Chapter 75
She was shaken, and I couldn’t care less for what I’d been through just to fulfill her father’s desires when he threatened to sever ties with us.
“I’ve been left conflicted, and she had to pry on my vulnerable state to gain her way with me,” I mutter under my breath, feeling anger and betrayal at being manipulated by her devious tactics.Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.
She whimpered, and my wolf threatened to burst out, but I felt a hand on my shoulder trying to pacify me. I took a deep breath, consciously relaxing my tense muscles, and released her from my grip.
I knew I had to be careful, especially considering her pregnancy. I couldn’t risk anything happening to her or her baby. She was my responsibility, at least for now, until all investigations were carried out and the truth revealed.
I realized the tension in the room needed to be diffused, so I gently moved Annie closer to me. She seemed surprised by my sudden display of tenderness after our earlier outburst.
With a loving smile, I looked into her eyes. “Annie,” I began softly, “I want you to look into my eyes and tell me the truth. I swear I’ll believe you. Is this child mine?” I asked, my voice earnest and filled with hope for an honest answer.
Annie’s heartbeat was steady this time, and she spoke with conviction. “Yes, this baby I’m carrying is yours,” she affirmed firmly.
I gazed into her eyes, searching for any hint of deception or falsehood. Yet, I decided not to dwell on trying to discern the truth solely from her expressions. Emotions could be guarded, and I didn’t want to rely solely on that to determine the reality of the situation.
Instead, I focused on accepting her words for now, acknowledging our circumstances.
“Fine, Annie, I believe you,” I said, leaning in to kiss her forehead before enveloping her in a warm embrace.
Zach mind-linked me, his words carrying a mix of frustration and disbelief. “Kessler, you are a fucking idiot.”
“Fuck you, Zach,” I replied tersely, Despite the exchange, there was an unspoken understanding between us.
Turning back to Annie, I suggested, “Let me treat you to lunch.” She giggled like a schoolgirl, the tension in the room dissipating at the opportunity to enjoy a lighter moment together.
I quickly initiated a mind link with my driver, instructing him to be ready in ten minutes. Simultaneously, I contacted the restaurant manager to secure a reservation for us in the VIP lounge.
“Go change and wear something nice,” I told Annie. Meet me at the underground parking lot.”
“Okay,” she replied, a hint of excitement in her voice, before leaving to prepare for our outing.
As everyone looked at me, I felt no need to explain my plans to anyone. Zach, in particular, already understood without words being exchanged.
“Father,” I addressed him warmly, feeling a surge of gratitude and love. “It’s nice to see you again. You are one of the best gifts life has given me. Your boundless love and support mean everything to me. Thank you for always having my back.”
“I know there’s a lot you want to convey to me,” I acknowledged, recognizing the unspoken depth of my father’s emotions and wisdom. “So many insights you wish to share about my journey as a mate, father, and Alpha.”
As I looked into his eyes, I could sense the unspoken longing and care he held for me. “Thank you for all that you do,” I continued gratefully, “and for being such an attentive and supportive father.”
“I’m proud of you, father,” I expressed sincerely, every word filled with genuine emotion. “I mean every word I said to you, and I couldn’t wish for a better father than you.”
“Oh, son, you’re going to add to my already emotional frenzy,” my father replied with a chuckle, pulling me into a heartfelt hug. I returned the embrace warmly, feeling a surge of love and gratitude.
Zach, ever the light-hearted one, joked, “Group hug!” and joined in, followed by Cara.
“It feels surreal knowing I have another sister, but I know I’ll get used to that fact,” I mused to myself, reflecting on the new addition to my family.
With a quick farewell to everyone, I made my way out and headed to the parking lot. My chauffeur was already on standby, waiting for me.
Glancing at the time, I realized that more than ten minutes had passed, but I didn’t dwell on it. Instead, I focused on the upcoming lunch and the chance to spend some quality time with Annie, despite the complexities of our situation.
With a hint of impatience in my thoughts, “What’s keeping you?” I mind-linked Annie.
She replied promptly, “Just a second, I’ll join you.”
After what felt like an eternity of waiting, Annie finally made her way to me. Despite the complexities of our relationship, I couldn’t deny her beauty. She had a unique charm of her own, though incomparable to the undeniable beauty of Lyra.
Dolph purred at the mention of Lyra’s name. I hoped to receive some feedback soon regarding her whereabouts from the private investigator I hired.
I guided Annie to the waiting car, and we zoomed off to the restaurant. She was in high spirits, sharing interesting stories about the baby and her excitement was contagious. I was in awe of her energy and positivity.
As we drove, my thoughts drifted to Lyra and how she would look once her pregnancy started to show. The image of her radiant with the glow of motherhood occupied my mind.
“Are you with me at all?” Annie’s voice brought me back to the present moment.
“What?” I asked, refocusing on our conversation.
“I’d like you to come with me to my next appointment.”
I replied, trying to match her enthusiasm. “Um, that can be arranged.”
She exclaimed gratefully. “Thank you, thank you, Kessler.”
Before we knew it, we had arrived at the restaurant, ready to enjoy our lunch together.
As we entered the restaurant, my workers greeted me with bows of respect. I guided Annie to the VIP lounge, my hand placed gently on the small of her back. This establishment was just one of the many restaurants and hotels under my ownership.
We settled down, and the waiter approached to take our order. Annie opted for Grilled Salmon with Lemon Herb Butter, served with seasonal vegetables and roasted potatoes. Meanwhile, I chose Beef Tenderloin Steak accompanied by a rich red wine reduction sauce, mashed potatoes, and grilled asparagus.
In no time, we delved into our delicious meals, engaging in light conversation about the baby. I wanted to put Annie’s mind at ease, creating the illusion that we were on the same page, while internally, I sought to unravel the mysteries surrounding her pregnancy.
“I must say, I’ve enjoyed myself, you’re fun to be with, and I’m not ashamed to say that I’m looking forward to more promising lunches together with you, my Luna.” With that, I raised my red wine glass in a toast.
Annie replied warmly, placing her hand on her chest, expressing her delight. “Aww, Kessler, I can’t wait to have more time with you.”
I quipped and I smirked in response. “No problem,”
As we prepared to leave, Annie stood up in front of me, while I remained behind her. Suddenly, I noticed her stiffening and looking in a particular direction, as if she had seen a ghost.
Annie turned around abruptly, colliding with my chest as if seeking refuge, her face pressed against me. Concerned, I asked, “What is it, Annie?”
Before us stood a presence with a devious smirk, glancing between me and Annie before speaking, “Hello, Annie. Nice to meet you again.”
I sensed Annie’s body go rigid under my touch, and I wondered what could be causing her sudden change in demeanor.
Refusing to back down, I released my aura and demanded, “Who the fuck are you?”