Chapter 25
Apr 17, 2025
The moment Lucien stepped out of the packhouse, the peaceful morning shattered like glass. His imposing figure loomed over the courtyard, his dark eyes fixed on Damien like a predator ready to strike. The tension between them was thick, a silent battle already brewing.
The pack warriors nearby stiffened, sensing the rising hostility. Even the playful laughter of the children had died down, replaced by an eerie silence.
Lucien’s voice was smooth yet sharp as a dagger. “Get the hell out of my territory.”
Damien turned to face him fully, his eyes burning with suppressed rage. “I’m not here to fight,” he growled, his stance unwavering. “I just want to see my kids. And Felicia.”
The mention of her name made Lucien’s jaw tick. His lips curled into a mocking smirk, but his eyes were anything but amused.
“Your kids?” Lucien scoffed. “You mean the ones you abandoned for five years?”
Before Damien could respond, the front door of the packhouse swung open, and Felicia stepped outside.
She frowned the moment she saw Damien, her arms crossing over her chest. “Damien, what are you doing here?” Her voice held no warmth, only exhaustion.
Damien’s eyes softened slightly as he turned to her. “I came to see you. To see my sons. To protect you.”
Lucien let out a cold laugh. “They don’t need your protection, Damien. They’re safe here.”
Damien’s jaw clenched, his fists tightening. “Are they? Because last I checked, Felicia’s brother is dead, and you’re the one benefiting from it.”
Lucien’s smirk vanished. His dark eyes flashed dangerously, but before he could lunge, Felicia stepped between them.
“Enough,” she said firmly. Then, turning to Lucien, she added, “Please, go inside. I’ll handle this.”
Lucien looked at her, his expression hard. “Felicia—”
“Please,” she repeated, softer this time, her voice holding a quiet plea.
Lucien’s nostrils flared, but after a tense moment, he exhaled sharply. Without another word, he turned and walked back inside, though his muscles were still coiled like a spring.
Damien turned to Felicia, his eyes still burning. “You shouldn’t trust him.”
Felicia let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. “That’s rich, coming from the man who betrayed me once.”
Damien flinched slightly but quickly masked it. He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “I’m sorry, alright?” His voice was low, almost raw.
Felicia crossed her arms tighter, her gaze unwavering. “Sorry doesn’t change anything, Damien. Sorry doesn’t undo the years I spent alone, raising our children by myself.”
Damien swallowed hard, his hands trembling slightly at his sides. “I know. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have a right to be here.”
Felicia shook her head. “No, Damien. You don’t. Not anymore.”
Behind them, two small voices interrupted the heated exchange.
“Mommy?”
Felicia turned sharply to see Danny and Max standing a few feet away, their innocent faces filled with confusion.
“Danny, Max, go inside,” Felicia said quickly, her heart racing.
Danny hesitated, his little brow furrowing. “Mommy… is he really our dad?”
The question hit Felicia like a punch to the chest. Her breath caught, and she glanced at Damien, whose expression was unreadable.
Max tugged at her dress. “Mommy?”
Felicia took a deep breath, then straightened. “Inside. Now.”
