexis was curled up on the window seat in my bedroom when she spotted the man leaning against the car below. Her eyes lit up. She glanced at the bathroom door where I was showering, hesitated for a moment, then quietly slipped out.
She padded across the apartment in her slippers, carrying her little reindeer stool to reach the elevator button. The elevator took her from the third floor to the ground floor.
She emerged, still clutching her stool, made her way to the main entrance, and climbed up again to press the intercom. Soon, both the apartment door and the outer gate opened.
Alexis propped the door open with her stool, changed into her silver crystal shoes in the entryway, and happily ran outside.
Calvin’s POV
I was about to leave when I saw the gate open and a tiny figure running toward me.
Alexis threw her arms around my leg and looked up at me excitedly, her voice soft and pleading like a caress to my wolf’s senses. “Uncle, Uncle,” she called, reaching up for me to hold her.
When I lifted her, she kicked her little legs in excitement and wrapped her arms around my neck, peeking over my shoulder to look at the backseat of my car.
“Brothers?” she called out hopefully.
She smelled of bath soap with lingering traces of milk,sweet and innocent. I noticed she was wearing only a one-piece pajama, and my brow furrowed in concern. I reached into the backseat for my suit jacket and wrapped it securely around her.
“Your brothers are at home,” I explained.
Alexis, bundled in my oversized jacket with only her delicate face showing, blinked in sudden understanding. Her little mind had decided I’d come specifically to see her.
“Did Uncle come to see Alexis?” she asked.
Before I could answer, I felt a soft touch on my cheek.She’d planted a kiss there, accompanied by a radiant smile that tugged at something primal inside me.
Evelyn’s POV
I emerged from the bedroom to find Alexis missing, and my heart seized with panic.
“Alexis?” I called out, grabbing my phone to check the security cameras.
When I saw her taking the elevator down and leaving the building, my face drained of color. Without even grabbing a coat, I raced downstairs to find my child.
Calvin was already walking toward the building with Alexis in his arms.
Seeing me rushing out in just my slip-on shoes, he thought the scene looked familiar—just minutes ago, our daughter had done exactly the same thing. Like mother, like daughter.
When I spotted Alexis safely in Calvin’s arms, the tension and worry drained from my body so quickly that my legs nearly gave out. If Calvin hadn’t caught my arm, I would have collapsed right there.
I shakily stood up. “Th-thank you,” I managed to say.
Calvin kept his grip on my arm as a cold breeze swept past. Wearing only a thin nightgown, I couldn’t suppress the goosebumps rising on my skin.
Alexis reached for me. “Mommy p>
“Alexis Blackwell, who told you to run downstairs by yourself? Do you know how worried Mommy was My voice broke with emotion. I never imagined she would suddenly leave the apartment,something that had never happened before.
I moved to take her despite my shaky legs, but Calvin’s disapproving voice stopped me.
“Do you want to drop her in this state?” he asked harshly.
But I needed to hold my daughter. Alexis sensed my distress and leaned toward me, arms outstretched.
Calvin didn’t release her, concerned I might stumble, while his other hand still steadied me.
We stood there for a moment, the three of us frozen in a strange, intimate tableau that felt too much like a family.
Then, noticing the goosebumps on my arms, he gently ushered me inside with Alexis still held close against his chest, guiding me toward the sofa without a word.
Alexis immediately burrowed into my embrace, her soft cheek brushing against mine as she gently patted my chest over my heart.
“Don’t be scared, Mommy. Alexis is here,” she whispered.
I kept my expression serious. “Alexis, who told you it was okay to sneak out? Didn’t Mommy tell you never to leave the room alone p>
Alexis realized her mistake, hanging her head dejectedly before admitting, “I’m sorry, Mommy p>
She was barely over two years old,I should have anticipated this possibility.
Seeing her contrite little face, I couldn’t bring myself to scold her further. I sat her on my lap and softened my voice. “Mommy should apologize too. I shouldn’t have left you alone in the room p>
Alexis shook her head, believing I’d done nothing wrong. Still wrapped in Calvin’s oversized suit jacket, she retreated further into it until only her little face was showing.
“Uncle was downstairs,” she explained softly. “Alexis went to get brothers p>
My eyes stung with unshed tears.
“So Alexis went to find her brothers? Such a good girl. But next time, you can’t run out at night by yourself. Mommy gets worried, understand p>
The little one nodded obediently.
“Why did you come so late?” I finally looked up at Calvin.
“I… forgot the boys weren’t staying with you tonight,” he replied, his voice low and hesitant.
I could only stare at him, completely confused by his explanation.
Little Alexis curled up in my arms, a small bundle of warmth against my chest. When she heard his words, my daughter’s dark eyes widened in disbelief, her tiny lips curving into a pout. She couldn’t believe an adult would lie to someone as adorable as her.
Just moments ago, Calvin had told her that her brothers were at home, but now he claimed he didn’t know they weren’t with me.
Alexis’s face fell, her innocent eyes gazing up at him with pure disappointment. “You lied to me, Alpha,” she accused softly.
I noticed Calvin’s ears reddening slightly under my daughter’s accusing stare.
Her chubby cheeks were puffed out like a tiny pufferfish, and something about her expression seemed to affect him deeply,a flicker of recognition crossing his face.
He reached down to ruffle her thick hair, making a promise that sounded suspiciously like an attempt to redeem himself. “This weekend morning, I’ll have someone bring your brothers to play with you p>
The mention of her brothers immediately transformed Alexis’s mood. Her entire face lit up with joy.
She held up two tiny fingers, waggling them while looking directly into Calvin’s eyes. “Two days,” she negotiated.
Calvin nodded in agreement. “Alright, two days p>
My daughter’s eyes sparkled with delight. She turned to wrap her little arms around my neck, nuzzling against me. “Mama, I’m sleepy,” she murmured, her voice already growing drowsy.
I kissed her soft cheek.
“Mama will carry you to bed,” I assured her.
I turned toward Calvin, saying nothing.
My intent was clear,it was time for him to leave. The Alpha of Bloodbane Pack recognized my silent dismissal and took his cue.
As he left, I carried Alexis upstairs. She snuggled closer before sleep claimed her, rubbing her cheek against mine.
“Alexis loves Mama,” she whispered.
My heart melted at her words, the bond between us so pure and powerful it made my chest ache with love.
“Mama loves you too, sweetheart,” I whispered back.
After she fell asleep, I checked the security footage on my phone, watching how my daughter had made her way from her bedroom to Calvin. The monitors showed her instinctively gravitating toward him, reaching up for his embrace even though she had no idea he was her father.
My throat tightened as I watched their interaction,the way she trusted him without knowing why, the way she sought comfort in his arms.
This was the power of blood ties,he connection that couldn’t be severed.
I stepped out onto the balcony, letting the cold night air clear my thoughts. Only when I felt composed enough did I return to the bedroom, warming myself before slipping under the covers to hold my sweetly sleeping daughter.