Chapter 5

Valerie:

I forced myself to keep my gaze calm as I looked at Caspian's eyes, which bored into mine. I could tell that you were shocked. I could not blame him. He remained in front of Adrian, my son, our son, and the disbelief that was on his face could be seen a mile away.

His eyes met mine, a silent question burning through them. The number of questions that I knew he had in his mind was countless. I could see him fighting back the truth, struggling to connect with the child that stood in front of him; even the idea of me having a child was one that he did not put in mind. And I knew that this was something that he was thinking about, the life that he had abandoned, that he left behind.

Maybe he did not know of Adrian. That was true. However, had he chosen to listen to me, he would have known. I just did not know how I would have been able to tell him at the time, especially with the way that he was serious about the divorce. Especially with the way that he did not even want to look at me.

Elias stood by my side. His expression was sharp as he observed everything. He gave me a questioning look, as if asking me whether or not he should intervene, whether or not he should push him away from me. I shook my head. This was not the time for any confrontation. This was not the time for us to be arguing about anything. And if you wanted to ask any questions, Caspian was more than open to doing so. I was willing to answer. It was not like I had anything to hide.

“I’ll leave the two of you to talk,” Elias said hesitantly, his tone calm but laced with an edge of warning. His eyes lingered on Caspian for a moment longer before turning to me. I nodded in gratitude, though I felt the tension of his unspoken words; this won’t end quietly. Nor is it going to end well.

I nodded in insurance, knowing that this was going to be something that I needed to deal with. I was already aware that I was going to have to meet up with him. One way or the other. I was going to have to deal with the fact that he was the father of my child. If not today, it was going to be tomorrow.

Eva, however, had a different plan. She stood glued to Caspian as if I was going to steal him from her. It was as if she wasn't the one who ruined my marriage. It was as if she wasn't the one who had slept with him while I was wearing the engagement ring while I was to be his wife.

“I’m not going anywhere,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest. I let out a little laugh before I could stop myself before taking a step back.

“Suit yourself; I doubt that you would think that I had nothing to do except deal with you. I do have other guests, and as you may know, this is my brother's coronation day.” I said, a faint smile playing on my lips. Turning to Adrian, I crouched down to meet his eyes. “How about we go outside for a little while, hmm? Mama has some things to tend to. You know someone needs to help your uncle with preparing for the things of him becoming alpha.”

Adrian’s face lit up, and he nodded eagerly. He waved a small hand toward Caspian and Eva. “Bye!”

Eva’s eyes narrowed as she glanced at him, and I caught the flicker of unease in her gaze. She didn’t speak, though, and I didn’t bother pressing the matter. I did not even want to care about what she had in her mind. The woman was foolish enough to believe that if she was going to bother me, I was going to respond to her.

My mother's glare burned through me as I walked towards them, as I walked towards our guest, as I walked towards her. She wanted me away from her; I knew that very well, but right now that was not something that I was going to end up allowing her to ruin for me. Tonight was a night about my brother, and that was it.

Adrian looked up at me, his blue eyes wide with curiosity. “Mama, who was that man?”

“He’s one of the strongest alphas, piccolo lupo. Mama’s old friend,” I said softly. I didn't want to ruin his vision in front of my son. He was still his father, and maybe one day he was going to get to meet him, truly meet him. I did not want him to see him as an enemy.

“Like a superhero?” Adrian asked, his voice filled with wonder.

I smiled, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Even stronger than a superhero. He can defeat all the bad guys by just looking at them sometimes.”

His face lit up, and he nodded eagerly before turning his attention to the other children playing nearby. I looked around the children who were playing only for my eyes to land on Daniel, Adrian’s older brother, the brother that he did not know.

“Go play, sweetheart,” I said, nodding toward the other children. “I’ll be inside if you need me.”

“Yes, Mama!” Adrian said, before running off to join the others.

I watched him for a moment, my heart tightening as he laughed and played with the other kids. When I finally allowed myself to turn around to go back to the guests, I was forced to stop when I saw Caspian was standing by the door, his expression unreadable, his gaze fixed on me.

I went to walk past him, hoping that he would not confront me with anything. Right now is not the time for me to actually argue with him.

“Superhero?” He asked, his voice stopping me out of my tracks.

“The last thing I want is for my son to know his father’s a douchebag,” I said dryly. “Superhero seems a little more decent.”

His jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond. I didn’t give him the chance. Turning away, I walked into the house, forcing myself to ignore the lump in my throat.

“Stay the hell away from my husband.” Eva said, stepping in my path. I raised an eyebrow at her. Take him back by her boldness. A sharp laugh escaped me before I could stop it. And I watched as her eyes widened in surprise.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said, covering my mouth mockingly. “I didn’t realize you were serious.”

“I’m not joking,” she snapped, her voice rising.

“You can keep him,” I said evenly. “You know, since you’ve done such a good job so far. I don't take back things that I got rid of.”

Before she could respond, Elias’s voice cut through the tension. “What’s going on here?”

The small crowd that had turned their attention toward us parted as he approached. Caspian appeared beside Eva in an instant, his arm wrapping protectively around her waist. My gaze flickered to the gesture, the sight of it making my chest tighten painfully.

But before I could respond, a cry from the garden shattered the moment.

“MAMA!”