Chapter 99

Caroline:

~~~

“Caroline…” Darius says quietly. “Believe me. Valerie is only carrying my child. I swear that's all there is between us. You're the only woman I love.”

My heart stops.

‘Wait... did he just say Valerie?’ I ask Silver. ‘The Valerie we both know? It can't be... has she been by Darius' side this entire time?’

“Valerie?” Silver asks.

“Yes, that's her name.”

Hearing Darius confirm it, I don't know when I break through the restraint of Silver’s barrier.

“Oh Goddess, Darius. Is Valerie a vampire?” I ask, and I can already tell his surprise.

“You know Valerie.” He doesn't ask, he states.

“Yes. Valerie is…” I trail off when I hear the very person we're talking about speak.

No wonder I felt her voice sounded familiar the last time I eavesdropped on Darius' phone call.

“Darius, I came to spend time with you. It's been three days since you last visited me. I'm stuck in bed, doing everything I can to protect our child, yet you haven't come to see me even once,” Valerie says pitifully, and I roll my eyes.

The nerve of this vixen, trying to emotionally manipulate my man.

Now everything makes sense.

Valerie is either lying about being pregnant or the child isn't Darius.

And she just said Darius hasn't come to see her for three days. Oh, no. A pang of guilt settles in my chest. I really did misunderstand him.

“Valerie, you can see that I'm on the phone,” Darius says, his tone firm, and that's my cue. I don't wait for Valerie to beat me.

“Okay,” I interject coldly, making sure my voice carries clearly through the line. “I will just leave you two to your—”

“No! Caroline. Please don't hang up.” Darius' voice is desperate.

A slow, dark satisfaction spreads through me, and the corners of my lips curve into a faint smile. Good. That's exactly what I wanted to hear.

“Valerie, my mate is on the phone, and she's furious with me. Can we talk later?”

“Oh... of course. Go ahead,” Valerie replies a little too quickly, and I can tell the panic in her voice. She knows she's been exposed.

I hear the door click shut, and a long silence follows before Darius speaks again.

“Caroline, I miss you.”

This bastard. Changing the subject as though nothing happened.

Good, I don't even want him asking how I know Valerie. I'll tell him everything once I get there.

“I don't miss you, Darius,” I lie, my voice cold as ice. “Goodbye.”

“Then I'm coming to you; wait for me…huh?”

“No! I blurt out before he can finish. "Don't.”

Darius goes silent, then his voice comes back, quieter this time.

“You don't want me there? Why? Caroline, you promised…”

“I did. And I'm not breaking that promise.” I close my eyes. “But please... don't come. Can you trust me?”

He doesn't answer. Instead, I hear him draw in a slow, shaky breath. He's fighting himself. “I love you, Darius.”

“Me too,” he breathes at last. “Whatever you do… just be careful. I don't trust that rogue.”

“I will. And thank you… for trusting me.”

I hear him chuckle softly.

“Always,” he murmurs, his voice softening. “How are my two little champs doing?” he asks, and I smile as we continue talking.

Not long after, Mother walks in carrying breakfast, and we reluctantly end the call.

I sit at the table, reach for the spoon, and take a sip of the broth, and immediately groan at its taste.

So sweet.

Mother smiles knowingly, and I return it with a little.

“Thank you, Mother.”

“You're welcome, pumpkin.” She sinks into the chair next to me, her fingers nervously tracing the edge of the table.

The sudden, heavy tension in her shoulders gives her away instantly. She is holding something back.

“What is it, Mother?”

She meets my eyes and sighs heavily and finally mutters,

“It's Logan.”

My brows knit together. “He called while you were unconscious. He asked me to give you a message.”

“A message?” I ask, and she nods.

“He told me to warn you to be careful of the rogue.”

I frown.

“And?” I press, setting the spoon down. 

“He also said I should tell you that everything he did... he did to protect you.”

I stare at her in confusion.

“Protect me? And what exactly does he mean by 'everything'?”

Mother shakes her head helplessly.

“I asked him the same question, but he wouldn't explain. He just kept speaking in riddles.”

I slowly nod, and taking her hand on the table, I tell her about my decision to leave for the Lycan Kingdom. She listens quietly before squeezing my hands.

“Don't worry about the pack. I'll help manage everything while you're away.”

Relief washes over me.

“Thank you. Mother.”