What if …
I looked up at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes, and for a moment, the fear that had been gripping me all day melted away. George had always been someone I could lean on, and in that moment, I knew I wasn’t going to be alone in this fight. Whatever Lucas and Simon were planning, we’d find a way through it-together.
Just as I was about to thank him again, the porch light flickered on, casting a soft glow over us. We both turned to see two little figures standing in the doorway. They walked away from the shade where they had been standing, their sleepy eyes blinking in the light.
“Mommy, Daddy, why are you outside?” Luke asked, rubbing his eyes as he shuffled toward us.
I exchanged a glance with George and smiled. “We were just having a conversation, my love. What are you two doing out of bed?”
“We can’t sleep,” Simeon mumbled, leaning against the doorframe. “It’s too quiet, and also, we’re hungry.”
I chuckled softly. “Alright, how about we go inside, have a quick snack, and then read a story together? Would that help?”
Both boys nodded eagerly, and George laughed, standing up straight and extending his hand to me. “Come on then, let’s go take care of our restless little wolves.”
As we all headed back inside, the warmth of our home wrapping around us, I felt a flicker of hope. No matter what challenges lay ahead, we had each other. And that was enough, at least for now.
—
**LUCAS’ POV**
As we made our way back to the mansion from the event, my head kept spinning as flashes of Ashley in her gorgeous dress went through my mind. As these thoughts invaded, Simon turned to look at me with a questioning look on his face, and it was only then that I realized he had been reading my thoughts all this time.
“Bro, what the heck? Is that really what you’re supposed to be thinking about right now?” he asked through our mind link, shaking his head.
“I know it might seem a bit uncalled for, but you and I both know it’s true. It’s been six years, and one would have thought she might have died, been kidnapped, or even raped-you know, crazy things that happen to rogue wolves, especially women.”
“But here she is, one of the most successful women in her field, with a family of her own while we’re here.”
“Speaking of family, I feel like there’s something off about the whole thing.”
“What do you mean?”
“Think about it. She left the house six years ago. Look at those kids-the way they look and speak-it’s obvious they’re at least five years old. So, she must have met that man and had those boys very soon after leaving.”
“Come on, are you thinking he’s like that Fabian guy, the one she sold our vital information to? Maybe they conspired to overthrow us and start their own family together. How do we know she and that man weren’t already involved before she left?”
For a moment, I reflected on what Simon had said. He had a valid point, but I still couldn’t shake off the feeling I had about the whole situation.
“Well, alright, but I still can’t shake off the feeling about those children. We really need to investigate their birth and when she got pregnant.”
“Sure. Now stop thinking about Ashley and what she had on today.”
“Oh, so you’re going to deny what I’m talking about, right? No problem then,” I said, disconnecting the mind link and rolling my eyes. The driver had been taking frequent glances at us in the rearview mirror, noticing our body language and head shaking during the mind link conversation. However, I decided not to pay attention to him. He should already know that Simon and I have twin telepathy and can engage in conversations without saying a word.
As soon as we returned to the mansion, we both got out of the car and were making our way in when my beta, Damien, rushed up and handed me a pen along with a document I hesitantly had to sign.
“So sorry for the disturbance, Your Highness, but it is imperative that you sign the permission to send in the rescue team to our troops currently at war in Asia.”
“No problem, hand over the document,” I responded, taking the paper and quickly reading through it before signing.
“Damien, it says here that they’re asking for a team on behalf of 200 troops. Send extra provisions, enough for 500 people, okay?”
“Very well, Your Highness. I’ll do that right away.”
“Alright.” Damien swiftly continued his task, and I walked straight toward the stairs to go to my bedroom. From the war our troops were partaking in to Ashley being back, and Veronica’s constant whining, there was so much running through my mind. I needed time to relax, so I didn’t bother responding to any of the maids’ greetings as I headed to my room.
I walked in and was instantly met with a sight that made me frown.
“What do you want now, Veronica?” I asked, taking off my suit jacket and throwing it on the coat hanger. The throw wasn’t strong, and the jacket fell to the floor, but I didn’t bother looking back at it.
“Welcome back, Lucas. How was the event?” she asked, standing up to pick up the jacket and carefully placing it on the hanger.
“It was fine, thank you, but right now I just want to rest. I need time alone.”
“Oh, I understand. It must have been exhausting for you and Simon, given that you’re kings. I’m sure many people tried to get on your good side.” I didn’t respond, just sat on the bed, waiting for her to finish whatever she wanted to say so I could have my room to myself.
“Veronica, what do you want? I’m really tired, and I’d like to be alone. Go straight to the point.” I finally expressed the irritation I felt. She bit her lip anxiously at the tone of my voice. Fortunately, she got the hint and spoke more quickly.
“Okay, I’ll be quick, but this isn’t something I can just bring up casually.” I sighed deeply, knowing where this was going.
“Look, Veronica, I’m tired. Can we not talk about this right now?”
“But can’t you see that I’m really lonely? It’s killing me. It’s been six years, six long years, since we got married, and there’s not even one child to show for it.”
“You’re back to this again?”
“Of course I am. People are talking, my family is talking, and it’s getting to me.”
“So this is about what others have to say, isn’t it?”
“No, please try to understand. I’m a woman, and I’m not getting any younger. I’ll do anything to have a child.”
“Then do whatever you need to, but why are you stressing me? Or have you forgotten that the report showed you’re the infertile one?”
She looked at me with hurt in her eyes but said nothing. “Simon and I have done everything we can. If the moon goddess has destined you not to carry a child, I’m sure it’s for a reason. Nobody’s pressuring you, okay?”
“How can you say that, Lucas? You of all people know that bearing children is compulsory for queens. It’s not just about having children-it’s about giving the kingdom an heir, a son, for the goddess’s sake. How am I supposed to live knowing I’ll die without bearing an heir? If the elders get fed up, they’ll have me replaced.”
I remained silent, losing interest in the conversation as she continued. She was right about the elders. If they found out she couldn’t bear children, it would affect us as kings. They could appoint a king from another family, which would end the Salvatore bloodline for both Simon and me. Even Simon and I should be taking this more seriously, but I couldn’t understand why I felt so at ease about it. It scared me now, thinking about it.
“So, what do you want, Veronica?”
“Let’s just try again. My mom gave me herbs and medicines to boost my egg production. I’ve been taking them for two weeks now, and I’m sure they’ve helped. Let’s just get it over with quickly. It won’t take much time.”
She came closer, trying to rub my chest. I pushed her away, irritated.
“Why are you touching me? Stop it. It’s uncomfortable.”
“Lucas, why are you acting like this is the first time? Let’s just do it quickly.”
“I’m tired, Veronica. I’m not in the mood for this. Leave me alone.”
“But please, I-”
“That’s enough! I don’t want to hear more about this. Leave my room.” She stood in silence. I didn’t bother turning to face her.
“I believe you heard me when I said to leave my room,” I repeated, this time more sternly. She didn’t say anything, and I didn’t look back. When I heard the door open and close, I finally exhaled in relief, basking in the silence of my room once again.
As the silence filled the room, I leaned back on the bed, rubbing my temples. Veronica’s frustration was starting to get to me, and as much as I hated to admit it, she wasn’t entirely wrong. The pressure from the elders was real, and the kingdom definitely needed an heir. But right now, with everything going on-Ashley, Simon, the war-it felt like another burden I wasn’t ready to deal with.
The moonlight filtered in through the curtains, casting faint shadows across the room. I couldn’t shake off the lingering thoughts about Ashley. Her reappearance after six long years was a disruption, a complication I hadn’t expected. Yet, despite everything, I couldn’t ignore the suspicion Simon had planted in my mind earlier: her children.
The timing didn’t sit well with me, and it gnawed at my instincts. Was it possible they were ours? The thought made my heart race, and I suddenly felt the overwhelming need to know the truth. I thought of who to come in but Simon was definitely the least in my mind
“Damien,” I called out, knowing my beta would still be nearby. Moments later, there was a knock on the door, and he entered.
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“I need you to gather some information-discreetly. Start looking into Ashley’s family. I want to know everything: her children, her husband, the timeline of when they came into her life.”
Damien’s brow furrowed. “Ashley, as in…”
“Yes, the same one! There are some things I need to confirm”
“You suspect something, my lord?”
“I don’t suspect. I *know* something is off. And if my suspicion is right, then a lot is about to change in this mansion.”
“As you wish, Your Highness,” Damien nodded, his face solemn as he turned to leave.
I stood up, pacing the room. What if it was true? What if Ashley had kept this from us just to spite us for kicking her out? The betrayal would be unforgivable, but part of me felt conflicted. We had shared something once, something that, despite everything, had felt real. The idea that she might have hidden such a significant part of my life from me both enraged and intrigued me.
I couldn’t let this go. Not now.
As I looked forward to the outcome of the whole situation, I couldn’t deny that I wasn’t happy. Sure, she might have betrayed us, putting not only our lives but also those of every single wolf under our authority at risk, but there were two things that made me hold on to her all this time.
I was angry and had to assert my authority as her King when I made the decision to send her away years ago. Yet, a part of me didn’t want any of that to happen. That part of me wished things hadn’t played out the way they did, and it made me long for her presence, her touch-everything that made up her being. If those children somehow ended up being ours, she would have to hand them over to us, since they were heirs to the throne. But was she going to come with them, or would it turn into a fight between us?