Chapter 56

Adrian POV

I check my phone again and growl out my irritation. I’ve been waiting for my Beta to report back all morning. He’s either taking his time, or he’s failed and he’s putting off the conversation. Regardless, the longer this goes on, the more agitated I get.

Maybe I’m still just on edge after last night. I never thought I would throw my son out of my house. There was a time when I would have give anything in the world for him to be her again.

But last night he crossed a line. It’s one thing when he disrespects me. It’s quite another for him to disrespect Lily. I’ve seen him be rude to her before. I’ve seen him embarrass her and even put his hands on her.

Except she’s mine now. Both of us have accepted that we are mates and that means she is mine to protect. He should have known better than to speak to her that way. To tower over her like he would intimidate and scare her.

I could easily forgive him should he ask for it, but I know Julian. He won’t ask for forgiveness. I doubt this relationship of ours will ever be civil again.

My phone finally rings and I snatch it up.

“Took you long enough.” I chastise my Beta. I hear him chuckle softly and I grind my teeth in aggravation.

“The job took longer than we expected, but I think you’ll be pleased with the outcome.” He says with so much promise, my mood improves markedly.

Lily POV

Grace is swinging half-heartedly back and forth on the park swing set. She’s barely engaged with the other kids, and she seems closed in on herself and depressed.

My heart breaks for her. Just when she was starting to come out of her shell, she is traumatized so deeply, she’s more scared and quiet than she was before.

There’s no use in being here anymore. She doesn’t want to play.

I get up and walk over to the swings.

“I’m not in the mood for parks today.” I say, “How about you and I go rot on the couch with a movie, a bag of chips and some cocoa?”

The corners of her mouth quirk and she stops the swing to take my hand and walk back home.

I’m really missing her happy excited chatter. I know I need to have patience, but I wish I could do something to help her feel safe again.

We get to the edge of the park and down the path back home, both of us enjoying the sunshine and the quiet.

When I look up and shove Grace behind me, placing myself between her and the figure in front of us. I face her with a viciousness I didn’t know I was capable of. I never thought I was the type of person to have to restrain myself from physically hurting someone, but with Vanessa standing before me, I genuinely have to stop myself from ripping her throat out.

“You have some nerve showing up here.” I snap at her. I can feel Grace shaking and crying behind me. “You’re never touching her again.”

“I’m not here for the brat.” Vanessa snarls. “I’m here for you. I told you not to cross me. I told you to walk away from this world before it ate you. Some lessons just have to be taught the hard way.”

She lunges for me, and I grab her and twist, throwing her to the side. Grace takes off running for the house. The distraction costs me, and I feel a hard blow to my face as Vanessa lands a hit against my cheekbone. I falter a few steps but manage to keep my footing.

“I told you I was going to rip you apart.” She taunts. Her eyes are glowing yellow and that snarl is looking more animalistic. But I’m a wolf too, I remind myself. And when she comes for me again, I let it out.

Adrian is right, I am stronger than her, because as she lunges, I dodge to the side and swing a punch that lands hard. The blow sends her to the ground and blood seeps from her nose.

I don’t give her a chance to get up. I launch myself at her and land another blow, and then another one. My rage fuels every hit. Anger for myself, for Grace, and for everything this woman and her family has done to Adrian. She will pay and I’m dishing out vengeance with blood and bruises.

Finally, she gains enough strength to shove me off. Or maybe I let her, as I remind myself that I can’t do anything that will threaten Adrian. Vanessa’s family still has the upper hand, and we need to have patience if we want to get rid of her permanently.

That’s why I don’t chase after her as she runs in the opposite direction. A crying little girl is the other reason.

I need to find Grace.

I run in the direction of the house, calling her name and trying to keep my panic under control.

“Grace, come out she’s gone! It’s alright!” I call frantically.

I stop, breathing hard and catch that faint watermelon scent of her shampoo. I follow it until I find her crouching just off the path and under a tree. Huddled against the trunk, her knees pulled up to her chest.

“Grace, it’s alright. She’s gone. I won’t let her hurt you ever again.” I crawl under the tree’s low branches and grasp ahold of the trembling child, pulling her out of her hiding place.

I pick her up and she clutches me just as hard as she did after I found her in that cave.

She cries softly into my shoulder as I carry her back home, rubbing her back and soothing her the entire way.

Adrian is waiting for us on the veranda when we get there. Upon seeing my face and a crying Grace, he is off his seat and across the veranda in a blink.

“What happened?” He demands, taking Grace from my arms and holding her tightly as fresh tears stream down her face. He reaches one hand up to clasp my chin, looking intently at the spot where I took a hit.

“Vanessa.” I say simply and his face goes hard. His eyes fill with rage. This time, if he goes after her, I don’t think I have it in me to stop him.

He takes Grace upstairs, and I follow, standing at the door as he calms his daughter and she starts to fade off for a nap. With the excitement and emotions starting to subside, the poor child looks exhausted.

I leave them and go into the kitchen for some calming tea. Then change my mind and pour myself a glass of wine instead. At this point, I think I’ve earned it.

I go up to my room and into the bathroom to clean up, and flinch when I see my face. There’s a cut on my cheek and it’s bruised and starting to swell. My knuckles are split from where they connected with Vanessa’s face.

I wet a cloth with cold water and start to dab at my face.

“Here.” Adrian’s voice comes from the door, and he takes the rag from my hand. I let out a hiss as he presses it to the wound. “I’m sorry.” He says with sympathy and eases up on the pressure. “How do you feel?”

“My pride hurts a little.” I confess, “But it makes me feel better to know that she looks worse.”

“I have no doubt that she does.” His mouth quirks a little. He drops that cloth on the sink and takes my face in his hands. “Her family will pay for this. For everything. I promise you. I just need a little time.”

“How much time?” I ask, not doubting him, just wanting to know.

“Not long. Things are coming together. I finally have the right cards. Vanessa doesn’t have the upper hand. Not anymore.”