Chapter 242: Unexpected ComplicationsTHORNEBefore I could react, she'd launched the documents at my head like projectiles. "Hey!" I protested, dodging a particularly well-aimed folder. Was this what she meant by me cooling off?That was all the invitation the others needed. Within seconds, the room had devolved into chaos as papers flew through the air and grown adults chased each other around furniture like children. Marcus was using a three-ring binder as a shield while Kyle pelted him with sticky notes. Samuel had taken cover behind his chair, laughing harder than I'd seen him laugh in years. I got worried about his heart, before he would die of a heart attack."This is completely unprofessional!" I yelled, even as I grabbed a stack of transport schedules to use as ammunition against Kashton, who was advancing on me with what looked like an entire ream of printer paper."So is hitting on people during business meetings!" Carol shot back, launching a particularly thick manual in
Chapter 241: Unfiltered ChaosTHORNEThe weight of exhaustion pressed down on my shoulders as I reviewed the transport manifests for what felt like the hundredth time that morning. Getting Lake's medical equipment back to Silver Creek was proving to be a logistical nightmare that required specialized vehicles, trained medical personnel, and enough security to protect a small convoy. Between coordinating with Dr. Sloane, arranging pack housing assignments, and managing the political fallout of our extended absence, I felt like I'd aged a decade in the past week.Samuel and Silvia had been invaluable in helping prepare our return strategy, their years of experience in pack politics proving crucial as we crafted explanations for the council that wouldn't cause mass panic or rebellion. The decision to lift the supernatural ban in Silver Creek was going to be controversial enough without adding the full truth about Andy's psychological warfare and Riley's conditioning to the mix."The co
Chapter 240: Being Patient Is Really HardOLLIEThe door opened, and Lyn walked in, his pretty face looking tired but kind like always. I liked Lyn a lot, especially after I found out he was Zade's real mate, which meant Mama wasn't going to leave Daddy for Zade like I'd been worried about. Lyn made Zade happy, and that meant our family could stay together."Hey there, little man," Lyn said, noticing me standing there with tears on my face. "What's going on?"I couldn't answer because my throat felt all thick and choky, so I just ran over and hugged him around the waist. Lyn was tall and smelled like flowers and something clean, and he didn't push me away or tell me to leave."Do you want to talk about it?" Lyn asked gently, his hand stroking my hair in a way that made me feel a little bit better.I nodded against his shirt, not trusting my voice yet."Outside?" he suggested, glancing at Riley and realizing that something must have happened between us again. Riley kept quiet and igno
Chapter 239: Big FeelingsOLLIEI pressed my face against the car window as we drove through the city streets toward the hospital, watching the buildings blur past while my stomach twisted with feelings I didn't know how to name. Riley sat in the seat next to me, staring out his own window like he always did now, and I wanted to shake him until he looked at me instead.Everything had been so confusing for so long. First Mama took me away in the middle of the night when it was raining really hard, and I thought I'd never see Daddy again. I remembered watching him standing in the rain getting smaller and smaller as Alpha Zade drove away, and I cried until my throat hurt because I thought he didn't love us anymore. But then everyone came back one by one, and they brought me the biggest surprise ever - I had a twin brother named Riley.At first, I was so excited I could barely sleep. A twin brother! Someone who was exactly my age, someone who would understand me better than anyone else in
Chapter 238: Coming HomeLUMINABut it was also where Riley and Ollie belonged. Where their future lay, where they would grow up and find their place in the world. And despite everything that had happened between us, I couldn't abandon my sons to face that future without their mother."Lumina?" Xenois's voice was carefully neutral, but I could hear the underlying tension in it. He was asking a question that went far beyond simple logistics - he was asking whether I was willing to return to a life that had nearly destroyed me once before.I looked at Riley, who had finished his meal and was now waiting with the patient resignation of someone who understood that cooperation led to rewards. My complicated, traumatized, brilliant son who needed stability and consistency more than he needed anything else in the world. Then I thought of Ollie, probably playing with his toys in the living room, trusting that the adults in his life would make decisions that kept him safe and loved."I'll come
Chapter 237: LeverageXENOISThe next morning, Lumina entered Riley's room carrying a breakfast tray and wearing an expression of calm determination. Riley hadn't moved from his position the night before, still staring at the ceiling with the same blank detachment."Good morning, Riley," she said, setting the tray on his nightstand. "I brought you some breakfast."No response. No acknowledgment that he'd even heard her speak."I know you're upset about being away from Lake," Lumina continued, her voice steady and matter-of-fact. "I understand that being separated from him feels unbearable right now. But your health is important too, and you can't take care of him if you're not taking care of yourself."Still nothing. Riley's breathing remained steady and even, but he might as well have been a statue for all the reaction he showed.Lumina sat down in the chair beside his bed, positioning herself where he couldn't avoid seeing her even if he refused to acknowledge her presence."Here's