Chapter 26: Hard-headed Girl...

~Cayden’s POV~

"I disown you!"

Hazel stood there, frozen for a moment. Her breathing was shaky, her eyes glistening with tears—but not from sorrow. No. Not anymore.

She smiled.

Soft at first. Then it bloomed, wider. Calmer. Almost serene. Like she’d finally realized something for the first time.

And then she spoke, voice steady, rising with each word.

"That would be the biggest favor you’ve ever done me," she said, almost like she was thanking him. "Because since when have I ever been considered your daughter? Since when have I ever been considered a Gilbert?"

She let the words breathe, stepping closer. Her voice sharpened, trembled at the edge but didn’t falter.

"So you disowning me... you think that’s something, right, Father?"

She laughed, the sound hollow, aching. "You don’t even deserve that title. You’ve done nothing but bring pain into my life. Nothing but pain!" she yelled, her voice cracking now. Years of agony poured out in that sentence.

Marcus’s face reddened, fists clenched at his sides.

"And what are you bringing to the High House now, huh?" he snapped back. "Shame."

He pointed a finger at her stomach like it was poison. "That bastard," Marcus said, gesturing toward me. "Would you allow your own wife—the one you just wedded—to be embarrassed publicly, carrying a child? A mistake in her womb? Is that what this has become?"

The words barely left his mouth when a voice cut across the room. It was low at first, but every syllable carried razor-edge command.

"Do you want me to repeat myself again, Marcus?"

The room shifted. Everyone turned.

Caspian.

He stood tall, voice calm but steel beneath it. His eyes burned like fire, not a trace of hesitation in his stance.

"Haven’t I told you not to speak ill of my wife like that again?"

The silence that followed wasn’t shocked—it was deadly.

Marcus flinched. That was all it took. He shut his mouth, jaw tightening, pride swallowed.

Then Caspian stepped forward—past me, past the crowd—and took Hazel gently by the hand. Without a word, he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her temple. Then her forehead. And finally, her lips.

He held her like she was the only thing that mattered. And then—he looked directly at Marcus, his voice cold and clear:

"She is carrying your grandson."

The entire hall gasped again, some wolves murmuring, others too stunned to move.

if you’re not accepting," Caspian continued facing me, "that’s fine. Nobody’s expecting you to

tightened his grip on Hazel’s hand. "You couldn’t even play

and his eyes flicked toward me. "I’ll be taking Hazel," he said, louder now. "And I’ll be leaving

The air grew still.

rawer.

you saying, Caspian?" my mother’s voice rang out from the upstairs balcony, trembling

ignored her.

not leaving anywhere with you, Caspian.

back to Hazel, locking eyes with her. "It’s true, isn’t it? She’s my wife, right? That’s what you said. Then she’s cheated on me.

like wildfire. "And thank the gods it got revealed today. On our wedding day. Perfect

flicker. But inside, I knew I was trying

punished," I snapped.

to me, squaring his shoulders

her

want

Caspian

in shock. And without needing to be told, we all turned toward the only person in

Aurora.

from the crowd with quiet confidence, already knowing what was

she said softly, her voice calm but commanding. "To see if Alpha Cayden

paused. "I need you both

could move, Hazel

Not hysterically. Not nervously.

laugh you let out when you’ve had enough. When the absurdity of it all

said, her voice cutting through the air. "No.

eyes steady and unwavering. "What’s there to prove? That some monster is the father of my

her head.

if you’re not coming, I am leaving.

what’s befallen me. I’ve

moved to walk away, but something

walking out, her disappearing. Some part of me not just my mind, but Ragnar—raged against the idea of never seeing

hand

leaving

leaving," she hissed, her voice low and

of everything between us—the betrayal, the pain,

exactly like that night. The night I admitted

the rage burning in her eyes

closer, letting the words

Her jaw clenched.

this time. But you didn’t. And now you think this is the perfect time to walk away?

enemies have started circling like vultures?

You will get the punishment that

father. Then maybe you’ll be allowed to walk

fully, her chin high, her eyes

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