Chapter 81
Chapter S1
Chapter 81
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“Did Aiden not really come home last night?” Cassia asked, her voice quiet but edged with curiosity, James turned to her and nodded.
“He didn’t. He went for a run and never came back, but I’m sure he’s fine,” James replied.
Cassia sighed and didn’t say a word. She wasn’t worried about Aiden, at least that’s what she told herself. She was simply curious, wondering where he could have spent the night. Quickly, she shook the thought from her mind and forced her attention elsewhere.
But then her mind betrayed her, drifting to the drawer in the guest room.
“James… I saw Aiden’s clothes in the drawer in the guest room,” she said, her tone guarded as she set the hand towel down on the counter.
James blinked and gave a small shrug. “Oh, the maid must have forgotten to remove them. You know… Aiden has been sleeping in the guest room. That’s practically his room p>
Cassia froze, her brows knitting as her eyes fixed on him. “What do you mean p>
“I mean.” James said carefully, “since he got married to Sofia, they haven’t been sleeping in the same room. He either sleeps in his study or here in the guest room. That’s why his clothes are there. I’ll tell the maids to move them p>
Cassia stood in silence, her thoughts spiraling, Married, yet living apart? Her lips pressed together tightly. She had thought they were sharing a life together, and yet here was proof that something about their marriage wasn’t what it appeared. She sighed and pushed the thoughts down, walking away before James could read her expression.
“I’ll go get dressed for the hospital now. Arthur, please be a good boy,” Cassia said, leaning down to kiss her son on the cheek.
Arthur grinned and nodded, watching his mother’s figure retreat.
The moment she was gone, James found himself staring at Arthur. The boy looked so much like Aiden it was impossible to ignore those same brown eyes and that sharp jawline in miniature.
Arthur caught his gaze and smirked. “I know I’m handsome, and it’s fine if you can’t stop staring p>
James chuckled. “Seriously, kid, you’re funny p>
Arthur tilted his chin proudly. “I know, right? And I’ve got a great sense of humor too, just like Alpha Aiden p>
James raised a brow, curiosity flickering. “And how exactly do you know Alpha Aiden has a great sense of humor p>
Arthur grinned wider. “Well, I do. So I believe he does too. Can’t you see how much we look alike? The brown eyes, the hair, everything. Sometimes I feel like I’m his clone p>
James‘ chest tightened. The kid wasn’t wrong. Every resemblance screamed Aiden, and it rattled him more
15:30 Sun, Oct 19 M.
Chapter 81
than he wanted to admit.
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“Yeah, I think it’s just a coincidence you both look so alike especially since Doctor Damien is your father,” James said carefully.
Arthur blinked, confused. “Uncle Damien p>
“Yeah. Isn’t he your dad p>
Arthur laughed softly, shaking his head. “Well, I’d love him to be my dad if my mom ever marries him, but no, he’s not my dad. He’s just my uncle. He loves me and he loves my mom, that’s all p>
James‘ lips parted. Shock rolled through him. Cassia had lied to Aiden last night, told him Arthur was Damien’s son. But here was the truth, spilling from the mouth of a child, pure, and unfiltered. Damien wasn’t his father. Which meant…
Arthur is Aiden’s son.
James dragged a hand down his face, trying to steady himself. His mind spun. Why was Cassia hiding this? Why carry this secret all these years? The thought of telling Aiden crossed his mind but he pushed it away. It wasn’t his place to. If anyone would tell Aiden the truth, it was Cassia’s place to not him.
“Uncle James, you look lost,” Arthur said, snapping him from his thoughts.
James forced a smile. “Yeah, I mean, no. I was just thinking about what you said p>
“About Uncle Damien?” Arthur tilted his head.
“Yeah… about everything.” James studied him. “So… Do you have any idea who your real father is p>
Arthur’s shoulders slumped slightly. “No. I ask my mom sometimes, but she never tells me. She just looks sad and changes the subject.” He paused, then leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. “But I’ve been thinking… what if Alpha Aiden is my real dad p>
James‘ pulse spiked. He leaned forward, almost breathless. “Why do you think that p>
Arthur grinned faintly, innocent and sharp all at once. “Because the signs are there. We look the same. And when I saw him at the welcome party, I felt something… like a connection. It’s hard to explain, but it felt real p>
James sat back, utterly shaken. This boy is too smart. Too observant. Smarter than half the adults in this pack.
Arthur’s eyes sparkled with mischief and determination. “I was thinking… we can’t just tell Alpha Aiden. Not yet. But maybe we could do a DNA test secretly, just to be sure. You can take a piece of my hair, and since you’re Alpha Aiden’s Beta, it’d be easy for you to get his. Then we’ll know the truth. And when we have proof… maybe then we’ll tell him p>
James‘ jaw dropped. He stared at the little boy in disbelief. How old is he again? Six? Seven?
He was too young to be carrying this much awareness. Too young to be plotting like this. And yet James couldn’t deny the truth in his words.
15:30 Sun, Oct 19 M
Chapter 81
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