chapter 167
William's POV:
The moment Charlotte and Susan's car disappeared down the drive, I turned back, my jaw tight with tension I couldn't quite release.
Mother stood in the doorway of my study, still radiating that inexplicable joy I'd glimpsed earlier.
"William." Her voice was gentle but firm as she closed the study door behind us. "We need to talk."
I moved to the window, looking out over the Sullivan estate grounds without really seeing them.
The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the manicured lawns, but all I could think about was the DNA report hidden in my desk drawer.
Susan.
Just now, she'd asked me about the Council meeting, her voice soft and distant as always. I'd barely been able to meet her eyes, terrified she'd see the truth written across my face.
"Mother, you shouldn't have said those things to Charlotte," I said, still facing the window. "Everyone knows I've been grooming her for a leadership position. If I suddenly change course now, it will make her look incompetent. The old foxes on Shepherd Pack's board will make things even more difficult for her.
"She needs tempering," Mother replied, her tone matter-of-fact. "If she can't withstand a little setback, how can she possibly shoulder real responsibility? Leadership isn't just about ambition, William. It's about resilience. About knowing when to advance and when to step back."
I started to respond, but she cut me off with sudden brightness in her voice.
"Tori is pregnant. You're going to be a grandfather."
The words hit me like a physical blow. I gripped the window frame, my knuckles going white.
"They'll have our blood," Mother continued, her voice thick with emotion. "Sullivan blood, William. Your grandchildren will carry the silver eyes, the connection to the moon phases. They're ours, whether you acknowledge them or not."
A strange, overwhelming sensation flooded through my chest. Joy mixed with anguish. Pride tangled with shame.
"The Luna ceremony is in May," Mother continued, her tone shifting to practical matters. "You need to prepare appropriate gifts. I'll prepare something from the family vault as well."
"Mother—" My voice came out hoarse.
"This isn't negotiable, William." Her tone brooked no argument.
I finally turned to face her, and the determination in her expression made my chest tighten.
"What about Susan?" The question tore from my throat.
Mother's voice was surprisingly gentle, though her eyes remained hard. "William, the longer you wait, the worse it will be."
The truth of her words cut deep. I looked away, unable to meet her gaze.
---
The next morning, I found myself in the car with Mother and Father, heading toward Lucas Grayson's private residence.
Mother held a carved wooden box in her lap—inside, I knew, was the moonstone necklace that had been passed down through Sullivan women for generations.
Father carried a leather portfolio containing stock certificates—ten percent of Sullivan Pack holdings, enough to give Tori a voice in family decisions without threatening the existing power structure.
"Remember," Mother said as we approached the gates, "we're here to offer, not to demand. Let Tori set the pace."
I nodded, though my hands were clenched so tightly in my lap that my knuckles had gone white.
Lucas Grayson's estate was impressive.
The gates opened smoothly as we approached, clearly expected.
A servant met us at the entrance, his expression professionally neutral. "Alpha William. Elder Olivia. Elder Owen. Please, come in. Alpha Lucas is expecting you."
We were led through elegantly appointed rooms to a sitting area overlooking manicured gardens. Lucas appeared moments later, his expression carefully controlled.
"Alpha William. Luna Olivia. Elder Owen." He inclined his head with just enough respect to avoid insult, but not an ounce more. "Thank you for calling ahead."
"We appreciate you agreeing to see us," Mother said smoothly. "We won't take much of your time."
Lucas's ice-blue eyes studied each of us in turn, and I felt the weight of his Alpha authority—and his suspicion. "Tori is resting. The pregnancy has been... demanding."
"Of course." Mother's voice softened. "We wouldn't dream of disturbing her if she's not feeling well. Perhaps we could leave our gifts—"
"I'll ask her." Lucas's tone made it clear this wasn't a negotiation. "Wait here."
He disappeared upstairs, leaving us in tense silence.
"He's protective," Father observed quietly. "That's good. "
I couldn't respond. My throat had closed up, my heart pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears.
Footsteps on the stairs made me look up.
Lucas descended first, his expression unreadable. Behind him, moving slowly, came Tori.
My breath caught.
She was beautiful. Her silver eyes were wary but clear, her hand resting protectively over her still-flat stomach. She wore simple clothes, but there was a dignity in her bearing that reminded me achingly of Susan.
"Tori," Mother breathed, rising to her feet.
Tori's gaze swept over all of us, lingering longest on me.
Mother's excitement was palpable as she gestured toward the items on the coffee table. "Your grandfather, your father, and I have prepared some gifts for you. Come, look—see if you like them."
Across the room, Lucas stood near the windows, his posture deceptively relaxed but his ice-blue eyes tracking every movement.
Father sat in an armchair, his hands resting on his walking stick, watching the scene unfold with careful attention.
"This is ten percent of Sullivan Pack holdings," Mother said, placing the blue portfolio in Tori's hands. Her voice was warm, eager. "These shares come from your father's portion. They're rightfully yours."
She opened the wooden boxes one by one, revealing the jewelry inside. "And these are antique pieces I've collected over the years. "
The jewelry gleamed in the morning light—moonstone necklaces, silver bracelets inlaid with precious gems, earrings that would catch the light like stars. Each piece was museum-quality, worth a fortune.
Mother leaned forward, her voice taking on a more urgent tone. "The Luna ceremony is coming in May. When you stand before the Council and the packs as Lucas Grayson's mate, you should have the confidence that comes with knowing your worth."
"These pieces are not just valuable—they're a statement. They tell everyone watching that you have family backing you."
Mother's eyes were bright with hope as she watched Tori's face, clearly desperate to see some sign of happiness, of acceptance.
Tori looked down at the stock certificates, then at the open jewelry boxes. Her expression remained carefully neutral.
Then she closed the portfolio. One by one, she closed each jewelry box with quiet finality.
"I'm sorry," she said softly, her voice steady. "I can't accept these."
The words fell like stones into still water.
Mother's face went pale. "Tori—"
"I know my refusal must seem ungrateful to you," Tori continued, looking up to meet our eyes in turn. "But this is my honest answer."
"Today's visit is just between the three of us," Mother said quickly, her voice tight with emotion. "No one else in the family knows. It won't cause you or Alpha Lucas any trouble—"
"My answer is the same," Tori interrupted gently but firmly. "If you want to see me, Olivia, you can call me anytime. But I can't accept these gifts. I can't be part of the Sullivan family."
Mother stared at her, and I could see the war of emotions on her face—disappointment, frustration, but also a growing respect.
Tori stood at the door with Lucas as we departed, his arm protective around her waist.
I climbed into the car, my hands trembling slightly as I reached for a cigarette.
I lit the cigarette, exhaling slowly as the car pulled away.
Hannah, I thought, watching the estate disappear behind us. Hannah was greedy, manipulative, willing to sacrifice her own daughter for social status. And somehow, impossibly, she gave birth to a girl with more integrity than I've shown in my entire life.