Chapter 34
Draven.
There weren’t many in Stormveil who knew about Xamira. Not even some of my pack’s higher-ranking warriors. Only my family and the few who needed to know, did.
It wasn’t because I feared judgment. I had stood before far worse than whispered questions and wrinkled noses. But I’ve always drawn a line between what was mine and what the world was allowed to see.
Xamira… she was mine. She wasn’t a political pawn or a topic for council debate.
And above all, she was safer here—in Duskmoor.
The Elders would never understand. An unmarried Alpha adopting a human child? It would set off another cycle of lectures and unsolicited advice. I didn’t have the energy to entertain their noise.
Xamira’s small fingers curled around my larger ones as I led her toward the house. I had to slow my pace, shortening my usual long strides to match her little steps.
Xamira chattered beside me, talking about her drawing pad and the “princess castle” she’d built with couch cushions. Her excitement was infectious.
Then, I heard a voice—soft and formal—from behind.
“My lady, let’s head inside. The warriors will bring your bags in.”
It took me a full second to remember who that ’lady’ was.
Meredith.
Somehow, I had nearly forgotten she was even here.
I didn’t turn to look. I focused on Xamira until we reached the grand living room.
“Stay with your nanny for a bit, pumpkin,” I said, crouching down to brush her hair behind her ear. “I will be back with your gift.”
She nodded, her face lit with joy. “Okay, Daddy.”
I stood and turned to Wanda and Jeffery, who were standing nearby. A silent signal was enough to get them moving.
Once out of earshot, I said to Wanda, “Give Meredith her room. Make sure she is settled.”
“What about dinner?” She asked.
“I will eat with everyone tonight,” I replied.
Wanda gave a shallow bow and turned away. I didn’t miss the way her smile lingered as she exited the hallway.
Jeffery remained by my side, quiet but expectant.
We walked further down the corridor, the soft lights casting long shadows along the smooth floor. I could already feel the weight of Duskmoor returning to my shoulders—the politics, the city’s tensions, the rising death toll.
“I want you to schedule a meeting with the mayor,” I said.
Jeffery looked up slightly, his brows raising. “Tomorrow?”
“Yes. Preferably before noon.”
“That might be difficult on such short notice.”
“I know,” I replied. “But mention the killings. Two of ours. The mayor will make time.”
Jeffery nodded, already pulling out his phone from his inner coat pocket. “Understood. I will press the urgency.”
We reached the end of the hallway, where a sleek black door stood. I placed my index finger on the scanner and heard the soft click as the lock disengaged.
My Duskmoor office was different from my Stormveil study—sleeker, modern. Clean lines. Glass and chrome instead of oak and stone. It matched the city. Cold, efficient, unrelenting.
As the door closed behind us, I stood still for a moment, letting the silence settle.
—
Meredith.
I was still reeling. Still trying to make sense of what I had just witnessed.
Draven. With a child. A daughter.
The image of her running into his arms wouldn’t leave my head. The way he smiled—soft, real—was so unlike anything I had ever seen on his face. And she called him Daddy with so much joy. So much certainty.
“My lady, let’s head inside now. The warriors will bring your bags in,” Kira’s voice broke through the fog of my thoughts.
“Oh…” I muttered, blinking as I realized everyone else had started moving.
I followed behind Kira and Deidra, while Azul, Cora, and Arya trailed behind me. My steps were slower, hesitant. I wasn’t sure what to expect anymore.
The inside of the house was… unexpected.
Tall ceilings. Soft light. Elegant furnishing. And the main living room—wide, open, and surprisingly warm. The décor was tasteful and modern with cozy touches that felt almost too gentle for someone like Draven.
Where were the cold greys and stone edges I had imagined? This didn’t look like an Alpha’s den. It looked like… a home.
And then I remembered. The little girl. Of course. Maybe he kept it this way for her.
Kira gestured to a plush couch. I sat slowly, still trying to process everything.
My eyes flicked to Draven across the room, crouched once more to speak to the girl—Xamira, I reminded myself. He said something to her with a faint smile on his face, and then he stood and walked away with Jeffery and Wanda.
I stayed seated, gaze fixed on the child.
A woman approached Xamira and said, “It’s bath time, little one.”
Xamira nodded cheerfully. “I’ve seen Daddy now. I can go.”
She reached for the woman’s hand without a fuss. They walked off, hand in hand.
Her nanny, I guessed. She had the look—calm, responsible, and clearly trusted.
But my thoughts weren’t on her. They were spinning again, trying to unravel the mystery of Draven having a daughter. A secret daughter.
My heart clenched as theories tumbled through my head. I deleted the first theory about Wanda being her mother.
A woman like Wanda wouldn’t hide something like that. She would have weaponized that information to secure Draven long ago. And someone like her wouldn’t tolerate not being married to him if he fathered her child.
Then what? Did Draven have a secret wife? A lost mate? Someone dead?
Just as that terrible idea slithered into my head, I saw Wanda re-enter the room.
She walked toward me with that same smug, knowing smile I had come to despise.
“I know this is your first time stepping foot out of Stormveil,” she said smoothly. “You look a little lost, which is normal. But first, I will show you to your room. Follow me.”
I blinked at her, stunned at her tone.
Then, she turned on her heel without waiting for a response—her gaze briefly flicking to my maids, as if warning them not to dawdle.
I sat there for another second, frowning. What… just happened?
Why was she escorting me? Did she… live here?
Just then, Deidra leaned toward me. “We have to follow Miss Fellowes, my lady.”
I stood slowly, still trying to process everything. I glanced at Kira and Deidra, and whispered, “Does she… work here? For the Alpha?”
Kira nodded, keeping her voice low. “Yes, my lady. She lives here. She’s been working for Alpha Draven for years.”
Deidra added, “She’s the caretaker of this residence. Oversees everything that happens in the house.”
Ah.
I felt the shift in my mood instantly.
So, Wanda wasn’t just some persistent stalker following Draven about. She had rooted herself into Draven’s life. Right under his roof.
I didn’t like the implications.
If Wanda ran this house… then she would make it her mission to remind me every day that I was the outsider here.
And something told me… this was just the beginning.