Oberon’s POV
The anticipation humming in my chest was almost embarrassing. It had only been a week since I’d seen my daughter, yet the ache of her absence clung to me like a second skin. Not that I’d ever admit it to her-no, never. Lia was exactly where she needed to be, and if she caught even a hint of loneliness in me, she’d come rushing back home without a second thought.
I couldn’t allow that. Her journey was her own. My happiness wasn’t her burden to bear. I’d learn to adapt to the silence of the house. And besides, Blood Moon wasn’t off-limits-I could visit anytime.
A knock on the door jolted me from my thoughts, and I practically leapt from my chair, heart lurching at the thought that Lia might’ve arrived early to surprise me. But the moment I reached the door, reason returned. She would never knock. If it had been Lia, she would’ve breezed in like she owned the place.
Still, I wasn’t prepared for the face that greeted me.
“Alpha! To what do I owe this honor?” I said, masking my surprise with warmth.
“Hey, Oberon. Sorry to drop in unannounced,” Finnian Blackwell replied, his tone polite but heavy with something unspoken. “I was hoping you had a few minutes to talk.”
“Always,” I said, sincerely. “You know that.”
Despite the tangled history between him and Lia, my relationship with the young Alpha had remained steady. My daughter’s heartbreak had been real and deep, but he hadn’t betrayed her. He’d simply chosen his fated mate. Maybe he could’ve handled it more gently-maybe not. Either way, I still saw the good in him.
“Thank you. I really appreciate it. There were just a couple things I wanted to go over,” he began.
“Of course. And thank you for letting me step in on that Blood Moon contract meeting last week. I would’ve hated for negotiations to stall so close to finalization.”
“Oh, it was my pleasure,” I said with a grin. “In fact, it turned out to be quite the nostalgic treat.”
He quirked an eyebrow, clearly curious. “How so?”
“The Alphas I met with-Caden and Caleb Ashford-are sons of my closest friends from back in school. Catching up on family news with them was a highlight I hadn’t expected.”
“I had no idea you had that kind of history with them. That explains why one of them came to the Winslow estate to see Lia the other day. Old family friends, huh?”
“You could say that,” I replied, deliberately vague.
It wasn’t my place to reveal the truth. Lia’s bond with them-her mates-was her story to share, in her own time. I noticed the slight ease in Finnian’s shoulders at my response, which struck me as odd. Perhaps he still cared for her, at least platonically, and just wanted reassurance she was okay.
“I checked in with the Winslows today,” he added casually. “They mentioned Lia hadn’t been back since leaving town.”
He was fishing-but why?
“She’s been working herself into the ground,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “She needed a short break. She went to visit the Ashfords at Blood Moon. But actually, she should be arriving any moment. She’s got an appointment with the Winslows today.”
“Really?” he said, brightening. “That’s great. Maybe I’ll hang around and say hi.”
I wasn’t sure that was such a good idea, but before I could politely redirect him, the front door flew open and there she was.
Lia charged into the room like a storm-wild and radiant-and threw herself straight into my lap, arms locked tight around me. I laughed, overwhelmed by the sheer joy of her return. In that moment, I forgot Finnian was even there.
But then he chuckled.
The sound snapped her out of her bubble. Her entire demeanor shifted-shutters slamming down over her expression, her body stiffening like a warrior bracing for battle. Without a word, she pulled away from me and vanished into the garden, her old sanctuary.
So much for protecting her secret.
I’d hoped to shield her until she was ready, but it turned out I was too late.
Because before she could even make it through the door, her mates entered from the other side-and there was no mistaking the bond in the way they looked at her. Finnian Blackwell might’ve been many things, but a fool wasn’t one of them.
I shoved that complication aside for now and turned to greet my newest guests. It was my first time meeting Logan, Liam’s twin and Lia’s second mate. I was eager to finally lay eyes on the other half of the duo who now held my daughter’s heart.
“Hello, boys!” I said, tossing formality to the wind.
These were my best friend’s sons. I’d once changed their diapers, for crying out loud. And if things played out the way I hoped, they’d be my sons-in-law soon enough. They’d better be on their best behavior-especially with me.
“Beta Sterling! So good to see you again!” Liam beamed. “This is my brother, Logan.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you, son,” I said, shaking his hand firmly. “And please, just call me Oberon.”
“Oberon,” Logan echoed with a smile. “It’s an honor. Liam told me all about his time here last week. We owe you more than we can say.”
I didn’t bother pretending I didn’t know what he meant.
If I hadn’t nudged Lia in their direction-if I hadn’t insisted she take that trip-she never would’ve considered giving them a real chance.
“You just make sure my daughter is happy,” I said, voice gentle but unwavering. “That’s all the payment I need.”
“I know Lia has some business to handle,” I continued, “but will I have the pleasure of your company while she’s gone? Or is there something else on your agenda?”
“Actually…” Liam hesitated, eyes flickering. “We were hoping to speak with you about something important.”
“Of course,” I said, nodding. “Let me just wrap things up with Alpha Blackwell and-”
I turned-and stopped.
The corner where Finnian had been standing was empty.
“Where did he go?”
The moment Logan and Liam caught his scent, something primal kicked in. Their postures stiffened, jaws clenched, and without exchanging a word, both turned in unison and strode toward the back door. They knew exactly where Lia had gone-and so did I.
Heart hammering in my chest, I rushed to the nearest window, eyes scanning the garden for any sign of her. It didn’t take long.
There she was-on the central garden path-and I caught sight of her just in time to see her hand lash out and slap Finnian across the face. The sharp movement was unmistakable. Behind her, her two mates approached with thunder in their steps, their rage rolling off them like a storm cloud. I couldn’t hear what was said, but their body language said it all: fury, protectiveness, and something rawer-something dangerous.
Lia, on the other hand, didn’t so much as flinch. She turned from him with cold composure and walked away as if nothing had happened, pausing only to murmur something to the twins before continuing inside.
I had no idea what had just transpired, but my daughter was upset, and that was all I needed to know. Every instinct in me screamed to comfort her-to pull her into my arms, hold her tight, and promise her the world would right itself again. But just as I reached out for her, she sidestepped without missing a beat.
“I’m late for my appointment with the Winslows. I’ll see you when I get back, Daddy!” she called breezily over her shoulder before slipping through the front door.
I stood frozen, my outstretched hand still suspended mid-air.
And then the fury hit.
Alpha or not, I didn’t give a damn who Finnian Blackwell was. If being near Lia only brought her pain, then he needed to stay the hell away from her. Period. I spun on my heel, marching out to confront him, only to find I was already too late.
The message had clearly been delivered.
He was walking away through the back gate, posture rigid and expression unreadable. But whatever her mates had said-or done-had been more than enough.
“Beta Sterling,” he muttered with a nod as he passed, and then he was gone.
“What the hell just happened?” I demanded, turning to the twins still bristling with anger as they watched him disappear.
“Let’s take this inside,” Liam muttered, dragging a hand through his hair. “I’ve got a feeling we’re going to need some of that fine Irish whiskey you keep stashed for serious conversations.”
Thirty minutes later, I sat in silence, whiskey forgotten, my mind spinning. Words failed me.
What they’d just told me… it was beyond comprehension. I’d been livid when I heard what Finnian had said to her. The audacity-to shame my daughter for something outside her control? As if he had the right to question what the Moon Goddess herself had chosen?
I’d nearly stormed off to confront him myself, but the twins assured me it had been dealt with. Still, what truly shook me wasn’t his words-it was what came after.
That Lia might possess powers beyond the norm for a wolf… That if word got out, it could put her in danger…
That kind of revelation hit differently. I’d always known she was extraordinary-what parent didn’t believe that? But this wasn’t pride talking. This was real. Dangerous. Bigger than anything I’d ever imagined.
“This Celtic Wolf thing-tell me again what it means,” I asked for what felt like the hundredth time. “And what exactly is an animist?”
Logan dropped his head into his hands with a groan, while Liam exhaled heavily beside him.
“I know this is a lot to take in,” Liam said, his voice gentle. “And clearly, we’re not doing the best job of explaining it. That’s why we want you to meet one of our Elders at Blood Moon. Her name’s Keziah-she knows more than we do. She’ll be able to answer your questions.”
“And Lia needs to hear it from someone who understands what she is,” Logan added. “But she’ll need you there when she finds out.”
“Of course I’ll be there,” I said without hesitation. “There’s no way I’d let my little girl face something like that alone.”
“And if this Keziah is half as informed as you say, I want to speak to her myself.”
Logan nodded. “Then it’s settled. We’ll reach out to her once we’re back at Blood Moon and arrange a time to meet. One of us will call you as soon as it’s confirmed.”
I gave them a nod of agreement, though my thoughts were still miles away. Everything had shifted so fast.
“Oberon?” Liam hesitated, his voice uncertain.
“What is it?” I prompted, using the old endearment instinctively.
He exchanged a glance with his brother, then lowered his voice. “I’m just… worried about how what Finnian said might’ve affected her.”
“In what way?” I asked, frowning.
“He called her a whore,” Logan said flatly. “We never, ever, want her to feel ashamed of having two mates. She’s never acted like it bothered her, but now… well, we’re afraid those words might’ve planted doubt. That she’ll start to think others see her that way too.”
“And that she won’t come back with us,” Liam added quietly.
I blinked-and then I laughed, sharp and disbelieving.
“Have you met my daughter?” I asked, raising a brow. “That girl has never cared what anyone else thinks of her, and I highly doubt she’s about to start now.”
They both looked somewhat mollified, though still uneasy.
“And by the way,” I added with a smirk, “I am fully aware of what happens between mates, so you two can stop squirming in your seats.”
The look on their faces was priceless. Both of them stiffened, eyes wide and stunned like they’d just walked into a conversation with their heads on backwards. I nearly fell out of my chair laughing.
Just then, the front door creaked open, and her scent drifted through the house like sunlight.
I’d never seen two grown men move so fast. They were up in a flash, practically sprinting toward her like magnets pulled home.
I stayed where I was, swirling the last of my whiskey and watching them go with a shake of my head.
She was in good hands.
Damn good hands.