Chapter 56

Claire’s POV

The wind in the meadows still carried the echoes of what just had happened. My palm still tingled after giving a tight slap to Daphne. As I looked at my children who were still trying to process this incident and looked at me with awe and respect. I took a deep breath and hugged them both and buried my face between their shoulders to calm my wolf down and then slowly looked at them gently.

“Both of you are alright?” I asked worriedly.

They nodded, as they clinging to one another, but they still held onto my cloak. They slowly let me go and nervously glanced towards the direction Daphne left. But none of them cried scared and stayed strong and that made my chest filled with pride.

Leo stayed close to me, his hand still clenched the fabric of my cloak trying to assure himself that everything will be alright. His eyes studied me with wide eyes and protectively, with unspoken questions.

I gently caressed his head and placed my other hand on Nova’s shoulder as I forced myself to smile calmly and murmured softly “As long as I am here, I will not let her hurt you.”

Even though I said those words I felt uneasy knowing now I have pissed Daphne off. She will not let go of the humiliation I caused her in front of the children.

A faint sound behind me made my senses sharpen. I quickly looked behind, holding Leo and Nova close to me protectively but then I realised it was not a danger. It was him.

Gideon.

He walked towards us calmly, his steps were echoing with command and authority. His presence was so strong that the air around us shifted. The children stood quietly as they looked at their Alpha.

For a moment, I started to panic. How much had he seen? Did he know I’d struck Daphne? Would he scold me, strip me of my duties, side with the woman he had once chosen over me?

I stood still tense as I stood on my ground, preparing to explain.

But instead—he spoke the words which I least expected him to speak. “You did well.”

His voice was calm but I can tell he meant what he said. I unconsciously let out a gasp. I blinked at him, startled.

Gideon’s gaze swept over the children, then settled on me. “You protected them when they needed you the most, especially my son Leo. He is glad that you have his back. His eyes looked at me with hardened determination and protectiveness. “That is what a true warrior does. What a true protector does.”

Leo looked at his father in shock, unable to believe what he was hearing from his father. Neither could I.

My lips parted, but no words came.

He walked closer to me and whispered in my ear so only I could hear him. “If Daphne tries to harm the children again. I give you my permission to defend and fight back. You don't have to hesitate.”

I stared at him, stunned. Permission. From Gideon.

For so many years Daphne has used Gideon as a shield and her position as the future Luna made her untouchable and powerful. Even though there were whispers everywhere about her temper tantrum, even when the workers quietly suffered beneath her power and mean and sharp words, no one tried to stand against her. She was the one Alpha chose, every pack member thought he would choose her over anything.

And now—Gideon himself had given me leave to stand against her. To defend not just Leo, but to protect Nova and myself as well.

I felt some very big changes in Gideon, not able to believe he gave me some power over Daphne.

“Alpha Gideon?…” I asked softly and gulped nervously. “You… saw?” He held my gaze steadily. “I saw what I was supposed to see.”

I looked at him confused but I saw no expression on his face.He wore a mask of calmness but I was able to tell he was hiding something from us, something we have never seen before. His eyes were full of trust for me and recognition of my efforts.

What has really changed? Why now, after all these years, did he no longer rush to Daphne’s defense? What had he discovered?

A lot of questions filled my head but I didn't dare to ask them out loud to Gideon. I simply bowed my head slightly. “Yes, Alpha.”

I felt uncertainty but a bit of relief as well. Relief that he had not condemned me, that he had validated my actions in front of the children. Uncertainty because I could not read the depth of his change.

Gideon looked at Leo and Nova who still peeked at him from behind me but now they were both relaxed even in his presence “You both can go on and play.” He instructed them gently yet firmly. “Your Miss Warrior is here to watch over you.”

The tension finally melted as Nova grabbed Leo's hand and dragged him to the grass fields as their worry free laughter began to take over the tense atmosphere.

Gideon looked at them playing thoughtfully as he spoke to me looking at him proudly. “Leo has learned to be brave and learned to stand his ground.”

Leo stopped for a bit and looked at us with a smile and then continued to play with Nova. My heart clenched at the quiet pride on Gideon’s face.

For a moment, I felt like Gideon and I were watching the children like the parents we really are. The connection felt stronger than roles, stronger than titles.

Gideon whispered to me again as if to warn me. “Daphne will not forgive what happened here. Be ready.”

I met his eyes, surprised at the warning. He was not mocking me but I can see genuine worry in his eyes.

“I always am, and I always will be.” I answered quietly.

He looked at me with approval and nodded as if he liked my answer and turned around and went back to his office, leaving me confused and with a bunch of questions.

I watched him go, my chest heavy. Something was shifting in him, something I couldn’t yet name. For the first time, he had publicly chosen to stand beside me against Daphne.

And though I couldn’t see the path ahead, I knew one thing for certain: The war with Daphne had begun in earnest.

I thought I would fight this battle alone, but after what Gideon said, I knew I am no longer alone.

Gideon’s POV

I stormed back to my office before I lost my calm. My wolf wanted to come out and rip Daphne apart. My wolf let out an angry snarl.

I felt my heartbeat increase and placed my hand on my chest as I tried to control my wolf who was pacing around in my mind wanting to come out and destroy something.

“How dare she try to harm my pup in my watch? Does she think we are dead?” My wolf continued to growl as he vented his anger.

I closed my eyes and tried to pacify my wolf “calm down, when the right time comes, I will let you take revenge, you will get what you want.”