CHAPTER 27%
“You won’t get away with this,“I hissed at Lucas.
He leaned in close. I already have.”
Just as the officers began to drag me away in handcuffs, the main doors crashed open with a bang. Everyone in the hall froze and turned
Dominic stood at the entrance, his eyes glowing silver with rage.
Take your hands off my mate night now he growled, his voice echoing through the silent hall
The officers hesitated, looking between me and the imposing figure of the Alpha King
“Sic we have orders to-
“I don’t care what orders you have,” Dominic cut him off. “Release her immediately or I will consider this an act of war against the Blackwood territory”
Lucas stepped forward. “Dominic, I know you’ve been deceived. This woman is an imposter=”
“Shut up!” Dominic snarled, advancing into the room. “You dare come into my territory and spread lies?”
The crowd parted as my grandparents entered behind him with royal guards. Gasps filled the hall as people recognized them.
“Thomas and Eleanor Bennett someone whispered. They’re alive!”
My grandmother rushed to me as the officers reluctantly removed my handcuffs. She embraced me tightly
“Are you okay, my dear?” she asked, examining my face
I nodded, tears of relief streaming down my cheeks. “What happened to you? Where were you?“%
My grandfather’s face darkened. “We wem ambushed and drugged on our way here.”
Dominic stepped up to the podium, his authority silencing the murmurs in the hall
United
“For those who still doubt, let me make this perfectly clear. This woman is Evelyn Bennett, the rightful heir of Blackthorn.” Hep directly at Lucas and Clara. “These two orchestrated a plan to kidnap her grandparents and falsely accuse her of identity theft”
Lucas shook his head frantically, “That’s not true! I had nothing to do with any kidnapping, I only received information that-“1
“That what?” Dominic interrupted. “That Evelyn wasn’t the heir? That her grandparents had disappeared? Interesting how you knew details that weren’t public knowledge.”
My grandfather stepped forward, his voice strong despite his ordeal. “Tam Thomas Bennett, former Alpha of Blackthom. And I can verify that Evelyn Bennett is indeed my granddaughter and the rightful heir to the Blackthom legacy”
The crowd murmured in shock
Clara stepped forward. “He’s lying! They must be impostors too!”
Dominic laughed coldly. Is that the best you can do, Clara? Or should I mention how my security team found you visiting Marcus at an abandoned cabin where the Bennetts were being held?
The color drained from Clara’s face.
“Marcus?” Lucas turned to her, confusion and anger mixing in his expression. “You told me you were at the hospital. You said you had no idea where the Bennetts were.)
“I–I can explain, Clara stammered })
Dominic pulled out his phone and pressed play on a video. Marcus’s voice filled the hall; “Clara orchestrated the whole thing. She paid me to kidnap the Bennetts and keep them hidden until after the ceremony. Lucas had no knowledge of it
Lucas stared at Clara in disbelief. “You did this behind my back?
Clara’s eyes darted around the room. “I did it for us! For our future!“}
“By kidnapping innocent people?” Lucas shouted. “By making me look like a criminal?
“You ARE a criminal, Dominic said coldly, holding up another folder. “Financial fraud, embezzlement, and now conspiracy to kidnap. You’re finished, Lucas.”
Clara suddenly laughed. “You think you’ve won? You think your perfect little revenge is complete?” She turned to me, her eyes wild. “Tell them about the baby. Evelyn. Tell them whose child you’re really carrying!”
The room fell silent. All eyes turned to me.
I felt Dominic’s hand slip into mine. “Go ahead,” he whispered. “No more secrets.“1
I took a deep breath. “Yes, I am pregnant.” I looked directly at Lucas. “And yes, the child is yours–conceived before I rejected our
bond.”
Lucas’s jaw dropped, his eyes widening in shock.
“But,” I continued, “this child will never know you as their father. You lost that right when you chose to treat me like nothing.”
Clara’s face was filled with rage. “You stupid bitch! You think this changes anything? Lucas still loves me! Tell her, Lucas!“%
But Lucas was staring at my stomach.!!
“Lucas?” Clam grabbed his arm. “Tell her!”2
mate
Ito destroy my mother’s
When he remained silent, She reached into her purse and pulled out a shard of glass–the same kind she’d used to destroy pendant.
If I can’t have him, no one willl” she screamed, lunging at me.X
11:21 AM d
“I didn’t mean to- he stammered. “Evelyn, I swear I didn’t=“I
Guards seized him, pulling him away from Clara’s lifeless form.
Dominic wrapped his arms around me. “Are you okay?“:
I nodded. “How did you find my grandparents?”
“I received an anonymous tip,” he replied. “Someone called saying they had overheard Clara and Marcus planning something at the hospital”
“Dr. Nelson,” I whispered, realizing who must have made the call
Dominic nodded. “Apparently, he didn’t want Clara dragging anyone else into her schemes.”
“And now,” he placed a gentle hand on my stomach, ‘we can focus on our future.”
“Our future?” I asked, confused
Dominic smiled. “Any child of my mate is my child too. I will love this baby as my own.“%
Tears filled my eyes as I realized what he was offering
As the guards led Lucas away, he looked back at me one last time. In his eyes, I saw the weight of everything he’d lost through his own actions.
My grandmother approached, placing a hand on my shoulder, “The ceremony must continue, my dear. Your pack needs you now more
than ever.
I nodded, turning back to face the crowd, “Are you ready?” Dominic asked softly
I straightened my shoulders and lifted my chin. “I’ve been ready my whole life.”
