Free Web NovelChapter 129: Chapter 129 Children Learn Truth
Bella’s POV
The aftermath of the tempest lingered like a bitter taste.
Chloe had made her decision clear the moment dawn broke. I slipped her a mild sedative to ease her restless night, knowing I couldn’t force her to remain where every breath felt suffocating. The anguish written across her features told me everything.
The rapid collapse of events still bewildered me. Perhaps the storm had been the final catalyst, or maybe something deeper had shattered.
Morning light found me stretched across the living room sofa, my neck stiff from the uncomfortable position. freёwebnoѵel.com
Everyone remained in slumber except Hugo, who moved quietly through the house.
The previous evening had been unbearable. Dinner passed in crushing silence.
With Chloe heavily sedated, my children peppered me with worried questions about her condition. Fortunately, Hugo’s presence provided enough distraction to redirect their attention.
Now a fresh day beckoned. We’d all managed quick showers while Chloe finished cramming her belongings into suitcases. She refused to endure even one more hour within these walls.
"Whoa, check out all this damage. Mama, every single tree got snapped," Zack whimpered, pressing his small face against the car window. His expression reflected genuine sorrow for the fallen timber.
"What about all the creatures without homes now? Where could they have gone?" Tara questioned from her spot in the back seat next to me.
Hugo steered us toward the waterfront since Chloe demanded immediate departure. No amount of persuasion could convince her otherwise.
"Children, I understand your concern for the trees, but don’t fret. They’ll regenerate quickly here. This is werewolf territory.
The natural world operates under different rules in this realm. Ancient forces flow through everything," Hugo reassured them.
"Plus there was definitely magic in that crazy storm," Zack chimed in.
His innocent observation sparked laughter from both Hugo and myself. Chloe continued her statue-like vigil at the window, offering nothing to our conversation.
Her vacant stare remained fixed on the passing landscape. The vehicle felt hollow due to her emotional absence.
Hugo maneuvered his vehicle into a parking spot and climbed out, assisting the children while I focused on Chloe.
"Come along, Chloe," I encouraged, stepping onto the dock. The ocean breeze carried a cleansing quality.
"And kids, every bird and woodland animal here possesses incredible survival instincts. See that group over there? They weathered the tempest just fine. They always manage," Hugo indicated toward the wildlife emerging from their storm shelters.
Chloe showed no acknowledgment. Her detached demeanor remained unchanged. She clutched her travel bag protectively while Hugo retrieved the remaining luggage.
"Focus on reconnecting with your loved ones and healing, alright?" I offered softly.
She pulled me into an embrace, then made her rounds saying goodbye to each child individually before boarding the departing vessel.
"So what’s our agenda for today?" Hugo inquired about our remaining plans.
"Mama, who’s going to watch over us now?" Leah spoke up for the first time since yesterday. Her usual chatter had disappeared entirely.
"I’ll locate a suitable caregiver locally. Don’t stress about it," Hugo promised.
"Please not Aunt Camilla. You better not drag her here and pretend she’s some kind of babysitter,"
Zack declared, planting his tiny fists on his hips with adult-like authority.
Both Hugo and I couldn’t suppress our amusement at his stance.
"Absolutely not, don’t panic. We’ll find someone completely different, someone reliable," Hugo assured him.
Before we could return to the vehicle, another speeding car approached our location.
My stomach dropped the instant I spotted Derek occupying the passenger seat beside his father.
Both men exited carrying official documents. My pulse began hammering against my ribs.
"I pray you’ve considered the consequences before staging this confrontation," Hugo cautioned them sharply.
Meanwhile, Lord Morris kept encouraging Derek with supportive pats on his back.
"I understand your childcare situation changed as well. However, don’t expect me to supply replacement help for your offspring," Lord Morris announced with cruel satisfaction, extending the paperwork toward me.
He intercepted the documents from Derek when his son hesitated to deliver them directly.
Derek’s complexion showed obvious discomfort. His shame was well-deserved for arriving here flanked by his manipulative father.
"We’ll handle our own affairs," Hugo growled under his breath.
The council had issued me formal papers demanding genetic testing.
The documentation specified that comprehensive testing wasn’t required for all my children.
They requested only Leah undergo the procedure. This seemed like Derek’s feeble attempt at appearing considerate while still pursuing his agenda.
Since one positive result would implicate the others through logical deduction anyway.
"I attempted some measure of consideration," Derek offered weakly, prompting my eyes to roll skyward.
"How incredibly thoughtful of you. Such genuine kindness," I responded with cutting sarcasm.
"What exactly do you mean by that?" Lord Morris demanded of his son, but Derek remained mute.
"Regardless, completion is expected within seven days," Lord Morris stated before pivoting and gesturing for Derek to follow him.
"What do those men want, Mama?" Zack asked innocently, drawing Lord Morris’s focus directly to him. The older man’s face lit up with predatory delight.
"It means we’re investigating whether you’re actually Alpha Derek’s biological son," Morris announced without hesitation.
His immediate response caught me completely off guard. He spoke before I could intervene or shield my children.
The moment those words left his mouth, all three kids gasped and whipped their heads toward me. I shot Morris a murderous glare.
"Father," Derek protested weakly, but Morris dismissed his objection.
"It’s simply the truth. They should feel thrilled about having an Alpha father instead of some ordinary human," he continued spreading his poison directly in front of my innocent children.
"That’s quite enough. Just because you hold a council position—" Alpha Hugo interjected, but Morris silenced him immediately.
"Careful now. I’m not merely a member, I lead the entire Lycan Council.
You cannot address me with such disrespect, Alpha Hugo.
Every Alpha would support my position if they learned about this situation," he threatened menacingly, then turned his attention back to me with a cold smile. "I’ll gladly welcome you as family. I’d sacrifice anything for my son’s happiness."
When Morris placed his hand on Derek’s shoulder, I watched Derek’s righteous anger over his father’s treatment of my children begin dissolving.
Was this Morris’s consistent pattern of emotional manipulation, and was Derek still susceptible to it?
"Time for our departure. We’ll reconvene at this exact location once we have definitive results and celebrate the good news," Morris told Derek, who stole one final glance at me before following his father away.
