lphas Second Choice novel Chapter 52

The days that followed, Cassian, Jaxon, and Lucien all went digging into my life, especially into the

man whose last name I’d taken.

But Zevius’s story wasn’t a secret.

His sacrifice had spread through the entire werewolf realm.

The Alpha who’d given his life to save others, the hero of the Obsidian Pack.

Every year on his death anniversary, pack members from every corner of the realm gathered to light candles and whisper prayers in his name.

Jaxon came by my neighborhood often.

I never let him in, so he’d just stand outside, leaving gifts at my door.

Boxes of pastries, toys for Hope, even little hand–folded paper boats covered with doodles of

flowers and stars.

He’d learned, somehow, that I liked folding paper boats.

He called me sister now, spoke softly, never raised his voice. It would’ve been touching if I hadn’t already stopped believing him.

Cassian also came.

When I refused to see him, he sent his Beta and the pack elders instead, offering to move me into a bigger house or rejoin the Bloodmoon Pack so I wouldn’t have to live as a rogue,

He still thought money could fix everything, just as he always had. But the new me no longer

accepted his kind of charity.

Lucien was the hardest to shake off. He actually moved into a vacant house nearby.

At first, he’d visit every day, trying to talk to Hope, claiming he just wanted to “get to know his daughter.”

After one of my outbursts, he finally backed off, but he lingered nearby, always watching from a distance, eyes full of tears.

Then came Hope’s birthday.

She was turning four, and she’d been counting down for weeks.

Our small rogue community was close–knit, and all the children were invited.

The house was filled with balloons, laughter, and the smell of cake, until I saw the three of them walk in uninvited.

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Cassian, Jaxon, Lucien.

I didn’t want to ruin the day for Hope, not with guests and neighbors around, so I said nothing and

let them stay.

They looked… genuinely happy to be there. But their surprise didn’t last long.

Before the pizza even arrived, a familiar, lilting voice came from the doorway–smiling,

venomous.

“Well, well. Am I too late for the party?”

Every expression in the room changed. The three men stiffened instantly.

I turned, and there she was.

Skyla. She walked in holding a perfectly wrapped gift box, dressed head–to–toe in a designer Chanel

suit, heels clicking sharply against the floor.

“Hey, you should change your shoes at the door,” little Hope said softly. “If you scratch the floor, the landlord lady gets really mad.”

Skyla raised an eyebrow.

“Oh? Sweetheart, I’m your mommy’s sister. And these shoes cost more than your entire floor. So I think we’ll be fine. Right, Paige?”

Four years hadn’t dulled her poison.

I kept my tone even. “Skyla, today is my daughter’s birthday.”

“I know!” she said brightly, settling into a chair and crossing her legs. “Why else would my brother, my fiancé, and my dear stepbrother all be gathered here?”

The room fell silent.

She covered her mouth in mock surprise.

“Oh no, did I say something people didn’t know? Paige–sorry, Paige Forrester now, right? Her

child’s father is my fiancé: the Alpha of the Fullmoon Pack

“Some people are just too good at playing games. She stole my identity for over twenty years, and when the truth came out, she still couldn’t let go.

“Seduced my fiancé, got pregnant, and now she’s here trying to lure my brothers too. Pathetic, isn’t

it?”

“Skyla, have you lost your mind?!”

Lucien shot up, his voice low and furious. “Who invited you here? Get out!”

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“What, afraid I’ll expose your dirty little secrets?” she laughed shrilly. “You can’t silence me. If this were still the old ways, your little brat would have to call me mother!

“I’m the rightful Luna, you’re just the mistress! So why shouldn’t I come to the child’s birthday? I’m the one who deserves the blessings!”

“Skyla, stop.”

Cassian’s tone turned harsh. He grabbed her arm. “Enough! You’re coming home.”

She yanked free.

“No! You still call yourself my brother? She’s not even your real sister! How can you defend her after everything I’ve been through?!”

“What the hell is wrong with you?!”

Jaxon stepped in too. “It’s Hope’s birthday! Can’t you stop for one damn day-”

“Are you all insane?” Skyla screamed, her voice cracking with rage. “I’m your real sister, Cassian!

I’m Lucien’s fiancée, his future Luna! And I’m the one who’s stood by you, Jaxon, for twenty years! “How can you three betray me like this?!”

Hope flinched, terrified, eyes wide with confusion.

I immediately crouched down, pressed her little head to my chest, and covered her ears.

Then I lifted her in my arms and carried her into the bedroom, shutting the door behind us, leaving the chaos outside to the people who had once called themselves my family.

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