Chapter 212 Your Mother.

Chapter 212: 212- Your Mother.

Arabella’s POV:

"These are the documents I found, Miss Arabella." Chloe handed me a worn manila envelope, its edges slightly frayed and the paper darkened with age. "I found them in Alpha Chris’s study, locked inside one of his drawers."

I turned the envelope over and noticed a name written across the front in bold, faded letters.

ANGELA WESTWOOD— My mother’s name.

I quickly opened it and pulled out the documents, barely remembering that Chloe was still standing there.

The first was a copy of my grandfather Cedric Westwood’s official succession declaration. It named Angela as his only child and rightful heir to the Blackthorn Pack.

There was also a clause stating that she was entitled to inherit the Alpha position in her own right, without having to marry or appoint a male representative.

I turned to the next page. It was a certified record of mom’s bloodline, bearing the signatures of three council elders and the official Blackthorn seal. Another document listed the pack’s ancestral properties, financial holdings, and territories that would pass to Cedric’s lawful successor.

Then I found something even more interesting.

It was a copy of the pack’s succession regulations, including a provision stating that if the rightful heir died before formally taking the Alpha position, her claim would pass to her surviving child.

Me!

I read that section twice, making sure I hadn’t misunderstood a single word.

Chris had been sitting in my grandfather’s position all these years, while documents proving my mother’s rights were locked away in his study. And now they were in my hands.

I looked up from the documents and found Chloe waiting patiently beside me. "Can you do me one more favor?"

"Of course, Lady Arabella." She placed a hand over her chest, looking almost offended that I even had to ask.

"Will you stop calling me that?" I laughed. "I’m not Lady Arabella, Chloe. I don’t even hold an official rank. Just call me Arabella."

She didn’t look convinced. "But you’re Alpha Cedric’s granddaughter. Surely that deserves some respect."

"You can respect me without calling me Lady Arabella." She hesitated before giving me a reluctant nod.

"There’s something else that’s been bothering me," I continued, lowering my voice. "My grandfather got seriously ill when my mother was on her honeymoon. I’ve been wondering whether his illness was natural ..."

Chloe listened carefully as I told her what I knew about Cedric’s final days. The timing had bothered me ever since Vikki told me about his sickness. Especially considering how much Chris stood to gain from Cedric’s death.

"I think someone might have poisoned him. Or perhaps..." I paused, uncertain how to explain this. "I don’t know, Chloe. I don’t even know what we’re supposed to be looking for."

"I understand." She gave me a reassuring nod. "Let me see what I can find. There might be old medical records, correspondence, or someone who remembers what happened back then. Just give me a little time."

"Thank you, Chloe. And please be careful." I pressed my lips together, wondering if I was putting her in more danger than I’d intended.

"You’re forgetting something, Arabella. I’m not a nursemaid. I’m a senior member of the Royal Special Forces. Don’t worry about me."

After she left, I returned to the documents spread across my lap. Until now, I’d been so focused on what Chris and Rick had done to my mother that I hadn’t given much thought to my grandfather.

But what if Angela hadn’t been the first person they had betrayed? I looked down at Cedric Westwood’s signature on the succession papers and sighed.

If only my grandfather had taught my mother to stand on her own feet and claim what was rightfully hers. Perhaps things would have been different if he’d trusted her to lead the pack instead of leaving her future in the hands of a man.

***

I was just about to turn off the bedside lamp and get some sleep when a knock interrupted me.

"Miss Arabella?" An omega spoke from the other side of the door. "Alpha Chris is here to see you."

I sat up, frowning. What was he doing here at this hour? "Alright. Tell him I’ll be there in a minute."

I slipped my feet into my slippers and reached for the robe hanging beside my bed, but the omega hadn’t left.

"Actually, Miss, he’s not waiting in the drawing room," she explained. "He’s outside the house. He said he wants to speak with you privately."

That was odd. If Chris had something to discuss, why couldn’t he come inside like a normal guest? Especially when this was his Beta’s house.

"Did he say what it’s about?"

The Omega slowly opened the door and peeked inside. "No, Miss. Only that it’s important." I glanced at the clock before turning back to her. "All right. Tell him I’m coming."

The omega bowed and left, while I tied my robe around my waist. Whatever Chris wanted, he clearly didn’t want Rick overhearing it.

I quickly sent a short text to Lucien. "Be ready for the call."

***

I found Chris standing beside his car, a short distance from the entrance. He was looking at his phone when I approached, but put it away as soon as he noticed me.

"Alpha Chris? Is everything all right?"

"Yes, Arabella. Sorry for disturbing you so late." He glanced toward the house before continuing. "I wanted to ask you something about the royal audit."

"Of course."

He slipped his hands into his pockets. "That invitation Rick received from the palace. Was it based on your recommendation?"

So that was why he’d come. Ha-ha.

"I submitted the financial reports, Alpha. His Majesty reviewed them and made his own decision."

"I see." Chris took a moment to consider my answer. "And you believe Rick deserves that kind of recognition?"

"Well, he has been very helpful. Honestly, I hadn’t realized how much of Blackthorn’s financial management he handles himself." Chris looked away, clearly displeased.

"Rick has always been good with numbers," he said eventually. "But there’s more to running a pack than managing its accounts."

"Of course, Alpha. You’re right." He gave a small nod, although he didn’t seem particularly reassured.

"Just be careful how much you trust him, Arabella. Rick isn’t quite the man he makes himself out to be."

Oh, this was getting interesting.

"Really?" I asked, widening my eyes. "Is there something I should know?" Chris hesitated, then glanced toward the house again.

"There’s a reason I’m warning you. It has to do with your mother."

My mother? Now that was the last thing I’d expected him to bring up. I kept my expression curious, wondering just how much of the truth Chris was willing to tell me.