Draven
Charlene lowered her head and shook it slowly. "Whatever the kids said to you isn't true because…" she stuttered, unable to finish her sentence.
I chuckled and leaned closer to her. "Are you saying the kids are lying?" I asked, watching her closely.
She shook her head again. "I…" she cleared her throat awkwardly. "I have to get ready because we're meeting Damien and…"
I rose from the couch and straightened my shirt. "I'm going with you," I said firmly. "I'll move my departure to tomorrow. I want you to tell the kids about me and…"
Charlene sighed softly and nodded. "Then I'll go get the kids ready," she replied, leaving.
But before she could, I reached for her hand. We both froze, staring at each other momentarily as the world around us faded. Then she gently pulled her hand free and walked off without another word.
I let out a long breath and rubbed my forehead. Even after all these years, I still couldn't stop thinking about her or the place she held in my heart.
Maybe Ash had been right. Perhaps I shouldn't have let her go. Because even though I'd rejected her five years ago, our bond had never truly disappeared.
It was alive, and I could feel it in every part of my body.
My phone rang suddenly in my pocket. I stepped outside to answer it. It was my mother, and as soon as I picked it up, I noticed the excitement in her voice.
"Son," she greeted. "When are you coming home? It's almost time for the annual ball," she reminded me.
I had been so caught up with Charlene and the children that I had no idea I was supposed to return for the annual ball as the royal alpha.
"Tomorrow, Mother," I replied. "I'll be done with the business I came here for." I hesitated for a moment before deciding to share the news. "Mother, I have a surprise for you tomorrow, something I'm sure you'll like. Please tell Father as well."
"You've finally agreed to marry Rania?" she asked eagerly.
"No," I answered sharply.
Rania was the woman my parents had wanted me to marry after I ended the mating bond with Charlene, and the thought alone irritated me. "The news is bigger than that."
"Of course," my mother laughed lightly. "I'll be waiting for this great news, then. See you tomorrow."
We ended the call, and I walked back inside. When I entered the living room, Dawn was pacing back and forth. The moment she saw me, she rushed over.
"I thought you left!" she exclaimed in her high, cheerful voice.
Why would she think like that? I hated how the children viewed me, and I intend to change that.
"I didn't," I said, smiling at her enthusiasm. It warmed me more than I expected. Maybe it was that father-daughter bond that couldn't be broken even by years apart.
"I want you to braid my hair," she said suddenly, "just like Daddy Adrian always does."
"Daddy Adrian?" The words alone gave me a headache. I hated hearing my kids call him that, but I couldn't change it. Adrian had been there when I wasn't, and no matter how much I despised him, I couldn't deny the bond between him and the children.
"Alright," I said, lifting her and placing her on the couch. I had no idea what I was doing, but I wanted to seem just as capable, maybe even more incredible, than Adrian. When she handed me the comb, I carefully brushed her hair, pretending I knew what I was doing.
"So… are you going to live with us like Daddy Adrian?" she asked innocently.
"No," I said quickly. "I…" I trailed off, not knowing how to answer. I wanted Charlene to be the one to explain, not me. It was too hard to drop the bombshell because I didn't know how she would react.
"Okay," she said, falling quiet.
The braiding turned out to be much more complicated than I thought. Every time I managed a few twists, it went back to how it was. I had no idea how Adrian did it.
The realization stung at how little I knew about my own children. I was a stranger trying to catch up on years I had missed, fumbling through something as simple as a braid.
"Dawn!" Charlene's voice echoed as she entered the living room. She stopped short when she saw us, surprise flickering across her face. "What are you doing?"
"Draven's helping me braid my hair just like Daddy Adrian always does!" Dawn said proudly, giggling.
"Oh," Charlene murmured, amused. She smiled at the sight of my terrible braids. "Let me help," she offered, moving closer.
She placed her hand gently over mine, guiding me through the motions. Her fingers were soft and warm, and the scent of rosemary surrounded her, stirring something profound within me.
My Lycan growled in my head, restless. A rush of electricity shot through me, quickening my heartbeat. Having her this close made it impossible to think straight.
I wanted to pull her into my arms, to kiss her until every lost year disappeared. I forgot she was the woman who had betrayed me for a moment. All I saw was the one who had bore my children.
"All done!" Charlene announced, letting go of my hands.
"Your Highness," she said teasingly, snapping her fingers before my face when she noticed I'd gone quiet.
I blinked, caught staring, and our eyes met again.
"I…" she began, stepping back, but I reached for her hand before she could leave.
"Thank you for your help," I said softly.
She smiled at me, and when I smiled back, I wasn't faking it.