MEGAN'S POV

~~Four Years Later~~

"And that's how we locked down the Cendrix Pack contract three weeks ahead of schedule." I say, concluding the presentation.

The boardroom stays silent for a bit before a polite applause breaks out immediately.

"Brilliant work, Megan," Mr. Lau says. "That's the kind of move that earns a pack's loyalty."

I smile and nod once. "Thank you, Mr. Lau. My team worked hard."

As everyone slowly gets up and begins to exit the boardroom, I stay behind to tidy up my notes.

Honestly, it's funny how life works.

Four years ago, I thought losing Xarion was the worst pain I'd ever endure. And I was even more shocked when I later discovered I was having two pups instead of one.

"You're carrying twins, Miss Pierce," the doctor had said, and I remember staring at him with a stunned look on my face.

I was twenty-two, terrified, and utterly alone.

Then came Alpha Elias Stone.

I met him by accident, really. I'd been working two jobs, one as a cleaner and the other one doing freelance translation, just to take care of myself in the early months.

Elias was one of my clients and he needed a business pitch translated into French for a certain pack. I delivered it in twenty-four hours and he was really impressed.

He called me personally. "Ever thought about corporate strategy?"

I thought he was joking but he wasn't.

Within weeks, I was training under his top executives. Within a year, I was leading teams. Now, I'm one of the youngest regional leads in Stone Corporations and Elias treats me like his own daughter.

"Ma'am," Caitlin's voice pulls me from my thoughts as she peeks into the room. "Alpha Elias wants to see you in his office. He says it's important."

I nod, slipping my notes into my portfolio. "I'll head up now."

...

Elias's office is sleek as always and there's a warmth in his smile as I walk in.

"Megan," he greets, gesturing to the chair across from him. "Take a seat."

I do, crossing one leg over the other.

"You've been outperforming projections all year," he says, watching me closely. "Three contract wins. Expansion into Blue Vein Pack. Full stabilization of our shipping network."

"I'm just doing my job, Alpha," I reply calmly.

He leans back with a smile. "You're doing more than that. Which is why I'm trusting you with something bigger."

I narrow my eyes as I hear that.

"We're opening a new regional base in Arkon City. We need someone who understands the politics and the territory. And frankly, there's no one better equipped than you."

Arkon City.

The name drops like ice down my spine.

It's the city I ran from. The city that holds the darkest chapter of my life.

"You're from there, aren't you?" Elias adds, reading my pause. "It's full circle, in a way."

Full circle? Or cursed.

"I want you to head the expansion project," he continues. "Scout the location, handle licensing, and oversee the branch setup. It's a major opportunity."

I force a calm smile. "Alpha... I'm not sure I'm the best person for that territory."

His eyes soften, and I hate that he sees more than I want to show.

"I know it's personal," he says calmly. "But this is strictly business. Besides, the council there still remembers you. You'd have support."

Before I can answer, my phone buzzes in my coat pocket. I check the screen and I freeze.

Arkon General Hospital.

"Excuse me," I say and my fingers feel numb as I swipe to answer. "Hello?"

"Ms. Pierce?" a female voice says in panic. "Your father, Francis Pierce, was admitted earlier today. He has a serious heart attack. He's not yet stable and we recommended family presence. He asked for you."

"What?" My throat tightens. "I... I'll be there."

I end the call and look at Elias. "I just got a call... my dad's in the hospital. In Arkon."

He nods with concern. "Then you need to go see him. I'll have Caitlin arrange the travel plans. You can bring the twins. We'll cover accommodations."

"Thank you, Alpha."

"And Megan?"

"Yes?"

"My son still wants to meet you. But I told him you weren't ready." He says with a soft tone. "When you are, say the word."

I offer a grateful nod and head out before emotion can crack my mask.

Alpha Elias has been trying to set me up with his son for a while now, but I just don't have time for love.

...

The next day, I step out of the black SUV with Maverick and Makayla holding my hands tightly. Thank the goddess they're on holiday.

Maverick, with his piercing blue eyes and mischievous smile, is definitely the troublemaker. Makayla, with her soft curls and watchful look, is the calm one.

They've never met their grandfather before. I left before I could make peace.

My Dad hadn't cut me off. He just let me go when I refused to listen to his warning against me marrying Xarion and giving him my kidney.

"You're giving a piece of yourself to someone who doesn't value you," he said back then. "You'll regret it."

And I had.

But here I am, four years later, a mother and a successful woman with the two best reasons to keep fighting.

"Mommy, is this where Grandpa is?" Makayla asks, looking up at the tall building with her wide hazel eyes.

"Yes, sweetheart. He's just resting."

Maverick tugs my sleeve. "Can we give him the card we made?"

I smile. "You can, my love."

The minute we step in, we're met with a polite nurse.

"Ms. Pierce?" she asks, and I nod. "Your father's awake. You can go in now."

I kneel to the twins' level. "Mave, May, I want you two to wait right here with my guard, okay? Mommy's going to say hi first, then you can come in with the card."

Makayla pouts slightly but nods, and Maverick gives a small sigh. "Okay, but don't take too long."

"I won't," I promise, kissing both their cheeks.

I stand up, turn, and gently push the door open.

The moment I see my father, different emotions pass through my body. He looks pale but alive.

"Dad," I whisper, stepping closer.

He turns slowly, his eyes widening just a bit before a faint, surprised smile appears on his lips. "There's my stubborn girl."

I let out a low laugh as I reach for the chair beside his bed and sit, leaning in close. "I missed you."

"I thought I'd never see you again," he says with a hoarse voice. "Not after the way we left things."

My chest tightens. "We were both angry. I thought I knew what I was doing. I didn't want to hear the truth back then."

His fingers brush mine, warm despite the IV taped to the back of his hand. "I was harsh. I should have stopped you, not pushed you away."

"You don't need to apologize, Dad," I shake my head gently. "You were right about everything."

His eyes narrow slightly as he searches my face. "I said some cruel things. About Xarion. About the..."

"You were trying to protect me." I interrupt gently. "You saw what I didn't. I gave so much of myself to someone who couldn't love me the way I needed."

I pause, then I smile faintly. "But I gained something far more important."

He glances at the closed door. "The twins?"

I nod, emotion filling my voice. "Maverick and Makayla. They're my heart. They gave me a reason to keep moving forward."

"I'd like to meet them."

"You will." I squeeze his hand. "They made a card just for you."

Just then, I hear Makayla's excited voice from outside the room.

"Mommy! There's someone outside who wants to see you!"

I frown, rising from the chair. "Makayla?"

Just then, the door opens and Maverick appears in the doorway, tugging someone by the hand. "He said he knows you!"

My entire world screeches to a halt as the person steps inside.

His piercing blue eyes lock on mine and my breath stops.

Makayla glances between us innocently with curiosity. "Is he a friend, Mommy?"

But I can't speak. I'm instantly furious.

Because standing in my father's hospital room, four years later, is the man who tore my world apart.

My ex-husband and the father of my children. Xarion Luther.

XARION'S POV

The last place I expected to see Megan was here.

In Arkon General Hospital, with two pups who look like me.

I don't breathe for a full second as I stare at her. She looks really different. Fierce. And more beautiful than I remember, but her beauty has a sharp edge now.

Her eyes are full of fire and fury. She doesn't look like the woman I once knew.

I take a step towards her, my voice low and rough from the shock, "Megan,"

But she moves quickly and pulls the two children behind her like I'm some kind of monster.

That breaks something inside me.

"What the hell are you doing here?" she snaps, her voice laced with venom as her hazel eyes burn into me.

I open my mouth to reply but she doesn't wait for an answer.

"No, actually... I don't care. Just leave."

Her voice is filled with intense anger, like she's finally releasing years of held back emotions.

I freeze as I feel the air become heavy with tension. Then my eyes drop to the two kids hiding behind her legs.

The little girl looks at me curiously and the boy glares like he's trying to protect her. There's something so familiar about them.

I initially didn't come here for Megan. I didn't even know she was here. I was on my way out after checking on one of my pack elders, Elder Johnson, who had been injured while trying to settle a border fight with the Scar Ridge Pack.

I hate hospitals, always have, but I owed the old wolf a visit.

And then... I saw them.

The two kids were bickering over a crumpled drawing in the hallway, right near the elevator. Just kids being kids. But something in me changed. My wolf went from drowsy to feral quickly.

"Mine!"

That was all he kept growling. Mine. Ours.

And when I asked the children who they were here with, they said, "Our mommy."

I never expected "mommy" to be Megan.

And now, I'm standing in front of a woman whose hatred for me is so strong and deadly.

My voice is barely above a whisper as I bring myself to ask, "Are they...?"

"Don't," Megan snaps before I can even finish. "Don't you dare ask me that. You lost the right to ask anything when you stood there and told Doctor Phillips to do 'you know what'."

I close my eyes for half a second, and the memory crashes into me like a slap to the face.

I know I told Megan to abort her pregnancy.

But she doesn't know it wasn't because Danielle was back or because I didn't want the child. Goddess, never. I'd wanted that child more than anything.

But the prophecy from my pack seer, Hyram, rang in my head,

"If she gets pregnant and carries your pup to term, she will die. Her body cannot handle it. Make sure she doesn't get pregnant, Alpha, or you'll lose both her and the child."

I was trying to protect her. Even if it meant destroying myself in the process.

The guilt wraps around my throat like a snake.

"Megan, but..."

"Save it." She turns her back to me and crouches down to her children. "Mave, May, we're leaving."

"But Mommy..." the little boy starts. "What about Grandpa's card? We haven't given it to him yet." He holds up a colorful paper in his small hand.

"Another time, sweetheart," Megan says gently, brushing his hair back. "Let's go."

My heart skips a beat and I take a step forward. "Please, just give me five minutes. We need to talk. Alone."

"Talk?" she scoffs as she narrows her eyes. "About what? How you treated me while I was still with you?"

Her voice cracks, just a bit, and it hurts me.

"Megan..." Her father speaks weakly from the hospital bed behind her. "Maybe... maybe you should let him explain..."

"Don't, Dad." She swiftly turns to look at him with a fierce voice. "Don't defend him. You warned me once, remember? You were right."

I wince at her words.

Just then, she grabs the kids' hands and starts walking towards the door.

I move after her. "Megan, wait."

She doesn't stop.

I follow her out into the hallway, past the nurses who glance at us with curiosity, and then out into the bright hospital parking lot.

A black SUV is already waiting.

The driver, a tall, broad-shouldered wolf, nods as Megan approaches and opens the door.

She helps the twins into the backseat and then moves to follow.

But I catch up, grabbing her wrist before she can step in.

Her skin is warm under my palm, but the look she gives me is colder than ice.

"Please, Megan," I whisper. "Don't shut me out. Just let me explain."

"Let you what?" she spits, ripping her arm free. "Explain why you chose Danielle over me? Why you treated me like trash? Why you tried to kill the only part of you that was ever worth a damn?"

I can't breathe.

She steps back, her voice shaking now. "You stay away from me, Xarion. From them. From everything. They're not yours if that's what you wanted to hear."

Her eyes flash for a split second, and I see a golden flare pulse, but it dies. Just as quickly, her irises dull back to hazel.

My heart sinks because this could only mean one thing.

Oh goddess. She's not wolfless. She must've lied back then that she was. But why?

Megan opens the door and slides inside, slamming it behind her.

I watch helplessly as the SUV drives away, the tires crunching over gravel. The twins turn to look out the back window.

The boy's piercing blue eyes meet mine just for a second and my wolf growls again.

I clench my fists at my sides as my heart races.

They're mine. They must be. I feel it in every bone in my body. The boy's eyes, the girl's scent... they're my pups.

And she's been raising them alone for four years.

The guilt hits me hard.

I can't lose her again. I can't lose them. No matter what.

Immediately, I take a deep breath, shutting out the roaring in my chest, and open a mind-link.

"Andrew," I say.

"What is it, Alpha?" My beta's respond instantly.

I stare at the road, my heart pounding as I order, "I need you to do something for me. Now."