I was out with Felicia looking at new stores while she was busy plotting and pouting. The day went fairly quickly, and I decided to leave early at 4:30 p.m. My heart pulled me toward home, to my father's house, which used to be my home.
As we traveled to the Tillman Residence, Jared gripped my hand securely in the back of the cab. I smiled at him and ran my fingers through his hair. "Don't forget what I told you, okay? Be nice. If you don't want to, you don't have to say much.
He nodded seriously, and the old soul glimmer in his young eyes made my heart melt. "I remember, Mom."
I hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. "That's my sweet boy."
But deep down, remorse was eating away at me. He should have been loved as he grew up, not just put up with. People in that house should have honored him instead of treating him like an outsider.
But I was done being secretive.
…
People were getting ready for supper at the estate, or at least they should have been.
"Madam, Alpha Tillman said that Miss Anastasia loves prawns," the maid said in a low voice. "He told me to make them fresh." "Should I start?"
Naomi didn't even blink. "Okay. Make them so hot that they burn her tongue off.
The maid thought for a moment, then ran away.
Naomi was in the kitchen, stewing in her own anger. To her, I wasn't coming back as a daughter; I was a danger. In her perspective, I didn't deserve any of the family money that had grown over the years. It didn't matter that I was the firstborn child of Francis Tillman. It didn't matter that I was his blood. She thought I had left the pack, which meant I didn't belong anymore.
Let her believe that.
Let her choke on the lie she has been telling herself for years.
Erica slammed the door shut behind her as she got upstairs.
"Mom, did you know Anastasia's coming for dinner?" she said as she walked into the room in anger.
Naomi nodded without showing any emotion. "Your father made you do it. What could I say?
Erica's lips twisted in disgust. "It's been five years. I wonder what her life has been like.
Naomi laughed. "At nineteen, she left college. What do you think? No degree, no help... She is undoubtedly crawling back now, anxious for a portion of the money.
Erica crossed her arms and made her face hard. "She isn't taking what's mine. I don't care what she's been through; I'm the heir.
"You're right," Naomi remarked in a harsh voice. "As long as I live, she won't touch a single coin."
Erica was happy, so she tossed her hair and walked toward the stairs. "I'm going to get ready." I want her to know how little she means to me.
The cab finally drew up in front of the mansion that brought back so many emotions for me.
I held Jared's hand and stepped outside. My pulse was racing, partly from nerves and partly from instinct. The smell of this area hadn't changed: lush forests, well-kept flowers, and a chill that never really went away.
"Are you ready, sweetheart?" I asked.
He nodded again. Just like me, brave.
I rang the bell with my head held high.
They would have been surprised if they assumed I came here to beg.
Because I wasn't here to get their money.
I came here to show them that I hadn't broken; I'd grown.
And no one, not Naomi, not Erica, not even the past...
Could alter the story of how I came back.
The cab came to a stop in front of the house I hadn't been to in five long years. My heart raced against my ribs like a wild animal. Jared grabbed my hand tightly because he could feel my energy changing. He didn't ask any questions. He didn't have to. I never gave my little wolf enough credit for how smart he was.
I spotted movement through the windshield.
And then he showed up.
My dad.
Alpha Tillman stood on the front steps, looking at the cab like he had been waiting all day. It's possible he had. His body looked thinner than I remembered, and his shoulders weren't quite as straight. The years had taken their toll on him, turning his once-dark hair silver and smoothing the severe lines on his face. He wasn't the same man who had kicked me out with a stern warning and turned his back on me.
He was just a dad waiting for his daughter.
I stepped outside, and the gravel crunched under my boots. Before I could even change how I was holding Jared's hand, I heard a quick breath.
His eyes fell on Jared, and his whole body froze.
Like lightning had hit him.
The air changed.
"You..." He blinked. "Anastasia... is this...?"
I nodded slightly and held my son tighter. "This is Jared."
"Grandpa," Jared murmured hesitantly, looking up at him with big, wide eyes.
Francis stumbled forward. "I... "Do I have a grandson?"
I responded softly, "Yes. He's three and a half."
"He's already so tall," my dad said quietly as he knelt down to Jared's level. "And so good-looking..."
I mocked Jared, "He gets that from me," and he laughed.
Francis looked up at me, and his eyes were full of shame. "I didn't know... I... I kicked you out. I let you down. I let both of you down."
His regret seemed heavy in the air, I wanted to say that it didn't matter, that we were fine now.
That I didn't need him to say sorry.
But some wounds leave scars that last long after they heal.
I still gave him a little smile. "We've done just fine." We look out for each other, Jared and I.
As he held Jared in his arms, tears ran down his face. "I'll do better. From now on, I'll make up for it. For everything."
My dad picked Jared up like he was nothing and Jared giggled. I felt something change inside me, even though I didn't want to. Something raw and painful finally started to let go.
We went into the home together.
The peace was broken just like that.
Naomi stood at the door to the parlor. The moment she saw the boy in my father's arms, her face went white.
"Who is that kid, Francis?" she inquired, her voice shaky.
Francis smiled and heaved out his chest with pride. "Our grandson. The son of Anastasia."
The room's temperature went down.
She looked at me and Jared like she had seen a ghost and said, "What?"
"Mom," I said in a flat voice.
"Oh, darling," she began in a fake lovely voice, "we had no idea you'd become a mother. Five years is a long time. Why didn't you tell us?"
Her words were sweet, but her eyes were cold steel.
"Where's the dad?" Shouldn't he be here?
"She's raising him by herself," Francis remarked hastily, putting a hand on Naomi's arm to caution her.
I could tell right away that she was looking at Jared with purpose. Not love. Not warm. Just recognizing threats.
She realized that Jared changed everything.
He was more than just my son.
He was the next generation in my family. What I leave behind.
Which meant a higher share in the pack... and the money she had always wanted to keep between Erica and her.
"A single mother," Naomi remarked, her mouth twisting in fake sorrow. "So brave." So... moving.
Jared blinked at her, and his small brow furrowed.
He asked, "Who are you?" in a way that showed he was genuinely interested.
She smiled and said, "I'm your grandmother."
He shook his head. "No, you're not. My mom told me that my grandma died a long time ago."
Naomi jumped.
I held back a giggle and put my palm over my mouth.
"Oh my God, listen to him! That's so rude!" Naomi sighed. "Anastasia, how will that boy ever fit in with our family if you don't teach him some manners?"
I responded coolly, "My son is none of your business." My wolf was bristling under my skin. "And if you want to keep things civil tonight, I suggest you watch your tone."
Naomi's jaw shut, but her eyes were full of rage.
Francis smiled at Jared as if he didn't hear anything. "Come on, little one, let's go find some snacks." I will show you the garden.
I lingered behind for a second after they left.
Taking in the smell of home.
Or what it used to be.
Naomi believed this had to do with money.
Erica undoubtedly felt I had come back to battle for a crown that she had taken for herself.
But neither of them knew the truth.
I didn't come for money or revenge.
I came because my son needed to know where he came from.
And one day, when the moment was right, they would all know who Jared really was.
And whose blood flowed wild in his veins.