Chapter 255

Grace

Eason made an interface for me that showed exactly how close I was to fulfilling all the requirements, when I had it released to the pack's website, the rolling social media attention did more to help me than anything. Gareth, Magnus, Amelia, and I shook hands and made the announcements. The next public statement was me and Gabriel.

Tonight, I practically danced home. A familiar flutter of excitement danced in my stomach as Charles ushered Cecil and me into a sleek black car. The past few days had been a whirlwind of activity between getting everything done.

Today, however, was a day for reprieve. Charles, with his usual air of mystery, had refused to divulge the destination for our little family outing.

All he said was, "Pack your bags, because you're in for a treat."

Cecil bounced in her seat the entire car ride. Her bright eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Where are we going, Uncle Charles?" she chirped, her voice brimming with excitement.

Charles winked at her. "It's a surprise, sweetheart. But trust me, you'll love it."

"Why are we leaving Richard behind?" She asked.

"I pulled a favor with your Uncle Eason to look after Richard."

The car snaked through unfamiliar territory, the dense forest eventually giving way to rolling hills dotted with grazing sheep. A sense of peace settled over me, a welcome respite from the frenetic pace of my life lately.

Then, the forest started to grow thicker and richer. I could smell cedar through the window.

Finally, the car turned down a hidden path. Cecil squealed, hopping up to look out the window as we grew closer. The breathtaking sight of a magnificent, blood red castle perched atop a hill. Redstone walls, adorned with intricate carvings, rose majestically against a clear blue sky. Pointed turrets pierced the heavens, and a sprawling courtyard welcomed us with open arms.

"Wow!" Cecil gasped, her eyes wide with wonder. "Is that the castle? Is that your castle?"

"It is." Charles chuckled as the car stopped. He stepped out and scooped her up in his arms. "A real one, princess. And guess what? It's all yours… well, for the weekend at least."

My breath caught in my throat. He'd hinted at that ages ago.

Cecil squealed with delight. "A whole castle for my birthday? You're the best uncle ever!"

Charles grinned, his eyes twinkling. "I promised that you could have your birthday at the castle, princess." He chuckled. "Now, let's explore your birthday castle."

I followed him as Cecil squealed. As we walked through the grand entrance hall, the weight of the castle's history pressed down on me. I could smell something in the air. It was lovely. Intricate tapestries adorned the walls, depicting scenes from Lycan lore. I realized that the symbols on the stones were purposeful. I couldn't read them, but Cecil asked about them, drawing her hands over the stone.

"It's a witch," Charles said. "Protective."

A suit of armor stood sentinel in a corner, but it was nothing like the suits of armor I'd seen before. The air crackled with a strange energy, sending shivers down my spine. But before I could dwell on my unease, Cecil called for me.

"Mommy, Mommy, can you read it? Do you think Uncle Eason could read it?"

I chuckled. "Probably."

We walked through the halls, exploring the castle for what seemed like hours. Cecil's laughter echoed through the cavernous halls. As dusk approached, Charles led us up the stairs.

"There's a surprise, princess," he announced, pulling out a beautifully wrapped box. "It's from Uncle Eason. He made it a point to tell me to give it to you before your birthday." He gestured, summoning a wrapped package seemingly from nowhere. "Happy Birthday!"

Cecil squealed and tore into the wrapping paper with gusto, revealing a stuffed wolf cub that expanded as she unwrapped it. It was nearly as big as her. She squealed in delight, clutching the toy to her chest.

"It's so cuddly and warm!" The eyes glowed. I frowned, and Charles smiled. He mouthed at me.

"Enchanted."

Just then, Charles cleared his throat, his gaze flickering nervously towards me.

"And there's one more thing, Cecil," he began hesitantly.

My heart thumped against my ribs in a sudden premonition of dread. "What is it, Charles?"

"Nothing serious," he said.

"Will Daddy be at my birthday?" She asked.

He met my gaze, a flicker of apology in his eyes. "Yes, he will."

My heart jumped in my throat as Cecil grief. The air seemed to crackle with tension as the weight of his words settled upon me. Devin at Cecil's birthday party? The joy of the day evaporated, replaced by a cold knot of apprehension that tightened in my gut. This was a birthday surprise I hadn't anticipated. But then, I thought back to Cecil's picture.

She... She wanted to dance with Devin.

"One more surprise for the night," he said. "After dinner."

We ate dinner. It was everything Cecil loved. She was so excited, clutching her new wolf cub stuffie. She was half asleep when Charles carried her up the stairs to a suite. It looked like something out of a fairytale. She went to sleep before she could even squeal about the canopy over the bed.

"Princess suite," Charles said as she slept. "I had it outfitted.... soon after I heard about them."

The room, adorned with soft pink hues and fairy tale murals, was a testament to his love for Cecil. A wave of tenderness washed over me, momentarily eclipsing the unease gnawing at the edges of my mind. Charles might be infuriatingly secretive at times, but his devotion was undeniable.

"Come on," he said, extending a hand towards me. "Let me show you something."

Curiosity piqued, I followed him down a plushly carpeted hallway. He stopped before a heavy oak door, its surface intricately carved with scenes of a mythical kingdom.

"This," he announced with a flourish, "is the 'prince suite.'"

My eyes widened. The room was a mirror image of Cecil's, decorated in a vibrant blue theme, without the canopy. A pang of bittersweet emotion stabbed at my heart. The room could be Richard's when he was older.

Would I even be alive for the day he could sleep in that giant bed alone Charles squeezed my hand gently, his touch echoing my unspoken thoughts.

"We'll get through this, Grace," he murmured, his voice filled with conviction. "Together."

I hoped so, but I felt better knowing that even if I wasn't alive that my kids wouldn't be alone. I slumped against him. The day's whirlwind of emotions had taken their toll. Exhaustion, a constant companion these days, tugged at my eyelids.

"I think I need a nap," I confessed, my voice heavy with fatigue.

Charles's gaze softened with concern.

"Of course," he said, leading me down another corridor. "This way. This is my suite… the royal suite, technically."

The room was opulent yet surprisingly comfortable. A crackling fire cast a warm glow on the plush furniture and thick tapestries. A king-sized bed dominated the center of the room, invitingly draped in luxurious linens.

Charles helped me out of my jacket and into a plush robe hanging on the back of the door. My reflection in the ornate mirror above the dresser startled me – pale skin stretched taut over my cheekbones, dark circles smudging the area beneath my eyes. I looked exhausted and ready to collapse.

I winced. There was more gray in my hair. As if sensing my thoughts, Charles pulled me into a comforting embrace.

"You're doing amazing, Grace," he whispered, his voice warm against my ear. "Don't let anyone, least of all yourself, tell you otherwise."

I burrowed deeper into his embrace. His familiar scent calmed me. We stood there for a long moment, a silent conversation passing between us. A conversation about fear, about hope, and about the uncertain future that stretched before us. A shadow of doubt lingered in my mind. How much longer could I keep fighting this? How much longer would I live?

Charles, as if sensing my unspoken fear, tilted my chin up, his gaze holding mine.

"We'll find some way around it," he declared, his voice firm with conviction. "We'll get through this."

His words, laced with unwavering determination, sent a flicker of warmth through me. Maybe, just maybe, he was right. With a shaky breath, I pushed aside the debilitating thoughts, focusing instead on the present moment.

Reaching into my pocket, I retrieved the vial of stamina booster Charles had procured. Popped the top and drank. I chased it down with a glass of water from the bedside table. The metallic tang lingered on my tongue again.

"Let's get you some rest, okay?" Charles asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

I nodded, forcing a smile. "Sounds good."

He returned the smile, his eyes gleaming with a familiar spark of mischief.

He led me to the bathroom. I was so tired, but he climbed into the bathtub with me. He bathed me and dried me off. I drifted off into sleep. I wished I had the energy for more, but he hushed me.

We climbed into bed and he whispered into my ear.

"It's alright," he whispered. "Look forward to tomorrow."