All Chapters of A Secret Baby For The Alpha Quarterback: Chapter 171 - Chapter 179

VioletIt was afternoon when the buzz of my phone dragged me out of a feverish doze. My body felt wrung out, my head heavy as lead. I groped along the nightstand until I found the phone. A few unread messages glowed on the screen.One was from the kids' teacher, Olivia. I tapped it—and snapped wide awake."Ms. Ward, hello! Today's Family Day went great. The kids had a blast! Especially Leon and Theodora—they were outstanding! I've attached some photos."Family Day? I stared at the screen, mind blank. What Family Day? Today?I suddenly remembered the kids had said something last night, but I was burning up, barely coherent. I'd assumed it was just school chatter. I never realized it was real, that it was today—that they went without me.My heart kicked hard. A wave of shame hit me. I'd missed an important school event. They must've been disappointed. And because they're so considerate, they didn't disturb me—so they stood there while other kids raced with their parents.I forced my sha

Violet"So I borrowed an oven from the hospital kitchen," he went on, even more abashed. "I've never baked before, so... it might not taste great."I stared at the ugly, earnest little cake. The heir to Thorn Group flailing around in a hospital kitchen for me?"You can try it," he said carefully. "If it's bad, forget it. I'll learn and do better next time."I took the tiny spoon and tasted it. Way too much sugar. The crumb was rough. Professionally speaking, a fail.But..."How is it?" he asked, nervous.His hopeful, worried eyes warmed something deep in me. And suddenly the air didn't reek so much of antiseptic."Too sweet," I admitted, but my mouth curved anyway. "But... thank you."He lit up, pure delight making him look like a big kid. "I'll make it better next time."Next time? My heart skipped.The moment softened—and I remembered what mattered most. I had to find out what he knew. What he wanted."Derek," I said carefully, "about today, about Leon and Theodora."He went still.

Derek"For wolves, the pack is everything," he snapped. "An individual never stands apart from the pack."He wasn't wrong. I know that. I'm strong enough now to find another way."Give me two weeks," I said finally. "Let me set things here. I'll return in a week. But my stance on Liriel won't change."Elder Elvin took in my face, read the steel there, and sighed. "I hope you don't regret your stubbornness. The pack needs a rational leader, not a man blinded by love.""I've never been clearer," I said, calm as ice. "I know what matters most."He shook his head and left.When the door closed, the weight settled back onto my shoulders. I know what's coming—the pressure, the fights. But my choice is made.No matter the cost, I'll protect this family I finally found. Violet and the kids are my whole world. I'll take every hit for them.Upstairs, Violet's soft steps crossed the hall. She was tucking them in—they always sleep like little tornadoes. That small, ordinary sweetness is exactly

VioletTwenty minutes later, we were in the office. My heart slammed at the sight of them. Leon's left cheek was swollen. Theodora's uniform was rumpled, eyes watery."What happened?" I was on them, checking hands, faces.Olivia looked pained. "During recess, a few kids from other classes argued with Leon and Theodora. It escalated."Derek frowned, crouched, and cupped Theodora's cheek. "Hey, baby. Tell me what happened. I always believe you."He didn't scold. He listened. That simple trust stung my eyes.Theodora hiccuped. "They said... we don't have a dad. They said Derek is a fake dad."Leon's fists knotted, anger burning. "They said Mom found a fake dad to trick people. Said nobody wants us."The words cut like knives. The thing I feared most. The thing that always finds a way to happen."So you fought?" I asked quietly."I won't let anyone talk trash about Mom," Leon said, chin up. "Or about Derek. He acts like our dad. Who are they to call him fake?"Theodora nodded, tears still

VioletAs consciousness ebbed back, it felt like breaking the surface after a deep dive. My skin still quivered, and my mark tingled—Derek's permanent claim. His scent wrapped around me, warm and safe, and I instinctively burrowed closer to his chest."Awake?" His voice rumbled at my ear, low and satisfied.I opened my eyes and fell into his dark gaze. I'd never seen that kind of tenderness there before—heat, devotion, a possessiveness that burned. Sunlight spilled across his face, making him look like a god stepped out of a painting."How do you feel?" His fingers skimmed my cheek, heat sparking under my skin."Good." My voice was hoarse, scraped raw by last night. "Never better."That wasn't a line. The mark had snapped a bond into place. I could feel him—love, contentment, the way he treasured me. Wholeness swelled in my chest until it hurt in the best way."My Luna." He brushed a kiss over my mouth, voice dipping, wicked. "You were so damn beautiful under me last night."My face w