Calvin’s POV
The doctor had advised me to give myself time to recover.
I hated waiting.
But I couldn’t afford to be reckless, not when Kamrynn and my children needed me.
So I listened.
For an entire week, I allowed myself to heal, taking the prescribed medications, resting as much as my mind would allow, and preparing myself for the journey ahead.
Now, the time had finally come.
I was going back to Blue Bell.
With Lysaa.
The entire ride there was painfully silent.
I sat in the back seat while Franklin drove, and Lysaa sat in the passenger seat, staring blankly ahead.
She hadn’t said a single word to me since we left.
Not that I expected anything different.
She hated me.
And she had every right to.
Her body was no longer trembling with fear in my presence, but her silence was just as loud.
A reminder.
That no matter what I did-no matter how much I wanted to make up for the past-she would never forgive me.
I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to focus on the road ahead.
Right now, there was only one thing that mattered.
Getting my children back.
Everything else-my guilt, my shame, Lysaa’s hatred-would have to wait.
When we finally arrived at the border of the Blue Bell Pack, I prepared myself for resistance.
I had expected to be denied entry.
I had expected an argument.
But to my surprise, the scouts at the border granted us access without protest.
I frowned slightly.
That was… unexpected.
Still, I wasn’t going to question good luck.
Maybe this meant that my conversation with Orion and Rmonica would go just as smoothly.
We made our way into the heart of the Pack, passing through the town and heading straight for the palace.
Again, there was no hostility.
No resistance.
Even the guards at the palace gates let us through without hesitation.
I didn’t like this.
Something was off.
I introduced myself to the guard at the door, stating my purpose, and to my continued confusion, I was led straight to Orion’s office while Franklin and Lysaa were asked to wait in the grand living room.
The maids left to get refreshments, but I doubted Lysaa would touch anything from this Pack. Given my position with them, it would be wise not to.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside the office.
And there he was.
Alpha Orion.
Seated majestically behind his desk, hands clasped together, completely at ease.
The last time I had stood in this office was the night I found Kamrynn here.
The night Orion made it very clear that I wasn’t welcome in his Pack.
That memory didn’t bring any comfort now.
I expected hostility.
Anger.
Resentment.
But instead-
He smiled.
I froze.
That wasn’t the reaction I had prepared for.
“Alpha Calvin,” Orion greeted smoothly. “What a pleasant surprise.”
I didn’t move.
Didn’t sit.
Didn’t respond.
Every instinct in me was screaming that something was wrong.
“Please,” Orion gestured toward the chair in front of his desk. “Have a seat.”
I narrowed my eyes.
A trap.
It had to be.
Slowly, I sat down, my muscles still tense.
Orion leaned forward, his expression polite-too polite.
“To what do I owe this rare visit?” he asked, his tone almost casual. “Given the distance between our Packs, I assume this isn’t a simple courtesy call.”
My frown deepened.
Something about the way he spoke-
It was almost as if we were strangers.
As if we had never met before.
As if he wasn’t the same man who looked me in the eye and told me to stay the hell away from Kamrynn and his Pack.
“I’m not here to play games, Orion,” I said firmly. “I came for my children.”
Orion tilted his head slightly. “Your children?”
My patience was already wearing thin.
“Let’s not waste time pretending you don’t know what I’m talking about,” I said coldly. “I know Astor and Arabella are here, and I’ve come to take them back.”
Orion didn’t react.
Didn’t flinch.
Didn’t deny it.
Which only made my irritation grow stronger.
“If this is some eccentric new tactic to win my favor,” Orion said mildly, “I must say, you’re failing miserably, Alpha Calvin.”
I stiffened.
What the hell was he talking about?
“Currently, I’m not open to forming any new alliances,” Orion continued smoothly, “so unless you’re here on a goodwill visit or delivering an invitation to some grand celebration, I’m afraid I’ll have to turn you away.”
A sharp pulse of anger shot through me.
I clenched my fists.
Enough.
“I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing,” I snapped, “but I’m done with this bullshit. I know my children are here. I-”
The office door opened.
I turned sharply-
And the words died in my throat.
Rmonica stepped inside.
She wasn’t alone.
In her arms, she carried Astor.
But it wasn’t just the sight of my son that left me momentarily speechless.
It was her.
Rmonica… was pregnant.
Her stomach was round, unmistakably swollen.
For a moment, I couldn’t process it.
Couldn’t comprehend the sight in front of me.
My mind reeled.
She was pregnant.
Rmonica.
Pregnant.
With Orion’s child.
Which meant-
How much time had passed since Kamrynn first arrived here?
A cold, sickening realization settled in my stomach.
Had it really been that long?
Had I truly been so lost in my own rage, my own revenge, my own stupidity that the world had kept moving without me noticing?
My hands shook slightly.
This wasn’t how this was supposed to go.
I had come here prepared for a fight.
Prepared to demand my children.
Prepared to force Orion’s hand if necessary.
But now-
Now, I was sitting in front of a man who was treating me like a stranger.
A woman who had no reason to give my children back.
A Pack that had thrived while mine suffered.
And suddenly…
I wasn’t sure if I had any control over this situation at all.
Rmonica cradled Astor in her arms, swaying slightly as she spoke to Orion, completely ignoring my existence. Given her strong dislike for me, I’d expected a stray glare or two but she was completely focused on her mate.
“Sorry for interrupting your meeting but I felt like this couldn’t wait. I think he has a bit of a fever, when do you think we should take them in for their shots?” she asked, a concerned crease forming between her brows. “The clinic said we should bring them in soon, but I wasn’t sure if we should do it together or take them separately.”