Insanity…
Now seated alone in my bedroom, lost in intrusive thoughts, I couldn’t help but reflect on everything that had transpired during my meeting with Simon and Lucas. After their not-so-friendly and indirect threat, my wolf was instantly on alert, dreading how much their influence might interfere with the life I had begun building for my sons.
I had expected a reaction once I confirmed that Luke and Simeon were their sons. However, they both seemed so calm about it, as if my confirmation hadn’t changed anything about their pre-established ideas on the matter.
Simon’s words still echoed in my mind, making me shudder:
“… Then I’ll have to take other measures to ensure they get what they need.”
They made it seem like being heirs to the throne was something Luke and Simeon needed, when in reality, they were perfectly content here with me and George. But as I stormed out of the hotel after the conversation with Lucas and Simon, my wolf said something that resonated deeply: although the boys might seem happy and comfortable now, that’s only because they’re children. They don’t fully understand the truth or the gravity of the situation, even if I explained it to them. When they grow older and begin to comprehend these things, they might resent me for taking away their right to the throne, stripping them of their responsibilities as future kings.
As unpleasant as this thought was, I couldn’t dismiss it. Whatever decisions I make now will inevitably impact their lives. The complex and mysterious nature of the royal family, and how they govern every pack in the lycanthrope world, is far from clean. I didn’t want my children involved in that, not in the long run.
A knock interrupted my thoughts, and I told the person to come in.
“Whoa, why is it so dark in here?” George asked, turning on the lights. The sudden brightness caught me off guard, and it took me a moment to adjust. He walked over to the curtains, which I had drawn to block out any light, and swiftly pulled them open before sitting beside me on the edge of the bed.
“Ashley, why did you leave the room so dark? Is everything okay?” he asked gently. I remained silent for a while, and so did he. When I looked up, his face showed patience, indicating he was willing to wait until I was ready to speak. I sighed deeply before starting.
“I’m a bit lost on what to do.”
“What’s the matter? Is this about your meeting with the kings?”
“Yes! They know everything.”
“Wait, everything about what?”
“About us, about the children-everything.”
“Tell me what happened.”
“Well, they started talking about the boys and how concerned they are about their future. I questioned why it was any of their business, but they went straight to the point. They said they know Luke and Simeon aren’t your biological children. I don’t know how they found out or where they got that information, but they were certain. They suggested the boys come to the mansion for training to prepare them for the throne, but I refused. My goal is to protect my children-not just from their selfish and ruthless fathers, but also from the dangers that come with leading the Kingdom. From my time in the mansion, I saw enough to know I don’t want them involved in that life.”
“And what did they say?”
“They threatened to do whatever it takes to get my sons there, forcing them into their so-called ‘duties’ as future kings and joint heirs to the throne,” I growled, feeling my wolf’s agitation. George took a deep breath, and I could sense that his wolf was just as unsettled, though he tried to hide it.
“Calm down, okay? This isn’t the first obstacle we’ve faced, and it won’t be the last. Your sons are yours, and no one can take that away. But we can’t ignore that they are also the sons of King Lucas and Simon, and that gives them royal blood.”
“So, what? Should I let them take my children? After everything?”
“No, not at all. I’m not suggesting that. I’m saying that whatever decision you make now could affect them, positively or negatively, down the road. You raised them on your own for six years without their fathers. You’ve done it before and can do it again, but just know that whatever you decide, I’ll support you.”
“Thank you, George. I really needed this.”
“You’re welcome, Ashley.”
—
And just like that, I stood my ground and never gave in to the offer Lucas and Simon had given. I expected them to come here or at least try to convince me, either through threats or other means, but I heard nothing. Not the first day, not the second, not the third, and not the fourth-and so it continued for the entire week. Exactly seven days later, I received a surprise visit from them.
On that particular day, I was sitting on the porch, enjoying the fresh air, when my wolf picked up a sharp sound coming from the boys’ room. At first, I brushed it off, thinking they were probably just playing, but something about the noise nagged at my wolf. After a while, I decided to check it out, taking cautious steps in case something was wrong. When I reached their door, I didn’t hesitate and opened it immediately-and what I saw was beyond belief.
“Lucas? Simon?” I gasped, frozen in place. Standing before me were the kings of the lycanthrope world, inside my house, each holding one of my sons, both of whom were already asleep. I stood there, unmoving, trying to convince myself it was a dream, but no amount of pinching could wake me up from this nightmare.
“Oh, good, you’ve saved us the trouble of going to fetch you from your bedroom,” Simon said, handing Luke over to Lucas. Simon slowly approached me, and my immediate instinct was that my children were in danger. I charged toward Lucas, dodging Simon’s attempt to hold me back. My claws extended, my wolf instantly ready to fight.
“Whoa, calm down, Ashley. We’re not here to fight or cause trouble,” Lucas said, but I wasn’t listening. All I could think about was how they had broken into my home and tried to kidnap my children.
“Give me my sons, now, or else-”
“Or else what?” Lucas interrupted. Before I could respond, I felt a sharp grip on my neck. I thought it was claws at first, but the sensation changed to a mix of pain and pleasure as I realized Simon was marking me with his fangs, something I hadn’t felt in years. My fight melted away, and my wolf began craving Lucas’ bite. Since they were twins and both my mates, Lucas needed to do the same. Without hesitation, I approached Lucas, offering the other side of my neck. His fangs dug in, and a moan escaped my lips as he licked the blood away. I didn’t have time to react before I felt a wave of hypnosis from Lucas’ eyes, which had changed color. I remained dazed for a moment before darkness overtook me.
When I awoke, I was surprised to find myself in the exact bedroom I had stayed in at the royal mansion years ago. Everything was as I’d left it, making me feel as if I were caught in some time loop. For a moment, I thought everything-Lucas and Simon in the boys’ room-had been a bizarre dream. But then I heard Luke’s voice beside me.
“Mommy,” he murmured, slowly blinking awake. Simeon was still asleep, but seeing that Luke needed me, I immediately pulled him close.
“Oh, my baby, come here,” I whispered, holding him against my chest. Now certain this wasn’t a dream, my wolf raged at Lucas and Simon for kidnapping not only my children but me as well. George was away on a business trip and wouldn’t return for another four days, but that didn’t make me feel any less uneasy about being away from home with the kids.
“My phone! Oh my goodness, where’s my phone?” I muttered, feeling helpless without a way to contact George. I was about to get up and confront Lucas or Simon-both if necessary-when the door opened.
“How dare you!” I yelled, charging at Simon as he entered without knocking.
“Oh my goodness, will you calm down, woman?” he said.
“Calm down? You expect me to calm down after this? You and your brother have some nerve. I could sue both of you for this insanity,” I fumed.
Simon scoffed, looking at me as though I’d lost my mind. “I sometimes wonder what gave you this level of confidence to speak to me like that,” he said, his tone shifting. “I don’t care what you’ve achieved in the six years you’ve been away from the mansion, but here and everywhere else, I am still your king, and I won’t tolerate your insolence. If you complain to anyone, you’ll be starting a legal battle you’ll lose. So, if you want what’s best for you and your children, you’ll sit down, be quiet, and listen to what we have to say,” he finished, guiding me back to the bed. Luke watched, confusion written all over his face.:
I sat back down on the bed, my mind spinning. Simon’s words had shaken me. I knew he wasn’t bluffing-he had the power and influence to make my life a living hell. But there was no way I was going to just sit and let them take my children away from me.
“Fine,” I said, my voice tight. “I’m listening.”
Simon smiled, clearly satisfied with my compliance. He pulled up a chair and sat in front of me, his eyes gleaming with a mix of authority and something darker, something I couldn’t quite place. “Good. I’ll just get straight to the point. Lucas and I have no intention of making this harder than it needs to be. We don’t want to fight you, Ashley. We just want what’s best for the boys.”
I snorted. “What’s best for the boys? You think ripping them from their home, from the life they know, is what’s best?”
Simon leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “You’re being short-sighted. They are the rightful heirs to the throne. Do you honestly believe you can keep them from their destiny forever? What happens when they grow older and start asking questions? When they actually start discovering who they really are?”
“They know who they are,” I shot back, my voice trembling with anger. “They’re my sons. That’s all they need to know.”
“For now, maybe,” Simon replied calmly, leaning back on the chair as he spoke “But what about later? What about when they realize you’ve been hiding their true lineage from them? That you’ve kept them from their birthright, from the legacy they were born to inherit?”
“I’m not keeping them from anything,” I said, though my voice wavered. “I’m protecting them.”
“From what?” Simon asked, genuinely curious. “From power? From responsibility? From a life they’re destined to lead?”
“From *you*,” I snapped. “From Lucas , your bewitched wife; Veronica, and everything that comes with being a part of your world. You and Lucas-your kind of power-it corrupts. I’ve seen it firsthand. I don’t want that for my boys.”
Simon sighed, rubbing his temples as though he was growing tired of the conversation. “You’re wrong, Ashley. The power we wield doesn’t corrupt. It’s necessary. We don’t rule for ourselves-we rule for the good of the entire lycanthrope world. We keep the packs in order, maintain peace, and ensure survival. The boys will have to understand that one day.”
“And what if they don’t want it?” I challenged. “What if they don’t want your throne, your kingdom, or your responsibilities?”
Simon’s face hardened. “It’s not about what they want. It’s about what’s expedient. They don’t have the luxury of choice in this matter. Neither did I. Neither did Lucas. And neither do they.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could speak, the door creaked open again. Lucas stepped in, carrying a tray with food and drinks. His expression was calm, but there was a quiet intensity in his eyes as he walked over to us.