Chapter 166
Calvin’s POV
The top floor of Wolfe Haven International was dead silent. The only sound was the rustle of papers as I reviewed the reports.
Knock. Knock.
Zeon, my Beta, opened the door. He looked breathless.
“Alpha, the housekeeper from the pack house called. Ms. Blackwell and Alex have arrived at the mansion. For the gathering p>
I kept my face blank, but my heart picked up speed instantly.
My grandfather’s birthday party. I had stayed at the office to avoid it. I knew it was just a matchmaking trap in disguise.
But Evelyn was there. And her daughter.
Cyra stirred inside me, suddenly alert. She’s there.
“Get the car,” I said, standing up. I grabbed my jacket and walked out. I didn’t even try to hide the urgency in my voice.
I didn’t know what my grandfather was thinking, but I knew I had to get back there.
Beta Zeon was ahead of me. The car was already waiting. We were in the elevator in less than a minute.
By the time I rushed back to the pack house looking for Evelyn, Rowan and Rhys were taking Alex to the yard to play with other kids their age.
They were happy to see me. I picked up one in each arm.
Rhys whispered in my ear, “Dad, Great-Grandfather asked Mom to talk with him in the study. Do you think he’ll convince Mom to come back p>
Rowan said, “Dad, you should go check. What if Great-Grandfather gives Mom a hard time p>
Rowan was always the one who worried most about his mother.
Alexis stood to the side, staring at me with innocent, adorable eyes.
I put down the two boys and crouched down to kiss Alex. “How come you’re not being affectionate with me anymore p>
Alex said, “If I get too close to you, Gray will be mad p>
Oh, that Eros Pack guy who stays close to Evelyn—Logan’s half-brother.
I kissed Alex’s little cheek and said, “Well, I get jealous when you’re not close to me. I’m going to find your mom now. Play nicely with your brothers p>
With that, I headed toward my grandfather’s study.
When I reached the door, using my keen werewolf hearing, I could hear the conversation inside.
Evelyn’s POV
The children left the sitting room hand in hand.
A heavy silence fell between Elder Harold and me. It felt like a wall.
He started by asking about my life these past three years. Then, he smoothly steered the conversation toward Alexis’s biological father.
I thanked the Moon Goddess I used the Drake family’s private hospital. With Huslia’s help, my pregnancy was a secret. No records. Nothing.
I met Elder Harold’s gaze. “I don’t know who the father is,” I said calmly.
“When I saw the news about Calvin… about Clara and the twins… I was heartbroken. I wanted a child that was mine alone. So I went to a sperm bank p>
The lie came out easily. It sounded vulnerable enough to be true.
But Elder Harold had been the Alpha of the Bloodbane Pack for decades. He was sharp. Alexis looked like me, but anyone who knew Calvin as a child could see the resemblance. The Wolfe features were there.
But my confidence made him hesitate.
Little did I know, he had already arranged for a DNA test behind my back.
“Let’s forget the parentage for now,” Elder Harold said finally. “Wolfe or not, I adore her. Bring her to visit this old wolf more often p>
I smiled politely. I didn’t say yes or no.
I knew he had other motives. Maybe it was about Diana. Her brother was in prison because of me, and Diana was technically part of the Pack.
Or perhaps p>
I knew the truth. Calvin’s father approached me in college because Harold ordered it. He was the one who really wanted us to marry.
Now, I just wanted to keep my distance. I only dealt with Calvin for the boys. But clearly, Elder Harold had other ideas.
“Calvin’s mother was cold. A businesswoman,” he began. “She gave him very little love. And his father… well, you know Gregory p>
Elder Harold sighed. Deeply.
“Arranged marriages often turn into love. I hoped Calvin’s parents would figure it out p>
I stayed silent, listening.
“Evelyn,” he said after another sigh. “I raised Calvin. I taught him many things. But feelings… that wasn’t my strength. The boy has always been clueless about relationships p>
His eyes softened with regret. “Those five years… I know it was hard for you p>
I gave him a calm smile. “Elder Harold, that’s all in the past p>
I’ve never been one to dwell on the past, whether in relationships or business. I prefer moving forward. Suffering belongs to yesterday; focusing too much on what happened only consumes your present and ruins your future.
Seeing my smile, Elder Harold tried one last time to help his grandson.
“I know you were wronged. Calvin was at fault. He was blind to people’s true colors. He repaid a debt blindly and lost a real treasure. He deserved to suffer these last three years p>
He was judging his grandson, but he was also defending him.
“But Rowan and Rhys are still little. They need a complete family. Both parents.” His voice dropped, full of emotion. “For the sake of the children… would you consider remarrying Calvin p>
My blood boiled. Who said a broken home meant the kids couldn’t thrive?
I dropped the polite act.
“Elder Harold,” I said coldly. “I’m divorced, not dead p>
Elder Harold was stunned by my rejection. The silence between us was heavy. It was loaded with old wounds. I kept my face calm, even though a storm was raging inside me.
“Is forcing a loveless marriage really best for the kids?” I asked. My voice was steady.
I wanted to say more. Didn’t Calvin’s parents already prove this? His cold father and bitter mother made him the distant Alpha he is today. But I held my tongue. I didn’t want to hurt the old man. He had enough regrets.
“Even if Calvin and I are apart,” I said, holding his gaze. “We still love our boys. That won’t change p>
I pointed to the window. The boys were playing in the distance. “Rowan and Rhys are strong. Do they look broken to you p>
Elder Harold’s shoulders dropped. He looked resigned.The air was thick with things we couldn’t say.
I finally turned and walked out of the room. I didn’t look back.