Chapter 55

Claire’s POV

It was a fresh morning, the warmth of sun spread across the ground, some trees were covering the sun but the golden light still shined through the leaves. The air was like a gentle breeze yet it felt fresh and relaxing. It carried the chatter and laughter of my young ones as I led them to the meadows to play. Their hands held mine as they walked and bounced at the same time making me giggle.

Leo stopped bouncing and walked beside me thoughtfully but his eyes were bright and clear now as he looked around with a watchful and curious look. I looked at him gently as I observed his expression curiously.

“Mommy, can we play hide and seek?” Nova asked happily, as she looked at me excitedly.

I smiled gently and nodded. “Of course. But only within the meadow. No running into the woods.”

They both nodded happily “Leo you have den. Try to find me!” Nova giggled as she ran towards the tall grass to hide while Leo stayed by my side and closed his eyes and started counting.

And then—

A shadow fell across us.

I stiffened immediately, sensing her before I saw her. “Raven,” came the smooth, too-sweet voice.

Daphne.

I looked behind me and saw her approach me, my expression turned serious. She was dressed impeccably, every strand of hair in place, her smile poised. But her eyes… oh, her eyes were venomous. Assessing, dripping with contempt and coldness she didn't hide behind her perfect mask.

Leo stopped counting and Nova came out of her hiding spot sensing the tense air they both hid behind me.

“Hello, children,” Daphne spoke gently and kindly as she crouched to their height. “What a beautiful day, isn’t it? Why don’t you come with me? I was just about to head into town. We could buy whatever you like, toys, sweets, you name it.”

Her tone was sweet as syrup but I could tell there was a sharp edge to her words. She was luring them, coaxing them away from me.

The children exchanged uneasy glances. They weren’t fools. They had seen and experienced Daphne's schemes. They also felt something wrong with her gaze and her words were carefully selected to lure them to her.

Leo shook his head firmly, rejecting her idea. “No, Luna. We want to stay with Miss Warrior.” Nova looked at me and then at Daphne and spoke gently “I am staying with Mommy as well.”

Daphne's smile began to disappear from her face. Her eyes started to show the fury and her mask of sweetness began to crack.

“Listen children,” She spoke again, this time with a bit of force. “It isn’t safe to wander outside without me. Come with me we will have a lot of fun.”

Leo held onto my hand tightly “we are not going with you.” He said softly yet firmly, there was determination in his tone.

Daphne's expression changed instantly into something twisted.

She quickly stood up as her sweet composure finally collapsed and her mask of being sweet Luna slipped from her face completely. She looked at Leo with fury and raised her hand quickly.

The world had seemed to stop as I realised what she was about to do.

Before her hand could touch him, mine shot out, gripping her wrist midair. The children gasped and were startled. Fury surged through me, hot and unrelenting.

“How dare you?” I snarled at her, my voice low and dangerous. My wolf wanted to tear her apart and my motherly instincts kicked in.

Without thinking, without hesitation, I pulled her arm away and struck her across the face. The loud sound of the slap echoed in the garden and after that everything was silent, even the birds stopped there chirping.

Daphne felt the impact of my slap as she staggered back and looked at me with shock. She placed her hand on her cheek, she looked at the grass with humiliation and pain.

The children held onto me with wide eyes at what they just witnessed. Leo looked then looked at me with respect and gratitude.

I stood in front of Daphne fearlessly as I spoke with a raised voice finally venting my anger. “How dare you lay a hand on him!” my words burst out like a hot volcano. “Leo is not yours to scold, not yours to touch, not yours to harm. You better understand me, Miss Daphne”

She looked at me with fury and was about to speak but I didn't let her and continued. “For years, you’ve hidden behind Alpha Gideon, parading yourself as future Luna while poisoning everything around you. You may have managed to manipulate everyone with your fake smile but I know one thing and you are far from the kind and compassionate person you pretend to be, you are nothing but a jealous and cowardly woman who wants to hurt children for her own pride and pleasure.”

Daphne looked at me with anger in her eyes but I continued not caring about how she feels knowing she doesn't deserve my respect and compassion.

“You think your status makes you untouchable? You think you can treat these children however you want and still want them to respect you? Well news flash to you, respect should be earned not forced, Daphne. And you have earned nothing but fear. If you ever try to hurt Leo and Nova again, I will not hold back.”

I stepped closer to her and whispered in her ear dangerously “Do not test me or I will make sure to reveal your true face in front of everyone.”

Daphne backed away, she looked at me with pure rage. She looked at Leo and Nova who hid behind me as she felt her cheek burning because of my slap. Her facade cracked in front of my family knowing there was no point in hiding the truth from us.

“I will make sure you regret this,” She snarled as her voice shook with fury. “You don’t know who you’re dealing with, Raven. I will destroy you.”

Her words were filled with venom but I didn't feel scared at all. I looked at her coldly and held my children's hands firmly.

“You can try,” I hissed. “And see what happens if you try to harm the children.”

For a long intense moment, we stood staring at each other tensely but then Daphne gave up and shook off my grip from her wrist. She took a deep breath to calm down and smoothed her hair and straightened her clothes.

She put her mask of being a perfect Luna back on even though there was a small crack under her facade and turned around and left swiftly.

The meadow fell into silence once more.

I sighed with relief as she left and looked at the children who now looked at me with awe And now looked at me with gratitude.

“Mommy,” Nova whispered, “you’re so brave.”

I knelt down, forcing calm into my voice. “No, little ones. I only did what any protector should do. No one, no matter who they are, has the right to hurt you.”

Leo stared at me silently, his gaze unreadable. Then, slowly, he let go of my hand only to throw his arms around me, pressing his small frame against mine.

For a moment, my heart cracked open, the weight of love and sorrow flooding through me. I held him close, burying my face in his hair, whispering silently the words I still couldn’t say aloud: I am your mother. And I will never let her touch you again.

The storm had broken.

And I knew Daphne wouldn’t forget this humiliation. But neither would I.

Because for the first time in years, I hadn’t hidden. I hadn’t swallowed my truth. I had fought back.

And I was ready for whatever came next.