Chapter 47

Grace

The coverage of the Winter Moon Festival had done more for my image among the pack than I had imagined. I don’t know who Eason talked to among the journalists who had covered the event, but I was a little nervous that Charles might actually try to poach him from the pack. Maybe I should just make him my beta and say to hell with the pack’s expectations.

My phone chimed with an alarm, and grinned as I heard the car pulling up outside. I pulled on my coat and walked out as the car came to a stop. A few moments later, my mentor stepped out dressed in warm, expensive-looking clothes and pursing her lips.

“The things I do for sentimental reasons.”

I embraced her, squeezing her tightly. “Thank you so much for coming.”

She sighed and embraced me gently. “Don’t make me regret having faith in you a second time.”

I nodded and pulled back. “Let me get your bags.”

I got them out of the trunk, ignoring the bittersweet feeling of having her here. With her arrival, I hoped that the longevity project would gain the momentum it needed, but I also knew that the road ahead wouldn't be easy. After all, it was just me, her, and Jackson at the moment.

Just as we were bringing in the last of her bags, I heard the sound of the front door opening, and I turned to see Charles stepping out and grabbing the bags that had been set on the porch by the driver.

"Charles, I'd like you to meet Dr. Margaret Thompson, my mentor," I said, grinning at him. “She’s a saving grace.”

He smiled and nodded politely, his gaze briefly meeting mine before shifting to Dr. Thompson. But then, something in his expression changed, and I could almost see the recognition dawn in his eyes.

Dr. Thompson's eyes widened slightly, and her lips curved into a knowing smile.

"You’re a long way away from the Black Woods, Charlie.”

My heart raced at the familiarity in her tone.

Then, she playfully whacked Charles on the arm, her familiarity with him surprising me. I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy, wondering how Dr. Thompson knew Charles and why they seemed so comfortable with each other. Was she Charles’ mate?

Charles chuckled. "It's been a while, Maggie."

She wrinkled her nose. “I still hate that.”

“And I hate Charlie, we’re even.”

“Hardly. You disappeared without a trace, and now you show up out of nowhere. Here, in Mooncrest, of all places? Have you any idea about the speculation?"

“Plenty.”

Their banter was both puzzling and intriguing, leaving me to wonder about the history they shared. I felt like an outsider, witnessing a dynamic between them that I couldn't fully grasp.

"You two know each other?" I asked, unable to hide my curiosity.

Dr. Thompson turned her attention back to me, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, we go way back. Charlie here used to be quite the troublemaker."

Charles chuckled, a hint of nostalgia in his expression. "I was just misunderstood. Mostly by your sister."

She scoffed. “She intentionally misunderstood you… Often and to an embarrassing degree. She’s married now, you know?”

“I heard. I was there.”

She burst into laughter. “I wasn’t!”

Charles wrapped her in a tight hug as she patted his shoulder and asked why he’d gotten so much bigger since the last time they’d seen each other. Their easy camaraderie was evident, and I found myself feeling strangely excluded from whatever memories and connections they shared. I shook off my insecurity, reminding myself that Dr. Thompson's presence was essential for the project's success.

I glanced between her and Charles, their easy rapport sparking a curiosity in me that I couldn't ignore. "You and Charles seem quite close."

“Oh, Grace dear, don’t look like I’m here to steal him away,” Dr. Thompson said. My face burned with embarrassment. “That would be my sister’s territory. I knew Charles’ father and Charles when he was just a pup…”

Charles scoffed. “Your sister wishes that she could steal me away. Between the two of you, I’d go with you.”

“I’m flattered.”

My eyebrows raised in surprise. She knew him from his childhood? Were they childhood friends or something? It made it feel as though them being mates was even more likely. I stole a glance at Charles, whose demeanor seemed to soften as he looked at her.

She turned to look at Charles. “Though with you on the throne, maybe I won’t feel too bad about moving again.”

“You wound me,” he said. “Dad would have welcomed you with open arms into the palace.”

She smirked. “And an open bed, I’m sure.”

“Well, I can’t speak for the dead.”

I frowned. “You… and his father… were?”

“It was a long time ago,” she said and pinched Charles’ cheek like I would pinch Cecil’s, and the unease vanished.

There was nothing romantic going on between them.

“As for just vanishing without a trace, you’re the one who left,” Charles said, cocking an eyebrow at her.

Her eyes turned misty. “How… could I have stayed with him dead and… thinking you were too? With the politics being what they were.”

His eyes widened. “What?”

“I had no idea you were even alive with everything that happened,” she shook her head. “Your father was pretty clear that I should leave if anything were to happen to either of you. It was ultimately safer for me to be in the States, clearly with all the attacks, but I hope you didn’t think I had just abandoned you.”

His gaze hardened. “I’m sorry for making you worry, and no… I knew Dad had plans in place for a lot of people that I didn’t know about. If you wish to return, I’m sure I can have your old quarters made ready.”

She scoffed. “I’d prefer the lake house.”

He laughed. “Whatever you want… I think it might actually be yours…”

Her eyes turned glossy, and she shook her head. “Your father… always had a way about him.”

“Big shoes to fill.”

Oh, please! I saw you at the conference with the Alpha President earlier this year and nearly expired on the spot! Looking every bit like your father and twice as surly.”

He grinned. “Thanks.”

“And no matter what those old bastards say, you handled that challenge perfectly. Your father would have been proud.” She wrinkled her nose. “Though the hair was a great loss.”

He laughed. “You’re not the only one suffering.”

I tilted my head. “Charles… is the boy you talked about?”

“The one and the same.”

I smiled, looking up at Charles as he looked at Dr. Thompson. “And what sort of tales have you been telling about me, Maggie?”

“Only the truth,” she said. “Shall we?”

I nodded, relieved. The young man Dr. Thompson told me about during those long hours in the lab together was someone I could trust. Knowing that he had grown into a man that I could trust only made it easier to go forward.

Now, if only I could get to the bottom of his distance, I’d be getting somewhere.

As we brought everything in and I showed her to the room I had made up for her, we headed back downstairs.

“Charles, are you telling me you’re making pasta these days?”

“I took the time to learn the recipe,” he grinned. “Cecil is a fan of it.”

“She has good taste,” Dr. Thompson said, then she frowned and looked at me. “And when do I get to meet the two children in question?”

“At dinner,” I said. “Cecil’s down for a nap, and with any luck, Richard will stay asleep too.”

I heard the door open and close as we reached the ground floor. Jackson shrugged out of his coat as he turned to look at us.

“Jackson, glad you’re back. This is Dr. Margaret Thompson,” I said. “Jackson will be a part of the team.”

He stepped forward with a friendly smile, extending his hand to her. "Dr. Thompson, it is a pleasure to meet you. "

Dr. Thompson's gaze swept over him, her expression remaining polite but distant. "Ah, yes, I've heard of you. I suppose we’ll have to see how much is true. "

Jackson chuckled nervously, clearly taken aback by her response. I shot him a reassuring smile, hoping to ease his discomfort. She was always like that.

“So, when do I get to see the facility?”

“I thought within the next hour if you’re like,” I said. “If Cecil stays asleep, it’ll be perfect.”

I turned back to Charles. “Are you coming?”

He shook his head. “I think I would be better off going to meet Eason.”

“How is Eason?” Dr. Thompson asked.

“I’m planning to poach him,” Charles said. “I think I can make an offer he can’t refuse.”

“Not on your life,” I said, scowling at him. “Blood is thicker than water.”

Charles grinned, his eyes twinkling. “It’s not thicker than money and lube.”

Dr. Thompson burst into laughter.

“I’ve been wanting to see the facility too,” Jackson said. “My car arrived, so I’ll drive us.”

“Sounds great!”

As we made our way to the car, Jackson placed his arm around my shoulders in a casual gesture. He was talking, but there was something pricking at the back of my mind as we headed out the door. Dr. Thompson hung back. She didn’t say much, but as I turned back to look, I realized that she and Charles were having a moment of silent intensity. His eyes were flickering red. She placed a hand on his shoulder with a small smile before turning away to follow us.

Then, our eyes met, and I saw a flicker of something dark and possessive in his gaze—an unmistakable flash of jealousy.

My heart quickened. I liked it, but there was an air of danger about it. My stomach flipped. I had the urge to go back to Charles and soothe him, but Jackson opened the door for me, and I climbed into the passenger seat. The light in Charles's eyes burned hot and bright for a second before he slipped back inside silently.