Alpha Theo's Unloved Luna - Chapter 41: Chapter 41

~ Gwen ~
Gwen found herself lost in Theo's gaze, unable to ignore the change she saw in him. The man before her was different from the one she had once called her husband. As she felt his heartbeat, she could sense the sincerity in his words—a connection only fated mates could truly understand, just like the bond she shared with Ian.
Theo's apology was heartfelt, but could she just let go of all the pain? No, it was not that simple. The wounds of the past had fortified walls around her heart, and Gwen had vowed not to let forgiveness come easily.
"I don't care what is your reason for spending time with Madison," Gwen finally said. "Mates? We both know it will never work -"
"Why not?" Theo asked. "I am ready and willing to take my responsibility as your mate and Ian's father."
Gwen frowned and said, "But your mother, your pack members -"
"I will tell them everything." Theo finally put a distance between them and said, "I'm their alpha. They will believe me."
Gwen thought about it and answered, "I still don't think it's possible, Theo. What you are asking for is difficult for me to give. All I can offer is your chance to be Ian's father, but to be your mate? I'm sorry; I won't give away my heart just like that. I'd rather marry another man -"
Because of what she said, Theo growled. He rested his hands against the door, trapping Gwen between his muscular arms. Theo's eyes glowed as he claimed, "But you are mine!"
"I'm not yours!" Gwen snapped. "You lost that chance when you decided not to accept our fates."
Theo shut his eyes, seething from her response. His jaws clenched, and he, yet again, closed the gap between them.
Gwen's breathing hitched as Theo leaned in, his forehead resting lightly against hers. His sun-bleached driftwood scent enveloped her, causing her inner wolf to stir wildly. The mate bond was undeniable, emotions swirling inside her like a storm. She could sense Theo was fighting against the same powerful attraction that pulled them together.
"Give me at least three months," Theo asked.
"What?" Gwen was earlier distracted by their mate bond, and she failed to grasp what Theo meant.
"Let me show you that we can make this work," Theo pleaded. "I'm asking for just three months. Not only for Ian's sake but also for the bond the Moon Goddess has blessed us with. Please, give me a second chance to prove myself."
Gwen's eyes rounded. She said, "What? No -"
"You don't have to agree to spend time with me, Gwen," Theo suggested. "Just stay, stay here for three months and let me do all the work. You can simply watch, but if you want to, you can go out with me -"
"Theo, Ian is going to miss school," Gwen reasoned. "He had already missed -"
"He can transfer to the school here in Port Leon," Theo suggested.
"If I say no, would you let us go?" Gwen asked.
Silence fell upon them. It took two seconds for Theo to answer, "No. I'm not letting you leave until you let me try."
'Great,' Gwen thought. She did not actually have a choice.
"So, it's final then," Theo said while peeling off her.
Final? When did she agree? Again, she had no choice.
After Theo decided for both of them, they returned to their chairs. The probing continued, but Gwen refused to provide details.
Theo: "Why are you wearing contact lenses?"
Gwen: "Because my eyes are different, and different sparks curiosity and undesirable attention. I did not want it."
Theo: "Are you going to keep the contact lenses on?"
Gwen: "Yes."
Theo: "I prefer your purple eyes."
Gwen: "Then, I'd rather wear contact lenses."
Shaking his head, Theo sighed. He asked, "How did you survive the fall from the ship? I saw you were stabbed with a blade, and it looked fatal?"
Gwen: "I was saved."
Theo: "That's it? You are not telling more than that?"
Gwen: "That's it."
Theo: "How did you know you were not Lucius daughter?"
Gwen: "My brother found me. He told me."
"And you believed him just like that?" Theo asked.
Gwen rolled her eyes at his probing. She responded, "I don't have to explain that to you."
Theo let out a frustrated growl. He gulped and ran his fingers through his brown hair. He looked sideways and belatedly said, "Fine. I'll take whatever you can give...for now. Ian talks about his grandparents. They are your real parents?"
"Yes," Gwen quickly answered.
"So, if you are not Gweneth Darwin, what is your real name?" Theo asked.
"Gweneth Allard," she admitted. "My name had been Gweneth all along before Lucius got a hold of me."
Gwen was not reluctant to give her last name because, in Southern Alfar, at least three werewolf lineages had the same last name. Theo could visit all the Allards in the south, but he would never find her family or the Purple-Eye pack.
"Allard." Clearing his throat, Theo asked, "When can I meet your parents?"
"Never," Gwen replied, and she caught how Theo frowned at her response.
Theo: "I take it you won't tell me where you live either."
Gwen: "If you let us go, I promise you can visit Ian in Cada City, Southern Alfar."
Theo: "Cada, that's where you live."
Gwen just stared at him.
Theo: "Are you working? What do you do?"
Gwen: "Healthcare."
Theo smiled. He looked down before suggesting, "I should have known. You have always been good at that. Are you a doctor now?"
Gwen: "Yes, a normal doctor."
Theo: "That's great. I'm happy for you. Which hospital in Cada are you working for?"
Again, Gwen chose not to answer, so he said, "Fine. What about you? Aren't you going to ask me anything?"
Gwen: "No."
Theo: "You are not curious at all?"
Of course she was, but she wasn't going to admit it.
Theo sucked in a deep breath when she did not answer. He hissed and inquired, "Okay. How was it like raising Ian alone?"
The question surprised Gwen. After thinking about it, she answered, "I had help. It wasn't easy, but I had enough support."
"I am grateful for that, and when you get the chance, please let your parents know how thankful I am for helping to raise Ian into such a wonderful pup," Theo said with a faint smile. "He's not just healthy and smart; he also has a balanced temperament, showing both affection and respect toward others. I just—"
His expression suddenly grew sorrowful. "I just wish I could have had a part in shaping who he is. It must have been wonderful to teach him how to walk and talk."
Gwen could sense his sincere regret over missing Ian's early years, so she said, "He's got your strength."
"What do you mean?" Theo asked.
"Ian's a strong pup. I think he gets that from you. I give you credit for those strong genes," Gwen replied, and Theo's expression softened.
"Thank you, Gwen," Theo said, and a smile quickly became painted on his face.
Theo took another pause from his questions. After some time, he said, "I get it. You don't want to let me in, but Gwen, being Ian's father, I deserve a clear answer to my next question."
Theo's expression became serious. He asked, "How was Ian taken? Why do you think rogues kidnapped him and took him all the way to Northern Alfar?"
"I -" Gwen paused and responded, "I don't know why they took him here, but he was taken from school."
"So, just like that? Was it a random kidnapping?" Theo raised with his brows, meeting.
Gwen considered for a second before giving part of the truth. She said, "I was treating a patient and received a threat. Whoever was the patient's enemy did not want me to treat him. My family and I did not ignore the warning. Jacob was with me all the time. Baron was with Ian when it happened. However, the kidnappers still managed to take Ian."
"I requested help from the authorities, and that was how we had warriors from Cada City accompany us," she explained further.
After hearing her response, Theo's jaws tightened. Gwen saw how his hands balled into fists. He said, "All the more reason why you should stay here in my territory. At least, here, I can protect you and Ian both. Tell me more about this patient."
Gwen's mouth fell open. She was about to object, but a knock on the door interrupted their exchange.
"Mommy?" Ian called. "Are we going to take our pictures now?"