Chapter 245
Chapter 245
“Don’t you dare presume to make demands about my children,” I bit out coldly.
The room fell silent.
The growl of my wolf rang in my ears, sharp and warning. I held it back, but barely. I could feel the snarl on my face.
“Apologies, alpha,” the man said, lowering his gaze.
I took a deep breath, restraining my anger with some effort
“I am telling you now that the boys are here because I will not be hiding them any longer. You will notice the increased security around the packhouse. You will see us out in public as a family. I wanted to clarify the situation before speculation could run wild. My boys are not yet old enough to fill any role to the pack and there will be no demands made of them to do so,” I said sternly.
For a moment, I could feel the bitterness of my own childhood expectations bubbling up. I forced it down. I would never allow my children to feel like that.
“I want to be clear,” I said, gaze sharp. “There is zero doubt the boys are mine and the rightful heirs to Silver Fan. The decision to hide them from the public was not one that was made lightly. It was necessary to protect them from the violence that was directed at them. In light of the attack that nearly killed them, it was the only logical thing to do p>
A reporter shouted, “You’re referring to the poisoning attempt p>
I nodded. “Yes p>
The room stilled.
“My sons were targeted before they were even born,” I said evenly. “I would do anything to ensure that never happens again p>
Someone asked, “Do you regret keeping them from the public p>
I didn’t hesitate. “No p>
That answer landed harder than I expected.
“I regret that circumstances made it necessary,” I clarified. “But I will never regret choosing my family’s safety p>
Another voice cut in. “What about the rumors surrounding your injury? That you were hurt protecting Cassian of Moonstone p>
I paused.
I hadn’t expected a question like this. I’d been so focused on the boys that I’d forgotten the other rumors and news stories that were currently circulating. I could deny it could deflect.
Instead, I told the truth.
“Yes,” I said simply. “I was p>
The reaction was immediate-gasps, murmurs, frantic typing.
“Why?” someone asked.
“Because he’s family,” I replied, more forcefully than necessary. “And because that’s what leaders do p>
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Chapter 245
+25 Bonus
“Is it true that Lance is engaged to Isla of Cresent River?” another reporter asked.
I raised an eyebrow as I turned toward her. “My brother’s personal life is his business,” I replied pointedly.
The rest of the conference passed in a blur. Questions about the campaign, about Ellie’s lineage, about the future of Silver Fang. I answered what he could, deflected what I had to.
When it was over, I left the hall exhausted but oddly lighter
Later that evening, I found Ellie in the nursery.
She’d offered to be there for the press conference, but I wasn’t about to subject her
to that circus or the questions they would inevitably shout at her.
She sat on the floor, August crawling toward her with determined enthusiasm while lan gnawed happily on a wooden ring.
I leaned against the doorway, watching. My heart felt unbearably full. This little room
held my entire world. It was a profoundly humbling and frightening thought.
“They’re saying good things,” Ellie said without looking up. “About you p>
I snorted softly. “That’s new p>
She smiled. “You were honest p>
I crossed the room, lowering myself beside her. “I don’t know how else to be anymore p>
Ellie studied me for a long moment, then nodded. “Good p>
I put my hand on lan’s back, and he rolled over to look up at me, a wide smile spreading across his face. I couldn’t resist running my index finger across his chubby, soft cheek. He giggled at the way it tickled, and I felt the tightness in my chest release.
We sat together in companionable silence, the boys between us, the future uncertain but no longer unthinkable. The warmth of the moment seemed to settle over us both and, almost without thinking, I reached for Ellie’s hand.
She laced her fingers with mine.
Outside the nursery, the pack buzzed with renewed energy.
I knew that peace was a far-off dream. There were still so many questions
unanswered and threats unaddressed. But right now, everything I needed was
within arm’s reach, and that was all that mattered.
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