Chapter 89
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Meanwhile, Aiden’s car came to a stop in front of his mansion. He alighted tiredly, shoulders heavy, and walked inside.
The moment he entered, his eyes caught James and Arthur at the dining table, both of them laughing as they played a game on James‘ phone.
Aiden stood still, his gaze lingering on Arthur. The boy’s laughter was light, his smile radiant and the resemblance was undeniable. His features mirrored Aiden’s so strongly it made his chest ache.
Cassia had told him the child was dead. That Arthur wasn’t his. He’d tried convincing himself to let it go, to stop wishing and to stop imagining… but every time he saw Arthur, his heart leapt in recognition, a pull he couldn’t explain.
“Maybe my mind is just playing tricks on me,” he thought, running a hand through his hair. But deep down, he knew it wasn’t his mind. It was his wolf.
“Oh look, Alpha Aiden is back!” Arthur giggled, springing from his chair.
Before Aiden could speak, the boy ran straight into his arms. Aiden ruffled his hair with a rare, genuine smile. Warmth flooded his chest. For the past seven years, coming home had felt like a chore, an empty house echoing with silence. Often, he had chosen to sleep in his car instead.
But now… now coming home felt different. Sweeter. Because he knew Arthur would be here, waiting with a hug. And Amelia, just seeing her face was enough to silence his demons, even if only for a moment.
For the first time in years, this house felt like a home again.
“I can see you two have been busy…” Aiden said as he guided Arthur back to the table.
“Yeah!” Arthur grinned, bouncing back to his seat. “We’ve been playing this weird duck game Uncle James invented. I didn’t know Uncle James was into tech stuff. My Uncle Damien told me he used to play games too, but when he became a doctor he had to quit p>
Aiden’s smile faltered. Uncle Damien? Why “uncle” and not “dad p>
His mind churned, but he forced himself to stay composed. Kids mixed things up sometimes. Ethan had once called him “Alpha Aiden” just because he’d overheard others do it. Maybe it was the same with Arthur.
“Oh yeah, James is a real tech pro,” Aiden said with a smirk. “Sometimes I wonder why he ever stopped p>
James chuckled. “Because I started working for you. Being your beta is harder than inventing any game p>
They all laughed.
“Uncle James, I’ll go get the iPad you gave me so Alpha Aiden can play with us too!” Arthur said brightly before racing, upstairs toward the guest room.
Aiden watched him go, his smile lingering. “That kid… he’s so smart. So full of life. Sometimes I wish…” He stopped himself, but the words slipped out anyway. “Sometimes I wish he was mine p>
18:04 Mon, Oct 20
Chapter 89
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James froze, then forced a tight smile. His chest clenched. He knew the truth. He wanted to tell Aiden, but it wasn’t his place. That choice belonged to Cassia alone.
Clearing his throat, James shifted the subject. “Jeremiah called me. Said he tracked the van p>
“Yeah.” Aiden nodded. “He called me too. I went to the car stand myself. Got an address but when I went
there, it turned out the guy hadn’t lived there for two years. I did meet a woman though. She said he became rich overnight and that someone from the Alpha’s family is behind it p>
James lips parted slightly. “From the Alpha’s family?” he asked cautiously.
Aiden nodded. “Yeah. But I think it’s just a rumor. If anyone in my family wanted Amelia dead, it’d be my father. But this doesn’t feel like him. His style leaves no trace. This? This feels sloppy. Like someone else.” He shrugged. “Still, I’ve got people searching. The borders are on watch. He won’t escape p>
“What’s his name?” James asked.
“Dante. Dante Colby.” Aiden’s jaw tightened. “And when I find him, he’ll regret ever laying a hand on what’s mine p>
James said nothing, instead he sighed.
Meanwhile, Sofia stood at the stair rails, watching James and Arthur laugh. Jealousy twisted her insides. James had never once played with Ethan like that. Never once looked at her son the way he did with Arthur.
And then there was Aiden. The way his face lit up when Arthur ran into his arms, the softness in his eyes when he ruffled the boy’s hair, it made Sofia’s stomach turn. She already knew the truth now. Arthur wasn’t Damien’s son. He was Aiden’s.
And if Aiden hadn’t realized it yet, she would make damn sure he never did.
The DNA test sample was already on its way to the lab. But Sofia wasn’t about to sit back and wait. She would take matters into her own hands. Slowly and carefully, she would destroy Arthur before the truth could ever
come out.
Her Ethan was the true heir of Red Moon Pack. No bastard child of Cassia’s would ever take that title away.
Her nails dug into the railing as she watched. The sight of Aiden’s smile, the way his hand lingered on Arthur’s hair, it broke something inside her. Rage replaced it, simmering hot.
She turned to leave when Arthur came bounding back upstairs. James and Aiden were still talking, deep in discussion.
Perfect
Sofia waited, then stepped forward, blocking Arthur’s path.
“Come here, little boy,” she said, her voice sharp.
Arthur hesitated, eyes narrowing, Slowly, he walked toward her. “Yes, ma’am?” he said respectfully, though his
voice held no warmth.
18:04 Mon, Oct 20
Chapter 89
48
55 vouchers
Sofia sneered, looking him over. The resemblance was undeniable. He had Aiden’s eyes, Aiden’s smile. Even his stubborn posture screamed Aiden Miller’s blood. The thought made her stomach twist.
“ I want you to pass a message to your mother,” she spat. “Tell her to pack her things and get out of this house. Take you and go back to wherever she came from. And stay away from my son and this pack p>
Arthur blinked, then lifted his chin. “Alpha Aiden said we should stay. You can’t just tell us to leave p>
Sofia’s eyes widened. Did this brat just talk back to me?
“How dare you! I am the Luna of this pack. I have as much authority as Aiden. I can tell you and your mother to leave whenever I want p>
Arthur’s lips curved into a small smirk. “You’re just the Luna of RedMoon pack, ma’am. But my mom is the Alpha of Velaris. There’s a difference.” His eyes gleamed with defiance. “Maybe if you stopped hating on her and bullying her every chance you get, you might actually grow some hair on your head p>
Before Sofia could react, Arthur darted into the guest room and slammed the door.
Sofia stood frozen, her face twisted in horror. Her scalp prickled. “Hair?” she whispered.
Her hand flew to her head, pulling out her phone as she caught her reflection in the small mirror. Her breath hitched. The front of her hair was thinning, ripped out when Cassia had dragged her by it last night. She’d been so focused on her bruises, she hadn’t noticed until now.
Her reflection mocked her.
Her jaw clenched, veins throbbing at her temple as pure rage filled her.
“I’ll make you regret this, Amelia,” she hissed. “I’ll make you regret ever coming back and I will kill your precious son p>
TBC
AD