Chapter 44

Claire’s POV

The room was peacefully quiet after the children took another nap, their small hands still held onto me. I sat propped against the pillows, my body weak but my mind far too restless to rest.

The sleep took over me as well, even in my dream I remembered the memories of my parents, the sudden return of my wolf, the mark on my wrist, it all stayed in my mind like an unshakable fog.

The door opened again with a soft creak. I didn’t need to look up to know who it was. His strong presence entered the room with the glass of water and handed it to me. His voice was deep and commanding.

“Raven, you must have been thirsty.”

I looked at him nervously and took the glass “Thank you..” I finished the water in a few gulps.

I finally looked up, Gideon stood beside me. He looked tense, his broad shoulders were stiff while his jaw clenched. He looked at me calmly, I realized he was here as an Alpha, he was no longer the man who looked at me warmly.

I straightened slightly despite the weakness dragging at my limbs. “Alpha.”

His eyes flickered to the children sleeping on either side of me before he crossed the room. His steps were firm and determined as he folded his arms against his chest, his gaze was strong and serious.

“I need answers from you,” he said calmly yet firmly without softening his tone. Just demand. I swallowed. “About what happened?”

“Yes.” His eyes narrowed, voice low. “Before you collapsed, before the poison… tell me everything.”

That memory felt like a vice against my throat. The food, maid’s shaking hands, her unclear answers.My suspicion. The decision to taste the food myself rather than risk Leo… The burning pain that had stolen my breath.

I took a deep breath as I forced myself to remember it.

“i observed her the maid was too much nervous,” I answered calmly yet carefully. I kept my voice steady and snuggled against my blanket as I felt cold. “She wouldn’t look at me directly. When I asked her questions, her answers didn’t match. Something felt very wrong about her.”

Gideon looked at me seriously, his eyes were sharp as he listened to what I was telling very carefully.

“I didn’t trust her,” I continued. “So I… I tasted the food first. Just in case.” I gulped as I placed my hand on my throat still remembering the searing pain burned in my throat. “After that I was not able to breathe and fainted.”

There was a heavy silence in the room.

His jaw clenched and fixed, his muscles tighten due to tension, he was trying his best to control his anger. He clenched his hands into fists, his eyes were full of fire and rage.

“So it was meant for Leo.” His voice was deadly cold, vibrating and dangerous. He was holding back his violence tendencies.

I took a deep breath and nodded. “Yes.” I had no doubt in my heart. Whoever planned this didn't care if it was just a child, their target was my son.

Something inside Gideon snapped. He slammed his fist down onto the table at the foot of the bed, the sound cracking through the room like thunder. The children moved slowly but kept on sleeping. Gideon was tense, I can tell his wolf was angry and ready to tear down everything in the way and he was trying his best to control it.

“How dare they.” He growled angrily, his voice filled with guilt and hatred. “They dared to touch him under my roof.”

I wanted to place my hand on his shoulder and tell him Leo is safe. But I couldn’t. Not without telling the truth that constantly haunted my mind, that Leo is my child too, not just his heir. And that would unravel everything.

Before I could say anything, there was a soft knock at the door.

Gideon’s beta entered the room with a serious expression. He bowed his head to me politely before turning to Gideon. “Alpha. I have something to report to you.”

I was tense. My mind told me this is not good news. “Speak now.” Gideon commanded.

Beta held a file, his tone was calm yet on point “We traced the source of the wolfsbane used. A vial was purchased in the Black Market, no more than three days ago. And the buyer is Daphne's servant."

His words were like a stab of a knife.

I sat there shaking. My eyes darted to Gideon, searching his face. He looked very shocked and a look of disbelief crossed his face for a moment but then his expression changed back to cold one.

“What did you just say?” Gideon's voice was dangerous and sharp.

Beta lowered his head respectfully. “It’s confirmed, Alpha. The proof is right in the file.” There was that unbearable silence again.

I could see many emotions showing up in his face, his mind was full of storms. There was anger, betrayal and disbelief. He clenched his fists tightly, he was breathing heavily trying to control his wolf.

Daphne.

I almost let out a growl, my wolf was furious and wanted to take control to teach Daphne a lesson but I controlled my wolf knowing this was not the right time.

My stomach twisted.

I had known she resented me. I saw the way she looked at Gideon, the way her expression sours when Leo and I are close to him. But to try to harm a child—his child—was monstrous even beyond what I’d imagined.

Gideon turned away sharply and paced around the room. He didn’t look at me, didn’t look at his beta. He looked at the wall with fury and wanted to punch it.

He took a deep breath and finally spoke, his voice was cold as ice.

“Keep this as a top secret.” He ordered his beta “You will not speak about this outside the room.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“From today onwards, “ Gideon spoke with determination “Keep an close eye on Daphne. I want every little information about her. Do you understand?”

Beta nodded and bowed again. “Understood.” “Leave us.”

Beta left and shut the door behind him.

The silence between us was very heavy. I sat on my bed still with my hand caressing Nova’s small back. I was overwhelmed by many emotions.

Gideon finally turned, his eyes landing on me. For a bit, I didn't see the Alpha but a man filled with fury, betrayal and guilt, he had a thoughtful look on his face.

His voice was softer when he spoke again, though no less dangerous. “If it's really her..if it's really Daphne’s doing..” He paused and shook his head, as if he was deeply disappointed in her “She will pay for hurting my child.”

I gulped and looked at the children. “And if someone is supporting her?”

He looked at me with a determined hard gaze “Then I will find out who is behind her as well. Whoever it is. No one dares to hurt my child and walks away after.”

There it was again—that ferocity, that fierce devotion to his son. For a small moment, I felt proud of Gideon. Because I wanted to believe him, to lean into that promise. To trust that he could protect Leo, Nova, and me from the shadows tightening around us.

But I knew I shouldn't be depending on him. Until the true culprit is not caught, no one is safe.

I nodded calmly as I put back on my mask of being Raven the warrior. Who will protect the children no matter what.

Not Claire. Not the Mate he has already lost.

Not the shewolf who has kept her powers hidden till the right moment comes to reveal them.