Chapter 34

[ 1,216 words ]

Samantha’s POV

“Mom, why do you smell like him?” I froze mid-step at Devon’s innocent question.

The twins stood in the doorway of the living room with their faces scrunched in confusion. Devon’s nose twitched as if he was still trying to figure out where the scent was coming from, and Diana was clutching her stuffed wolf tightly, her small brows furrowed.

The question struck me like lightning and my breath hitched as I stared at them, my heart hammering in my chest.

“What do you mean?” I asked carefully, even though I already knew the answer.

“That uncle from the hotel,” Devon said, his voice insistent. “The one who bought us food when we got lost.”

Dominic.

My stomach churned. How could they recognize his scent on me? I had showered twice since the confrontation at his mother’s house, scrubbing at my skin as if I could erase the memory of his touch. Yet, somehow, my children had picked up on something I could not hide. And time was indeed catching up. They were growing up so fast that I feared sooner or later, they might be able to recognize their own father already. And I was not yet prepared for that.

“That’s impossible,” I said, shaking my head, trying to sound dismissive. “You must be imagining things.”

“No, Mom!” Diana chimed in, her little voice was stubborn, seconding on her brother. “It’s him. I remember. It smells like him. Did you see him?”

My legs felt like they were going to give out. I forced myself to stay calm and crouched down so I was at their eye level. “Okay, slow down. Why do you think it’s him?”

Devon crossed his arms over his chest, his expression serious in a way that reminded me too much of Dominic. “Because we remember his smell. And you smell like him now. Did you meet with him?”

I blinked, trying to process their words, and avoided their question. They remembered his scent from the Summit? From the brief interaction they’d had with him? That should not have been possible. And yet, here they were, staring at me like I was hiding some big secret.

“Devon, Diana,” I called them gently, “you met a lot of people at the Summit. Maybe you’re just confused.”

Diana frowned. “We’re not confused, Mommy. It’s him. Why do you smell like him?”

How could I explain this without revealing everything? Without exposing truths I was not ready for them, or myself to face?

I stood up, brushing my hands on my pants as if the action could ground me. “Why don’t you two go play for a while?” I said and Devon’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not answering,” he replied, looking at me suspiciously.

The twins were beginning to ask questions, and soon, they might begin asking more about their father, I knew that when the time came, I might not be able to lie to them anymore. I just hope that when that time comes, they will understand why I hid the truth from them.

Before I could respond, Diana tugged on my sleeve, her voice softer now. “Is he… important that you met with him?”

Her innocent question sent a pang through me. I could not lie to them — not outright. But the truth was too dangerous, too complicated.

“Go play,” I repeated, more firmly this time. “We’ll talk later.”

They exchanged a look, clearly unsatisfied with my answer, but thankfully, they did not push further. As they padded off toward their room, I sank onto the couch with my head in my hands.

How had things spiraled out of control so quickly?

The memory of Dominic’s hand gripping my arm flashed in my mind, unbidden. The intensity in his eyes, and the raw emotion in his voice, had shaken something loose inside me. I had spent years building walls, convincing myself that I was over him, that I had moved on. But his presence was like a storm, tearing through every defense I had so carefully constructed.

And now, the twins had sensed it. They had felt the connection I was desperately trying to ignore.

So why couldn’t I shake this gnawing sense of uncertainty?

Later that evening, as the twins played quietly in their room I found myself standing in front of my bedroom mirror, staring at my reflection.

I thought back to the way Devon and Diana had described him after the Summit. How kind he had been, how he had bought them food and helped them return to Killian. I hadn’t thought much of it at the time, chalking it up to a rare moment of compassion from a stranger.

Yet why did my children remember his scent so vividly?

The sound of my phone buzzing on the nightstand snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts. I hesitated before picking it up, the screen flashing Alpha Lucas. Killian’s father rarely called me directly, and the timing immediately set me on edge.

“Alpha Lucas,” I greeted.

“Samantha,” his gruff voice replied. “I need a favor. Killian’s out of town, and something’s come up that requires immediate attention.”

I frowned in curiosity. “What is it?” I asked. As the right hand woman of Killian, I would have to stand on his behalf in some meetings where his Beta and his father could not be in.

“There’s a meeting tomorrow morning,” he said. “It’s related to the ongoing issues we’ve been managing with the Summit and the other packs. I was scheduled to attend in Killian’s absence, but I’ve been called to deal with an urgent matter elsewhere.”

My stomach tightened at the thought that suddenly occurred to me. If this was related to the events in the Summit, then Dominic would be there. As much as possible I would not want to see him again. “And you want me to go?”

“You’re his third in command and trusted to represent this pack when needed. The Alphas won’t wait, and your presence will signal our strength, even in Killian’s absence.”

I opened my mouth to protest, to tell him I was not prepared for this, but Lucas cut me off.

“Samantha,” he said firmly, “this is not a request. It’s a necessity. You’ve proven yourself capable of handling pressure before, and I trust you can handle this. Killian does too.”

“Yes, Alpha,” I said finally, forcing the words out.

“Good,” Lucas replied. “I’ll have the details sent to you tonight. This is also related to the rogue attack that happened to you two, so you have to be there.”

“Got it,” I replied and the call ended abruptly, leaving me staring at the phone in my hand as I sighed.

The thought of walking into that meeting, especially with Dominic likely in attendance was already creating a panic in my chest. Yet, there was no way out of it. Lucas was right, this was my responsibility now.

The next morning, as I prepared to leave for the meeting, Diana tugged at my sleeve.

“Mom,” she said. “If you see him again, can you ask him if he remembers us?”

I stared at her, my heart breaking a little at the hope in her eyes.

“I’ll see what I can do,” I replied, ruffling her hair.

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