Chapter 244
Chapter 244
Third person POV
Lance had never thought he’d feel at home in the packhouse.
For most of his life, it had felt like a place he passed through-a stone monument to expectations he never quite fit. He’d slept there, eaten there, grown up there, but it had never felt like it belonged to him.
That was changing.
He found himself there more often now, not because Nolan asked him to be, but because there was work to do- and because, surprisingly, he wanted to do it. Coordinating with the guards, checking in with staff, fielding the endless questions that followed the twins’ return. It was overwhelming, sometimes irritating, and entirely new.
And yet.
He was good at it.
Isla noticed.
She lingered near the training yard while Lance spoke with one of the senior warriors, arms folded loosely, her expression thoughtful rather than bored. When he finished, she approached with an easy smile.
“You handled that well,” she said.
Lance shrugged. “Low bar p>
She laughed softly. “You’re underselling yourself p>
They walked together toward the packhouse, an unspoken ease settling between them. Isla had become a common presence lately-at meals, during strategy meetings she technically had no reason to attend, hovering just close enough to Lance that people had started noticing.
Lance noticed too.
He liked the way she listened when he talked. Liked the way she challenged him without making him feel small. Liked that she didn’t expect him to suddenly transform into someone else just because his brother was alpha.
As they reached the steps, Isla’s phone chimed.
She stiffened.
Lance caught it immediately. “Everything okay p>
She hesitated, eyes flicking away. “Just… my parents p>
He frowned. “They don’t usually contact you this much, do they? It seems like your phone is constantly chirping at you p>
He meant it as a joke, but he could see by the look on her fae it hadn’t landed.
“No,” she admitted. “They don’t p>
Another message came through. Isla’s jaw tightened.
Lance stopped walking. “Isla p>
She looked at him, something guarded settling over her features. “It’s nothing I need to worry you
“That’s usually not true when someone says that p>
about p>
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Chapter 244
+25 Bonus
A faint smile tugged at her mouth, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “You worry enough as it is p>
He studied her for a moment, then nodded. “Okay. But if you change your mind, I’m here p>
She nodded, grateful, but tension still coiled beneath her calm.
As they parted, Isla glanced back once, her expression conflicted.
Lance watched her go, unease settling in his gut.
Nolan POV
By the time I stood before the cameras, I could feel the weight of the pack pressing in from all sides.
Not physically-though the hall was full-but emotionally. Expectant. Hungry. Hopeful.
I hated that part of this.
I hated that my life, my family, my sons, had become something people debated and dissected. But I also knew the truth: hiding had only fed the rumors.
It was a tricky situation, politically. My advisors had a thousand questions when I’d explained to them. They’d also had a thousand ideas about how I should make the public aware of the twins.
In the end, of course, I decided to do it my way.
I had hidden my children long enough. I wouldn’t play games or mince words about this. I couldn’t be more proud of them and I wanted the world to know, not just the pack.
So I stood tall, injury still lingering but no longer defining me, and faced the room. “Thank you for coming,” I began, my voice steady. “I know there’s been a great deal of speculation about my personal life. Today, I want to put an end to that p>
Cameras flashed. Reporters leaned forward.
“Yes,” I continued, “Ellie has returned from Moonstone. She’s here to stay. And as many of you have reported already, she brought her children with her. My children. August and lan Silver Fang p>
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
“You have children?” one voice called out in surprise.
“How old are they?” another shouted.
“How long have you known?” another asked sharply.
The voices rose into an indistinguishable roar as more voices called out. Some were surprised, others accusatory.
This was about the reaction I had expected. I remained calm, giving them time to process that I had just confessed. That is, until one voice demanded: “Let us see them p>
My eyes snapped to the source of the voice. A middle-aged man, thinning gray hair, dark eyes, thick build. His expression shifted as soon as I looked at him, losing the confidence of his words.
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