Chapter 191
Evelyn’s POV
I stared at the test tube in my hand, watching the clear liquid gradually turn a pale shade of blue. Success. After weeks of sleepless nights and endless calculations, the Wolf Instinct Suppression Reversal formula was finally showing promising results.
“It’s working,” I whispered, unable to contain my excitement. “Gary, look! The protein binding is stabilizing p>
Gary hurried over, adjusting his glasses as he peered at my results. “This is incredible, Evelyn. If this holds, we could actually reverse permanent suppression effects p>
My heart swelled with pride.
I set down the test tube, rubbing my temples. It was nearly midnight, and I’d been in the lab since 7 AM.
I knew that besides completing this project, there was another reason I’d been burying myself in work. The truth I was desperately trying to avoid.
Calvin was my mate. My fated, Moon Goddess-chosen mate.
After years of believing I was simply a wolfless Omega, suddenly everything made sense. The pull I’d always felt toward Calvin, the intensity of our connection, the devastating pain of his betrayal.
“You should go home,” Gary said firmly.
“Alexis called earlier asking when you’d be back p>
Guilt washed over me. My little girl, waiting for me while I hid in my lab.
“She did? Why didn’t you tell me p>
Gary sighed. “Because I knew you’d drop everything and rush home, which is exactly what you should do. But I also knew you needed this win today.” He gestured toward the test tube. “Now you’ve had it. Go be with your kids p>
I nodded reluctantly, knowing he was right.
“Fine. I’ll finish documenting these results and head out p>
An hour later, I pulled into my driveway, surprised to find the house quieter than usual. Normally, even at this hour, I could hear Rhys shouting about something or Rowan trying to shush him.
“Hello?” I called, setting my bag down in the entryway. “Kids? Astrid p>
Astrid poked her head out from the kitchen, a glass of wine in hand. “There you are! I was starting to think you’d moved into that lab permanently p>
I smiled weakly. “Almost. Where are the kids p>
“I put Alexis to bed about an hour ago. The boys are probably in their room p>
Strange. Usually, Alexis would wait up for me.
“Did Alexis say anything? Was she upset I wasn’t home yet p>
Astrid gave me a look that only made my guilt worse. “She asked about you a few times, but the boys distracted her. They’ve been plotting all day, those three p>
“I’m going to check on them,” I said, already heading upstairs.
Moving down the hall, I heard hushed voices coming from the twins’ room. I approached quietly, pushing the door open without knocking.
All three children were huddled on Rowan’s bed. Alexis, who was supposed to be asleep, sat between her brothers with a serious expression. They were so absorbed in whatever they were discussing that they didn’t notice me at first.
“—and then we can—” Rhys stopped suddenly, his eyes widening as he spotted me. “Mom p>
All three heads snapped up. Guilt written across their faces. Rowan quickly shoved something under his pillow.
“What are you all doing up?” I asked, stepping into the room. “Alexis, sweetie, you should be in bed p>
“We were just Rowan glanced at his siblings. “Helping Alexis draw! She wanted to make you a picture p>
I raised an eyebrow, looking around for any evidence of this alleged art project. “At this hour p>
“She couldn’t sleep,” Rhys jumped in. “She missed you p>
“I’m sorry, baby,” I said, moving to scoop Alexis into my arms. “Mommy was working late again p>
Alexis wrapped her arms around my neck. “It’s okay, Mommy. I know you’re busy saving people p>
God, that only made me feel worse. My three-year-old was already making excuses for my absence.
“Let’s get you to bed,” I said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. I turned back to the twins. “You two should sleep too. It’s a school night p>
They nodded, exchanging glances that I pretended not to notice. Whatever they were up to, I was too exhausted to investigate tonight.
After tucking Alexis in again, I took a quick shower and collapsed into my own bed. Falling into dreamless sleep.
The following evening, I made a point of coming home early. We sat around the dinner table, the kids chattering about their day while I tried to focus on being present rather than mentally reviewing my lab results.
“Mom,” Rhys said suddenly, interrupting my thoughts. “When can we go on another trip? Like, all of us together p>
I blinked, surprised by the question. “We went to the lake just last month, didn’t we p>
“That was almost two months ago,” Rowan said quietly, pushing his peas around his plate. The sadness in his voice made me freeze.
Two months? Had I really been so absorbed in my work that I’d lost track of time?
“Oh,” I said, my stomach dropping. “I didn’t realize it had been that long p>
“It’s okay,” Rowan said quickly. “We know you’re busy with important work p>
“No, it’s not okay,” I said firmly. “Family time is important too. How about we plan something soon p>
Rhys perked up immediately. “This weekend? We could go back to the lake p>
“This weekend?” I repeated, mentally reviewing my schedule. I could shift some things around, delegate to Gary… “Yes, I think that would work p>
“Can Dad come too?” Rhys asked.
I nearly choked on my water. “I don’t think your father would be able to make it. He’s very busy with work p>
The truth was, I couldn’t bear the thought of spending an entire weekend with Calvin. The pull of the mate bond I’d felt outside the hospital room was too strong.
Rhys glanced at Alexis and gave a tiny nod. On cue, my daughter looked up at me with those big eyes.
“But I want Uncle Calvin to come,” she said, her bottom lip jutting out. “He was fun at the lake. He taught me to swim p>
“Sweetie, I don’t think p>
“Please, Mommy?” Alexis clasped her hands together. “Pretty please with cherries p>
I looked at my daughter’s pleading face. Despite everything that had happened between Calvin and me, he genuinely loved our children. And they loved him. Could I really deny them time with their father just because I was uncomfortable?
“Fine,” I sighed, already regretting my decision. “I’ll ask him if he’s available p>
The kids exchanged triumphant glances.
“Actually,” Rowan said, sitting up straighter, “what if we went to a different lake this time? Mason from my class told me about this bigger one with boat rentals and fishing docks p>
“You want to plan our family trip now?” I asked, amused by his sudden enthusiasm.
“We can handle the details,” Rowan said confidently. “Consider it our surprise for you, Mom. You work so hard for us all the time p>
“That’s very thoughtful,” I said, touched by his consideration.
I couldn’t keep neglecting my children for work.