Chapter 12
Calvin’s POV
I’d grown accustomed to Alexis’s unpredictable video calls by now.
Sitting in my Packhouse office reviewing pack territory negotiations,I watched Alexis’s freshly-bathed face on screen, her hair still fluffy and her blue pajamas making her look like a tiny stuffed animal.
If only she were my Alexis, I would give her all the best things in the world!
“Big brother is doing homework,”I said, not sure why I kept up this pretense but finding myself unable to block the contact.
Alexis wasn’t satisfied. Her chubby finger tapped the screen impatiently as she stared at me with growing frustration. She was smart,despite her young age.
“Want brother,” she insisted, her demands growing more insistent. “Brother, brother, I want brother p>
Her stubborn insistence woke something strange inside me. As an Alpha, I was used to giving orders, not taking them, especially from a small pup who barely reached my knee. But her determination reminded me of Evelyn’s strong will, and I found myself giving in.
“Tomorrow,” I promised, surprising myself. “You can see your brother tomorrow p>
Alexis, clever as she was, immediately brightened.
With a quick wave of her hand, she ended the call before I could change my mind.
I looked at the dark screen, surprised at how easily this sweet little girl had won me over.
The next day, when Rowan returned from preschool, he looked surprised to find me home early.
“Your mother’s account is back,” I told him simply, handing him my phone.
His face lit up instantly as he connected the video call.
Evelyn answered, and surprise filled her eyes when she saw both Rowan’s happy face and me standing behind him.
“Mom, I miss you so much! And I miss Alexis too!” Rowan exclaimed, his voice carrying a happiness I rarely heard at home.
“We miss you too, sweetheart,” Evelyn replied softly,her voice sending an unwelcome tremor through my wolf.
She placed the phone on a stand before picking up Alexis.
When Alexis saw her brother on the screen, her face lit up with happiness, like a sunflower finding the sun.
“Brother!” she shouted, her joy obvious.
Evelyn kissed Alexis’s pink cheek.”Alexis, talk with your brother while Mommy makes dinner, okay p>
She moved toward what appeared to be an open kitchen connected to the living room, still keeping an eye on Alexis.
Alexis nodded happily and started showing Rowan her new toy with excitement.
“Brother, look!” she said, holding up something colorful to the camera.
“Alex, I bought you a new toy too!” Rowan announced proudly. He turned to me, “Dad, can you hold this for a minute p>
Without waiting for my reply, he ran upstairs to get his sister’s gift.
While holding the phone, I looked around Evelyn’s home through the screen. It was clean, tidy and cozy, not fancy like our packhouse, but clearly a warm, loving home. That thought bothered me more than it should.
Rowan returned quickly with a stuffed animal.Meanwhile, Rhys emerged from the bathroom and, noticing the video call, curiously approached.
“Alexis?” he asked, surprised to see his sister.
Though they were identical twins, Alexis never confused them.
Seeing Rhys, her face changed to a careful look. She remembered him with Clara, the woman who had hurt her mother. She stayed quiet until Rowan came back on screen, then smiled right away.
“Time to eat, sweetie. Say goodbye to your brother,” Evelyn called from the kitchen.
“Bye-bye, brother,” Alexis waved sweetly.
When the call ended, my wolf stirred uneasily inside me. I felt angry seeing my former Luna doing well without me, yet I also missed her time with me.
During dinner, I noticed Rowan kept stealing glances at me, obviously nervous about something. Finally, I set down my fork. “What’s on your mind, son p>
My heart clenched when Rowan nervously asked, “Dad, can I visit my sister this weekend? I got her a new toy p>
I wanted to refuse right away, but seeing the hope in his eyes made me hesitate.
“The chauffeur can take you,” I found myself saying.
“Dad,” Rhys suddenly looked up from his plate, “I want to go too. You should drive us there yourself p>
Evelyn’s ’s POV
Rowan told me that Calvin had agreed to let him visit Alexis on weekend.
Saturday morning came, and to my surprise, Calvin arrived with Clara in tow. She was acting like she owned the place, like she had already taken my place as the Luna of the Bloodbane Pack.
Clara held Rhys’s hand with one of hers while trying to grab Rowan’s with the other, but he pulled away from her.
I could see her swallow her annoyance as she plastered on a fake smile.
“Evelyn, thank you so much for watching my children,” she said with fake sweetness. “Calvin and I will come get them after our appointment p>
Her children? I looked at the Maybach’s back seat and laughed to myself. So that’s why the proud Alpha let the boys visit me, he was hurrying to a date with his dear Clara.
Little Alexis handed two bottles of juice to Rowan, deliberately ignoring Rhys. My sweet boy shared one with his brother anyway.
Rhys looked directly at me and said defiantly, “I won’t drink anything from the bad woman p>
“Rhys, you can’t talk to Mom like that,” Rowan scolded him.
Rhys looked at Alexis in my arms and said firmly, “She’s not our mom p>
My face grew cold at his words.
Alexis quickly kissed my cheek. “Love Mommy. Mommy good p>
Clara smiled at Rhys’s words. She threw the juice Rowan had given Rhys in the trash and turned on me.
“Rhys is allergic to orange juice. You didn’t know that?” she said loudly. “How can I trust my children with someone who doesn’t know such things p>
Her loud voice brought Calvin from the car.
Alexis shook with fear, and I softly rubbed her back.”Don’t be scared, baby. Mommy’s here p>
Calvin frowned. “What’s going on p>
Clara’s face turned tearful. “Calvin, dear, Evelyn is Rhys’s real mother, but she doesn’t even know about his orange juice allergy? He could have drunk it if I hadn’t stopped him p>
The Alpha stared at me hard. We had been mated for five years, and I thought Calvin would understand who I really was, even if he didn’t love me. But he believed Clara’s words first, doubting me instead.
I let out a harsh laugh. “Clara, Rhys isn’t allergic to orange juice. He just dislikes sour drinks, just like his father. And by the way, that was pumpkin juice, not orange juice p>
I faced Calvin.”What are you staring at? Don’t you know your own child? He made up the allergy story because he knows you hate it when he’s picky about food p>
Seeing his lie exposed, Rhys avoided his father’s eyes and hid behind Rowan.
Looking at Clara with disgust, I said, “If you’re not going to use those eyes for seeing the truth, perhaps someone else could put them to better use than spreading lies p>
Clara prepared to turn on the waterworks again, looking tearfully at Calvin.
Calvin frowned deeply. “Evelyn, don’t speak so harshly. Clara was only concerned about Rhys. During these three years of your absence, she often came to spend time with the children. As their mother, you should actually thank her p>
What filthy words from this man!
Alexis looked between her mother and Calvin, then walked over and hugged his legs, hitting him with her chubby little hands. “Bad uncle p>
Calvin lifted her up with both hands, his blue eyes falling on her tiny fists.
My little one immediately began to cry.
I rushed over to take her, but he moved too quickly, already cradling her in his arms.
“Evelyn, we need to talk again,” he said, his eyes deep and intense.
I was about to say there was nothing to discuss when I noticed his gaze shifting to our sons. Not wanting to leave the children alone in the living room, I led Calvin to the adjoining balcony.
“Speak,” I said curtly.
Calvin spoke directly. “Kids need their mother while growing up. You can see them whenever you want, but you need to set a better example. Your hostility towards Clara isn’t healthy. The boys like her, and your behavior puts them in an awkward position p>
I felt my throat tighten. Five years of mateship with this arrogant Alpha felt worse than being tied to a stray mutt.
“Calvin, save your lecture for someone else. As long as she stays out of my face, I couldn’t care less about her p>
My disdain for Clara was clear, and Calvin replied coldly, “Evelyn, when did you become so bitter p>
Our second talk in two weeks had ended in another fight.