Chapter 168
Claire’s POV
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When he saw that Gideon was coming with us, Ivan decided that he would take his own, second car. This was fine with the rest of us, as it left time for the children to chat with their father without earning any awkward silences or dirty looks from Ivan’s presence.
While I appreciated Ivan accompanying us and did truly want to see him as a friend, there was no denying the tension between us now. Nothing was quite right anymore. I couldn’t be sure that, whenever he looked at me, he wasn’t seeing his precious Lena.
After a time, we arrived at the Royal Pack and then to the gates of the palace. Ivan’s car was ahead of us in the line, yet even as his window lowered and he spoke with the gateman, the gate remained closed and locked.
“They should let Ivan through,” I said. “I’d hate if we came all this way for nothing.”
“He wants to prove his worth to you,” Gideon said, somewhat gruffly. It was clear he didn’t like Ivan at all. “He’ll find a way to get them to open that door.”
I held my breath a moment, worried my journey might stop before it even really began.
But then, finally, the gate creaked open and we were waved through.
Our car followed Ivan’s up and around the long drive to the front of the palace. There, the cars came to a stop, one after another. Ivan got out first, and I followed, with Gideon and the children behind me.
“Ivan!” Alpha King George called from the door. He hurried down the stairs to greet his step–brother, clasping him by the arm. “You’ve surprised me. I never would have expected another visit, and I heard you brought… Ah.” He turned his attention to me. “Claire. What a pleasure.”
He released Ivan’s hand and walked toward me. His eyes brightened as he saw the children, but then he stilled when he saw Gideon there too.
“Alpha Gideon? I wasn’t expecting on seeing you here.”
“Forgive me,” I said, speaking quickly, not wanting Gideon to get in trouble on my behalf. “Gideon is the father of my children. To bring them, we decided it was best if he came along.”
“Yes… I suppose…” the Alpha King looked to Ivan with a raised brow. Ivan just shook his head.
“I’m also here for moral support,” Gideon said. He straightened as he came to my side. Despite everything, having him near did give me a sort of boosted confidence. I felt like I had a firm rock at my side, someone who would unwaveringly support me even if I emotionally struggled during this trip.
Such a long way Gideon and I had traveled in such a short time. I never would have thought that he would be someone I would trust and rely on, yet here we were.
“We have an important question to ask you, George,” Ivan said, approaching.
George looked between all of us. “Oh?”
Ivan gestured to me, and as the Alpha King considered me, I swallowed down my nerves, preparing myself.
“Yes, Claire?”
“Alpha King,” I started. I inhaled deeply, gathering my strength. Gideon swayed into me, and the brush of his arm against mine gave me the last bit of courage I needed. “Do you think it’s possible, given my appearance and my age, that I could be
18:56 Sat, Feb 7 RM
Chapter 168
your daughter with former Luna Queen Lena?”
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The King stared at me for a moment, his eyes going wide, and then stared at me a moment more. He looked at me like he was seeing me for the first time. Maybe he was. Maybe he was really and truly looking where I had only earned passing glances in the past.
He opened his mouth, and I braced myself.
Yet, before he could speak, a female voice said instead, “Absolutely not.”
All of our gazes snapped to the open doorway of the palace where a woman in a satin gown, covered in fine jewelry, stepped out of the house.
“Darling, it is an honest question based on her appearance. We all see the similarities. It’s harmless for her to ask,” George told his woman, who I vaguely remembered from the news as the newer Luna Queen Victoria, whom George had married around two years after his previous wife’s passing.
“They are just like the rest, George,” Victoria said. “You are too kind and generous to entertain these folks when they only want to steal your money and leave you looking like a fool.”
“I have no intention of doing that,” I said quickly.
“And we are just supposed to trust you?” Victoria asked.
“You can trust me,” Ivan said, stepping forward. “I have known Claire for six years now. I know the shape of her character, and she would never do anything like that.”
“I can also vouch for Claire,” Gideon added. “As an Alpha, I’m sure my word means something.”
The King considered all their words. All the while, he continued looking at me, like he was trying to puzzle everything together.
“I think, with what’s going on, it would make the most sense to allow the group to stay,” the King said. “It wouldn’t be bad to have more guests. We do have room in the house right now. And it’s so rare that Ivan comes to visit. I don’t want to turn him away.”
Victoria frowned, pouting out her bottom lip. She looked over us all, before shaking her head lightly and turning away. “We will discuss this later, George. But if this is your wish, I would bow to your desires, my King.”
She turned and walked back into the house.
“Never mind her,” George said. “My wife is very sensitive and protective. She doesn’t want me to be hurt, you see. I’m afraid you aren’t the first person who has come to us, claiming to have some relation to… Lena.”
Emotion broke the word, but he quickly cleared his throat and the negative emotion disappeared, replaced with a softer happiness. He looked at me.
“If it’s true this time, I would be relieved. And grandchildren too! Gods, I could be so lucky as to have a family restored to
me.”
“Does this mean you will consent to a blood test?” I asked him.
“Give me time to consider it. During which you may stay in my house. My daughter is here. You might find a friend in her.”
As the King returned up the stairs, disappearing into the house, Ivan walked over closer to us.
“Be careful of Victoria, and of their daughter Susanne,” he said. “Neither will take kindly to your presence and what dangers your possible addition to the family might mean for their own power.”
Chapter 168
“I don’t want any power,” I said. “I just want the truth.”
“They won’t see it that way.”
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With that, Ivan gathered his things, and started walking inside. The kids moved behind him, each carrying one piece of their luggage, even though this was unnecessary.
Gideon squeezed my arm. “I won’t let anything happen to you or the children.”
“Thank you,” I told him, though I was also making that vow.
As I walked into the house, I saw Victoria again. This time she had a younger version of her standing beside her, who I knew must have been their daughter Susanne.
Susanne glowered at me, but when Gideon walked in behind me, everything changed. I could have sworn that she gasped.
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