His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

77

I couldn't help but wonder if Carlos had any special skills of his own. He was an Alpha, after all, and not just any Alpha. He was different-stronger, more composed, more capable than anyone I had ever met. I had a feeling that there was more to him than he let on. "Do you have any special abilities?" I asked him, half-joking, but genuinely curious. "I mean, you're not exactly like the rest of us."

Carlos smiled, but it wasn't the kind of smile that gave anything away. It was mysterious, almost playful. He looked at Cyrus, who was still absorbed in his training, and then back at me. "Maybe," was all he said.

It left me with more questions than answers, but I didn't push. I knew Carlos well enough by now to realize that when he wanted me to know something, he would tell me. For now, I was content just to be here, watching Cyrus thrive in an environment where he was safe and loved.

Later in the day, Carlos' lawyer arrived. I could tell from the way Carlos' face shifted that this wasn't going to be a pleasant conversation. I sat down with them, sensing that whatever they were about to discuss was something I needed to hear. The lawyer, a sharp-looking man with serious eyes, wasted no time diving into the

issue.

"Sienna's bail," he began, flipping through a folder, "Everything is proceeding as expected, but there's a complication."

Carlos' expression hardened. "What kind of complication?" he asked, his tone icy.

The lawyer explained that Stefan-my father-had paid a large sum for Sienna's bail. This caught me off guard. Stefan favored Sienna, I knew that much, but Raying such a huge amount of money? It didn't sit right with me. Stefan wasn't the type to throw money around unless there was something deeper at play. I glanced

Deace

at Carlos, who was now listening intently, his jaw clenched.

"The court is suspended while they process everything," the lawyer continued. "We're doing what we can to expedite things, but Stefan's influence... well, it's stronger than we anticipated."

Carlos didn't say anything for a moment, and the silence was thick. Finally, he spoke, his voice measured but cold. "Keep talking to the court. Make sure they don't let this slip through."

The lawyer nodded quickly, sensing Carlos rising frustration. But it wasn't just about Sienna. There was something else in the air, something that had been quietly brewing beneath the surface.

The lawyer shifted uncomfortably before he spoke again. "There's another matter. Doris, I'm afraid your father's business isn't doing well. A lot of the wolves in PACK are unemployed, and there's even talk of a dissolution crisis."

I froze. My father's business had been a cornerstone of PACK for years. The idea that it was failing, that wolves were losing their jobs, that there was talk of a crisis-it was almost too much to process. But even as the shock hit me, I felt something else rise within me-a determination I hadn't felt before.

"We need to look into this," I said, turning to the lawyer. "Find out exactly what's happening. I want to know how deep this goes."

The lawyer nodded, scribbling notes quickly. I could feel Carlos' eyes on me, but I didn't 1 rn to meet his gaze. I was too focused on the thoughts swirling in my mind. Stefan had been hiding something from me, something big, and I was going to find out what. When the lawyer finally left, the room was quiet again. I sat there, trying to make sense of it all, when I felt Carlos' hand on mine. His touch was grounding, pullingContent (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

head. me back from the storm in my

"You're different now," he said quietly. His voice was soft, but there was pride in it.

Le in Peace

"You're not the same Doris who used to let things happen around her. You're stronger. Smarter."

Working at Carlos' house had its perks, but it also felt a little strange at times. The air was thick with a mixture of elegance and expectation, and I often found myself questioning my place within its walls. It was a home that radiated authority and wealth, a stark contrast to the cozy chaos of my own life.

His home was massive, quiet, and polished to perfection, and though I was getting used to it, I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't quite where I belonged. Still, it was convenient, and Cyrus was happy here, which made things easier for me. One afternoon, Blair came over for a meeting, and as soon as he stepped through the door, his eyes widened at the grand surroundings.

"Wow, no wonder Cyrus likes it here," he teased, glancing around the luxurious living room. "I think I'd want to stay too if I had all this."

paperwork while Cyrus runs wild in this place."

But Blair had a point. Cyrus did need my attention, and it wasn't often I got the chance to be in one place with him for so long. Reluctantly, I agreed, deciding to let Blair handle the client meetings on his own while I spent some time here. Later, as the sun began to set, the house seemed to come alive with activity. The

servants moved around, setting up the dining table with candles and cutlery for

dinner. Cyrus, as always, was full of energy, running around playing hide-and-seek, completely ignoring the fact that the staff was trying to do their job.

"Cyrus, stop that!" I called out when I saw him dash between two maids carrying plates. "You're going to make a mess, and they're working."

But before I could say more, Carlos appeared, scooping Cyrus up effortlessly and giving him a stern, yet affectionate look. "It's alright," he said to the staff, "just make sure to keep an eye on him. He could've been burned with those candles."

I frowned. "Carlos, you can't always blame the staff for this. Cyrus needs to learn boundaries. You're spoiling him."

Carlos raised an eyebrow, clearly not used to being challenged in his own home. "It's not spoiling him, Doris. There are rules in the PACK. And those rules include keeping young werewolves safe. It's not their fault, but we need to ensure Cyrus is never in danger."

I crossed my arms, my frustration bubbling over. "This isn't the Royal Family, Carlos Ve're not living by some rigid set of rules. He's a kid, and he needs to learn responsibility, not be coddled."

Carlos opened his mouth as if to say something, but then he stopped. His eyes flickered with something-something unspoken, something I couldn't quite read. But instead of explaining, he just shook his head and walked away with Cyrus still in his arms. I watched him go, feeling a strange mix of annoyance and confusion. There was something Carlos wasn't telling me. I could feel it, but I knew better than to push him when he wasn't ready to talk.

Our Son's in Peace