Chapter 89 The Day of Crossing Path
Phoebe
Three years had passed since that quiet morning in the little rented house, and somehow the world had spun far away from every plan Hayden and I once made together. But as I stood in front of the mirror that morning—staring at my rounded belly and the faint paleness in my cheeks—I realized that some parts of the past never truly left.
“If you keep standing like that, the baby might decide to come before the ceremony even starts,” Finley teased, laughing as he picked up a graduation invitation from the table.
I let out a slow breath, one hand resting on my belly. “I just want to look… a little normal, Fin. It’s their big day.”
“Normal’s a relative term. You’re three months pregnant and still wearing high heels. That’s practically a miracle.”
I didn’t get the chance to reply because Henry—my little boy with his ash-gray hair just like his father’s—ran out of the living room, clutching the small gift bag we’d wrapped last night. “Mommy! We’re late!”
Finley quickly scooped him into her arms, even though he was already big enough to walk on his own. “All right, young man. Let’s go pick up your dad and your uncles—they’re graduating today.”
The car rolled down the dusty road toward Livingstone Academy. The morning air was crisp, but my heartbeat wouldn’t slow down. It wasn’t just the baby kicking inside me—it was the strange flutter of nerves that always came when I returned to this place.
By the time we reached the great hall, every seat was already filled. I spotted Phoenix standing in the front row with Hayden, Zion, and Adonis—four people who had shaped the course of my life in ways I could never forget.
Finley guided me toward the front row. Applause rippled through the hall, and as I looked toward the guest section, my chest tightened.
There they were—Alpha Truman and Luna Meredith.
For a second, time stopped.
I knew they might come, but actually seeing them—walking with that quiet authority, dressed in the formal colors of Silver Claw—made my throat dry. Luna Meredith’s eyes softened when they met mine, while Alpha Truman only gave a stiff nod.
They sat just a few seats away. I caught a faint trace of Hayden’s familiar cologne clinging to his father, and somehow that made me even more nervous.
The ceremony began. Names were called one by one, each met with cheers. Phoenix went first, wearing the dark blue honor robe, his voice trembling slightly as he gave his farewell speech. Then Zion, Adonis, and finally Hayden—whose name drew the loudest applause in the entire hall.
My eyes never left him. Something about him was different today—peaceful, grounded. As if he had finally made peace with the world and himself.
When the formal ceremony ended, the atmosphere softened. Music drifted through the air as we moved around, hugging, taking pictures, laughing. Finley and I made our way to the four of them.
“Congratulations, all of you,” I said, holding back tears.
Phoenix hugged me gently, then glanced at my belly with a grin. “Looks like you’re graduating from a different kind of program soon.”
Zion kissed my forehead, his brows furrowed with worry. “Are you sure you’re okay being here?”
I nodded. “It’s your day, Zion. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”
Then a familiar voice called my name. “Phoebe.”
I turned and saw Alpha Gregory and Luna Clarisse walking toward us, smiling warmly. Luna Clarisse’s hand went straight to my belly. “This baby’s going to be strong—just look at the mother.”
I managed a small thank-you before the air around us shifted again. Alpha Truman and Luna Meredith were approaching. Hayden’s posture stiffened beside me; the smile vanished from his face.
“Hayden,” Alpha Truman greeted, voice flat.
“Alpha,” Hayden replied coldly without looking up.
Luna Meredith took a slow breath. “We only came to see everyone… and—” she glanced toward Henry, who was half-hidden behind Finley’s leg, “—to meet our grandson.”
Henry peeked out at them with those same ash-gray eyes, then ducked back. “I don’t know them,” he muttered.
I almost smiled, but the tension was too thick. Luna Meredith crouched down to his level. “You know, you look just like your dad when he was little. Same gray hair, same grumpy face.”
Finley snickered softly, and that tiny sound broke the ice a little. Slowly, Henry came out from behind her, curiosity winning over shyness.
Then Alpha Truman spoke again, his voice low but sincere. “Hayden, I’d like to talk. Just the five of us. I owe you… an explanation.”
“I’m not interested,” Hayden snapped.
“Hayden,” Luna Meredith said gently, her eyes glistening. “Please. For me.”
He was silent for a long time before nodding slightly. “Fine. But make it quick.”
We walked away from the crowd, toward the quiet garden behind the academy. The air smelled of pine and old memories.
Alpha Truman studied his son for a long moment before finally saying, “I was wrong. I let my pride destroy our family. I rejected Phoebe, rejected my grandson… because I was afraid of losing control of Silver Claw’s legacy. And now I see—I’ve already lost everything that mattered.”
Hayden didn’t respond, but his fingers tightened around mine.
“I’m not asking for forgiveness,” the Alpha continued, his voice rough. “I just want you to know—if you want to return, Silver Claw will be yours. I’ll hand it all over.”
Hayden shook his head. “I already have a home. Thunder Bite isn’t a refuge—it’s my choice.”
Silence stretched between us. Then Luna Meredith spoke, voice trembling slightly. “Then… please, let us visit sometimes. To see Henry. And the baby when it’s born.”
Hayden looked down at Henry, who was crouched nearby, picking dried flowers from the grass. “What do you think, bud? You want to see them again?”
Henry looked up seriously, then nodded. “Okay. But only if they bring cake.”
I couldn’t help laughing through the tears stinging my eyes.
Alpha Truman’s head lowered, his voice breaking. “Thank you.”
We returned to the hall with mixed emotions—relief, sorrow, warmth—all tangled together. But happiness never stays still for long. Just as we were about to say goodbye, a sharp pain gripped my stomach.
“Ah—” I gasped, clutching Zion’s arm.
“Phoebe?” His face went pale.
Another contraction hit, harder this time. “Zion… it’s time.”
Without hesitation, he swept me into his arms. I heard Hayden shouting for the car while Phoenix cleared a path through the crowd.
At the Thunder Bite clinic, time slowed to a blur. Zion paced anxiously outside the delivery room, his face pale, hands trembling. Luna Clarisse tried to calm him, gently steering him away while she came to sit beside me.
For an hour I fought through every wave of pain. The doctor’s steady voice guided me, Luna Clarisse held my hand, and every thought in my head blurred into one prayer—that the baby would be safe.
Then, at last, the cry of a newborn pup broke through the silence.
“My baby?” I whispered weakly.
“Congratulations, Luna Phoebe,” the doctor said softly, placing a tiny red-faced bundle in my arms. “It’s a girl.”
“I’ll get her father.”
The doctor stepped out, and moments later Zion entered, his face drawn and tear-streaked. He froze when he saw us, then covered his face with both hands. Luna Clarisse touched his shoulder gently. “There she is, son. Your daughter.”
Tears rolled down his cheeks. I’d never seen Zion cry before.
“Thank you, Phoebe,” he said hoarsely. “You’ve given me the greatest gift of my life.”
“You should give her a name,” I whispered, smiling as he carefully took our daughter into his arms.
He looked at her for a long moment, his expression softening completely. “Her name is Anastasia.”