chapter 179
Susan's POV:
The nurse's words echoed in my mind, each syllable a hammer blow against my skull.
For a moment, I couldn't process what she'd said.
My mind went blank, refusing to accept the impossible. "What... what did you say?"
Matthew had come to the blood services area to check on the donation progress. He hadn't expected to walk into this bombshell.
He strode over in a few quick steps and took the record book from the nurse's hands. After scanning it, his eyes widened in disbelief.
"Mother?" Charlotte's hand gripped my shoulder, her voice disbelief. "How could Tori possibly be your daughter? That's absurd!"
She steadied my swaying body. "Mom, don't listen to this nonsense. A blood test isn't a paternity test."
"I'm not talking nonsense. The test results clearly show a direct blood relationship between the donor and the patient." The nurse had initially explained out of sympathy, seeing how distraught I was.
But being challenged made her defensive. "If you don't believe me, ask Dr. Howard."
Suddenly, I grabbed Matthew's arm forcefully. He turned to meet my panic-filled eyes.
"Matthew, you've always been honest. I trust you. Tell me—what does the nurse mean?"
"..." Matthew fell silent for a moment, then explained from a medical perspective.
" Direct blood relatives cannot donate blood to each other, or it triggers graft-versus-host disease with an extremely high mortality rate. Blood compatibility testing includes a specific screening for direct relatives to prevent patients from accidentally receiving blood from their parents or children."
Matthew tried to use simple language, but the technical terminology still left me confused.
Yet I understood the core meaning: there was a direct blood relationship between Tori and me.
"That's impossible..." My face drained of all color.
I opened my mouth, gasping for air, but still felt like I was suffocating.
Matthew said, "Blood compatibility testing isn't the same as a paternity test. The accuracy isn't that high. Don't panic yet. Wait until—"
Tori? My daughter?Hannah's daughter? William's daughter?
What on earth is going on here？
"I need to see Hanna." The words tore from my throat, raw and desperate. "I need to know the truth!"
Matthew sighed heavily, recognizing there would be no reasoning with me in this state. "Come on," he said quietly. "I'll take you to the surgical waiting area. But Susan—you need to prepare yourself."
He guided my wheelchair through the corridors, Charlotte following close behind.
The scene outside the operating room was like a gathering of the city's most powerful wolves.
Grayson Pack elders clustered near the doors, their faces grave. Sullivan Pack representatives stood in a separate group, William among them. And there, somewhat surprisingly, were members of the Shepherd Pack leadership—including Diana, who had always shown a particular fondness for Tori.
But I had no time to wonder about pack politics right now.
William saw me approaching and rose from his seat, his expression shifting from weary concern to panicked alarm. He took a step forward as if to intercept me, clearly afraid I would cause another scene.
"Where is Hannah?" I demanded, my voice cutting through the low conversations.
William froze, confusion flickering across his face. "Hannah? Why would you—"
Before he could finish, the operating room doors swung open.
Lucas emerged, his face haggard with exhaustion and stress. His eyes were bloodshot, his ceremonial clothes still stained with blood and rain. He looked like a man who'd been to hell and barely made it back.
I propelled my wheelchair forward before anyone could stop me. "Alpha Lucas—please. How is she? How is Tori?"
Lucas's gaze snapped to me, and the fury that blazed in his silver eyes made me flinch. His Alpha presence rolled out like a physical force, pressing down on everyone in the corridor.
"You dare ask about her?" His voice was low, deadly.
The accusation hung in the air. William made a choked sound. Diana gasped softly.
"If anything happens to Tori or my pup," Lucas continued, his voice dropping to a growl that raised the hair on my arms, "I will personally ensure that Shepherd Pack suffers consequences you cannot imagine.
Consider this a declaration: as of this moment, any alliance between Grayson Pack and Shepherd Pack is severed. We are enemies."
The pronouncement sent shock waves through the assembled wolves. Elizabeth Grayson rose from her seat, her face pale. "Lucas—"
"This is not a discussion, Mother." Lucas cut her off, his voice brooking no argument. His Alpha authority radiated outward, silencing any further protest from his family.
The reaction from the assembled elders was immediate and volatile.
Owen Sullivan stepped forward, his weathered face tight with alarm. "Alpha Lucas, you cannot make such a declaration lightly. The four great packs have maintained peace and stability for generations. To sever an alliance will create chaos. The balance we've maintained—"
"Lucas, please." Diana Shepherd's voice was steady despite the tremor in her hands. "We understand your anger, but—"
I propelled my wheelchair forward, ignoring Charlotte's restraining hand.
"I will accept any punishment you deem fit, Alpha Lucas. Do not implicate others. Any consequence, any retribution. I will submit to Grayson Pack's judgment without resistance."
Lucas's gaze snapped to me, cold and assessing.
"But please," I continued, my voice breaking, "tell me where Hannah Sullivan is. I know you had your people remove her from the ceremony. "
"And why," Lucas said softly, dangerously, "would I grant you anything? What makes you think you deserve my cooperation after what you've done?"