Chapter 167
Gideon’s POV
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I decided, after seeing the information Xavier and I had gathered on the Alpha King and the former Luna Queen, that I should call Claire and tell her what I suspected. I reasoned that we were on good terms now, co–parenting. For as long as I had known her, she had always wondered about her past, about where she had come from and where she belonged.
If I had any answers that might help her, I felt duty bound as someone fond of her to share those things. And I just wanted
- 10.
So, after gathering all the various folders and evidence on my desk, I called Claire to tell her what I’d found.
After how my messages went unanswered last time, I braced myself for similar dismissals. Instead, she answered almost at
once.
“Hello?”
“Claire,” I said. “It’s Gideon.”
“The children are well,” she told me.
“I’m glad to hear that, but that’s not why I’ve called.”
“Oh?”
“Claire, I’ve been looking into your lineage. I was worried about Ivan, and then about the Alpha King…” I cleared my throat. “I am beginning to suspect that your similar appearance to the former Luna Queen might not be coincidental.”
“I..” Her voice gave away her surprise, but she recovered quickly. “I was thinking the same thing. In fact, I was just telling Ivan –”
“Ivan?”
“Yes. He came to apologize,” she said. As I fumed over that information, she continued, “He agreed to help me bring up the topic with the King.”
“So the two of you are going to travel together to the Royal Pack?” I didn’t like anything about that. I didn’t think Ivan was dangerous, exactly, but I wasn’t confident his intentions toward Claire were pure. Likely, he was still trying to have her fill the void of his lost love. “Didn’t you two break up?”
“We are broken up,” Claire said. “But Ivan, as the step–brother of the King, could help smooth the process. He could get me into the palace and even help convince the King to take the blood test. If I went alone, I’m not sure I could get in the door, let alone be taken seriously.”
“And he agreed to do all that? Even though you aren’t together anymore?”
“Yes,” Claire replied. She paused a minute. “We’re going to wait until after this week, however. I don’t want to drag the children into this. I’d rather have them safe with you.”
While I was pleased she had thought of the children and considered my feelings in all this – I certainly wouldn’t have wanted them to cross pack borders with only Ivan for protection – I still wasn’t satisfied that she was thinking of going anywhere with Ivan. Without the children, Claire and Ivan would be alone on that trip.
I couldn’t allow that. Gods only knew what could happen on that trip. Would she soften toward him? Take him back?
Like hells!
18:56 Sat, Feb 7
Chapter 167
M*
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“Actually, I have another idea.” I told her.
“You do?” she seemed surprised again.
“Yes,” I said. “Why don’t we all go together? It could be a fun experience for the children, and then you wouldn’t have to wait to find your answers.”
And I could make sure you and Ivan are never alone together.
“You would do that for me? You’d allow that? You’d come with us too?”
“Yes,” I said decisively. “I know this is important to you, and… I would like you to find out the truth. I want to be there when it happens. To support you.”
“Thank you, Gideon. I… I don’t know what to say…”
“I’ll be there first thing in the morning. Get the kids packed. I’m not sure how long we will need to stay.”
“You mean… we will stay as long as needed?”
I knew I had hurt her, but to hear the skepticism in her voice even in the moments when I wanted to help her cut me deeply. It wasn’t her fault, of course, and I strove to prove myself to her. I wasn’t the monster she seemed to think I was.
Only time and dedication would help my cause.
“Yes,” I said. “As long as needed.”
Claire’s POV
I was so surprised when Gideon offered to come on the trip that I wasn’t sure how to react, other than to move forward unquestioningly. I thought if I asked too many questions, he might change his mind, and I was very eager to uncover the truth about my past and my lineage.
The kids were excited about the trip to the Royal Pack. Leo had said he’d been there once before, so was acting like an authority on the matter. But I had been there more recently and knew some of his facts were incorrect. Still, Nova listened to him eagerly, eating up every word he said.
I told Ivan we were planning on going, but neglected to mention Gideon was coming on. I didn’t think I had done this on purpose, not even realizing I had until Gideon showed up early the next morning at the pack border, packed and ready for the trip.
Ivan glowered as I explained the situation.
“We don’t need him,” Ivan said. “I can get you into the palace.”
“The children and I both want him there,” I told Ivan.
With a wordless sigh, he gestured for Gideon to be allowed through.
As Gideon approached with his suitcase, he waved. The children cheered and ran to greet him. I stayed behind, more watchful.
My feelings for Gideon were complicated. He had hurt me so much in the past, but… more recently, when he had been handed the chance to take everything from me, including both children, he had decided against it. He had even apologized. And now, he was joining us so that I wouldn’t have to wait for answers, and so that I would have the children with me for support. I would have him for support too.
“Are you sure about this?” Ivan asked me, his dislike of the situation clear.
18:56 Sat, Feb /
Chapter 167
“Yes.” I told him, leaving no room for doubt. “I want him with us.”
Ivan lowered his head. “Very well.”
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After greeting the children, Gideon walked closer. He held my hand in greeting before grunting in Ivan’s general direction.
Ivan scowled in return.
Gideon’s POV
As Claire stepped away to help the children load their things into the car, Ivan continued to glare at me.
“We have to put our differences aside for the sake of this trip,” I warned him. “If we don’t, we could hurt Claire.”
He huffed. “I agree. But your presence is not welcomed. After what you almost did, I can’t imagine why she still wants to talk to you.”
“After what you almost did, I feel the same,” I told him. “She is not the former Luna Queen and never will be. She is her person.”
Ivan’s eyes narrowed. “I know that.”
“Do you?”
We exchanged annoyed glances. Ivan was a capable Alpha, older than me, about as strong. But I was not one to be intimidated. Neither, it seemed, was he.
Ivan broke the unhappy silence. “I won’t allow you to hurt Claire again.”
“Funny,” I told him. “I was thinking the exact same thing.”
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