Chapter 126 126

Chapter 126 126
Samuel

Seeing the startled look on Daisy's face doesn’t guilt-trip me at all. I love her with all my heart, but I hate it when she treats me the same as her children. It was sweet at first, but as time went on, it got more and more exhausting.

I used to hate how she only saw me as her kid brother. Then it became a constant comfort once I let go of the little crush I had. Now I just want it to stop. The comfort has long since left, replaced only by bitter annoyance and pent-up rage.

I lower my voice and begin. “I know you care about me. Both you and Daisy clearly love me and want what’s best for me. However, I’ll say this only once, so listen very carefully.” I point to her, then to myself. “You are not my mother, Naomi. I’m also not a child. I’m a grown-ss adult, and you need to get that through your thick skull.”

Naomi starts to growl and open her mouth again, but my harsh glare makes her snap it shut. I’m serious, and she knows it now. The power I have in this moment satisfies me in a way I’ve never felt before. As I glance to the side at Peter, I can’t help but love him even more for it.

“This is my life, my choices, and my mate. If I decide to be with him, you have no right to stop me,” I say, and Naomi’s face twists into a snarl. “This is what I want! If you can’t be happy for me… then don’t speak to me ever again.”

Naomi’s expression crumbles as she grits her teeth. “Even if he only hurts you in the end? Just like last time?” She narrows her eyes. “It took a long time for you to recover before. We don’t wish to see you like that again.”

I take a deep breath and nod. “Even still, this is my choice.” I hold Peter’s hand and smile. “I’m happy. Why can’t you be happy with me? Or just for me?” I ask quietly.

Naomi tenses and looks away. The silence speaks volumes, and I scoff—pausing when she looks back at me, her eyes purple this time.

“…I just want what’s best for you, Samuel. I hated seeing you in that depressed state. I knew you were still suffering, feeling everything he was doing even after rejecting him,” Daisy murmurs calmly.

I wince at her words. I thought I’d hidden it well back then… I sense Peter tense beside me as well. He knows now—knows the pain he put me through. I don’t look at him; I don’t want to see his expression right now.

“I know you do, Daisy. I get that.” I clear my throat. “This is still my choice, and I want to be with my mate regardless. This is his second chance… and if he messes it up, then by all means—get in line, because I’ll be the first to kick his ss.”

A small chuckle escapes Peter’s lips, and I catch the faintest smirk on his face. He seems to be enjoying this… and so am I. Who knew how freeing this would be? Perhaps I’m not as sweet as I like to think I am.

Before Daisy can say anything, Aiden walks up. “Come on, Daisy. Leave them be.” He wraps an arm around her and nuzzles her. “It’ll be fine. It might feel strange at first, but you have to let the little ones go.” He chuckles when his mate scowls at him. “Think of it this way—you trust your Beta as I trust my own.”

Daisy’s eyes widen, her mouth forming a small ‘o’ as something clicks in her mind. Aiden chuckles and looks at Peter. “You’re my longest and most trusted friend, Peter. I know you well… just don’t fck it up this time, got it?”

Peter nods and wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me closer. “I would never dream of it. I won’t lose this chance, nor will I take it for granted.” He kisses the top of my head, my face warming. “Samuel is my mate… all mine. I won’t screw it all up ever again.”

I smile and lean into Peter, feeling happy and safe. Finally… I have the love I’ve always craved. Our little family can be together and happy once more. With that joy in mind, I lean up and kiss him on the cheek. This is the start of something wonderful.

Daisy sighs. “Fine… but I’ll have my eye on you,” she warns before Aiden drags her away. Watching the two of them bicker like an old mated couple makes me imagine how Peter and I will be.

I squeak as Peter suddenly scoops me up. “Now let’s get back to what we were doing before…” As he walks, I beat on his chest and complain, but that only makes him chuckle. “I’m not letting you off the hook. We have a lot of catching up to do before little Rose comes home.” He leans down and whispers in my ear, “Don’t expect to get any sleep or rest for a while. Besides… you love it as much as I do.”

I blush brightly and push at his chest. “Y-you… you’re such an idiot,” I mutter, unable to stop myself from smiling at his laughter. Here we go again…



Twelve Years Later

“Dad, do you really have to go?” Rose asks yet again. Nearly eighteen now, she’s grown into a beautiful young lady. According to Aiden, she looks just like her namesake—which makes sense, since Rosie was my blood sister. “I don’t feel ready at all. Can’t you stay so I can learn more?”

I open my mouth to respond, but the strong scent of my mate reaches me first. “Rose, don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re ready to be the pack’s Beta, no doubt,” Peter says as he helps me pack faster. “You’ll do fine. I have so much faith in you.”

I stay silent, continuing to work while Rose keeps rambling nervously. “You say that, Father… but I don’t feel ready at all. I don’t even know who my mate is yet—and I’m not even eighteen!” She fidgets with her hands. “Please, I’d just… feel better if you didn’t leave so soon…”

A pang of guilt hits me. Before I can comfort her, Peter only smiles. “I get that, dear, but it’s time for your dad and me to see what the world has to offer. We can always come visit. I’m sure Aiden will want to travel too once his pups are old enough. That’s what we do. It’s what my parents did as well, when I was your age.”

Peter closes the last bag and straightens up. “That’s about it!” He pulls me to my feet and wraps an arm around me. “Ready to go? I’m sure Aiden and Daisy are waiting outside.” He adds this as we pass our pup, who looks more defeated than anything.

I offer a small smile and lean into him. “Y-yeah…” I murmur as we step outside. The whole pack has gathered to see us off.

Aiden offers a gentle smile. “It’s sad to see you go, but I understand.” He pats Peter’s shoulder while Daisy pulls me into a tight hug.

“…Are you sure this is what you want?” Daisy whispers. “You don’t look… thrilled.”

Her concern is sweet. I pause before smiling softly. “Yes… I’m sure. You and Aiden handed your duties over to Skylar and Ebony years ago. This is the same thing.”

Daisy pulls back, worry filling her purple eyes. “Yes, but we didn’t just… leave the pack and our children behind.”

Before I can answer, Peter slips an arm around me. “Everything is as it should be. My parents left me too, and I was fine. Rose will be fine.” He kisses my forehead. “We should go while the moon is bright and high.”

As Peter leads me away, the pack murmurs their goodbyes. One older member whispers, “That boy is just like his father… at least the girl will be normal.”

I nearly stop, curious about their meaning, but Peter keeps a firm grip on me. “Ignore them,” he says sternly. “They know nothing.”

“You’re always welcome back for visits,” Alpha Skylar calls out, making Peter pause. “Rose will love that too. You’ll always be wolves of Crimson Moon. Never forget that.”

Peter regards the young Alpha with an odd look before grunting. “The pack is in good hands. You take after Aiden.” With that, we continue on.

As we leave the pack behind for unknown, uncharted territory, I can’t help but feel… dread. Excitement too—but why doesn’t it feel right?

“Come on, Samuel,” Peter says, pulling me from my thoughts. “Let’s run wild and enjoy our time together… just you and me.” He strips down and shifts into his wolf form, clearly urging me to do the same. I comply.

As we run, my thoughts return—but it’s too late now. My choice. My life. No time for regrets. I do love Peter… that much is true.

So why is Victor so quiet now? What did Peter do that night all those years ago? He’s still there, yet he won’t guide me.

Why bother thinking about it? As if answering my worries, another voice urges me onward. I run toward an unknown future.

Surely everything will be alright.Surely… I’ll know happiness once again.