Chapter 5

Calla's POV 

“Mummy!” Adele comes barreling towards me. For a two year old, she’s quite sprity. 

These days, all she does is run around.

She’s an endless bundle of energy and my only source of joy. 

I kneel and she shoots into my arms. We both crash to the garden grass and burst into laughter.

Adele snorts. There’s a piece of leaf stuck to her cheek. I laugh louder and flick it away.

“Shouldn’t you be getting on with your lessons, princess?” 

My question is directed at her but I’m staring at Tilly, her governess. 

“Her highness wanted a break,” Tilly shoots me an apologetic look. 

I smile at her. I know it's not her fault they are outside right now. Adele can be a handful sometimes. Just like her father.

“Come play with me, mummy,” Adele insists. As always, I can’t say no to her request. 

“Alright,” I concede. “We’ll play a little bit then, you have to be a good girl and go resume your lessons with Tilly. Okay?”

“Okay.” She nods. 

“Good,” I caress her cheeks gently. “Now, what kind of game should we play?”

Before she can answer, a shadow falls on us. Together, we look up and Blade is right there, glaring at us.

Correction. 

He’s glaring at me.

“Daddy!” Adele shrieks. She lets go of me and latches onto Blade’s leg. Her excitement is infectious. 

If I wasn’t so unnerved by the sight of Blade’s scowl, I would have smiled at what an adorable pair they both make.

“Daddy, come play with us?” Adele asks him innocently. Her baby blues eyes are wide and searching.

Blade merely pats her head. He doesn’t say anything to her. His sole attention is on me. 

What is he about to accuse me of now? I bet it’s something I’ve got no control over.

“The building of the new school can’t be delayed any longer,” he begins in that annoyed growl. 

“Is there a reason why your father keeps delaying to send his share of the funds?”

“What funds?” I furrow my brows at him. 

I was right. I’m being blamed right now for a project I know nothing about.

“Your father pledged to support the building of the new pack school. It’s been nearly six months now. Construction resumes in a week.”

“What exactly is it you want me to do about this?” 

I’m still confused about my part in this. I also wish he would stop glaring at me so much. I’m still upset about his earlier dismissal.

“I know you two talk on the phone,” he seethes as he says this. 

“The next time you get on the phone to feed him information about my pack, do well to remind him to send his shares.”

“I don’t discuss pack business with my father,” I grumble in self defense but he’s not staring at me anymore. 

Instead, he’s looking at our daughter.

She’s still latching on to his leg, gazing up at him with those baby doll eyes. 

For a brief moment, I catch Blade’s eyes softening. Then, they are hard again.

“Adele’s losing weight,” he comments. “Switch her diet. I want her to eat healthier, as befitting the Alpha princess that she is.”

“She eats healthy enough,” I gripe. Now, I’m mad. But he just keeps ignoring me.

He checks the time on his customized patek wristwatch. 

For the first time, I notice he’s dressed nicer than usual. 

There’s something about his suit that says he’s doing more than going to the office to attend meetings.

“I’ll be home late tonight,” he says, answering my curiosity. “I’ve got an important engagement after work. Don’t wait up.”

“W-What kind of engagement?” I stutter. 

Until yesterday, I wouldn’t have asked. Something about last night had altered my brain chemistry. 

Blade narrows his eyes at me. His lips are downturned in a way that has me shrinking into myself. 

“Don’t wait up Calla. That’s all you need to hear.” His tone is final. He pats Adele’s hair twice. And then, he’s gone.

I don’t realize I’m crying until I feel wetness hit my arm. 

“Mummy, are you crying?” Adele tugs on the hem of my dress. I stare at her. She’s blurry due to the tears. 

“No, I'm not, baby.” I shake my head and wipe my tears away. 

I scoop my daughter into my arms and give her a firm kiss on the lips. 

“I’m fine honey. Mummy just needs a moment to herself. How about you go with Tilly now? I’ll find you later. I promise.”

I hand her over to Tilly. After they leave the garden, I hide behind the maple tree and cry my eyes out. 

I cry for my lost youth. I cry because of the delusion last night. I cry for the fairytale life I’ll never have.

After I’ve cried a substantial amount of time, I wipe my eyes and head back into the house. I take the back entrance. 

The last thing I want is to give the house members something to gossip about. 

The she-wolves, who live in the pack house, can be ruthless with their nasty tales. 

I only stopped being on their radar after I birthed Adele. 

Even at that, I’m not invincible. They only need to get hold of the tiniest scandal about me and it’s game over.

I hurry my footsteps. Just then, a strong pair of hands reach out and pull me into the darkness of the alcove. 

I open my mouth to scream but the sound is cut off with a kiss.

The kiss is hard. Fierce. Passionate. 

My stomach clenches as it dawns on me, who it is kissing me right now.

With all my might, I push him away from me. 

He lets me go. He’s grinning from ear to ear as he meets my hot glare.

Blade’s face is staring back at me. Only it’s not Blade. 

It’s his twin brother. 

Brynne.

“Miss me?” He winks.

Even after three years, he’s still a major trouble.