CHAPTER 62
RYAN’S POV
“Dr Kellan told us everything. He explained everything to us,” Dad said, his voice steady but carrying the weight of truth.
He then turned to Anna, his eyes softer now, and continued, “I’ve always suspected you had wolf blood in you, but I didn’t push it, I didn’t want to dig deeper because I didn’t want you recalling anything that might hurt you. But now…” he reached forward and held her hand gently, “welcome to our world, honey. Don’t be afraid of anything. I know we tried to hide some crucial information from you before, tried to hide our world as you grew, but now it’s pointless. You’re here, and you deserve to know. Welcome, honey. You don’t need to feel bad. I understand everything.”
Anna’s lips parted, her face pale, but she didn’t pull her hand away. Dad’s voice softened even more as he said, “I understand what you’re feeling, I understand how you’re feeling. It’s alright, honey. None of this is your fault. You being pregnant isn’t your fault either.”
Then his tone shifted as his eyes land?
on me, his brow
understand,” he said, raising an eyebrow at me, her pregnant. Are you happy now? Huh?”
“is why?
in sharp disapproval. “But what I don’t didn’t use a condom, Ryan. Now you’ve got
The shame that flooded through me was instant, but before I could speak, Mom let out a long sigh, her shoulders shaking slightly as she shook her head. “This… this is exactly what I was afraid of. This is what I was trying to stop.”
Her voice cracked, and she pressed her hand to her chest. “But I went about it the wrong way. I thought forbidding it, keeping you both apart, telling you both no… I thought that was the way. I should’ve known that trying to stop you two would only fuel your desire. I should’ve just sat you both down and told you to use protection, told you to be careful.”
Tears filled her eyes now, spilling down her cheeks as she shook her head. “It’s all my fault. If I had done this the right way, my baby wouldn’t be carrying another baby now. You’re still too young, Anna, too young to have to go through this. I know what I went through being pregnant and alone at this age–it wasn’t easy. If not for my Betty by my side then, I don’t know how I would’ve survived.”
Her words broke into sobs. “I don’t know why I let this happen. I should have taken you to the doctor, I should have put you on birth control, instead of trying to avoid something that was already fated by the Moon–goddess. I caused this. It’s my fault. Please forgive me, baby. I wasn’t a good mother to you. It’s all my fault.”
“Mom, no, don’t say that.” Anna’s voice cracked as she rushed to Mom, wrapping her arms around her. Don’t say that, please. This isn’t your fault. I know you wanted the best for me, I know you did all you could. I tried to listen, I tried to obey you, but it was stronger than me. It was stronger than both of us.”
1/3
62
+15 BONUS
Mom clung to her tightly, her body shaking with quiet sobs, and then she pulled back just enough to cup Anna’s face in her hands. Her eyes flickered to the side of Anna’s neck, to the mark there, and instead of frowning, she smiled through her tears.
“It’s beautiful on you,” she whispered. “Almost like mine. Really beautiful. Don’t worry, baby. Ryan’s a good boy, and if he ever tries to forget his duty to you, I’ll be the one to deal with him myself.”
I stared at her, stunned, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it would break through my chest. That sounded like approval, like acceptance, like permission. I swallowed hard and said quickly, “So… does this mean… is this a yes to our relationship?”
Dad reached for Mom’s hand, squeezing it gently before answering, “Yes. Your mom and I have decided to allow this relationship.”
I didn’t even let him finish before pure joy exploded inside me. I grabbed Anna, lifting her off her feet, spinning her around in a swirl as I kissed her cheeks, her forehead, her nose, throwing kisses all over her face while she laughed breathlessly and clung to me.
But then Dad cleared his throat loudly, his tone snapping me back. “But… on one condition.”
I froze, still holding Anna against me, my lips inches from hers as I turned to look at him. “What condition?”
His eyes locked on mine, serious and firm. “On the condition that you will take over the company and the pack as soon as possible. Your inauguration ceremony will be this weekend. You both will have to come home for it. Ryan, from next week, you’ll be handed everything. It should have been in a few months‘ time , but since you already have your mate and a baby on the way, it’s clear you’re ready. Nothing has changed, except it’s happening earlier than we planned.”
He paused, his gaze steady and sharp, as if testing me. “So, what do you say? In or out?”
I didn’t even need to think twice.
2/3
