Chapter 10
“Yes. That one.” Carrie pointed arrogantly toward the silver gown clutched in Chloe’s small hands.
“I want that dress. Get it for me immediately p>
The saleswoman straightened instantly at the command, recognizing the famous supermodel at once.
“Of course, Miss Channing,” she said eagerly before hurrying toward Chloe.
Chloe instinctively tightened her grip on the shimmering gown, her bright blue eyes narrowing suspiciously. Even at five years old, the little she-wolf possessed the fierce protectiveness of an Alpha-born pup.
“No,” she said firmly.
The saleswoman forced a tight smile.
“Sweetheart, Miss Channing wants this gown p>
“I picked it first,” Chloe argued, hugging the dress against her chest protectively. “It’s for my mommy p>
Carrie let out a soft mocking laugh as she inspected her manicured nails.
“How adorable p>
The saleswoman suddenly yanked at the gown harder.
“You can find something cheaper for your mother,” she snapped impatiently. “This dress is handmade couture. It belongs on a woman like Miss Channing p>
Raphael’s gray eyes darkened instantly behind his mask.
“Give the dress back to the child,” he warned coldly. “Or I’ll personally call your manager p>
The saleswoman visibly faltered but quickly recovered.
“I’m sorry, sir,” she lied smoothly. “Miss Channing already purchased this gown p>
“No, she didn’t,” Chloe protested immediately. “I took it from the rack first p>
Carrie’s expression twisted with irritation. She marched toward Chloe in her towering heels, fury radiating from her designer-clad figure.
“You little brat,” she hissed, snatching the gown from the saleswoman herself. “Your mother could never afford something like this p>
Her gaze swept dismissively over the twins.
“This dress deserves to be worn by someone elegant and beautiful p>
Raphael nearly laughed at the irony. If Fleur wanted this entire boutique, he would buy it for her without hesitation.
But before Carrie could walk away, Chloe grabbed the gown again stubbornly.
“My mommy is prettier than you,” she declared boldly. “So she deserves it more p>
The entire store went silent. Carrie’s face darkened with rage.
Without warning, she shoved Chloe hard.
Everything happened too quickly. Chloe stumbled backward toward the massive decorative mirror behind her.
“Chloe!” Gabriel lunged forward in panic.
But someone moved faster.
A powerful figure appeared out of nowhere, catching Chloe effortlessly before she could crash into the glass.
Strong arms wrapped securely around her tiny body. The scent of cedarwood, winter air, and powerful Alpha pheromones surrounded her instantly.
“Are you alright, little princess?” The deep masculine voice was unexpectedly gentle.
Chloe blinked up in surprise.
Bright blue eyes stared back at her.
Eyes identical to hers.
Christian Wayne held the little girl protectively against his chest, his entire body rigid with lingering fear.
For one horrifying second, when he saw her falling, something primal inside him had nearly snapped.
His wolf had reacted instinctively: Protect her.
The command had thundered through his blood with terrifying force.
Even now, holding her in his arms brought an unfamiliar calm spreading through his chest—a peace he hadn’t felt in six long years.
Carrie immediately hurried toward him dramatically.
“Christian!” she exclaimed. “Thank Goddes you came. These children have been bullying me p>
Gabriel’s face darkened instantly.
“You’re with the mean witch?” he snapped furiously before kicking Christian hard in the shin.
Christian hissed under his breath in shock.
The entire store froze. No one dared touch the Alpha King of the Wayne family.
Ever.
But Gabriel stood there glaring fiercely, completely unafraid.
Christian slowly lowered his gaze toward the little boy… And the world seemed to stop.
The child staring back at him looked eerily familiar.
The sharp little jaw. The dark brows. Even the fierce expression mirrored Christian’s own childhood photographs perfectly.
His wolf went completely still. Something ancient and instinctive stirred deep inside him.
Bloodline.
The word echoed through his mind so suddenly that Christian almost staggered.
“Put my sister down, bad guy!” Gabriel shouted again, preparing to attack him a second time.
Raphael quickly caught the boy before he could launch himself at the Alpha.
Christian stared at Gabriel in stunned silence.
The resemblance was impossible to ignore. Even the child’s scent carried traces of something achingly familiar beneath the sweetness of young wolf pheromones.
But before his thoughts could settle, Chloe wriggled in his arms impatiently.
Christian blinked and gently placed her back on the floor.
Then his gaze shifted toward Carrie.
Cold irritation hardened his expression immediately. He was exhausted by her tantrums.
If not for pressure from Sylvia and the Pack Council insisting the Alpha King needed a Luna again, he would never have agreed to entertain Carrie’s endless attempts at courtship.
After losing Odette, the very idea of loving another woman felt impossible.
Carrie opened her mouth to speak, but Christian cut her off with a single icy glance.
He took the gown from her hands without ceremony before walking toward the register. Then, without hesitation, he handed both the gown and his black card to the stunned saleswoman.
“Package it,” he ordered calmly. “It belongs to the little girl p>
Chloe’s eyes widened in surprise.
Raphael stepped forward immediately.
“That’s not necessary,” he said firmly. “I’ll pay for it p>
Christian finally looked at him directly. Recognition flickered in his blue eyes.
Raphael Dumas. A movie star. A wealthy… human. And somehow very close to the twins.
A strange irritation curled inside Christian’s chest at the sight of the children standing so comfortably beside another man.
His wolf disliked it instantly.
“I insist,” Christian said coolly. The Alpha command in his voice left no room for argument.
Then, without waiting for thanks, he turned and walked away.
Carrie hurried after him, struggling to keep pace with his long strides.
“Christian, wait p>
She looked utterly stunned. A fifty-thousand-dollar gown gifted away without a second thought… To strangers.
The man beside her had become increasingly impossible to understand over the years.
After Odette’s supposed death, Christian Wayne had changed completely. He was now even more detached from the world. Yet he had eventually agreed to remarry under pressure from the Pack Council and Sylvia, who insisted the Alpha King needed a Luna to secure the Wayne bloodline.
Carrie fully intended to become that Luna. She believed that once they married, Christian would eventually forget the dead mate he still mourned in silence. After all, she was beautiful, desired, and powerful.
Surely no man could resist her forever.
What Carrie didn’t understand was that Christian Wayne had already loved once.
And wolves blessed with a true mate never truly loved again.