Chapter 40

Lionel’s POV

My mother sits as regal as a queen.

The birthday gathering is in full swing. There are elegant flower arrangements lining the pathways. Floating lights for an atmospheric aesthetic.

There must be hundreds of guests. Business associates from my father’s reign, ambassadors my mother encountered during her conquests throughout the years. Cousins I had not seen since I was a young child.

Mother sits at the center of it all. Never going to others. Allowing everyone to come to her.

And who would complain? My mother may not have royal blood, but anyone who wanted to be someone of significance goes to her. My father may have been alpha, but our family always knew who holds the real power in our family.

My mother is insistent her granddaughters be seated by her. I am not quite convinced.

“Lionel, I have not had the pleasure of seeing my precious Vera in months! I haven’t even gotten to talk to sweet Patti…”

She smiles warmly at Patti. Patti shyly returns it. I purse my lips.

“Mother, I don’t think it’s a good idea for the girls to be at the center of attention like this. They’re only five, and Patti is not used too all this…” I argue.

“Lionel! I am your mother, it is my birthday, and you will do as I ask. I want to spend some time with my granddaughters. Now off with you!”

When put like that, how could I refuse? I sigh. Looking down at the girl, I wait until they both nod before leaving them with my mother.

But I do not go far, wanting to stay close. Watching everyone around me.

From the corner of my eyes, I see Joseph mingling. Networking. His loud laugh reaching my ears.

I shake my head and look back toward my mother. At either side of her sits my daughters. Chairs on erected like mini thrones.

They are dressed in lavender gowns fit for princesses. Colors matching my mother’s own outfit. Her hands gently griping theirs.

Vera looks at home on her grandmother’s side. Aware of her status and power. Glaring disdainfully at those that get too close.

‘That’s my girl…’ My lips twitch upward. Amused.

But I frown when I sweep my attention to Patti. Her discomfort is not obvious to anyone that does not know her. But I like to think I have gotten good at reading Patti’s expressions.

Her smile is fake. None of those little milk teeth sticking out when she is genuinely happy. Eyes darting around.

My frown deepens. I know exactly who she is searching for. Her mother.

Nan and I have not spoken properly to each other in weeks. I’d never felt so unbalanced before. It’s left both of us and my daughters miserable.

That kiss…it had been everything I remembered. The spark of a mate had roared to life the moment I’d kissed her. Even the memory of it brought me joy.

The way she matched my passion easily. The way she pulled my hair, nearly driving me toward the edge right there. She’d felt so soft beneath my hands.

When she bit my lip, fire had flooded my veins. I’d been worried for a moment that I’d lost control of my fire powers. It had all been a hot haze to me.

Her feather soft touches might as well have been a brand. Her scent had changed into something addictive, better than any chemical drug. I could drown myself in it.

I had gotten a small taste of her. If I thought she smelled delectable, her taste was even better. It’s a tragedy that I had not gotten an even better taste.

My emotions had gotten the better of me. I lost control at the thought of her with another man. I would not have that, not under my roof.

So I had broken down and kissed her. I would have taken her right there, in our home and surrounded by our scents. I’d been so close…my fangs slightly scrapping her skin to make my claim.

But then it had all gone to hell. Nan had been so angry, so hurt. I could scent the acid of it despite her attempts to hide that from me.

I could not understand how things had changed to quickly. The idea that she was trying to hide even such a small thing like that from me…it set me off again.

‘I will not apologize, I did nothing wrong,’ I think. I’d never bowed down to anyone in my life other than my own father. An alpha’s pride is legendary.

Joseph walks up to me. “Good turnout, I’d say.”

I ignore him. I see my mother lean down to whisper in Patti’s ear. Her haughty face softening at her granddaughter.

“Oh, come on Lionel, are you going to ignore me the whole time?” He complains.

“You know very well why I don’t want to talk to you.” I say emotionlessly.

“It wasn’t me. You know I couldn’t say no to Mother. The old wolf always gets her way, you know that.”

I growl quietly. But I don’t argue. He is not wrong about my mother.

I’d been aware of the entire conversation between Joseph and Nan. The moment he arrived; I’d set my hearing toward him. I would not allow him to make any advance on Nan.

I had been very tempted to beat him into submission for talking to Nan that way. But my doubts had stopped me. Hearing the pain in Nan’s voice as she asked Joseph why…

“Why is everyone doing this? Why…why…” That hitch in her breath when she said why…It wrecks me with guilt.

I’d already brought Nan so much negative attention by acting as I have. If I outright fought my mother’s decision, it would only make it worse for Nan. So I keep silent.

I do not protest my brother’s obvious attempt at humiliation. Hoping that maybe some of the cruel remarks and nasty attention would die down some. It is only this that keeps me from chewing out both my brother and my mother.

But that does not stop me from searching. Looking for little glimpses of her through the crowd. Eyes starved for the sight of her.

I am not very successful. I can only see a glance here or there of her gorgeous brown hair tied at the base of her neck. A insufficient whiff of her scent here of there.

‘There are too many people here,’ my wolf snarls. ‘Her scent is hidden from me!’ I am on the edge of losing my temper from this deprivation.

But then a commotion breaks out. I turn my head in the direction. People are whispering and gasping at it.

I can’t quite catch on to what they are saying. A ripple goes through the crowd as they scramble out of the way. Trays of food are knocked down and clatter to the ground loudly.

‘Whatever it is,’ I cut a glance to my mother and the girls. ‘it’s way too close to my children for comfort.’ I go in the direction of the noise with intention.

I get closer and am able to see….Cora! Anger erupts in me. The flames of the candles around me flare briefly as my temper does.

‘How the hell did she get in here? Where is security?’ I snarl to myself.

Someone was getting fired. How dare Cora show her face after what she did in my home, to my Nan? ‘She would regret this,’ I silently promise.

I move faster. But Cora is not focused on me. She heads straight for the pool.

Straight for Nan. Nan is only just noticing her. To close to make a getaway.

People around me hurry to move away. Away from this angry alpha. It’s still not enough to grab Cora.

I know the moment Cora has caught my enraged scent. She begins to sprint in Nan’s direction. Nan looks frozen.

I think Cora will jump at her. Attack her. Nan must have the same thought because she begins to back away.

But Cora does not do that. Instead she stops right in front of Nan. She points shaking fingers in Nan’s face.

Then Cora bellows out, voice ringing across the party,

“YOU! You shouldn’t even be here! YOU ARE WOLF-LESS!”