Chapter 138 THE BLOOD KITS
Edeline
I could sense Tatiana’s apprehension too. She was visibly uneasy, her eyes darting around the room.
“Looks like everyone’s here. Edeline and Dahlia, please take a seat,” Alpha William said, his voice firm and no-nonsense. Despite his words, his body language and the tightness in his jaw betrayed his impatience and frustration. He glanced between me, my mom, and our intertwined hands. I let go of my mom’s hand and sat down next to my dad. I wanted to be close to him, in the middle of my family, just in case.
Mom settled into one of the black leather chairs at the massive mahogany conference table, her nerves evident. The rest of the wolves in the room seemed to mirror her anxiety.
I took a quick look around. Alpha Conor stood at the far end of the table, a mix of amusement and irritation on his face. His eyes were fixed intently on Nixx. Tatiana sat to his left, her brown eyes darting around nervously, frequently glancing at Anita, who was seated directly in front of her. Tatiana seemed to be looking for comfort or guidance, something Anita was not providing.
Anita took her place beside Alpha Conor, her expression as neutral as ever. She avoided making eye contact with anyone, remaining completely unfazed.
A figure I didn’t yet know stood behind Conor, their expression as blank as a statue.
Alpha William sat next to Luna Annabel, right in the middle of the table. The kits were spread out in front of him. Annabel cast a quick, worried glance at my mom, her hands tightly clasped in her lap. Percival was beside his mother, and I could feel his gaze fixed on me as soon as we walked in. I couldn’t bring myself to look directly at him, but I could sense his eyes following me. The mate bond between us was undeniable, and a flutter of excitement mixed with discomfort coursed through me. I knew those blue eyes probably held some pain or annoyance, which I wasn’t ready to deal with right now.
On our side of the table, Nixx was first, then Dad, then me, and finally Mom. We were all seated in a row. Dad, as usual, was in charge and clearly angry. I kept my eyes on Anita, my fists clenched and my jaw set. Dad was ready to challenge her with his usual expertise. We all were.
Nixx let out a deep sigh, glancing at Tatiana, who was nervously shifting in her seat and occasionally rubbing her belly. Alpha William quietly read the packaging of the blood kits, lost in thought. The silence was heavy, filled with a tension that made the wolves around us uneasy.
“Come on, William, let’s get started already. It cannot be that difficult to figure out,” Conor complained, his arms crossed tightly. William scowled at him and placed two tests and two droppers on the table. The items were still wrapped in clear plastic and resembled small pregnancy tests. They were meant to check for the presence of the hCG hormone, but they definitely were not the kind you urinate on.
“Okay, here are the tests,” William said, handing one to Conor and the other to Dad. “You two handle them. I do not want any interference from anyone else.” He gave a pointed look at Tatiana and Anita. Conor responded with a low, warning rumble from his chest. I could not help but roll my eyes at his reaction.
Mom discreetly gripped my hand under the table, her fingers trembling with anxiety. She was clearly on edge about the results and was not one to hide her true feelings.
I cleared my throat to draw everyone’s attention. “Let us take turns. Tatiana, I believe it would be best if you went first. Alpha Conor, it seems that your daughter has been hiding a lot from you. It is important for you to find out the truth about her before she damages your reputation further. It is clear that she is not your biological daughter.” I spoke confidently, and immediately, all eyes turned toward me. Conor’s gaze was sharp with aggression, while Anita shot me a piercing look. Her striking features were overshadowed by the dark intensity of her eyes. Tatiana, on the other hand, looked both excited and scared as she glanced at Conor.
Conor leaned forward, placing his fists on the table. His posture reminded me of how I used to divert attention away from my mom. I wanted to share a bit of insight from Nixx’s test. I was not completely sure whether Tatiana was not his biological daughter, but I had a strong suspicion. It seemed like a solid guess given her extreme fear. Challenging an Alpha’s pride was a strategic move, and I sensed my mom’s gratitude as she gently squeezed my hand, understanding my plan.
“What?” Conor snapped, his icy blue eyes narrowing. “Are you accusing us of dishonesty?”
I managed a casual grin, keeping my lips closed while he studied me thoughtfully. “Well, yes. I doubt you were aware of it. She has been dropping hints all along. She has been an embarrassment to you for too long, hasn’t she? She cannot find you a dominant partner because she does not come from a dominant lineage. Why do you think she got pregnant? Any male would have sensed her fertility.” I stared at him blankly, letting the weight of my words sink in.
It is not a good idea to tell an Alpha they are embarrassing themselves.
“Daddy, don’t listen to—” Tatiana’s eyes widened in shock.
“Hey, come here!” Conor said, his eyes now determined. His irritation was evident, but my words had piqued his curiosity. He was eager to confirm whether my statements held any truth. The idea of being deceived was a troubling thought for him.
Alpha Conor was a formidable individual, and I could see that my challenge had struck a nerve.
Tatiana let out a soft whimper as she hesitantly extended her hand towards Conor. He reached out swiftly and grabbed her hand, his canines now visibly longer. With a sharp, precise motion, he pricked her finger, drawing a tiny droplet of blood. She gasped at the sudden sting, her eyes widening in pain.