#Chapter 2: Public Image

Tessa's POV

An heir?

I want to stop Evander's mother and tell her it's fine–I don't want him to have a baby with me just because he has to, after all.

But just as I open my mouth to speak, I see Evander turn around to look at Madeleine.

"Are you sure?" Evander says coldly. "With her genes?"

I lower my head quietly, face burning from embarrassment.

I know Evander is raised to be a successful Alpha billionaire, caring only about profits and numbers. And he probably thinks he is just discussing facts with Madeleine.

But it still hurts. It hurts far more than I'd like to admit.

Evander's mother Madeleine seems to notice my upset. She smiles at me gently before glancing over at Evander. When she speaks, her voice is calm and patient.

"Tessa's deafness isn't congenital," Madeleine remarks, keeping her tone level. "There isn't any issue with her genetically. Truly, Evander, she'd be a good match for you in terms of producing an heir."

"What changed your mind, Mom?" Evander blinks. "That doesn't sound like something you would have suggested five years ago."

I purse my lips and look down.

FIVE YEARS AGO.

When Evander and I had first gotten married, Madeleine's attitude towards me had been pretty indifferent too.

But then, three years ago, Madeleine had a stroke. Thankfully I was able to catch onto what was happening, reacting quickly and keeping her stabilized until help could arrive.

Madeleine and I have become quite close since, and she's a lot more fond of me now.

"You and Tessa have been married for five years now. As a wife, Tessa has more than already proven her value," she points out. "Our two families have merged seamlessly, and you've been able to successfully take over Tessa's family business and help it absolutely flourish. Your positive media image is largely due to Tessa's family's contributions as well."

"Besides," Madeleine continues, "If you were going to find your Fated mate, it would have happened by now."

Evander scowls. "Mother–"

"I'm just saying that it might be a sign to give up the search," Madeleine says. "Sometimes people don't get to meet their Fated mate in their entire life, but you cannot wait forever for her. We both know you need to show up as a stably married candidate and have an heir to win more votes, Evander."

She shrugs before continuing. "And we don't know the consequences of the two of you divorcing yet! It could affect the compliance of Tessa's family business."

Evander pauses for a moment. His brows furrow.

To my surprise, he then nods once, briskly. "I understand."

"I'm glad," Madeleine says with an easy smile. She glances over at me. "It's been taking a lot of time and effort. Tessa, you could stop your birth control. The two of you could start actually trying to have an heir."

I nod once to Madeleine, can't suppress the smile that curls at the corners of my lips.

However, I can't help but notice out of the corner of my eye that Carol, Evander's Beta, shoots me a disapproving look.

"I suppose that is the best plan for now," Evander says curtly.

The words sound cold and clinical, a practical conclusion rather than a personal one.

Still, that's the closest thing to a promise I've gotten from Evander since we got married.

And I have to admit I’m glad about that. Evander is an Alpha who always makes wise choices, and when he gives his word, he keeps it.

"If that's all settled, I'll be leaving now."

With that, Evander leaves the pack house with Carol behind him, moving quickly and efficiently out the door and into the world.

I stare at my plate of food, unsure how to process the slurry of emotions tangled up in my head.

I'd just about abandoned all hope of someday having a child.

But now… now it might actually happen.

I love kids, though–in fact, my work is connected to children.

I'm a preschool teacher.

My marriage to Evander isn't a secret in the old-money Alpha social circles, but it's been kept private from the public.

On the outside, I'm just a regular preschool teacher. And I believe I'm a good one. The children adore me. I've yet to meet a class I can't handle.

As I finish off the rest of my breakfast, I can't help but imagine what my child with Evander might look like.

I finish my room and make my way to work. Hopefully that will help me take my mind off things. When I get to the school, though, there are two men waiting for me inside.

One man I recognize: my boss, the principal.

But the other one is unfamiliar.

"Ms. Tessa!" The unfamiliar man exclaims, clearly relieved to see me. "Thank goodness you're here. Listen, the choir children are going to perform at a charity event, but the teacher who supposed to be their conductor's just fallen ill! The children are upset, so we need you to step in and help comfort them."

I blink at the man slowly. It takes me several moments to process the words, but as I do, recognition dawns.

This man is Theodore Smith, the director of an upcoming local charity event.

I've met with him several times because a couple of the children in my class are in the choir. I helped out some during rehearsals, too. If not for my hearing impairment, I probably would have been a lot more involved.

I didn't think I'd ever actually be asked to step in, though.

"O-of course," I say slowly, walking towards him. "Do I… need to arrange for a car?"

Theodore shakes his head. "I got mine waiting outside. All we need is for you to join us."

I glance at the principal. "I'm good to go?"

"Please," he responds with a warm smile.

I nod and follow Theodore out of the school. True to his word, there's a car waiting outside. I climb into the car quickly and stare out the window as the car pulls out of the driveway.

After a quick, silent drive spent watching the scenery blur before me, the car pulls up to the front of a lavish-looking banquet hall.

While Theodore finds a place to park his car, I step out of his vehicle and follow his quick guide into the building first to find the children.

But as I walk through the hallways, I suddenly spot a familiar face. My heart hammers in my chest as I see Evander milling about the crowd.

And judging by his face, he spots me, too.

He pushes through the crowd quickly to get to me. I stand there in stunned silence as his fingers loop around my wrist and he tugs me into an empty corridor.

"You're getting too bold, Tessa," Evander sighs heavily. “Are you finding me here on purpose? You would like to be noticed in public and officially introduced as my wife NOW?"