Chapter 30
Evelyn’s POV
Eight o’clock sharp. As expected, Calvin arrived right on time to pick up the boys.
As I hugged Rowan and Rhys goodbye, I watched my son pull something from his backpack and hand it to his father.
“Dad, Mom says this will help you sleep,” Rowan said earnestly.
After they left with the housekeeper to bathe and prepare for bed, I couldn’t help but wonder if Calvin would actually use the aromatherapy blend I’d crafted.
The following evening, I waited outside the preschool with Alexis nestled against my hip. The familiar weight of my daughter was comforting as I scanned the exit for my boys.
When Rowan and Rhys burst through the doors, my eldest approached with unusual hesitation, pulling a velvet box from his bag.
“Mom, this is from Dad,” he said, his cheeks slightly flushed. “Dad said something about… um… gratitude? I don’t remember exactly p>
I understood immediately. The aromatherapy blend I’d sent home with Rowan yesterday was my own creation,designed to promote restful sleep and ease anxiety caused by exhaustion.
I’d created it after seeing Rowan’s terrified, helpless expression that day. No child should ever look that way.
I had done my research on Calvin these past three years. He hadn’t lied about being hands-on with our sons. Between running Wolfe Haven International and raising two energetic boys, he’d stepped up as a father,something I couldn’t ignore.
Opening the velvet box, I found an exquisite blue diamond necklace. I couldn’t stop the bitter smile that formed on my lips.It was identical in style to every gift I’d received during our five years of mateship. Always from the same jeweler.
Calvin’s gift-giving followed a precise formula,jewelry for female business associates, with the value calibrated according to their importance.
And apparently, the same approach applied to his estranged mate. In his mind, I was just another relationship to manage, another transaction to balance.
“Rowan, please thank your father for me,” I said, running my fingers through his hair. With this gift, we were even—debt cleared, no favors owed.
Before I could dwell on it further, Rhys stepped forward, hands hidden behind his back, tension evident in his small shoulders.
“M-Mom,” he stammered, the word clearly difficult for him to say. The sound of it struck something deep in my chest, but I maintained my composure. “I’m sorry for what I said before p>
He revealed a small box. “I made this bracelet for you. It’s my apology gift p>
His eyes were filled with such uncertainty, such fear of rejection that my heart clenched.
This was my pup, my blood, seeking forgiveness. After these past few days, I could see the change in him. Clara’s influence was fading from his mind.
Rhys had made an honest effort to apologize, and as I looked at his handmade bracelet, I knew my son was worth another chance.
I gently ruffled his hair. “Mom forgives you for now, but you’re on probation. If you make me sad again p>
“I won’t!” he interrupted, his voice ringing with sincerity. “I’ll be good to you from now on, I promise p>
When I finally pulled him into an embrace, his small body melted against mine. The joy radiating from him was almost tangible. This connection,this was worth more than any diamond necklace.
Friday arrived quickly. I decided to take all three children out for dinner at The Grand Hotel, a restaurant that catered to both humans and our kind.
As we stepped into the elegant space, my steps faltered.
Calvin sat at a table across the room with Clara Whitmore beside him, surrounded by members of her family, all laughing and talking animatedly.
Before I could steer us toward a table in the opposite direction, Rhys’s excited voice rang out.”Brother, look! There’s Dad p>
Compared to his excitement and happiness, Rowan looked worried as he glanced at me.
Alexis tightened her little arms around my neck, her cheek nuzzling against mine as she whispered softly, “Alexis loves Mommy the most p>
I smiled reassuringly at my daughter. “Mommy’s fine, sweetheart p>
I guided the children toward our reserved dining room, passing by Calvin’s room along the way. I could vaguely hear phrases like “choosing a date,” “pack gathering,” and “mating ceremony p>
I kept my eyes forward, refusing to acknowledge the words or the fact that the man inside was watching me through the partially open door.
Though Rhys was normally full of mischief, he always listened to his brother. When he wanted to go find his father but was stopped by Rowan, he immediately understood it wasn’t the right time to approach Calvin and stayed contentedly by my side.
All three children were well-behaved during dinner. Rowan would carefully select the best pieces for Alexis, and Rhys quickly followed his example. I could see the bond between the siblings growing stronger with each passing day.
When we left the restaurant, a black Maybach was already waiting outside. The window rolled down to reveal Calvin’s stern profile. His eyes held emotions I couldn’t quite decipher when he looked at me, but I didn’t bother trying to understand them anymore.
Tomorrow would be another weekend. I had hoped to have the boys stay with me for a couple of days, but Calvin said they needed to return to the main Pack house. I could only walk them to the car.
With Alexis in my arms, I turned and walked away to where my driver was waiting. I never looked back to see the darkening expression in Calvin’s eyes as I left without a single question.
Over the next week, I accelerated my preparations for the custody battle.
During our time together, I could feel Rowan and Rhys growing increasingly attached to me. I had carefully probed whether they would be willing to live with me permanently. Though they seemed hesitant, they weren’t opposed to the idea either.
This gave me more confidence.
Even if I didn’t win the custody case this time, once Calvin and Clara got married—knowing Clara, she’d immediately try to get pregnant to secure her position as the Luna of the Bloodbane Pack. And once Calvin had other children p>
I’d have another chance!
When Astrid heard my thoughts, she stared at me in shock for a good long moment before recovering.
She was genuinely happy for me.”Evelyn, you used to say you hated your ex-mate, but where there’s hate, there’s often lingering love. But now, you’ve changed p>
Astrid waited by the elevator with her assistant.When the elevator arrived, she walked straight in,completely oblivious to who else was inside.With her baseball cap, sunglasses and mask on, she continued our video call.
“You’re actually looking forward to your ex-mate marrying that homewrecker!” she exclaimed. “I can’t believe it p>
After chatting with me for a while, she asked to video call Alexis. My little girl immediately greeted her with a sweet “Auntie Astrid p>
Like most adults talking to children, Astrid naturally raised her pitch. Suddenly, Alexis’s surprised voice came through. “Uncle p>
Astrid’s eyes widened in confusion. She turned around and found herself staring into Calvin’s cold, stormy eyes.
My heart dropped,this couldn’t be good.
She was thankful for her disguise and the fact that she was using earphones for our call. She stiffly turned back around, silently praying Calvin wouldn’t recognize her.
But the next second p>
His deep voice cut through the silence. “Miss Vale p>
Astrid froze. We were in trouble.