Chapter 174
Calvin’s POV
I watched my sons finish their breakfast in the Bloodbane Pack’s formal dining room. My grandfather, Elder Howard, sat at the head of the table, his silver hair neatly combed back.
The boys were unusually quiet this morning. Perhaps they could feel the tension in the air. Rowan kept studying me, while Rhys was busy arranging his bacon into some kind of pattern on his plate.
“Boys, finish up. We need to leave for school soon,” I said, glancing at my watch.
As they hurried to clean their plates, Howard caught my eye and motioned for me to join him at the other end of the table. I knew that look. He was ready for a serious conversation.
“Calvin,” he said once I sat down next to him, keeping his voice low so the twins wouldn’t overhear. “If you still have feelings for Evelyn, you need to bring her back where she belongs p>
I stiffened. “Grandfather p>
“No, listen to me,” he cut me off, his eyes still sharp despite his age. “No grandson of mine should be hesitant or indecisive. You screwed up in the past, so own your mistakes. Life is long, and as long as you do right by Evelyn from now on, everything can be mended p>
I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of his expectations pressing down on me. “It’s not that simple p>
“Rowan and Rhys need their mother,” he continued as if I hadn’t spoken. “And that little girl, Alexis—I have a gut feeling she’s our blood, too p>
The prospect of having another great-grandchild made his eyes light up with unmistakable joy. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope, sliding it across the table.
“This is a paternity test I had done on you and Alexis,” he said.
My jaw tightened. “You did what p>
“I haven’t looked at the results,” he added quickly, reading my expression. “Don’t hold this against me, Calvin. After you see the results and confirm who she is, bring her home and restore her to the Wolfe name p>
My brow furrowed, my gaze darkening like a gathering storm. I didn’t tell him that I’d already run a test of my own, confirming Alexis wasn’t my biological daughter. But that didn’t matter to me anymore.
“Grandfather,” I said firmly, “I’ve already publicly claimed Alexis as my daughter p>
I leaned forward, ensuring he grasped the weight of what I was about to say. “Whether she shares my blood or not, she is my daughter. Do you understand me p>
Howard studied my face for a long moment. I could tell he wanted to argue, but he also knew that look.
“Grandfather, I’ve made up my mind,” I said with finality.
I had always been stubborn, and once my mind was set, nobody could change it.
I took the unopened paternity test and left the dining room, locking it in the safe in my bedroom before heading out to take the boys to school.
Evelyn’s POV
I rubbed my eyes after staring at data for hours. My Wolf Instinct Suppression Reversal project still wasn’t working right.
“Evelyn,” Gary said, putting coffee on my desk. “The molecular analysis is done. Better results, but still not good enough p>
I sighed and picked up the mug. “Thanks. Let’s try different enzyme ratios p>
Hours passed before my phone buzzed with a missed call from Eryx. Several texts followed,
[Alex looking for her brothers. Wanted to visit Bloodbane pack house. Taking her to the park instead p>
My heart sank. I quickly finished work and headed home, feeling guilty. Since Calvin took the boys back to the pack house, Alexis had been sad. She missed her brothers badly.
When I got home, Alexis was coming back from the park with Eryx. Her face lit up when she saw me, a blue balloon bouncing as she ran into my arms.
“Mommy!” she called out.
I picked her up, smelling cotton candy and jasmine on her. “Hey, sweetheart. Did you have fun at the park p>
She nodded but I felt her sadness. “I went to find Rowan and Rhys today,” she said quietly as I carried her inside.
Eryx followed with stuffed animals and park toys. His face told me there was more to this story.
“What happened?” I asked him.
“We went to Wolfe Haven International,” he explained, putting down the toys. “The front desk knew her and let us up, but some secretary said we needed an ’appointment’ to see Alpha Calvin p>
Calvin’s secretary, besides Beta Zeon, also had a female secretary named Simone. Zeon would never prevent Alex from seeing Calvin.
My jaw tightened. “Simone p>
He nodded. “She said we needed to make an appointment in advance, plus a bunch of other nonsense. I wasn’t letting that woman talk down to Alex, so we left p>
I sat on the couch with Alexis on my lap. Her fingers played with the pendant at my neck.
“Alex misses brothers,” she said softly, looking down.
“I know, sweetie,” I whispered, stroking her curls. “Want to call them p>
Her face brightened. “Can we p>
“Of course p>
I pulled out my phone, hesitating before dialing Calvin’s number. Part of me wanted to avoid him, but Alexis’s happiness came first.
I wondered if Calvin even knew Alexis had tried to visit today. Had he missed seeing his daughter because of his secretary? Or was he too busy with pack business to make time for a little girl who just wanted her brothers?
The phone connected. Calvin’s voice came through. “Evelyn p>
Just hearing him say my name sent a shiver down my spine. I took a breath and focused on what mattered.
“Calvin,” I replied, “Alexis wants to talk to her brothers p>
“Why can’t I reach the boys on their watches?” I asked, trying to stay calm even though I was getting frustrated. I got those watches so we could always talk.
Calvin’s voice came through the phone. “My grandfather’s really interested in them now. He got them new tutors, and they’re in class most of the day p>
I could hear traffic in the background. “I’m almost at the pack house. I’ll look into the watch thing when I get there p>
Alexis was lying across the coffee table with her chin in her hands, listening to her father’s voice. The sad look in her eyes was gone now. She understood that her brothers weren’t ignoring her calls on purpose.
“Is Alex there with you?” Calvin asked, his voice getting softer.
I looked down at Alex and let her answer.
“Yes,” Alexis said quietly, but loud enough for him to hear.
“Sweetheart,” Calvin’s tone completely changed when talking to her, “I heard you came to my office today. Next time you want to see me or your brothers, come straight to my office. Don’t worry about appointments p>
Alexis’s lips formed a stubborn pout. “No thank you,” she said without hesitating. “It’s too much trouble. I just wanted to see Rowan and Rhys p>
Calvin went quiet. I could picture his expression.
“Mommy, I’m hungry,” Alexis said, rubbing her stomach and looking up at me with those big eyes I couldn’t resist.
I smoothed her hair back. “Okay, go with Uncle Eryx to get some dinner. I need to talk to Calvin a bit longer p>
She nodded and jumped up, running toward Eryx who was bringing dishes from the kitchen. “Uncle Eryx!” she called happily.
Eryx bent down to catch her and lifted her up. “Let’s go get some food, little one,” he said with that special smile he only used for Alexis.
Once she left, my smile faded. I walked to the balcony and closed the door behind me. Calvin was still on the line. I could hear him breathing.
“Calvin, are you tired?” I asked, looking out at the evening sky.