Chapter 11

WHISPERS AND CLAWS

LEXI'S POV

I paused by the door, not wanting to believe what I had just heard.

Manny was getting a new Luna? I scoffed.

That man was capable of anything, he had betrayed me when I least expected it, so the thought of him getting a new Luna only made me feel sorry for whoever the poor woman was going to be.

At the same time, it made me panic.

What did this mean for me now?

Was he really going to go through with parading me before the pack before throwing me to the dungeons?

What was going to happen to Dexter and Wayne? 

Would I be allowed to remain here as their mother?

What in the world was the future going to bring for me this time? I wondered, leaning against the wall.

As I walked back into my room, there was only one major thought in my head.

Whatever the future brought, I was going to protect my sons and survive it.

I woke up the next morning, with a knock from the door pulling me from my thoughts.

I opened the door only to find Manny standing in front of me with Wayne frowning at his side.

“Um… good morning,” I greeted, unsure of what to make of this.

“Yeah,” Manny replied nonchalantly, looking past me. “Is Dexter awake now? 

“Yeah—”

My words were cut off as Manny walked past me, heading up to where Dexter lay in bed. 

At the sight of them, he sat up slowly. “Mommy, who is he?” 

I sighed, bracing myself for the impact. “This is your father, Dexter and that boy is your twin brother, Wayne.” 

Dexter's eyes widened in surprise as he looked from Manny down to Wayne.

“Hey son,” Manny smiled at him.

“You are my daddy?” Dexter echoed, still stunned.

“Yes, I am your father,” Manny repeated, his eyes seeming to soften as he looked down at him.

I watched them as they hugged, unable to explain why my heart felt so warm at the sight.

Seeing Manny reunite with his son and watching Dexter's glee at meeting his father and brother.

“You look just like me,” Dexter smiled at Wayne.

Wayne smiled, “that is the point of twins.” 

“Wow, I can't believe I have a brother like you,” Dexter replied excitedly. “This is so cool!”

My heart felt warm again as Wayne smiled back.

Just then, Manny tapped my shoulder.

“Let's leave the boys alone to bond,” he suggested and I nodded, still feeling overcome with emotion.

As soon as the door closed, Manny turned to me with a frown.

“Don't even for one second think that, I have forgiven you for what you did.”

I scoffed back, just who did this man take himself for.

“I don't remember ever asking for your forgiveness,” I fired at him. “If I had the chance, the only thing I would change is me leaving Wayne in your care.”

“Don't forget that I still hold your life in my hands, I can keep you from Dexter if you want to keep testing me,” Manny replied, his eyes narrowed in rage.

“Just try and keep Dexter away from me and you will find out what I am capable of,” I hissed back at him.

Now it was Manny's turn to scoff at me, he stepped closer, backing me into the wall.

“And what will you do? Will you try and escape me again? Will you kidnap my children this time?”

I stayed silent, accepting that he had predicted me.

“You can't escape here Lexi, not anymore. Look around you, this pack house is a fortress that I have fortified just for you,” he said with a cruel smile.

“You are sick,” I hissed in disbelief, looking around the house.

“You really think your few guards are enough to keep me here?” I asked him incredulously. My wolf was raging inside, aching to come out and show him what I was made of.

“What are you going to do, Lexi?” Manny taunted. “Beat up my men and escape with your sons by jumping off another cliff?”

“You are just as crazy as I remember. Why do you even want me here? Don't you have a new Luna already?” I retorted angrily.

“You have no right to talk about my new Luna?!” Manny flared up suddenly, pointing a finger at me.

“And why not?!” I shot back. “Is she so perfect that you don't want a terrible mother and Luna like me to mention her, is that it?”

Manny opened his mouth about to reply when the door to the bedroom flew open.

Wayne stepped out, glaring at me as he stood in front of his dad, protectively.

“Why are you yelling at my dad?” He asked with a frown. “You are the one who abandoned us so how dare you yell at my daddy?”

I felt my heart crack open.

“Wayne, it's not what you think,” I began desperately, but he turned his face away.

“I don't want you in our house anymore,” Wayne replied, looking up at Manny. “Dad, can you make her leave?”

I stared down at him, feeling heart broken.

My own son hated me and I had no way of getting through to him.

“Wayne, I never meant to leave you,” I started. “I am so sorry—”

Just as in was about to apologize, Sophia appeared in the hallway, standing there like she anticipated this.

“Come here darling," she called for Wayne, who ran to her without a second thought.

“You should not be around people who upset you,” she said softly, rubbing Wayne's hair as she smiled at me.

“Yes granny, maybe you can tell dad to throw that woman out,” Wayne replied, glaring at me.

“Don't worry dear, I will make sure that woman is removed from this house as soon as possible.”

I stood there helplessly, watching as she turned and walked with my son.

Her claws were deeper in Wayne than I realized.

And I had no idea how to get him back.