Chapter 14 His Presence
DAHLIA
I hadn’t even changed out of my gown when Zola barged into the room, eyes wide with curiosity. She didn’t bother knocking, she never did.
“Well?” she asked, voice dripping with impatience. “Tell me everything.”
I sighed, sinking into the nearest chair. My hands trembled slightly as I reached for the cup of tea she had placed earlier that morning. I didn’t know where to begin. How could I even put into words what it felt like seeing him again?
“It was him,” I whispered finally. “The man from the masked party… the one who promised me healing.”
Zola’s brows shot up. “The Lycan King?”
I nodded, staring into the steaming tea. “He didn't recognize him, Zo. There was a flicker of recognition in his eyes before it vanished before I could take a second look at him.”
Zola sank onto the edge of the bed, speechless for once. Then, slowly, she smirked. “Well, that might actually work in your favor.”
I frowned. “How?”
“Think about it,” she said, eyes gleaming. “This is a fresh start. No ghosts, no past. You can be whoever you want to be this time.”
“I can’t,” I muttered. “My body doesn’t listen to me when he’s near. It’s like… something else takes over. My wolf can’t even stay quiet.”
Zola chuckled, waving her hand. “That’s called chemistry, darling. And I say you use it.”
I glared at her, but she only leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Listen. You told me he already has a Luna, right?”
“Yes. I saw her at the ceremony. She was standing behind him like a shadow.”
Zola’s smile turned sly. “Then your goal isn’t to become his Luna. It’s to survive this… arrangement. If he’s drawn to you, use that to your advantage. Make a deal with him.”
“What kind of deal?” I asked cautiously.
“One that protects you and your pups,” she said simply. “Convince him the triplets are his.”
My heart lurched. “Zola—”
“Hear me out,” she interrupted firmly. “If the palace believes those children belong to the Lycan King, no one will touch them. Not Kael, not his allies, no one. You’ll be untouchable.”
I hesitated, torn between reason and guilt. “You want me to lie about their father?”
Zola gave me a look that said I was being naive. “Would you rather expose them? If anyone finds out who their real father is, it won’t just be you in danger it’ll be them. Do you understand?”
I swallowed hard. “So what do I tell him?”
She leaned back, her tone softening. “Tell him you’ll stay for a year. After that, you’ll return to the human world with your pups. Make it sound like a mutual agreement. The Lycan King is not a man who likes attachments. You’ll appeal to that side of him.”
I stared at her, trying to steady my breathing. “A year…”
“Just a year,” she said, touching my hand. “Then you can disappear again.”
Her confidence should’ve comforted me, but all I felt was the slow creep of dread sinking into my bones. Because deep down, I knew a single year could destroy me.
By afternoon, Zola was still pacing around the room, helping me pack what little we needed. I was folding Liam’s clothes when her phone buzzed.
She glanced at the screen and froze. “Oh, gods.”
“What?”
Her eyes flicked to me. “An invitation. From the royal packhouse. They want us there tonight.”
My stomach twisted. “Already?”
She nodded grimly. “Looks like the Lycan King doesn’t waste time.”
I bit my lip, glancing toward the pups’ room. “They’ll have to come with me.”
“Of course,” she said softly. “They’re your strength, Dahlia. Don’t hide them.”
Except that was exactly what I had to do.
Liam looked too much like his father. The same sharp jawline, the same eyes that haunted my nightmares. If anyone connected him to Kael, it would unravel everything. So, with a heavy heart, I opened the small case Zola handed me.
Inside were two sets of colored contact lenses.
“You’re sure this will work?” I asked.
Zola nodded. “Perfectly. He’ll look like any other pup.”
I kneeled before Liam as he fidgeted, clutching his little stuffed wolf. “Mommy, why do I have to wear this again?”
I smiled gently. “Because it makes your eyes shine brighter,” I lied. “You’ll look handsome.”
He grinned, trusting me completely, and I almost broke.
Lily, my daughter, peeked from behind the curtain, her curls bouncing. “Mother?”
“Yes, baby?”
She hesitated. “Are we going to meet Daddy today?”
My heart clenched. I should have told them the truth, that their father wasn’t a man they should ever meet. But how could I destroy their little hearts with that?
“Yes,” I whispered. “You’re going to meet him today.”
Her smile lit up the whole room.
When they both turned away, I pressed a hand against my chest, struggling to breathe. Zola was right beside me, watching quietly.
“You did the right thing,” she said softly. “They’ll be safe this way.”
“Safe,” I echoed, though the word felt like ash in my mouth.
By the time we reached the royal palace, dusk had painted the sky in deep shades of purple and gold. The building loomed before us. It was grand, ancient amd intimidating. Guards lined the gates, their silver armor glinting under torchlight.
Liam and Lily clung to my hands as we stepped through the gates. Every step made my pulse race faster. My wolf, Sylvia, was restless inside me.
You shouldn’t fear him, she murmured. You’re not the same woman anymore.
“I’m not sure I believe that,” I whispered under my breath.
He can’t break you again unless you let him, Sylvia said firmly. Remember that.
As we entered the marble foyer, I could already feel eyes on me. Nobles, attendants, guards, they all watched curiously, whispering behind fans and folded hands. I caught fragments of words. Who is she? Is that her children? The Lycan King summoned her himself…