Chapter 194
Chapter 188
Lucas’s POV:
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The crystal chandeliers of Moonlight Hall cast their ethereal glow across the gathered wolves, their light refracting through cut glass to create patterns that mimicked moonbeams on water.
I adjusted my cufflinks and surveyed the room with the practiced eye of an Alpha who’d attended too many of these formal dinners.
Dylan Freeman stood beside me, his posture relaxed. “Another thrilling evening of political theater,” he murmured, low enough that only I could
hear.
I didn’t respond. My attention was caught by Charlotte Shepherd’s entrance.
She looked young-yet here she was at such a crucial gathering. So Willian|| is truly grooming her as his heir, I thought, watching as her eyes darted nervously to her father’s second-in-command, where to sit, how to navigate the treacherous waters of Elder Council politics.
The seating arrangement had been carefully orchestrated, as always.
Grayson Pack at the head, Freeman Pack to my right, Shepherd Pack across from us. But it was the figure approaching the Sullivan that
made Duke stir restlessly in my mind.
Owen Sullivan.
I’d heard William was ill. When I’d discovered William had secretly commissioned a DNA test with Tori, I’d been surprised-shocked, even-to
learn he was her father. I was still deliberating whether to tell Tori.
But instead of feeling joy at discovering he had a living daughter, William apparently felt nothing but shame.
The thought stirred an irritation in my chest that surprised me with its intensity. My protective instincts flared-my girl wasn’t someone for them to look down upon or feel ashamed of.
Who were they to treat her existence as an inconvenience?
Duke growled his agreement. They don’t deserve her.
Owen caught my eye across the room, and the look he gave me was loaded with meaning I couldn’t quite decipher.
It wasn’t hostile-not exactly. But it was… significant. Purposeful.
I moved to my designated place, hyperaware of Owen’s continued attention
The dinner progressed through its courses with agonizing slowness. Political discussions disguised as casual conversation. Veiled threats wrapped in compliments. The usual dance of Pack politics that I’d been performing since I was old enough to understand what it meant to be an Alpha.
“Alpha Lucas,” a server appeared at my elbow, “the moon-dew fruit essence you ordered for your Luna has been prepared for pickup p>
“Thank you,” I said evenly, as if the server hadn’t just announced to half the Elder Council that I was providing pregnancy supplements for someone. “Have it sent to my residence p>
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Chapter 188
The server bowed and retreated.
I stood, signaling that I was ready to leave.
“Alpha Lucas p>
$377%B
Owen’s voice stopped me at the entrance. I turned slowly.
“Mr. Owen.” I kept my tone neutral. “I didn’t expect to see you tonight. I hope William is well p>
“A minor indisposition.” Owen’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Nothing serious, but he felt it best to rest. I’m here in his stead p>
We stood there in the entrance hall, the sounds of the dinner fading behind us.
“I know about Tori Sullivan,” Owen said quietly, his words precise and deliberate. “I know she’s your Luna. And I know she’s my granddaughter p>
“That’s quite a claim, I said, my voice dropping to something dangerous.
*Based on blood that doesn’t lie.” Owen’s expression remained calm despite the weight of my power pressing against him.
He studied my face for a moment, then seemed to reach a decision. “You already know, don’t you? There’s no point in dancing around it. *
“So?” I kept my voice flat, dangerous. “What exactly do you want, Owen p>
“We want Tori to come home.” Owen’s words were careful, measured. “She’s William’s only living blood. His daughter. She belongs with Sullivan
Pack, with her family p>
“And then what?” My expression remained impassive. “Drag her into your Pack’s turmoil? Deny her peace p>
Owen faltered, then bristled slightly. “You think I’d bring her back just to make her suffer? Besides, with Tori as part of Sullivan Pack, our
families would be united through marriage. A strong alliance between Grayson and Sullivan-surely that benefits you as well p>
I spoke coolly, my tone indifferent. “The advantages of a political alliance are merely icing on the cake for me p>
I paused, and something warm flickered in my eyes. Compared to that, the health and safety of my Luna and child are far more important p>
“Is it?” Owen took a step closer. “She’s Sullivan blood, Lucas. She belongs with her family, with her Pack. She deserves to know where she comes from, who her father is p>
“Her father?” The laugh that escaped me was harsh. “Where was her father when she was being abused by her mother? Where was Sullivan Pack when she was locked in Silver Fang for four years? Where was this precious family when she needed them p>
Owen’s jaw tightened. “We didn’t know-
“Exactly.” I cut him off, my patience fraying. “You didn’t know. You didn’t care to know. She overcame countless obstacles on her own to get where she is today. And now you want to disrupt the peaceful life she’s finally built for herself p>
“That’s not p>
‘I don’t care what it is.” I stepped forward, letting the full weight of my Alpha presence fill the space. “Tori is under my protection. Not Sullivan
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Pack politics. Not blood ties that were ignored for twenty-two years. Not whatever alliance or advantage you think claiming her will bring p>
*Sullivan Pack didn’t want her twenty-two years ago. You have no right to disturb her now p>
I continued, “You should know what your family situation is like. Tori is young, her heart is pure. She’s not suited to navigate Sullivan Pack’s political games and schemes. So from now on, I’d appreciate it if Sullivan Pack keeps their distance from my Luna p>
My tone sounded conversational, almost casual. But the danger beneath my words was unmistakable.
Without waiting for his response, I turned and walked toward my car, leaving Owen standing alone in the night wind, his face flushed with
frustration and indignation.
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