CHAPTER 175 - RETURN OF CONAN

POV: SOPHIE

It was a dream to hear his laughter with his mouth full of cake and teary eyes; his lightness and gentleness filled my heart. Conan was here, back home, back in my arms, where I held him tightly, afraid of losing him again!

“Aunt, you're doing it again!” He spoke, still laughing.

“Doing what?” I raised my eyebrows, amused.

“Staring at me, I told you, I'm fine!” Conan rolled his eyes, just like Agatha did when something annoyed her.

I laughed at the striking resemblance; my nephew frowned, trying to understand the reason for the amusement.

“How about we go to the sacred lake? I need to heal, and you, young man, need a bath.” I poked his nose, which was identical to his father's.

“Sacred lake?” He seemed curious and, at the same time, apprehensive. “Why do we have to go there?”

“Don't worry, my little brave one, it's just a lake blessed by the Moon Goddess, where the healing power is more intense... Being hybrids, our healing isn't as fast as that of pure wolves.” I explained gently.

Conan jumped off the table, pushing the chair forcefully backward, which hit the wall.

“I'M NOT GOING THERE!” He growled dangerously; his eyes had black spots that covered only the corners of his atypical eyes, like mine.

“Conan, dear... Please, calm down!” I stood up, keeping a calm tone, trying to approach. “Here, you're safe, and you're not obligated to do anything you don't want to!”

“Are you sure of this?” His voice was on the edge, embossed with fear and sadness.

“I promise!” I pulled him into a strong hug, feeling my heart pounding intensely. “Conan...”

I lifted his chin to face him, wiping away his stubbornly rolled tears.

“Lakes scare me...” He finally replied.

“My love, what have they done to you?” I asked lovingly, seeing his expression becoming stiffer and more terrified.

Turning his face aside, he tried to contain the tremors that took over his body.

“Something no child should have gone through...” Conan replied dryly. “Can I go take a bath; will you sing for me before sleeping, like you used to when I was a baby?”

“You still remember?” My eyes glittered and touched. “Of course, do you still know where your room is?”

He nodded. A wolf's memory was incredible; unlike humans, cubs remembered everything, even the first words.

I saw him walking away, felt his presence, and turned. Harvey was leaning against the wall, watching us and observing his son move away.

“Hey, why didn't you join us?” I smiled at him, unable to contain the joy in my chest.

“I'm not welcomed by him.” The alpha shrugged.

“Give Conan some time; he's confused, and we don't know what they did to him... What we can assume is that the shadows intended to use your cub against you!” I sighed, rubbing my temples, too tired of so much war and manipulation. “Let's figure this out and reverse all the evil!”

“Human...” Harvey stared at me for a while, tilting his head to the side with a stiff body. There was something he wanted to share but didn't. “I hope you're right about reversing the harm they did to him; I also hope to relive moments with my offspring and train him!”

“You meant playing with your son, right?” I narrowed my eyes, irritated at the possibility of him wanting to start training my little nephew immediately.

“Conan is no longer a cub, human... He is a young man; for you humans, he would be a teenager.” The Alpha growled, impatient. “He's my son, the prince of this pack, and already holds responsibilities with his people.”

“He just returned!” I retorted, baring my fangs. “Let's first find out the extent of what they did to Conan, then we can think about his killer training.”

In a swift move, Harvey pressed our bodies together, lifting my chin to gaze at me challengingly.

“I know you want to protect him, and the best way to do that is by making him strong!” He provocatively spoke, brushing his lips against my predatory eyes.

Our scent was changing, and with the intensity of our closeness, I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer and sealing our lips. Growling, he lifted me, sweeping everything off the table and laying me on it possessively!

Kissing my neck, Harvey descended to my breasts, where I moaned, pulsating between my legs.

“Alpha, our cub could show up at any moment...” I whispered, pulling his face up. “Later, I'll be all yours, my mate!”

Roaring with fury, he stared at me, placing his arms beside my head and resting his forehead against mine, still between my legs.

“I don't care about that!” He growled, impatient.

“But I do, so be a good wolf and wait until later!” I teased him, making him smile seductively.

“I hope it's worth it.” He shrugged, standing up and pulling me away.

“Harvey? I think I should tell...” I bit my lip, hesitant. “Tell him that I was the one who killed her!”

“No!” The alpha pulled me by the hip, brushing our bodies, lifted my chin, and kept my gaze. “The cub is already hostile toward me; there is no need for him to be like that with you!”

“But you didn't kill his aunt; it's not fair to be hated by your son!” I snarled, lowering my gaze. “I was a coward; I froze at the moment, unable to face my actions.”

“Victoria's fate was already sealed; you only defended yourself from her attacks.” Lifting my head again, he caressed my face with his thumb. “I would have killed her anyway!”

“Of course, you would; you're the murderer everyone talks about!” Conan appeared at the door, furious, claws exposed, and his eyes again with the black spots. “You killed my aunt, your sister, without any remorse.”

“Conan, it wasn't quite like that...” I began to speak, but Harvey silenced me with his finger on my lips.

Tilting his head to the cub, lazily, he evaluated him from head to toe.

“And what do you intend to do about it?” Arching an eyebrow in challenge, the Alpha spoke nonchalantly. “Will you avenge her, or will you just be a brat who only knows how to scream like a child?”

“Damn you, I'll show you...” Conan's hands ignited in a dark flame; his eyes were a bit more invaded by the dark spot; his canines were prominently exposed; and his posture was hostile and angry. “I'm going to kill you!”

Advancing toward the alpha, who remained relaxed, I positioned myself in front of him, staring him down.