One Night

10:53 Wed, Oct 9 BU

e

3

68%

+5

Chapter 220

Audrey

Edwin’s hand was warm in mine as he led me away from the crowd of graduates and toward a more secluded area. My heart was still racing from the excitement of the ceremony, my diploma clutched in my other hand.

I still couldn’t believe that it was over. My time at Grayspring… This was the end. But also a beginning.

“Are you ready for your surprise?” Edwin asked, pulling me out of my reverie. I nodded, and his gray eyes tw**ed with something I couldn’t quite read as he tugged me over to one of the many little gardens that Grayspring boasted.

As he led me toward the vibrant roses and hydrangeas, I couldn’t help but wonder what exactly this ‘surprise’ was that he had planned. Was this the moment? Was he going to propose? It felt unlikely, but exciting to think about nonetheless.

But before we could get far, a voice called out and stopped us in the middle of the pebbled pathway. The sound was like nails on a chalkboard to my ears, and I instantly felt my blood run cold.

“Audrey!”

I stiffened, recognizing that voice all too well. Beside me, I felt Edwin tense as well, his hand tightening around mine. Slowly, I turned to see my adoptive parents approaching, their faces plastered with fake smiles that didn’t even come close to reaching their cold, calculating eyes.

They wanted something. I could sense it already.

“What do you want?” I bit out before I could think better of it.

“Want?” My adoptive mother chuckled and shook her head. “We don’t want anything, dear.”

“Aren’t we allowed to attend our little girl’s graduation?” my adoptive father said as he reached out-as if to hug me. I think that was more words than I had ever heard the b**d speak in one go.

Edwin moved to put himself between us, but I was already taking a step back, my voice cold as I responded, “I’m not your little girl. I never have been.”

My adoptive parents’ smiles faltered for a moment before they quickly reassembled their masks of so-called ‘parental affection. My adoptive father cleared his throat, his voice gruff and insincere despite the words he was spewing out. “Now, Audrey, don’t be like that. We are so proud of you-”

“Save it,” I cut him off, the words sharp on my tongue. “I know exactly what you’re doing. You heard I shifted, didn’t you? Thought you could get something out of me?”

My adoptive mother’s eyes narrowed slightly, a predatory gleam flickering in their depths before she turned to Edwin. Her voice was sickeningly sweet, dripping with false kindness as she wrung her hands together. “Well, we could use some money

Edwin stiffened. “That’s not happening.”

“Then perhaps you could convince your mate to lift the ban on us adopting more kids,” my mother said with another one of those chuckles, as if this was all just fun and games for her.

“Also not happening.”

My mother’s smile quickly slipped away, replaced by a frown. “Why not? We’re good parents; after all, look how wonderfully Audrey turned out. We could help so many more children.”

I couldn’t help it. I laughed right in their faces, the sound harsh and humorless. “You’re joking, right? I’m glad Edwin banned

1/31

168%

10.5.

Wed, Oct 9

Chapter 220.

you from adopting more children. I hope you never get the chance to hurt another kid again.”

+5

My adoptive father’s face reddened with anger, his facade crumbling like a sandcastle in the tide. He took a step toward me, his fists clenching at his sides, but Edwin was quicker. My mate moved to fully shield me from him, his broad shoulders tensing.

A low growl rumbled in his chest, a clear warning. “Back off.”

“Oh, do you want to fight, big man?” my adoptive father sneered, jabbing a finger at Edwin’s chest. “You know, I did some research… Last I heard, you shattered some poor kid’s eye socket in the ring and never fought again. I wonder if you’ll hurt an old man for trying to reunite with his daughter.”

I stiffened, reaching out to take my mate’s arm.

“Don’t listen to-“I began down the bond, but Edwin didn’t hear me.

“She’s not your daughter,” Edwin replied quickly, his voice deceivingly calm. “And I’ll gladly hurt you if you lay a finger on her. So go ahead.” He stretched his arms out, nearly blocking my view of my adoptive parents. I could see the muscles ticking beneath his white shirt, his wolf itching to fight. “If you want to fight, you can make the first punch.”

The tension in the air was like c****g electricity as my adoptive father eyed Edwin up and down, clearly weighing the risks. I found myself holding my breath, waiting for the inevitable explosion.

But then, another voice cut through the chaos.

“That won’t be necessary.”

I whirled around, shocked, to see Claudia-my real mother-hobbling toward us, leaning heavily on a cane. Her face was pale and she looked thin, but her eyes were brighter than ever.

“Mom?” I gasped, unable to believe what I was seeing. “I thought you were still in the hospital!”

“I am.” She smiled warmly at me, the expression lighting up her tired face, before turning a steely gaze on my adoptive parents. “Hello. I’m Claudia.”

“This is the b***h who stole our daughter?” My adoptive mother threw her head back and laughed abrasively. “She looks like a mild breeze might blow her away!”

My eyes widened. Edwin growled again. But my mother didn’t flinch. “I know how you treated my daughter. You should be ashamed of yourselves.”

“You’re the one who gave her up!”

“She was stolen from me at birth.” Claudia took a hobbling step forward on her cane, her thin hand shaking with rage. Edwin reached out to steady her, but she waved him off. “I, too, am glad that Alpha Edwin barred you from adopting in Crescent territory,” she said, her eyes darkening with each word. “And you are barred from adopting in Silverbite, as well.”

My adoptive mother sputtered, her carefully constructed mask slipping. “You… you can’t-”

“I can,” Claudia cut her off, her voice sharp as a blade. “I am the Luna of Silverbite, and you abused my heir for years. Perhaps you should leave now before I decide to have you arrested for treason.”

The color drained from my adoptive parents’ faces, leaving them looking even more pale and sickly than Claudia under the bright sun. They didn’t need much convincing; without another word, they turned and quickly disappeared into the crowd, the sea of people swallowing them up.

As soon as they were gone, Claudia’s strength seemed to leave her. She swayed on her feet, and I rushed to her side, my arm wrapping around her waist to support her while Edwin rushed to her other arm.

2/3

0.54 wea, Oct y

Chapter 220

U ╚ ས ཟླ 68%

+5

could feel how frail she had become, how much weight she had lost during her time in the hospital. We made our way to a earby bench, where Edwin and I helped her sit.

Mom,” I said, tears pricking at the backs of my eyes as I took in her condition. “I can’t believe you’re here. How…?”

Claudia smiled tiredly and looked up at Edwin. “Thanks to a particular Alpha’s orders, the doctor let me leave the hospital For the day. I couldn’t miss my little girl’s graduation, you know?

turned to Edwin, the realization dawning on me. “This was your surprise?”

He nodded, a soft smile on his face. “I knew how much it would mean to you to have her here. It took some convincing, but he doctors agreed she was stable enough for a short trip.”

Overwhelmed with emotion, I pulled them both close. Edwin’s solid warmth on one side, my mother’s fragile frame on the other.

I held onto the two people who meant the most to me in the world, my heart full to bursting.

“I love you guys…

“We love you, too, Audrey,” my mother murmured into my hair. “Always.”