Chapter 152

Alaric’s POV

Ethan thinks about my question for a long time. Too long, really. It makes me start to sweat. I have no idea what I’ll do if he says no. I’ll have to respect it. I might love Cara, but Ethan is my son and I –

“I guess I wouldn’t mind,” he says.

Inside, my hopes flared to life, flying high than ever before. If I had Ethan’s permission, then perhaps it wouldn’t take as long as I worried to win Cara’s affections. After all, if the kids’ already like me, isn’t that half the battle of dating as a single parent?

Even so, I know I can’t get arrogant about this. There’s really no telling what Cara will want for herself. But I’m hoping and praying something fierce at the moment.

“Good,” I say, trying not to let my excitement show. “That’s good.”

Ethan worries his bottom lip a little, like he’s thinking about something bad.

“What is it?” I ask him. “You okay?”

“I just… I told you before how close Mom and Noel are…”

He did, I remember, when Noel showed up for the first time in our mansion, interrupting our dinner. Ethan made it seem like she and Noel were practically a sure thing already.

“They were never really that close,” Ethan says. “Well, not as much as I told you. He visited us sometimes but it was never anything… like…” He makes vague hand gestures. I’m not totally sure what he means, and I’m not sure he does either.

But I’m pretty sure he’s trying to tell me that their relationship isn’t romantic.

“Oh. Okay,” I say.

“So if you wanted to try to date her… I guess that would be okay,” Ethan says. “If she wants.”

“Thanks, Ethan,” I tell him. “I mean it.”

Ethan shrugs like it’s no big deal. He has no idea how he has changed everything for me. I’ve been so worried that I might have a hard time earning his favor, yet here he was, giving me his seal of approval, even allowing me to date his mom.

“Yeah,” Ethan says. His eyes drag back again and again to the plastic beach house where Mia plays.

“We should get back to it,” I tell him.

That perks him up somewhat more. “Yeah. Okay.”

Walking back to the beach house, Ethan immediately takes point.

“These soldiers need more cookies, stat!” Ethan says.

“They are in the oven!” Mia replies.

Cara’s POV

After telling me about Alaric, oddly coming out in favor of the man, the topic switched to the former Luna of the BloodyMoon pack, my mother, and what her relationship was to this mysterious Nanny.

“She used to work at the palace,” Colin says. “She was one of our father’s many mistresses, though I suppose she was the most vicious. She wanted father for herself, enough to try to get the Luna out of the way.”

“Is Lilia her true daughter?” Aidan asks.

“I believe so,” Colin replies.

“Is she truly another sister of ours? An illegitimate one,” Ryan says.

“I do not believe so,” Colin says. “The Nanny was known for her many lovers. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to have a blood test done, to prove it all once and for all. Then she truly would have no claim to the pack, regardless of whatever stories her mother concocts.”

What a terrible thing. I can’t help but feel somewhat guilty, not because I actually did anything wrong, but because, this is my bloodline. And another reasons to keep my kids out of the royal line of succession. People put far too much weight in it.

Rather the kids stay kids and not be involved at all.

“Well, Dad’s to blame for all this mess too, then,” Aidan says. “If he could have just picked one woman and been done with it…”

“Maybe it’s better just to let the matter drop,” Ryan says. “After all, I can’t exactly see Eamon getting into this kind of trouble.”

“Landon maybe,” Aidan says with a laugh, “but not Eamon for sure.”

I don’t know what to say. I guess I’m still overwhelmed by everything that has been going on. I’m tired too. Now that the kids are safe and happy, I feel like I could probably sleep for a hundred years or so and still not be fully rested.

I’m thinking about just saying goodnight to my brothers and going up to bed, when Noel walks into the kitchen.

At first, I’m hoping, he just wants to join the conversation and maybe speak to my brothers or to me, but not about anything particular. That dream is slashed when he looks at me with something like hope in his eyes.

“Cara,” he says. “I know it’s a lot of trouble right now. I know with everything only being resolved just now, that this might not be the best time for it. But I’m hoping… no, I’m begging you. Will you consider speaking with my privately anyway. I just can’t get a few things out of my mind, and I don’t think I’ll be able to rest until I speak to you about them.”

I want to tell him no, or ask him if tomorrow would work better, but… Noel has done so much for me over the past few days especially. Delaying this conversation any longer for my own sake would just be selfish.

He has things he wants to talk about, things he wants to say to me, and I should let him.

“Okay,” I say.

My brothers watch the scene with curious eyes. They cast glances at me, at Noel, and especially among themselves. They can think what they want and do what they want, but none of them says a verbal word. Yet there are entire conversations in their glances.

After what they just told me about Alaric, I imagine it’s Alaric they are rooting for in my love life. But they don’t say a word about it now. They don’t stop Noel. They don’t stop me.

I know this means they are allowing me to make my own decisions. And while I am happy for that, I almost wish someone would intervene so I wouldn’t have to decide.

There’s no savior for me here though. So I follow Noel out into the living room and then over to the patio door.

Glancing, I see Alaric playing with the children. He seems to be enjoying themselves. They all do, even Ethan, who is giving some kind of orders to Alaric, like he’s his second in command.

It’s very sweet. I wish I could watch more, but I don’t want to leave Noel waiting.

I follow Noel outside.

Just outside the door is a set of gardens. Alaric has a gardener on staff who always manages to make the most beautiful and colorful flowers grow. He’s a true artisan. Even now, as night creeps in, I’m amazed at the bright vibrant colors of the flowers.

It would make the perfect backdrop for a romantic conversation. Unfortunately, I’m still not sure I’m ready to have that conversation.

Noel is ready to push on, however, so I will let him.

I brace myself for what I’m sure is about to happen.