Parker’s POV
My return to the pack wasn’t voluntary. My mother had been relentless in her complaints about leaving Moon behind, making it clear that if I wanted any peace, I’d have to bring her along.
The truth was, I hadn’t co back for Moon at all. My children were the only reason I’d made this trip ho.
Moon had made her position crystal clear from the start. If I wanted to spend ti with my daughters, she ca as part of the package. What made it worse was that she demanded I play the role of her devoted husband whenever we were together, and my mother fully supported this charade.
The entire situation drained , but my options were limited.
So here I was, traveling back to Jack’s territory with Moon in tow, heading toward the gathering where all the alphas had assembled alongside Bella and my child.
Derek had shared his growing concerns about our children being cared for by Vance, a human. His frustration was palpable, and I could sense he was planning sothing drastic.
During our last conversation, he’d revealed his intention to force Bella into choosing him, all because he wanted custody of his daughter.
I couldn’t find fault in his reasoning. Bella had repeatedly disappointed both of us by defending Vance, even when the evidence of his infidelity was undeniable.
Her insistence that he’d been with her throughout those questionable tis made believe she was simply clinging to him for financial security, since he represented her only stable option.
That reality no longer applied, though. She had us now. She had , at least.
"Listen carefully, girls. You stay close to each other and don’t wander off," I instructed my two daughters as we entered the guest house, emphasizing the importance of staying together.
With the mysterious illness affecting the children, my anxiety never truly subsided.
The mont we reached the second floor, Moon trailing behind with her phone clutched in her manicured hands, her long nails creating sharp clicking sounds with each text, I noticed a warrior stationed at the top of the staircase.
He wasn’t alone. The person beside him imdiately commanded my full attention.
Joy spread across my face when I recognized Tara standing there.
"Tara!" I called out, rushing toward her. She threw herself into my arms, and the instant our bodies connected, I knew sothing was terribly wrong.
The mont I lifted her up, she burst into tears, burying her face against my shoulder as her small body shook with sobs.
"Hold on, what’s happening here? Where’s your mother? Is she safe?" I demanded, motioning for Moon to escort Olivia and Grace to their assigned rooms.
My daughters observed Tara with expressions that lacked the warmth and sisterly concern I desperately hoped to see.
The warrior’s explanation ca in fragnts over the following minutes. The council had convened at Bella’s residence the night before, taking her into custody for interrogation.
His details were sparse, but the essential facts were clear: they had detained Bella and redistributed all her children back to their respective fathers.
The implications hit imdiately. If they were acknowledging as Tara’s father, it confird what I’d suspected all along.
After the warrior departed, I gently rubbed Tara’s back, coaxing her to lift her head and et my gaze.
"You’ll stay in my room tonight, okay? I need to make so phone calls, and then I’ll explain what happens next," I told her.
The absurdity of giving complex instructions to a traumatized child who couldn’t possibly process any of it wasn’t lost on .
I had barely settled Tara on the bed when Moon appeared in the doorway.
"We need to talk," she announced, her voice carrying both sharpness and mockery.
I’d forgotten she’d overheard my entire exchange with the warrior.
"Tara, don’t leave this room, understood?" I said, positioning myself where I could monitor her while dealing with Moon.
I stepped into the hallway, leaving the door partially open to keep Tara within sight.
"What exactly was that about? Why are they identifying you as Tara’s father?" Moon’s questions ca rapid-fire, her face contorting with suspicion. "And what did they an about the other children being with their fathers? What’s really going on here? Did you betray ?"
Moon’s interrogation continued, her hand dramatically pressed against her chest as if we’d ever had a genuine relationship that warranted such loyalty.
"I was intimate with Bella years ago. Around the sa ti you claid to be carrying my child from our one-night encounter. Explain to again how that constitutes betrayal?" I responded, openly acknowledging Tara’s parentage.
Moon’s gasp and theatrical backward step felt rehearsed and artificial.
"Stop the performance. You were fully aware of my lack of interest in you. You also knew I never stopped caring for Bella. Don’t pretend this revelation shocks you or that you’re genuinely hurt," I stated firmly.
My directness seed to intensify her anger further.
She’d expected guilt and remorse from , but I felt none where she was concerned.
Bella was the only person who deserved my regret.
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