Chapter 81
Faith’s Pov
+25 Points
The air in the pack house was filled with tension, thick and heavy like a storm about to break.
It was quiet as everyone contemplated my words and just when I thought Alice was about to give me a fiery response.
I felt the hairs on my body stand and I already knew who had joined us.
I braced myself, expecting Astor’s immediate, fierce defense of Alice, the way he used to be. But instead, an unnerving silence descended.
He didn’t even glance at Alice. His eyes, usually so full of warmth for her, were fixed on me, a strange, unreadable expression in their depths. “Faith,” he said, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through the room, cutting through the awkward silence. “I want to show you something.”
And with that, he completely ignored Alice, and the stunned gasps from the gathered pack members faded into the background as he reached for my hand.
The moment his fingers brushed mine, a jolt, an electric current, surged through me. Tingles, sparks, and a wildfire of sensations danced across my skin, igniting every nerve ending.
A silly, irrepressible smile bloomed on my face, a smile I couldn’t, wouldn’t, wipe away, no matter how shocked I felt.
He didn’t even ask what the noise was about and he didn’t even stay to find out.
He pulled me gently, leading me out of the pack house, away from the judging eyes and the unspoken words. As we stepped into the bright sunlight, he called out Marco’s name.
Within moments, a small, energetic whirlwind came running towards us. Astor scooped him up into his arms before I could with effortless grace, and Marco, without a moment’s hesitation, nestled into his father’s embrace.
It was like they’d known each other for years, not a single day. My heart ached with a potent mix of wonder and guilt. To see how easily they fit together, how naturally Astor’s arm wrapped around Marco, how protectively he held him, was more than I could have imagined. And it was a stark reminder of my own part in keeping them apart.
I know that as soon as I tell Marco that Astor is his father then he is going to be overjoyed.
Marco, a tiny bundle of pure adoration, couldn’t keep his hands off his father. His small
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< Chapter 81
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fingers traced Astor’s jawline, his little face pressed against his dad’s chest, and his questions tumbled out like a waterfall. “Mommy, can I touch those?” he ask, pointing a curious finger at the wolves around, his eyes wide with fascination. He was utterly captivated by them.
“We’ll have to tell him soon,” Astor murmured, his gaze sweeping over Marco’s beaming face. I could only nod, my throat tight with unshed tears. “I know,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “I wasn’t going to keep error secret from him especially because he is already displaying traits of an alpha wolf. It was for his safety, Astor. In the human world, it was safer.” I think it has become a usual thing for me to get defensive over everything he says.
He met my gaze, and the understanding in his eyes, the absence of accusation, was a balm to my wounded soul. His calmness was perfect, a quiet reassurance that settled the storm raging within me. For the first time, I felt a flicker of hope, a belief that maybe, just maybe, he could one day see beyond the years of separation, beyond the pain I’d inadvertently caused.
I also couldn’t shake the feeling that something was going one between him and Alice because how do I explain how he literally ignored the fact that I slapped the woman he clearly cares a lot about.
“Where are we going?” I asked trying to concentrate on something different, my voice laced with a renewed curiosity, as we continued walking, leaving the pack house and its familiar, yet suddenly distant, world behind. He hadn’t told me the destination, and we’d been walking for a few minutes now.
“Look ahead,” he simply replied, a hint of a smile touching his lips.
I followed his gaze, and my breath caught in my throat. In the distance, a structure began to
emerge.
when I left they weren’t as many houses as they are now and this place was very quiet but they are a few houses around now but one stood out for me.
.Even from afar, it was breathtaking. As we drew closer, my infatuation grew with every step. The details came into sharper focus. It was a castle, a real, honest–to–goodness castle.
Standing before the magnificent structure, I could only stare, my jaw slack with disbelief. “Who… who built this?” I stammered, my voice filled with awe. “Whose is it?”
Astor’s gaze softened as he looked at me, and then at Marco, who was practically bouncing with excitement in his arms. “It’s ours, Faith,” he said, his voice a deep, resonant promise.
Marco, his eyes wide and shining, let out a squeal of pure joy. “Are we going to live here, mommy?” he asked, his voice trembling with anticipation.
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Astor chuckled, a sound that warmed me to my very core. He shook his head yes, and gently set Marco down. Our son, already starting to squirm in his father’s strong arms, eagerly ran towards the castle, his small legs a blur.
As Marco explored the grounds, Astor turned to me. “Do you like it?” he asked, his eyes. searching mine.
“I… I can’t believe it,” I whispered, tears welling up. “It’s… it’s incredible.”
“You should believe it,” he said softly, his gaze unwavering. “This is our life now, Faith.”
The weight of his words settled on me, heavy and profound. “But… why?” I asked, my voice cracking. “Why would you do this for me? You haven’t forgiven me.”
He took a step closer, his expression serious but gentle. “I built this house for you years ago, Faith,” he explained, his voice tinged with a familiar sadness. “I thought we would build our life together within these walls. Things didn’t turn out the way I imagined.” He paused, a small smile returning to his lips. “But that’s alright. Because this is where our son will grow up. Marco deserves nothing but the best.”
The dam of my emotions finally broke. I threw myself into his arms, my legs instinctively wrapping around his waist, pulling him close. Tears streamed down my face, hot and desperate. “Forgive me, Astor,” I sobbed, burying my face in his chest. “Please, let the past go. I promise, I will never disappoint you again. I’ll be here with you, forever.” His arms tightened around me, holding me as I wept, the future, for the first time in a long time, feeling undeniably, beautifully, real.
