Chapter 53
After finishing the soup, Kathy's stomach was full, and the clatter of the servants collecting the dishes echoed as they returned to the kitchen. Anthony's wolf Max caught the sweet scent of Black Raspberry Vanilla, indicating Kathy could be carrying their pup, either unknowingly or concealing her pregnancy. Although Anthony listened to Max intently, they could only wait for Max to reveal it.
King Frances rose from his seat, his gaze gentle as he addressed the group. “You are welcome to walk around the garden while it’s still nice out. I know we don’t have a plan right now to go after whatever Alpha Samual has prepared,” he said, his tone both reassuring and pragmatic.
There was a brief, thoughtful pause as everyone considered his words. Across the table, the golden late-afternoon sunlight streamed in, casting elongated shadows over the intricate patterns of the dining hall rug. Kathy exchanged a glance with Anthony, feeling the weight of uncertainty but also a sense of camaraderie among them. The invitation to the gardens was a welcome reprieve—a chance, if only fleeting, to gather their thoughts and breathe freely away from the looming tension.
Soon, King Theo nodded in agreement, signaling that he would stay behind with the group while Frances went to attend to his other responsibilities. The group rose, preparing to follow Theo, grateful for this moment of peace before whatever challenges lay ahead.
“King Frances is right, we have to wait and see,” said King Theo
“What kind of evidence you would need?” asked Kathy
King Frances said, "It's been a struggle to find hard evidence to bring against Samuel and Noah."
Kathy did recall that King Frances's mate was killed by a rogue, although there is no proof; Anthony had previously explained to Kathy that when a mate dies, the other half feels the pain. A few of them, overcome by the searing pain, perished. She would not tell anyone, and instead, she planned to find a private doctor to confirm the possibility of her pregnancy. His advisor Robert leaned in close and softly whispered something in his ear. Frances nodded, the leather of his chair groaning as he rose.
“I will be leaving you four, I don’t know what Samuela or Noah has up their sleeves if you four want to leave the kingdom please a guard with you. Oh, before I forget I have a private lagoon if you either of you wants to take a swim,”
“Thank you, King Frances
“King Frances, I’ll be their tour guide while you attend to your responsibilities," said King Theo
After Frances departed the dining room and everyone else rose to trail Theo around the kingdom, eager to see the sights, Sarah hurried to stay near Kathy, mindful of her tendency to wander, especially toward the stunning garden. Kathy's eyes fell upon the private hospital, and an idea sparked, as the tour concluded slowly under the setting sun. Since Sarah, Miles, and Anthony haven't unleashed their wolves, they can run for a bit.
"Allow your wolves to enjoy themselves; I have Theo, and he's driving me to the private hospital."
Kathy offered Anthony a reassuring smile, her resolve clear despite the uncertainty swirling around them. “I’m sure. I’ll be safe with Theo,” she replied softly, her voice steady. Anthony hesitated for a moment, concern etched across his features, but eventually nodded, trusting her judgment.
As Sarah, Miles, and Anthony shifted and let their wolves bound across the open fields, Kathy watched their graceful forms disappear into the tall grass. The breeze carried laughter and the distant call of wild birds, painting the dusk with a gentle, wistful energy.
Theo gestured for Kathy to follow him, leading her through a quiet path shaded by ancient trees. The private hospital lay nestled in a grove just beyond the garden, its windows aglow with warm light. Kathy’s mind spun with anticipation and questions, but she steadied herself, determined to seek the answers she needed.
Before stepping inside, she glanced back once more at her friends, the silhouettes of their wolves already vanishing into the night. Whatever revelations awaited her, she knew this was a journey she had to take for herself.
"Theo, may we go back to the hospital? I have something to take care of there."
“Of course.”
Inside the softly lit corridor, Kathy’s heart thudded with a blend of nerves and hope. She reached into her bag, fingers brushing against the cool surface of the glass vial containing Samuel’s DNA and a delicate strand of Anthony’s hair-equipped evidence for the question that had been haunting her: Were Anthony and Samuel truly father and son?
Hidden in her side bag, concealed even from Theo, was another secret—King Frances’s glass, pilfered with a silent promise to uncover truths that ran deeper than loyalty. She hesitated just a moment, feeling the secret weight of her quest, then quickened her stride to keep pace with Theo.
As they approached the private hospital’s lab, Kathy pulled out a worn photograph. Her mother, youthful and radiant, smiled from the black-and-white image, seated on a patch of sun-drenched land.
With a deep breath, she tucked the photo back into her bag, readying herself for the delicate task ahead. She would submit the samples—Samuel’s, Anthony’s, and, quietly, King Frances’s—for testing. Tonight, perhaps, the curtain would lift on secrets long kept in the shadows, and Kathy would finally glimpse her family’s tangled legacy in the light.
Once they got inside of the hospital, she walked up front desk where the nurse looks up from her computer to see Kathy standing there with a smile on her face.
“Hello, how can I help you,” asked the nurse
"Um... does this hospital offer pregnancy checks?" Kathy whispered quietly.
"I see," the nurse said, gesturing, "This way, please."
“Thank you,”
Kathy turned around, and Theo was nowhere to be seen, perhaps he needed to make a call; she kept walking to the elevator, where the nurse pressed the button and the doors slid open, and they stepped inside as she pressed the button for the fourth floor. The nurse, dressed in her uniform, sported pink, curly hair and sheep horns; Kathy longed to touch them but hesitated, not wanting to be impolite and unwilling to ask. As Kathy feels the elevator moving, Anthony worries about her and the possibility of her pregnancy. After the door swung open, the nurse, with a brisk step, made her way to the nurse station, her smile directed toward Kathy.
“Here you go you, ma’am,” said the nurse
“Thank you,” said Kathy
The departing nurse left, and the new nurse, identifiable by her long blue hair, piercing green eyes, and the slight protrusion of her ears, walked in wearing the uniform.
“Hello, how can I help you?” asked the nurse behind the desk
“Um....I might be pregnant?” said Kathy
"First, I need you to fill out this paperwork, and then we'll head to the back for the doctor to examine you," she said.
“Thank you,”
Kathy took the clipboard, the crisp paper crinkling, and settled into the chair to begin the paperwork. Kathy needs to recall the answers to the questions with as much clarity as possible. When she was finished, she brought the paper to the desk, handed it to the nurse, who then examined it with a smile.
“We will call your name to see the doctor,”
“Thank you,”
The scratchy chair felt unpleasant against Kathy's skin as she waited. She checked her phone and saw a message from family. She avoided calls and texts. Kathy is considering if Anthony is interested in starting a family with her. Before clicking, she read the news and saw Anthony on the front page; everything was a lie.