Alpha Theo's Unloved Luna - Chapter 37: Chapter 37

~ Gwen ~
Goosebumps prickled over Gwen's skin as she felt Theo's breath whispered against her ear.
However, it wasn't their proximity or the fact that he spoke right into her ear that left her frozen. It was the fact that Theo apologized!
'Sorry?' That was the last thing Gwen expected. 'Is this really Theo? Has the world gone mad?'
Gwen took a moment to let it sink. When she realized it was all real, she tried to shove Theo off her, but the man was strong and more prominent. She said, "Theo, get off me -"
"Just let me stay like this, Gwen, even for a moment," Theo said, his voice barely audible as he requested.
"It's already been a moment," Gwen faintly answered as she fisted her hands against his chest, trying to put more distance between them. "I have to go, Theo. I have to take Ian home -"
"I know that Ian is my son," Theo responded. Not only did I feel our bond, smell my blood flowing in his veins, but I had the hospital confirm it with a paternity test."
Theo's face brushed against her cheek, making Gwen's heart gallop. She turned to the other side, not wanting to have more of that mate bond to create sparks between them. She gulped and suggested, "The hospital was probably mistaken -"
Gwen's breath caught as Theo slammed one hand against the door, leaning back just enough to lock eyes with her. His gaze bore into her so intensely that it felt like he was trying to peer directly into her soul.
Theo revealed, "I had my men monitor the entire procedure. It couldn't be wrong. Moreover, my wolf can feel that Ian belongs to me. There is no doubting it now. Ian is mine, and you can't keep him from me."
"But weren't you infertile? Can't you see how this does not make sense at all?" Gwen pointed. "Ian is not your son -"
"Stop this already!" Theo growled. "I don't know how, but I have already proven it, and you can't deny it! Ian is not only my son but the alpha heir to Port Leon!"
Following Theo's suggestion, Gwen frowned. She thought about the pack members of Port Leon - how they hated her. With quivering lips, she said, "I will not have my son be an heir to a pack that detests me!"
"I'll make things right—" As Theo spoke, Gwen felt his hot breath fanning her face. Yet again, she recognized their connection, but she had to fight it. She couldn't—she wouldn't—give in to the bond, not after everything that had happened, not after the pain, the rejection, and the heartbreak.
"I will tell my pack how I discovered that Ian is my son," Theo explained. "And since he is my son, Gwen, he must stay here with me."
Gwen stilled after Theo's words. 'Leave Ian here? No way!'
Anger surged within Gwen, and she retorted, "Oh, so that's it. You plan to take your heir - take him away from me -"
"No," Theo cut her off. "I know that my son needs you too, so I am asking you to stay here with him."
She saw Theo's Adam's apple bob during his reply, and it was evident how he struggled to let out those words.
Gwen thought she heard him wrong, so she shook her head and clarified, "What?"
"I want you to stay," Theo said. "I have so many questions about what happened in the past. Apart from wanting Ian here, I want answers too."
Theo suggested, "You and Ian will stay in the packhouse while your other companions will stay in the nearby hotel."
"What?" Gwen thought. 'No, no. Think, Gwen! Think!'
"We can't stay here, Theo. Madison won't like this," Gwen implied. "Don't you see the potential problem here? Why don't I take my son home and not bother you and Madison -"
"Why would I care about what Madison thinks?" Theo asked as he finally gave Gwen some space. He crossed his arms against his chest, waiting for her reply.
"Because she is now your luna!" Gwen responded. "How would she feel about having your ex-wife stay in the same house? Does she even know about our visit?"
"Madison is not my luna, Gwen," Theo corrected firmly.
"What?" Gwen's brows met as she asked, "What do you mean she isn't your luna? Weren't you the one who said that you needed a stronger luna? And the pack wanted Madison as your luna?"
"Gwen, I -" Theo clearly hesitated. He looked away and said, "It's complicated."
"Technically." Theo disclosed, "You are still my luna."
Gwen was about to ask another question, but Theo suddenly stilled, his eyes distant. She then realized that he was mindlinking with someone.
"There is something I need to take care of," Theo said with a sigh of regret. "It's a bit urgent, but I'll ask the maids to help you settle down."
"But Theo, we need to return," Gwen pleaded. "Please let us leave."
"I'm sorry, Gwen, but you're not going anywhere, and that's my final word," Theo declared firmly. "The only way you're leaving this place is if the Moon Goddess herself descends and pleads with me. Until then, you are staying."
Ultimately, there was no choice but to follow the alpha's rules. It was either that or go against the best warriors in Northern Alfar.
While Gwen, Baron, and Jacob had secret abilities, the risk of exposing themselves was greater. As much as possible, they would only use their moonstone weapons in the face of danger.
Gwen clenched her jaws. She figured she would have to negotiate with Theo some other time. She repeatedly heaved but eventually answered, "Fine, but Baron and Jacob stays with us."
A growl left Theo's lips. He sucked in a deep breath and unwillingly replied, "Fine, but they will stay on the ground floor, next to the maid's room, and they will have to share a room."
Minutes later, Gwen and Ian were brought to their room. To her astonishment, it was the same space she once occupied as Theo's luna.
Theo had to leave for reasons she was unaware of, so a maid guided Gwen to the room. Gwen did not know the omega working for Theo. In fact, she was surprised not to see familiar faces within the packhouse.
"Please, rest well. I will call you when it is dinner time," the maid said with a smile.
"Thank you -" Gwen paused, realizing she did not know the maid's name.
"I am Krista, an Omega," the maid said.
"Thank you, Krista. My name is -" Gwen stilled. She mused, 'Was there still a point in using Weneth?'
"My name is Gweneth, or Gwen or Weneth," Gwen said. "It's all the same, really."
The maid chuckled and answered, "Miss Gwen. That's what I heard Alpha Theo call you."
After the maid departed, Gwen began to examine the room. She was amazed by how much had stayed the same. She couldn't help but explore the bathroom, peek into the closet, and admire the view from the window. She muttered, "I can't believe I'm back here."
Then, as she was staring out the window, she recalled what Theo said. 'Technically, you are still my luna.'
She knotted her brows and mumbled, "Why did he not remarry?"
Just as Gwen was thinking deeply, Ian called her attention. He said, "Look, Mommy, it's a picture of you and Daddy! Daddy gave that to me."
When Gwen received the picture, she stopped breathing for a second. She wondered, 'Why would Theo keep this photo?'
Before Gwen could delve into it, Ian embraced her. He said happily, "Mommy, Daddy isn't so bad. He is good to me. He was the one who saved me, and when I was in the hospital, he took care of me."
The pup looked up and stared into her eyes, saying, "I'm so happy, Mommy. I'm so happy Daddy found me. Now, I have both mommy and daddy!"
'Oh, no,' Gwen thought. Returning to Port Leon brought her so many bad memories of the past that she had forgotten her son's longing to have a father. 'What will I do now? How can I still deny Theo his chance to be a father?'