Chapter 104

Lionel’s POV

“Katya has a secret child…”

I could not believe it.

Katya never wanted to have children. Vera and Patti were only born out of obligation. The selfish she-wolf did not have a maternal bone in her entire body.

Yet here was evidence claiming otherwise…

It is exactly what I have been looking for.

My prayers to the Moon goddess have been answered.

“How did you find this?” I finally ask.

My private investigator groans. “I burned through many favors for this. It was not easy.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Pity for you.” I say dryly.

He sighs before plopping down unprofessionally in the chair. I decide to ignore his disrespect for the time being. I do not have the inclination to squabble with the childish man at this point.

“It started with some deviations in the accounts. You know how we’ve been tracing back all of the funds we found?” He asks.

“Yes.” I reply.

“Most of the expenses were the same. Transportation…nice lodgings…the best of the best clothing. Ms. Farakas’ tastes run on the expensive side. Not even being in hiding changed that.”

Nan scoffed. “Anyone in the same room as her could figure that.”

The blonde man grins at her. “Exactly.”

I cut into their little interaction. My wolf already on edge for my failure to protect my daughters. I would not tolerate another male flirting with Nan in front of me.

“Get to the point.” I growl.

He takes that for the warning that it is.

“Most of the expenses ran around the same prices. Give or take a few thousands dollars. But that was expected…the Farakas family has money to burn.”

This information was also no surprise for me. However…

“The Farakas family?” I clue in. “I thought this account was not directly linked to her?”

He hums. “That’s where the discrepancy is. You see, around 7 years ago…Katya began funneling the family money into another account.”

“But she faked her death 5 years ago.” Nan interjected.

“How old is the child?” I ask. Nan’s eyes widen.

“9.” He answers.

I freeze.

“9?” Nan cries. “That’s…”

He nods. “Quite.”

“But the timeline still doesn’t make sense.” I argue. “If the child is 9 years old, why did Katya only start funneling money then?”

The child was a bastard in the eyes of our society. Katya would never be allowed to financially support a bastard. But that’s the fact of things.

It is difficult to reconcile the idea of Katya caring for a bastard child. She does not seem the type. It seems Katya is determined to challenge all of my long-held beliefs.

When I first read about the child, I had assumed she had given birth to the pup in the last five years. To find out that she gave birth before we were ever married…What in the world was she hiding?

“How does this all connect to the child?” Nan voices.

“That money she started funneling went into a private account. What I found was that the account is still highly active. Large amounts of money are being regularly deposited and used.”

“How much?” I ask curiously.

“Billions.” He replies meaningfully.

I suck in a sharp breath. That’s no chunk change. Not even for someone as wealthy as Katya.

He nods. “That was my reaction too. So I dug a little further…It’s all medical expenses.

“Alpha Lionel,” He says formally. “That child is very sick.”

“Do we know what they are sick with?” Nan asks softly.

‘Despite what Katya’s done,’ I think. ‘Nan is still capable of kindness.’

I am once again humbled at Nan’s genuine good heart. I too pity the child. But I am unsure I would be so understanding without Nan’s soothing presence at my side.

‘She is everything a Luna should be. The balm to my wrath. The compassion to my ruthlessness.’

My thoughts are broken by the blonde man’s response.

“It’s the Silver Blight.” He says grimly.

Nan breathes out heavily. “Oh…that poor boy.”

The Silver Blight was not a disease per say. It was no virus or bacteria. Not in any way that medical diagnosis could pin point until the symptoms were already there.

It was also ancient. It is commonly believed to be a rather vicious curse. One that evolved over time.

The symptoms were horrible. It began with a rattling cough and fatigue. Nothing serious…until it was.

The curse specifically targeted a person’s wolf. Slowly draining the spirit’s energy and eating away at it until there was nothing left. It is brutal and painful.

No person born with a wolf could survive it.

There was no cure for the curse…none that did not involve the blackest of magic.

I understood in that moment just why Katya wanted my daughters. I could not surpass the deep growl that built in my chest. “Then we have our case.”

“Yes.” He replied gravely.

“Lionel…” Nan says inquisitively. But I shake my head.

“We can talk about it later.” I add. “Right now…we need more information.”

I turn to my private investigator. “You said you talked to the Nanny?”

“I did. But she was really tight-lipped. I was only able to confirm that the boy actually existed.”

It is not ideal. Katya could spirit the boy away. Claim we were falsifying evidence.

“Lionel.” Nan says firmly. “I think we should visit him.”

“I agree.” Then I hesitate. “But Nan…are you sure you can do this? Can you look at this ill child and harden your heart?”

‘I never wanted that for you,’ I do not say. ‘I do not want to see you lose the best part of yourself.’

There is resolution in her eyes when she answers me. “No. But I need to see this through.”

She does.

The visit to the child is unpleasant.

The boy’s Nanny seems as though she is inches away from stealing him away. It is only Nan’s kindness and promise to protect the child that stops the woman. I am all the more glad that I did not make the trip alone.

The boy is worse off than the files suggested. Looking more like a skeleton than any child has the right too. Dark circles and tubes hooked up to him.

He is sweet. Cheerful despite his illness. And all too happy to have new faces to chat with.

I push back my guilt.

Our efforts are rewarded when he gives us the final piece to the jig saw of Katya’s past…

The day of the custody battle arrives a few weeks later.

Accursing eyes and blinding flashes meet Nan and me. I resist the urge to attack. I will not lose my composure when we are so close to success.

It’s harder to do when Nan is once again slandered in court.

‘Just a little longer,’ I think. Keeping my eyes on the sight of my daughters’ miserable faces as a means to hold my silence.

It is finally my turn.

I watch Katya’s smug face.

“…except for the fact that she plans on stealing the life force of my daughters.”

Chaos erupts in the room. It takes several minutes for the judge to calm the room. I take pleasure in the shock in Katya’s now pale face.

“Alpha Lionel,” The judge says sternly. “That is a serious accusation.”

“It is.” I agree. “I do not make it lightly.”

“Do you have any evidence for this?” Katya’s lawyer scoffs. “Your honor, he is simply trying to discredit my client.”

Mummers fill the room. Disbelieving whispers full the room. I am not deterred.

“Do you have any evidence, Alpha Lionel?” The judge asks. Clearly unhappy at the circus show this custody battle is becoming.

“Yes. Nikolai, would you please come here?” I call softly.

Katya’s eyes widen. I see the first signs of panic. My inner wolfs rumbles in satisfaction.

The ill little boy is wheeled up to the stand. Oblivious to the horrified looks of the reporters and his mother. A bright little smile playing at his mouth despite the slight blue tint to his lips.

My lawyer takes his part from there.

“Nikolai…is this your mother?” He points to Katya.

“Yes! Hi mom!” He cries. The cat-like quality to his eyes incredibly damning for her.

“Could you tell the court what your mom told you?” He asks kindly.

“Mom said she’s going to cure me! That my sisters would have the cure!” He says cheerfully.

Unaware of the bombshell his words just dropped on his stock-still mother.