Chapter 2
In the end, I found myself climbing into that black sedan.
It wasn't cowardice. The man, Lucas Blackwood—as he'd introduced himself in the car—possessed an overwhelming presence, and the paternity report he provided stressed me immensely.
Ollie, however, was fascinated by the spacious luxury car, his hands exploring every surface. "Wow, this is so cool!" he exclaimed.
Lucas sat in the passenger seat, his intense gaze fixed on Ollie through the rearview mirror. It was somewhat creepy.
My mind raced the entire way. What was I supposed to do? Hand over my son? Never.
"Have you decided?" Lucas interrupted my thoughts.
Startled, I blurted out, "Decided what?"
"Admit it, or I'll make you admit it." His voice remained flat, yet carried an undeniable edge.
Clenching my fists, I retorted, "Lucas, even if Ollie is your child, so what? I raised him alone for five years."
"I know," Lucas said, his voice unreadable. "I'll make it up to you."
"Compensation?" I scoffed. "With what? Money?"
He turned, his gaze piercing. "I'll give you everything I am."
His hypnotic gaze threatened to pull me under. Flustered, I looked away, but my traitorous heart hammered wildly.
The car soon entered an exclusive gated community, stopping before a manor radiating wealth.
"Out," Lucas ordered tersely.
Clinging to Ollie, I glared at Lucas. "What are you planning?"
"Make you admit it."
He exited first, circling around to open my door.
Clutching Ollie, I dragged my feet, feeling like a helpless rabbit who'd stumbled into a wolf's den.
Oh no. I was walking into the wolf's den literally.
The manor's living room was absurdly large, its decor a study in austere luxury that practically screamed wealth.
Lucas motioned for me to sit, then strode to the floor-to-ceiling window with his back to me.
"Ollie, come here." Lucas beckoned.
Ollie looked between Lucas and me, uncertainty on his face.
"Go on, sweetie," I said, maintaining casualness.
With that, Ollie toddled over to Lucas.
Lucas crouched down to Ollie's eye level.
I watched them anxiously, wondering what Lucas was up to.
Then, I witnessed a sight I would never forget.
The air around Lucas seemed to distort. His brown eyes bled into a terrifying, blazing gold.
It wasn't my imagination. It was truly gold, like a predator's eyes.
His joints popped loudly; his shoulders visibly broadened.
Ollie gasped, unafraid, and reached out to touch Lucas' face.
"Your eyes turned gold. They're so pretty."
A ghost of a smile flickered across Lucas' lips, but those golden eyes sent chills crawling down my spine.
"Ollie, come here right now." I shrieked, lunging forward.
At that moment, Lucas slowly rose. His transformation intensified.
He seemed to tower taller, muscles rippling beneath his clothes as a primal, feral aura washed over me.
My dumbstruck reaction to his muscles seemed to amuse him. He gave me a crooked grin.
Then he turned those golden werewolf eyes on me, dark amusement glinting within.
"So, do you believe me now?"
His voice dropped to a gravelly rasp, tinged with the edge of a snarl.
I was utterly dumbfounded, my mind blank save for a single word screaming:
MONSTER!
My head spun; darkness threatened to swallow me.
"Mommy! Mommy, are you okay?" Ollie cried, rushing over to cling to my leg.
The unnatural transformation faded, leaving the impeccably dressed, coldly handsome man, though his face was noticeably pale.
Lucas strode up to me, looking down. "Now, we can talk," he said.
Talk? What was there to talk about? Our cross-species romance, perhaps?
Clutching my chest, gasping, I pointed a trembling finger. "What... what are you?"
Lucas' brow furrowed slightly, clearly disliking the question.
"Werewolf," he stated flatly, "Alpha of the Moonlight Pack."
Werewolf? My worldview just shattered.
So all those movies and novels, they were real?
That night five years ago, I actually slept with a werewolf?
Oh my God. I had a werewolf's son.
My son, Ollie, was a wolf hybrid?
No wonder Ollie always had boundless energy, sharper teeth, and those strange little howls at the moon.
I just thought he was quirky.
Lucas snapped me out of shock. "So, he's my pup—the heir to the Moonlight Pack. And you, you're my mate. My future Luna."
He said it again—"Mate".
Snapping back, I pulled Ollie into a protective embrace and glared at Lucas. "I don't care if you're a werewolf or whatever freak you claim to be. Ollie is my son. No one's ever taking him away from me."
Seeing my protective stance, Lucas' golden eyes flickered. He wasn't angry; in fact, he even softened his voice.
"I never planned to take him away from you," Lucas said gently. "Our pack never separates mates from their pups."
"So, Claire," Lucas growled, "you and Ollie will stay with me—here, or, when you're ready, we'll return to the Moonlight Pack together."
His voice left no room for dissent, carrying the dominance and finality of an Alpha.