Chapter 215 It's Not Like You're Some Pure Virgin

Chapter 215 It's Not Like You're Some Pure Virgin
Victoria' POV

Several gasps erupted throughout the council chamber when Airina interrupted the proceedings with her question. I stifled a groan, watching my daughter's face flush with anger as she completely derailed what should have been a strategic meeting.

"Oh my God, enough already," I thought, irritated for the first time with my daughter. Of all the things to focus on right now—when our entire pack's leadership was being challenged—Airina was fixated on Damian's sexual history?

"It's not like you're some pure virgin, Airina," I snapped, unable to contain my frustration. "How many males have you slept with? Probably more than Sophia. He's an Alpha heir. He has needs. Of course he slept with other people."

Airina's eyes flashed with hurt, but quickly hardened into accusation. "But you lied to me. Why would you lie to me?"

"Because I was protecting you, don't you understand? That's why," I explained, trying to soften my tone. The last thing I needed was Airina turning against me too. "No, by ensuring you knew Damian never forgot about you. He loves you."

"But he's a player!" Airina shouted, her voice shrill with anger. "He turned into a player after I left, and you didn't tell me?!?!"

"You were already a slut before you left," I fired back, my patience completely evaporated. "What does it matter what he did after you were gone?!?! Can we please focus on what actually matters right now? I believe the council was just telling us—"

I stopped mid-sentence, studying my daughter's wild expression. Something wasn't right with her. Had living among humans for those two years affected her mental health? I'd noticed small changes since her return—heightened emotions, more dramatic outbursts, moments of irrationality. Perhaps this explained why Damian had chosen Lya over her. The thought sent a cold sliver of doubt through me, which I quickly pushed aside.

"Who else did you sleep with, Damian?" Airina demanded, turning away from me. "Did you really sleep with half the females in the pack?"

Damian's face showed clear irritation, but he answered anyway. "I've already told you, Airina. You're not my mate. You never were and never will be. My sexual history isn't anyone's business except Lya's. Let me make one thing perfectly clear though: the only she-wolf I've ever been intimate with is Lya. Only her, no one else. She's the only one I've ever wanted and will ever want. Despite things I might have said in anger, I've always respected the mate bond."

I silently agreed with Damian's frustration. Why was he even bothering to answer Airina's ridiculous questions? We had far more important matters to address.

Airina studied Damian's face carefully, then looked back and forth between Sophia and me. Her expression shifted as a realization seemed to dawn on her.

"Oh my God. Damian's telling the truth," she said slowly. "Even before I left, he wouldn't sleep with me no matter how much I begged. Who's really the father of your pup, Sophia? Who were you trying to trick into raising your pup?!?!"

Sophia lowered her head, her voice quiet but stubborn. "I already told you. Damian is the father."

Something in my brain suddenly clicked. My mind raced, connecting pieces I should have seen months ago. Airina was right. Sophia had been lying to us. But why? Who would she be protecting by claiming Damian was the father? And why would Sebastian—

My thoughts screeched to a halt. I felt a wave of shock and fury wash over me.

"Go ahead and tell everyone, Sophia," I said, my voice half-shocked, half-furious. "I'd like to know too."

Sophia remained silent, head bowed.

"Who is the father, Sophia?" I demanded, my voice harder now.

Sebastian reached out and grabbed my hand. "Victoria, why don't we discuss this later? We need to finish this council meeting so everyone can leave."

I stared at his hand on mine, my mind whirling. Sebastian never interfered when I spoke with Airina or Sophia. Never. So why was he doing it now? A terrible suspicion began forming in my mind as pieces clicked into place. The timing of Sophia's pregnancy. Sebastian's unusual protectiveness toward her. The way he'd insisted she stay in our house...

My heart began pounding so hard I could feel it in my ears.

"Richard, use an Alpha command to make Sophia answer the question," I demanded, my voice shaking slightly.

"No!!!" Sophia cried out. "That will hurt my pup!"

I turned on her, my rage building. "If you want to ensure your pup's safety, tell me who the father is!"

"I already told you. It's Damian!" she insisted.

I turned back to Richard. "Richard, command Sophia to reveal the father's name."

Richard began, "Victoria, I—"

"Do it now, or I'll tell the council what Isabella did!!!" I threatened, the words escaping before I could stop them.

I hadn't meant to say that. Not now, not here. But the puzzle in my head was taking shape, and I hated the picture it was forming. I desperately needed someone to tell me I was wrong.

Isabella gasped behind me. The council members looked confused.

"Victoria, I have silver handcuffs on my wrists," Richard replied. "I can't issue an Alpha command."

Before Richard had even finished speaking, Sebastian's voice cut through the chamber.

"I am the father of that pup."

Gasps filled the room. I was among those who gasped, noticing that the only people who didn't look surprised were Sebastian and Sophia themselves.

What. The. Actual. Fuck.

I knew Sebastian had cheated on me once. But I'd never imagined it would be with my daughter's best friend. Sophia had lived in our house. I'd taken care of her. She'd been planning to blame Damian—Airina's mate—for her pregnancy. Had Sebastian been planning to let Sophia become Luna? Let her child become heir? Did he think Sophia and their child were better than the children he'd had with me? Did he love her?

All of these emotions exploded inside me at once. I didn't know whether to kill Sophia or Sebastian first.

I lunged for Sophia.

Sebastian moved quickly to pull me off her, and in that moment, seeing him protect her, something inside me shattered completely. I turned all my strength toward beating Sebastian instead, my fists connecting with every part of him I could reach.

I was going to kill someone tonight. That much I knew with more certainty than I'd ever felt before.