The woman's expression twisted in rage. Her golden-brown hair fell over her shoulders as she stormed forward, fists balled ready to give Valessia the beating of her life.
"How dare you, lowly being, talk back to me!"
Mrs. Wilson, predicting the explosion, immediately stepped in. She positioned herself between them, arms outstretched.
"Please, calm down, Madam," she said firmly, not flinching even when the woman tried to push past her. "The children are watching and Ms. Evric is pregnant. If anything happens to the pup here, the school will be held responsible, and we cannot afford that."
Valessia blinked in disbelief. So that's what Mrs. Wilson cared about. Not Seraphine's bruises. Not justice. Just the school's reputation.
"You should be grateful your daughter even gets to breathe the same air as ours" the woman sneered, jabbing a finger at Valessia.
Her voice dropped to a dangerous tone. "Tomorrow, I'm submitting a petition. Along with the other mothers. We'll make sure your daughter is thrown out of this school."
With that, she turned on her heel and stomped away.
Valessia's hands curled into fists. She stepped beside Seraphine, shielding her daughter with her presence.
"I want the kids responsible for beating my daughter up severely punished," she said, her voice steady but burning with suppressed rage. She stared into Mrs. Wilson's eyes, waiting to hear her judgement.
But Mrs. Wilson exhaled, her expression tight. "You know that's not possible," she said quietly.
"Your reputation is already... difficult. If you provoke the parents and the kids, Seraphine will suffer even more. What happened today might be just the beginning."
She gestured faintly toward the swollen bruises on Seraphine's face.
"If I didn't know better, I'd almost believe you cared about me and my daughter's well-being. But we both know that isn't true," Valessia said, her hands gripping the handles of Seraphine's wheelchair.
Her voice was steady, but her eyes blazed as she faced Mrs. Wilson.
"You and the school are being blatantly unfair to us. You treat us like we're beneath you because we're not nobles. You won't challenge those prideful wolves because it's not in your best interest, is it?" she growled, nodding toward the other mothers still gathering their children under the soft afternoon sun. Their polished appearances and airy chatter contrasted sharply with Valessia's simmering fury.
"Ms. Valessia~"
"I've understood your message perfectly," Valessia cut in coldly. She looked away from the woman'sface. "There's no need to say another word, Mrs. Wilson."
Her tone dropped to a chilling whisper. "Pray that neither you nor your loved ones never have to experience this kind of injustice. If that day ever comes, you'll look back on today and regret every word you said."
With that, she wheeled Seraphine away without a backward glance.
….
Inside the car, Valessia kept her hands tight on the steering wheel, her thoughts spiraling. Seraphine sat quietly in the passenger seat, her little body trembling now and then from the bruises hidden beneath her delicate clothes.
Valessia nearly jumped when she felt a tiny hand rest gently on her thigh. She quickly averted her attention to the girl by her side.
"Just hold on a little longer, sweet girl. We're almost at the hospital," she said, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes. Her voice cracked, but she dared not touch her daughter's injured hands, afraid she might worsen the pain.
All she had ever wanted was to protect her two children. The last thing she wanted was to see them go through the painful childhood she experienced. The memory of being abandoned was the greatest scar any child could ever carry, that was why she fought so hard to ensure she wasn't taken away.
But right now things seem not to be going the way she wanted…
"Mama... is it true that new daddy hates us? That he doesn't want us anymore?" Seraphine asked softly, her voice fragile and innocent.
The question hit like a blow to the gut. Valessia slammed on the brakes without realizing it. The car jerked to a halt, the engine humming in the silence that followed.
She turned slowly, eyes filled with disbelief. "Who told you that, Sera?"
"Evelyn said so," Seraphine replied, her chestnut eyes wide and solemn. "She said he's going to throw us out of the pack," She fiddled with the tips of her hair, her head hung low.
Valessia clenched her jaw, rage flaring behind her careful facade. Her grip on the steering wheel tightened.
"Was she also the one who did this to you?" she asked, pointing to the swollen cheeks and bruised knuckles.
Seraphine nodded. "Yes. And the others."
Valessia's grip on the steering wheel tightened until her knuckles turned white.
'Isn't it enough that their parents are already trying to crush me? Must they drag my daughter into this too?' she thought, her heart aching.
She exhaled slowly and turned to her daughter again.
"Of course what Evelyn said isn't true," Valessia said, spreading her arms wide. "Your new daddy loves you so much… this much," she demonstrated.
Leaning closer, her tone shifted to something more playful and mysterious.
"I'm not really supposed to tell you this... but I'll make an exception just so you know how much he adores you," she whispered, eyes twinkling through her pain. "He's gotten you a huge surprise for your birthday. But when you see him... you can't let him know you already found out, okay?"
"Really?" Seraphine's eyes sparkled at the mention of a gift. She raised her head and stared into Valessia's eyes.
"Mmhmm," Valessia nodded with a soft chuckle. That sweet smile on her daughter's face was all she needed right now.
'I'll have to get her something special and pretend it's from Lucien,' she thought, gently stroking Seraphine's silky brown hair.
"But you must keep it a secret. Just between us girls, alright?"
Seraphine nodded excitedly. Valessia smiled, started the engine, and continued their journey, her heart heavy but steady.
…
Three Days Later...
Preparations for Arlena's welcome-back feast were already in full swing at Rhode Axen's mansion, just ten minutes from the packhouse where Alpha Lucien lived.
To show her sincerity, Athenya had gone as far as offering her precious garden as the venue for the intimate but extravagant gathering.
From the tiniest spoon to the exquisite dishes, aged wine, and curated music, everything had been selected with precision. Athenya oversaw every detail, determined that not a single mistake would mar the occasion.
"Arlena will be here any moment. I want food and drinks served flawlessly," Athenya instructed sharply before retreating back inside to manage the remaining preparations.
…
Outside the Watcher Apartment, where Valessia lived, Zara froze in surprise as she spotted Valessia stepping out, dressed to perfection.
For a moment, she simply stared.
Even with her baby bump, Valessia looked breathtakingly beautiful. Her slightly wavy black hair was styled elegantly, framing a face sculpted with delicate care. Her off-shoulder peach dress complimented her glowing skin, and even the simple flats she wore didn't dim her radiance.
"Let me help you with that," Zara said, snapping out of her daze and rushing to assist with Seraphine, who looked just like a tiny princess in her sky-blue gown.
"Where are we headed, Ms. Valessia?" Zara asked politely, casting a quick glance at the stunning woman beside her.
She'd been around Valessia long enough to know her moods, but something felt different tonight. It wasn't just the makeup or the dress. It was the light in her eyes… the quiet joy behind her smile. It was rare. Almost unfamiliar.
"I was invited to a small party. I won't stay long, so I'll need you to watch over Sera in the car when we get there…" Valessia's voice trailed off as her gaze drifted to the little girl in the wheelchair.