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Home / Werewolf / My Swimmer Stepbrother's Forbidden Claim / Chapter 121 - Chapter 130

All Chapters of My Swimmer Stepbrother's Forbidden Claim: Chapter 121 - Chapter 130

137 Chapters

116

Chapter 116Being the Alpha's mate was harder than Riley expected.She'd thought she understood what it would entail. More social obligations, more visibility, more responsibility. But the reality was overwhelming in ways she hadn't anticipated.Suddenly, everything she did reflected on Samuel. Every outfit she wore, every comment she made, every decision about the kids. Pack members watched her, judged her, had opinions about her role."You should be at more pack events," one older woman told her at a gathering in March."I have two young children and a full-time career," Riley said politely."The Alpha's mate should prioritize pack duties.""I prioritize my family. The pack is important, but my children come first."The woman looked disapproving but didn't push further."That was diplomatic," Samuel said later when Riley told him about the interaction."I wanted to tell her to mind her own business.""I'm glad you didn't.""Barely. Sam, I don't know if I'm cut out for this. Everyone

117

September brought an unexpected visitor.Riley was at home, working on Pack Truth edits while Isaac napped, when the doorbell rang. She opened it to find a young woman, maybe early twenties, with nervous energy and familiar golden eyes."Can I help you?""Are you Riley Chen? I mean, Riley Armani now, I guess?" The woman twisted her hands. "I'm sorry to just show up. I know that's weird. But I needed to talk to you and I didn't know how else to reach you.""Who are you?""My name is Aria. Aria Moore." The woman took a breath. "I'm Tiara's younger cousin. I think we need to talk about Nova."Riley's blood went cold. "Nova's dead.""I know. But his family isn't. And they're planning something. Something bad."Riley let her in, made tea, and listened to what Aria had to say."Nova's brother, Marcus, he's been gathering allies. Former supporters who think Nova was wrongly convicted. They're planning to challenge the pack council, possibly try to overthrow your husband's leadership.""That'

118

Winter came early that year, bringing snow in late October.Riley stood at her office window, watching the flakes fall, thinking about how much had changed in the eight years since she'd first met Samuel. Eight years since that pool deck, that terrified moment when her world had shifted.Now she was thirty-five, mother of two, Alpha's mate, successful author and media entrepreneur. A life she'd never imagined possible."You're being contemplative again," Diana said from the doorway."Just thinking about time. How fast it moves.""That's very philosophical for a Tuesday morning."Riley smiled. "I'm allowed to be philosophical occasionally.""Occasionally, sure. But you've been staring out that window for twenty minutes. Everything okay?""Everything's fine. Just... reflective."Diana left her alone, and Riley returned to her thoughts.She'd been feeling it more lately. The passage of time. Selene was nine now, growing independent and opinionated. Isaac was three and a half, no longer a

119

Winter came early that year, bringing snow in late October.Riley stood at her office window, watching the flakes fall, thinking about how much had changed in the eight years since she'd first met Samuel. Eight years since that pool deck, that terrified moment when her world had shifted.Now she was thirty-five, mother of two, Alpha's mate, successful author and media entrepreneur. A life she'd never imagined possible."You're being contemplative again," Diana said from the doorway."Just thinking about time. How fast it moves.""That's very philosophical for a Tuesday morning."Riley smiled. "I'm allowed to be philosophical occasionally.""Occasionally, sure. But you've been staring out that window for twenty minutes. Everything okay?""Everything's fine. Just... reflective."Diana left her alone, and Riley returned to her thoughts.She'd been feeling it more lately. The passage of time. Selene was nine now, growing independent and opinionated. Isaac was three and a half, no longer a

120

Winter came early that year, bringing snow in late October. Riley stood at her office window, watching the flakes fall, thinking about how much had changed in the eight years since she'd first met Samuel. Eight years since that pool deck, that terrified moment when her world had shifted. Now she was thirty-five, mother of two, Alpha's mate, successful author and media entrepreneur. A life she'd never imagined possible. "You're being contemplative again," Diana said from the doorway. "Just thinking about time. How fast it moves." "That's very philosophical for a Tuesday morning." Riley smiled. "I'm allowed to be philosophical occasionally." "Occasionally, sure. But you've been staring out that window for twenty minutes. Everything okay?" "Everything's fine. Just... reflective." Diana left her alone, and Riley returned to her thoughts. She'd been feeling it more lately. The passage of time. Selene was nine now, growing independent and opinionated. Isaac was three and a half,

121

Luna was six weeks old when Riley realized something was wrong.Not with the baby. Luna was thriving, gaining weight, hitting all her milestones. The problem was Riley.She couldn't stop crying. Everything made her cry. A commercial. A song on the radio. The way the afternoon light hit the kitchen counter."I think I have postpartum depression," she told Samuel one morning after crying through breakfast for no reason."Okay. Let's get you help.""Just like that? No questions?""You know yourself. If you think something's wrong, I believe you." Samuel took her hand. "What do you need?""I don't know. A therapist who specializes in postpartum issues? Maybe medication?""Then we'll find that. Today."Samuel made calls while Riley fed Luna. By afternoon, she had an appointment with a perinatal psychiatrist for the following day.Dr. Morrison was kind and matter-of-fact. She asked Riley a series of questions, listened carefully to her answers, and nodded."You're experiencing postpartum de

121

Chapter 121The premiere of the first film was scheduled for June.Riley stood in front of her closet, trying to decide what one wore to a Hollywood premiere of a movie based on one's own book."You're overthinking this," Samuel said from the bed where he was attempting to wrangle Luna into her dress shoes."I'm absolutely overthinking this. There are going to be cameras. Famous actors. People who actually know about fashion.""Wear the blue dress. You look amazing in it.""Which blue dress?""The dark one with the—stop that," this last part directed at Luna, who'd successfully removed both shoes and was now trying to eat one."Shoes not food!" Luna announced cheerfully, then bit the shoe anyway.Riley laughed despite her nerves. "She's your daughter.""She's definitely something." Samuel finally got the shoes back on Luna's feet. "For the record, any dress you wear will be perfect because you're wearing it.""That's very smooth.""I've had nine years to perfect my compliments."They'

122

The actual ten-year anniversary came in July.Riley woke up to find Samuel already awake, watching her with a soft smile."Morning," she said."Morning. Happy anniversary.""Ten years. That's a long time.""Best ten years of my life.""You always say that.""Because it's always true."They'd planned a small celebration. Nothing extravagant, just dinner at the restaurant where they'd had their first date, then a weekend away while Nora watched the kids."I can't believe we're leaving them for three whole days," Riley said, packing."We've left them before.""Not since Luna was born. What if something happens?""Then my mom will handle it. She raised me. She can handle our kids for a weekend.""But what if—"Samuel took the shirt Riley was folding and refolding for the fifth time. "Riley. The kids will be fine. My mom will be fine. We deserve a weekend together.""You're right. I know you're right.""Then stop catastrophizing and finish packing."They dropped the kids off at Nora's that

123

Winter came early that year, bringing snow in late October. Riley stood at her office window, watching the flakes fall, thinking about how much had changed in the eight years since she'd first met Samuel. Eight years since that pool deck, that terrified moment when her world had shifted. Now she was thirty-five, mother of two, Alpha's mate, successful author and media entrepreneur. A life she'd never imagined possible. "You're being contemplative again," Diana said from the doorway. "Just thinking about time. How fast it moves." "That's very philosophical for a Tuesday morning." Riley smiled. "I'm allowed to be philosophical occasionally." "Occasionally, sure. But you've been staring out that window for twenty minutes. Everything okay?" "Everything's fine. Just... reflective." Diana left her alone, and Riley returned to her thoughts. She'd been feeling it more lately. The passage of time. Selene was nine now, growing independent and opinionated. Isaac was three and a half, n

124

The phone call came at two in the morning on a Tuesday in January.Riley fumbled for her phone, heart already racing. Nothing good ever came from calls at 2 AM."Hello?""Riley, it's Sarah." Her friend's voice was shaking. "I'm at the hospital. Lysander was in a car accident."Riley sat up instantly. "Is he okay?""I don't know. They won't tell me anything yet. He's in surgery. Riley, I'm scared.""I'm coming. Give me twenty minutes."Samuel was already awake. "What happened?""Lysander's been in an accident. I need to go to the hospital.""I'll come with you.""Someone needs to stay with the kids.""Then I'll call my mom. Riley, you're not going alone."Nora arrived within fifteen minutes, still in her pajamas. By the time they reached the hospital, Sarah was in the waiting room looking small and terrified."Any news?" Riley asked, pulling her into a hug."He's still in surgery. They said something about internal bleeding. Riley, what if—""Don't. Don't go there yet."Samuel sat besi

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