Chapter 12
Celine’s birthday arrived swiftly. She had been persistently asking the Alpha during their video calls to get her a fairytale-themed cake. So, early that morning, Xavier showed up with a cake adorned with whimsical decorations, along with bags full of gifts and treats. His towering frame filled the doorway, his Alpha aura commanding even in its quiet intensity. Thea noted the way his muscles rippled beneath his tailored shirt, a reminder of the power he wielded as the pack’s leader.
While Thea was busy in the kitchen preparing lunch, father and daughter played with Lego sets in the living room. Celine hadn’t been this joyful in a long time, and her laughter filled the air, a rare sound of innocence in the otherwise tense household. Thea watched them from the kitchen, her heart aching at the sight of Xavier’s broad shoulders hunched over the tiny blocks, his deep voice softening as he entertained their pup.
When it was time to eat, Celine clasped her little hands together, closed her eyes earnestly, and made a wish before blowing out the candles. Her tiny fangs peeked out as she smiled, a reminder of her growing wolf heritage.
"Mom, can you guess what I wished for?" Celine asked, tugging at Thea’s hand.
Thea pretended to ponder, "Did Celine wish for a pair of Cinderella slippers?"
Celine shook her head with a cheeky grin, then grabbed her parents’ hands, pressing them together. "I wish for Mommy and Daddy to always stay by my side."
Looking at Celine’s innocent smile, Thea felt a lump in her throat. The smile on Xavier’s face wavered slightly, his Alpha composure cracking for just a moment. His dark eyes flicked to Thea, a shadow of guilt passing over his features before he masked it with his usual stoic expression.
Celine carefully cut the cake into three slices, taking one for herself and giving the others to Thea and Xavier. She savored her piece with enthusiasm, getting frosting all over her face. But suddenly, her expression turned pained, and she began to cough violently.
"Celine!" Thea cried out in alarm, quickly pulling Celine into her arms. Her maternal instincts surged, her body tensing as she felt her pup’s distress.
Celine was scratching at her face, neck, and arms. "Mommy, I’m so itchy... Mommy..." she whimpered, her breathing becoming increasingly labored.
These symptoms had appeared once before when Celine first ate peanuts! Thea’s eyes darted to the cake, her wolf bristling with fury. She turned to Xavier, her voice sharp and accusing, "Alpha, you knew Celine was allergic to peanuts, yet you brought a cake that contains them!"
Xavier’s face paled, his Alpha aura flickering with unease. "The cake was ordered by Addilyn. I had no idea this would happen."
Addilyn Freeman. The name alone was enough to ignite Thea’s rage. Her wolf snarled in the back of her mind, a low growl of warning. Once again, it was Addilyn—her mate, her replacement. Thea’s hands tightened around Celine, her protective instincts surging as she glared at Xavier, her voice trembling with barely restrained fury.
Thea’s mind raced, her wolf pushing her to act, to protect their pup. But she forced herself to remain calm, focusing on Celine’s labored breathing. She would deal with Xavier and Addilyn later. For now, her pup needed her.
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