Chapter 196
It’s stunning.
In each space, staff members greet us. They seem to recognize me, but none of them comment on the situation. “Everyone is so friendly,” I note as a housekeeper curtsies slightly before continuing with her work.
“They’ve been waiting to meet you for twenty–six years,” Caleb says. “When the news broke that Selina wasn’t actually a Willford by blood, and that our real sister was still out there somewhere… Well, many of them have served our family for generations. They feel this almost as deeply as I do.” He glances at me. “And you don’t need to worry; their discretion is unerring.”
I bite my lip. “And your–our–parents?”
“Out of the country at the moment,” Caleb says. “It’s their thirtieth anniversary. They’ll be back next week.” He pauses, studying my face. “They’re eager to meet you.”
I nod, not sure how to feel about meeting the parents who never knew I was switched at birth. Do they blame themselves? Do they wonder how they didn’t notice?
Do I look more like my mother or my father?
Do they even exist or am I going to be murdered by a lunatic tonight?
We continue the tour upstairs, where Caleb shows me the bedroom that would have been mine–a spacious suite
with its own sitting area, bathroom, and walk–in closet. It’s currently decorated as a guest room.
“We can redecorate it any way you like,” Caleb says. “This should be your space, however you want it.”
“I’m not moving in,” I remind him gently.
“No, of course not,” he says quickly. “But you should have a place here, regardless. Somewhere that’s yours when you visit.”
When we return downstairs, dinner is being laid out in a dining room that could comfortably seat twenty. It feels ridiculous, just the two of us at this massive table, but I don’t comment.
As we eat–some kind of exquisite fish with a butter sauce that probably costs more than my weekly grocery budget–Caleb finally brings up the question that’s been hanging between us.
“Have you ever felt your wolf?” he asks, setting down his fork. “Even once?”
I shake my head. “Never. I always believed I was human. Even the doctors didn’t notice anything unusual.” I pause, taking a sip of my very expensive wine. “I never even had an inkling that I might not be human until recently. Although, according to the orphanage director, I got along better than expected with the werewolf kids when I was little.”
Caleb nods thoughtfully. “Your wolf must have gone dormant very early. Perhaps whoever switched you and Selina did something to suppress it. Either way, I’m going to contact some specialists. There might be a way to help your wolf emerge.”
I stare at my plate, not sure what to say. The thought of having a wolf inside of me, a separate consciousness sharing my body, is terrifying. But it’s also thrilling in a strange way. It would make me truly Arthur’s equal–a werewolf mate for a werewolf Alpha.
Will it intensify our bond, I wonder? The idea sends a rush of excitement through me. I wish I could tell him, but I guess it’ll have to wait.
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+25 BONUS
Chapter 196
“Iris,” Caleb says, “I want to help you adjust to all this. Not just the werewolf part, but everything that comes with being a Willford. The social expectations, the etiquette, the politics.”
I bite my lip. “I haven’t exactly been making a great impression, have I?”
“You’ve been thrown into the deep end without much preparation,” Caleb says kindly. “But I can teach you. I grew up in this world–I know all the unwritten rules, all the social codes and expectations. Let me take you under my wing.”
The offer is tempting.
“You won’t have to worry about making a fool of yourself in public anymore,” Caleb adds, as if reading my thoughts. “I can teach you everything you need to know to navigate Ordan high society. To be the Luna they’ll respect.”
My pride bristles at the implication that I need fixing, but my practical side knows he’s right. If I want things to work with Arthur, then I need to adapt to this world. Right now, I feel like I should take all the guidance I can get.
“Alright,” I say with a nod. “I accept your offer. Teach me what I need to know.”
Caleb’s face brightens. “Excellent. We’ll start right away. In fact, I’ll come over first thing tomorrow morning for your first lesson.”
Chapter 197
Chapter 197
