Chapter 484: Trying

Chapter 484: Daphne

It is a tradition to get all the pups to the amusement park every year for Lyra’s birthday. I have also expanded it over the years.

Adding whatever she sees on the internet.

Like an ice rink?

Why is there an ice rink at an amusement park? I do not know, but my daughter wanted one, and I made it happen.

Like how there is also a giant waterslide. Not all things are over the top like the go-kart section or the haunted house. It has gotten so big it is hard to hide from normal humans.

Wish this world had witches or something to glamour it at least. But I know people in high places, so it is okay.

I watch Elara bump her kart into some other child and laugh. I cannot help my smile.

I hear a child shout. It is loud. There are children from all four packs, some from the European packs. Lyra’s birthday is genuinely the most looked-forward-to event of the year.

It has made her extremely popular. I notice boys looking at her. Too popular. But I think that is because she is so cute.

I am not worried about her having boy trouble, though. Lyra can hold her own against fully grown men. So whoever gets on her nerves will have it coming.

I see white hair in the distance.

Oh?

What is the main character doing here? I use the System to spy on her.

***

Seraphina

I stand awkwardly.

I did not want to come here knowing it is something Elara’s mate built for her child. But the pack grounds are practically empty, and my son is here, and Kai said he was going too, because Diana would be going too.

Diana.

I do not know how to feel about the woman who is the mother of my mate’s pup. She is not as arrogant or distasteful as Rylan’s. In fact, she is cordial. I have nothing to fault her for at all. I do not know what to do with these emotions.

She is pretty. Not as beautiful as I am. But she is pretty and calm and kind, and I want to hate her.

When I go with Kai, accompanying him, their relationship,though formal has a certain bond to it. One I will never have with Kai.

A child bumps into me, running along, and I am snapped out of my thoughts.

I look around and see what looks like a small snack bar. I walk over and take a seat.

"Luna."

The wolf behind the counter says with a slight bow. I give a small smile.

"What can I get you?"

I look at the menu of smoothies. I choose one.

"Strawberry," I say.

He nods and gets to work.

I sit there, alone, watching the pups run around. Contrary to what I thought, no one pays me any mind.

But I suppose in a place like this, who would?

I cannot believe Elara’s mate built this.

All of this.

Everything.

For a child.

For her child.

It is not surprising. Perfect Elara. Perfect family. Perfect personality. Now the perfect fucking mate.

I clench my fists.

The smoothie being placed in front of me snaps me out of my thoughts.

I exhale and take a sip.

I see many children playing. My eyes search for my son. I cannot see a hint of his head in this place. He is probably having fun.

That is when two very familiar women appear.

Diana greets me with a slight bow.

"Luna." She says, and I give her a small smile.

But she is just standing there, looking at her nails—painted a bright red color. She also has on all these accessories. As wolves, we don’t wear jewelry because of the shifting, and we don’t paint our nails because it’s pointless. One shift, and the color is gone. But this wolf clearly didn’t get the memo.

Diana elbows her.

"Clarissa."

"What? She’s not my Luna."

"She’s still a Luna, and you’re a wolf," Diana says.

She grumbles.

"Luna." She says with a perfunctory bow and walks to the counter without waiting for my reply.

"I’ll have a strawberry kiwi with coconut milk and chia seeds."

"And I’ll have a mango, banana, chocolate one," Diana says.

Clarissa groans.

"Disgusting."

"Like your order is any better."

They laugh and banter, then take seats opposite me. This mini station has limited seating—only three tables.

Her voice is obnoxious and getting on my nerves as she speaks. I cannot believe Rylan left me for her.

I try to ignore them. I focus on my smoothie. I focus on the children playing.But she is so loud.

Clarissa’s voice carries across the small seating area like claws scraping against stone. She laughs too loudly. She gestures too wildly. She orders another drink and critiques it like she’s some sort of connoisseur.

I grip my glass tighter.

She gets a phone call at some point, and the sound of her voice becomes unbearable.I am about to stand up and leave when I hear a name.

"—can’t exactly move now, with Kai being in Kenta’s life."

I freeze.

"It’s such a shame," Clarissa says, her tone dripping with false sympathy. "Because John was ...is...serious about you."

I hear Diana sigh.

"I know. He’s such a nice man. Handsome. Kind. Attentive." She pauses. "And most importantly, he adores my son."

"See? Just leave then."

"I can’t exactly move across the ocean away from my son’s biological father."

I feel my chest tighten.

Clarissa scoffs.

"I don’t know why he’s playing father now. After three whole years. Where was he when Kenta was born? Where was he when you were alone? Where was he when—"

"I’m not happy about this either," Diana says quietly.

"Then do something about it!" Clarissa’s voice rises. "Diana, you’re too kind. With these Alphas, you have to put your foot down."

I hear Diana hesitate.

"The way you treat the father of your child—"

"Exactly!" Clarissa cuts in. "I walk that man like he’s my pet. He knows his place."

"You should do the same," Clarissa continues. "You are the mother of his son. You have the power here."

"I just..." Diana trails off. "I don’t want to cause problems. Kenta deserves to know his father. And Kai... Kai is trying. He really is."

"Trying?" Clarissa laughs. The sound is sharp and mocking, cutting through the air like a blade.

"Yeah, right. He comes down like twice a week to spend a couple of hours with him? Rylan is more of a father than he is."