Chapter 87

While downstairs in the kitchen, Anthony and everyone else finish up their breakfast, Anthony looks at the baby monitor to see that his sons are still sleeping. He smiles softly, grateful for a few quiet moments before the house fills with the sound of little feet. The aroma of fresh coffee lingers in the air as he glances around, appreciating the calm start to their day.

Anthony sipped his coffee, Frances still in the kitchen, his expression thoughtful. “I was thinking of doing an introduction for you and Kathy as the next in line,” Frances began, glancing at Anthony, “Since Vanessa and I are stepping down once Miles and Sarah become Alpha and Luna. It would make the transition easier.” His words hung in the air, signaling the changes ahead for their family.

Anthony set his mug down, his gaze steady and voice earnest. “Dad, we should put it off until next year because I think there is a puzzle that is missing,” he began, glancing between Frances and Vanessa. “I know mom and I returned to you, but I think someone else knew about Samuel’s plan—not just his son and wife. There are too many holes that have yet to be filled in. For example, how did the pack not know about that secret room where he kept my mom and Kathy's mom all those years?”

He paused, running a hand through his hair. “Plus, I didn’t know I was your son until we did the DNA test three times to make sure nobody had tampered with the results. Most of the kingdom already knows about Mom, but they don’t know that I’m your son. Our people might think you’d accept any werewolf or lycan as your child instead of your biological son. So, I think we should keep it to ourselves for now.” Anthony’s words were careful but firm, the weight of recent events evident in his tone.

Vanessa nodded thoughtfully, her gaze shifting between Frances and Anthony. “Frances, he has a point," she said gently. "Let’s wait until next year to do all this. Right now, Samuel and Evelyn are still in prison for their crimes, and we don’t know who they paid to keep quiet. Therefore, let Kathy and Anthony finish cleaning up their mess,” Vanessa concluded, her voice steady but laced with concern for the unresolved issues that lingered over the family.

Skye P.O.V

Skye is in her room, the soft glow of her phone illuminating her face, as she re-reads old messages, still waiting for a word about the wedding from her step-sister. While looking at the ring on her finger, she couldn't help but imagine Kathy's reaction and the satisfaction it would bring. Skye imagined to herself a grand wedding, one so spectacular that it would fill social media feeds for months after its live broadcast. Mrs. Carter dislikes Skye's parents, always witnessing their eagerness for money, even for their daughter's expenses, and doubts about the wedding's possibility. If this continues, Mrs. Carter will continue sitting there, sipping her tea, lost in thoughts about Kathy, who was always obedient and never spent her son's money like that. Mrs. Carter is holding Skye's medical record folder to ensure that Skye is healthy enough to give her a grandson. As Skye came downstairs and entered the living room, she noticed her future mother-in-law, teacup in hand, studying a small folder in her hand.

“Hello, Mrs. Carter. What is that you are reading?” asked Skye

“This your medical record, I want to make sure that you can have a healthy grandson who can carry on the name,”

“You don’t know, what happed if it a girl,”

Mrs. Carter set her cup down firmly, her gaze unwavering as she continued, “No, it won’t matter. I’ll have the cook make you something special, just to ensure I get a grandson. I’ll even be at your doctor appointments, too. You’re not to take any painkillers, go outside unnecessarily, or drink anything with sugar. Only fruits, vegetables, and meat—no takeout, and absolutely no spicy food. My grandson won’t have bumps on his face when he’s born.” She glanced at Skye, making sure her words sank in.

“Before you go running to tell my son about any of this, just know he’s already aware and agrees with me. And when you give birth, we won’t be doing a c-section—only natural birth. I did it, and I turned out just fine. So did my mother and grandmother. No painkillers during labor either,” Mrs Carter explained, her tone final and resolute.

Skye squared her shoulders, her voice rising with frustration as she faced Mrs. Carter’s rigid demands. “Listen here, this is the 21st century, Mrs. Carter. What happens if the baby is too big? I can’t just push a baby out and risk tearing—I’d rather have a c-section if the doctor says it’s safer. And if I have cravings, I’ll eat whatever I want, whether you like it or not. You will not control my pregnancy, or even if we decide to have kids in the first place, just because you hear wedding bells in your head.”

Her eyes flashed as she continued, “You think we can just start making a baby right after the wedding. Maybe I don’t even want children if it means destroying my body. And if you try to force us into this before we’re ready, I’ll tell everyone what really happened to Mr. Carter’s first wife. People might think she just ran away, but I know the real truth.”

Mrs. Carter’s hands trembled slightly as she gripped her phone, her mind racing with suspicion and fear. The thought of Skye uncovering secrets she had buried for years sent a chill down her spine, but she refused to let panic take over. Determined to regain control, she dialed a number she hadn’t used in ages—someone discreet, someone who owed her a favor. As the line rang, Mrs. Carter glanced over her shoulder, making sure no one else was around to overhear the conversation she was about to have. She steadied her voice, preparing to ask for help in silencing any whispers of the past that threatened her family’s reputation.

“Hello, Mrs. Carter it’s been ages. You like your new daughter-in-law?” Kathy.

“I am sorry that I shouldn’t talk down about you. And you were good to my son and now your sister seems that she knows my dark secrets,” said Mr. Carter

“I am away as of right now; you have to wait until I get back. If I were you, I’d watch what you do or say with her. I will handle it,” Kathy replied, her tone firm but not unkind. Mrs. Carter hesitated, weighing her words, realizing that the past could not be buried so easily, especially with Kathy involved.

"Kathy, please know that I regret how I acted towards you,"

“I forgave you long time ago,”

Mrs. Carter, after the phone call, was left with nothing but a quiet room, waiting for Kathy to come back and resolve the situation, a truth known only to her, not even her husband, Mr. Carter.