Chapter 4
CHLOE'S P.O.V.
Stepping into my room, the faux smile I had worn throughout the excruciatingly painful breakfast slipped, revealing my forlorn expression. I shut the door behind me, sliding down against it as I let out a tired sigh, my fingers running through my hair and down my face.
Six months, that was Jasper's criterion, one of them. Six long and painful months before Sophia would supposedly come home; I knew better than to trust Jasper's words, much less Catherine's.
I walked toward my dresser, my mind still replaying everything that had happened downstairs. Catherine's threats and Jasper's manipulative countenance and words. I knew better than to trust them, but for now I needed them to believe I did.
A soft knock on my door pulls me from my thoughts.
"Come in," I call out. The door opens slowly, revealing Celia, an elderly Omega who had worked in the house for as long as I could remember.
Stepping into the room, she says in a low tone, “Luna,”
I frown. “What is it?”
Mary looks around nervously before walking toward me. Her hands tremble as she pulls a folded piece of paper from her dress pocket.
“What is this?”
“I can't say, Luna. But I was instructed to give it to you.”
I take the paper from her, unfolding it carefully. My heart drops as I read the words, gruesomely detailing my daughter's suffering. The letter described her bruises, the maltreatment inflicted on her. The paper in my palm crumbled as I read how she was made to kneel on a washboard.
My chest feels hot as my anger simmers and my breathing grows heavier.
My vision blurs as the words dance before me. She was starved and bruised by people that were supposed to be her family, who were supposed to be protecting her. An alpha's pup being treated worse than an omega.
“Celia…” I trail off, not knowing what to say.
“Luna,” she whispers, her expression downcast. She knew what was going on. “I should have delivered the message to you sooner, but Luna Catherine has eyes on us. She said anyone who spoke to you about the pup would be punished.”
"Did anyone see you come here?” She shakes her head in response.
“Thank you, Celia.”
“Luna, please be careful. I overheard Luna Catherine, and Alpha Jasper talking; they have their eyes on you.”
I meet her eyes. “So do I, Celia.”
Celia looks hesitant as though she has more to say, but she bows her head and leaves. The moment the door closes, my phone rings. It's Josephine. I answer immediately.
“Chloe, we need to talk.”
Her uneasy tone makes my stomach tighten. “What is it?”
“I found something.”
“What?”
“Not over the phone. Meet me tomorrow morning, same place.”
I hesitate. “Josephine, is this about Sophia?”
“Partly.”
My brows furrow in confusion. “What does that mean?”
“You'll understand when you get here. And Chloe…”
“Yes?”
“Be careful to not get caught.” She warns before abruptly ending the call. I stare at my phone for a moment before placing it on the bed, my curiosity piqued.
What had she found?
The following morning, I walk downstairs to find Jasper waiting for me, holding out a card.
“What's this?”
“A credit card for the birthday preparations,” he explains. “You said you wanted to handle everything yourself.”
Right, “Yes, I did.”
“You can use it for whatever you need.”
I raise a brow. “And I suppose I should be grateful?”
He chuckles. “You don't have to be sarcastic about everything, Chloe.”
Before I can respond, Catherine walks into the room.
“Try not to mess it up,” she says coldly. “Lucas's birthday is important. Don't use it as an opportunity to cause trouble.”
I slip the card into my purse. “Don't worry, Catherine. I have no intention of ruining my son's birthday for petty revenge.”
She narrows her eyes like a snake. “Good.”
Giving her a tight smile, I walk away. Josephine was already waiting when I arrived at the café. The moment she sees me, she becomes alert, carefully scanning the environment.
“You look terrible,” she says.
“You think?” I mutter sarcastically.
She rolls her eyes. “You know what I mean.”
I sigh. “What do you have for me?”
Josephine's expression changes, sliding a folder across the table. I stare at it with a raised brow.
“What is this?”
“Information on Yvette Reed.”
"Who?" My brows scrunch in confusion as I open the folder, my eyes widening in understanding.
“That's…”
“Yvette Reed,” Josephine confirms.
I stare at the photograph. “She looks exactly like Lucas.”
“I know.”
I look at Josephine. “I thought she was dead.”
“So did everyone else.”
My fingers tremble as I pick up another photograph. Yvette was standing outside what looked like a luxury apartment building.
“When was this taken?”
“Three weeks ago.”
I stare at her in disbelief. “She's alive?”
Josephine nods. “She has been living in Woodvale for almost three years.”
Three years, the exact amount of time I had known and lived with Lucas. My stomach churns as I put two and two together.
“What else?”
“Nothing much. She lives quietly, but there's something else. Something you should know.” Josephine pulls out a document. “Someone's been sending her money.”
“Who?”
“I don't know yet.”
I lean closer. “How much?”
“Enough to keep her living comfortably.”
My eyes narrow. “Jasper?”
"Same guess but no proof.” I sit back, my mind racing. Yvette was alive, but Jasper claimed she died. And on top of that, someone had been secretly funding her for years. There was only one reason a man would hide a living woman and pretend she was dead.
I look at Josephine.
“I want you to find out where that money is coming from.”
“On it already.”
“And I want her call records.”
Josephine nods. “Will do.”
I close the folder. "Jo…”
“Yes?”
I pause hesitantly, my confidence dwindling. “What if I can't save her? What if this fails? What if..." I ask quietly, a lump forming in my throat.
Across the table, Jo grabs my hand. "Hey, hey, hey, listen to me. You're the Luna of Woodvale pack, but above all, you're a mother. A mother who' do anything for her child. I trust you; we trust you, okay?" She smiles warmly at me as she caresses my palm.
"Thank you, Jo." I smile back, grateful to have her by my side.