Chapter Eleven: Deception in the Shadows
NICOLE
I shouldn’t have agreed.
Every fiber of my being screamed at me as I stepped into the sprawling hall of Nathan’s territory. Daniel’s small frame pressed tightly against mine as I prepared. to introduce him to his father for the first time. The weight of my decision crushed me, sharper than Nathan‘ s cutting words from just days ago.
Agree to my terms, or I’ll take him from
you.
Those words echoed in my mind like a haunting refrain. And the worst part? I knew Nathan had the power to make good on that threat. It was exactly why I’d kept Daniel a secret in the first place. But now, looking at it from another angle, his involvement could mean more than just
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Chapter Eleven: Deception in the Shadows.
keeping Daniel safe. His power could save my pack, which was hanging by a thread.
I sighed, holding him closer as we reached Nathan‘ s study. One of the guards stationed outside inclined his head slightly.
“He’s expecting you.”
!!
I swallowed the lump in my throat and squeezed Daniel a little tighter, not knowing if I was reassuring him or myself. I pushed the door open, bracing myself for what awaited us on the other side.
The moment I stepped in, Nadia rose from her seat with a sickly sweet smile plastered across her face. Before I could react, she was already moving toward us, scooping Daniel out of my arms with a falsely cheerful tone that grated on my
nerves.
“There he is! My little nephew,” she cooed, spinning Daniel around in her arms as if they’d known each other for years.
“I’ve been so excited to meet you.”
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Chapter Eleven: Deception in the Shadows
The audacity nearly made me laugh. Wasn’t this the same woman who had called me a manipulative liar just days ago?
I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to rip Daniel out of her arms, when my eyes landed on Nathan. He was seated behind his desk, his expression unreadable as he watched the scene unfold. But there was something in his eyes–a softness I’d
never seen before.
My chest tightened, guilt creeping in uninvited. I shoved it down as quickly as it
came.
He caused this, not me. Then accusing me of cheating which I never did.
Clearing my throat, I forced my voice to remain steady. “I’d like to keep this introduction brief. So if you’d hand my son back, I’ll introduce him to his
father.”
Nadia gave a fake laugh, handing Daniel over with exaggerated reluctance. “Of
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Chapter Eleven: Deception in the Shadows:
course, Nikki,” she said, her tone dripping with false innocence. “I’m just so thrilled to finally have a nephew. I’ll leave you three to it!” With an unnecessary bounce in her step, she left the room, practically humming as she went.
I ignored her entirely and then walked towards Nathan placing gently on
Nathan‘ s table, watching Nathan stare at him like he held the whole world in his little body. I whispered, “Alright, sweetheart. This is your fath-”
I hadn’t even finished speaking when Daniel wriggled free of my grip and
crawled across the desk toward Nathan. My breath caught as Nathan froze, his eyes. wide as Daniel reached for the chain around his neck and gave it a curious tug.
Nathan looked completely lost, his hands hovering awkwardly before finally settling on Daniel’s tiny frame. He lifted him onto his lap, his movements stiff and uncertain, as though he were afraid he might break
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him.
“Hi,” Nathan whispered, his voice. unsteady.
Something shifted in me at that moment, a strange, unfamiliar ache that I couldn’t quite place. I backed away, needing to put distance between myself and whatever emotions were clawing their way to the surface. “I’ll be right back,” I muttered, turning to leave. Nathan didn‘ t even
glance my way, his full attention fixed on Daniel.
For some reason, that brought a faint smile to my face.
As I walked down the familiar hallway, nostalgia washed over me like a wave, pulling memories I’d rather forget to the forefront of my mind. I was so lost in thought that I almost didn’t hear it- Nadia‘ s voice, sharp and low, coming from just around the corner.
“Increase the dose. It’s taking too
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Chapter Eleven: Deception in the Shadows
long,” she hissed.
I froze, my blood turning to ice.
A male voice responded, equally hushed.
“The healers said he won’t last a
month.”
Her reply was venomous. “A month is too long. I want him gone, and I want him gone now.”
My blood turned to ice as the meaning of her words hit me. The sound of footsteps. snapped me out of my thoughts. They were getting closer. I ducked into a nearby alcove, pressing myself against the cold wall as two questions thundered in my head:
Who was Nadia trying to kill?
And was I going to tell Nathan?
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