Chapter 221- Elder John

Chapter 221: 221- Elder John

Third-person POV:

"How dare he!" Dante shouted at the empty room. "How fucking dare he!"

Whoever was behind these ridiculous calls had clearly lost his mind. "Just let my baby arrive," he muttered furiously as he headed for the stairs. "Then I’ll find out who that bastard is. And when I do, he won’t get away with this!"

With that, he hurried back upstairs to Vanessa, completely unaware that the man on the telephone had been waiting for precisely that reaction.

***

The healer had arrived, but after examining Vanessa for several minutes, she still couldn’t understand what was wrong.

Everything appeared normal. Vanessa’s baby was fine, and there were no signs that she was going into labor. Yet Vanessa kept tossing and turning on the bed, clutching her belly and screaming whenever another wave of pain hit her.

The healer checked her abdomen again, then listened to the baby’s heartbeat. "Maybe we should take her to the hospital, sir," she suggested, turning to Dante.

"Hospital?" Dante looked offended. "Didn’t my Luna tell you she doesn’t want to go to the hospital? She’s chosen to have the baby at home!"

"Yes, sir, I’m aware of that. But I don’t think these are labor pains. I’d feel more comfortable if we took her to the hospital and ran a few tests."

Dante frowned. "What exactly are you trying to say? That my wife is being dramatic?"

The healer closed her eyes for a moment, struggling to remain patient. Goddess, this man is even more dramatic than his wife. Of course, she couldn’t say that to his face.

"No, sir. I’m saying that something else might be causing her pain, and we need to find out what it is."

Before Dante could argue further, Chloe entered the bedroom with his cell phone in her hand. "Future Alpha, there’s a call for you."

Dante barely looked at her. He was too busy watching Vanessa, who had started groaning again.

"Who is it?" He took the phone absentmindedly and brought it to his ear. "Hello?"

"Ah, Future Alpha! Have you made your decision yet?"

Dante frowned in confusion. "Decision? What decision?"

"The position, sir! That golden opportunity to serve as an assistant to an omega at the upcoming gala. We’ve been waiting for your answer!"

For a second, Dante simply stood there. His grip tightened around the phone as he recognized the voice. "YOU FUCKING BASTARD!"

The healer jumped, and even Vanessa stopped screaming for a moment.

"HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU? I’M THE FUTURE ALPHA OF BLACKTHORN! NOT SOME DAMN SERVANT!"

Without waiting for a reply, Dante hurled the phone across the room. It struck the wall and fell into the corner with a loud crack.

"WHO THE HELL KEEPS CALLING ME?" he roared, looking around as though the culprit was hiding somewhere in the bedroom. "I SWEAR, WHEN I FIND HIM, I’LL BREAK EVERY BONE IN HIS BODY!"

The healer looked at the broken phone, then at Dante, who was practically shaking with rage.

She had come to attend a pregnant Luna, but at this point, she wasn’t sure which member of the family needed medical attention.

***

Arabella walked toward the council office with the file clutched tightly against her chest. She had been preparing for this day for so long, but now that she was finally here, her confidence was beginning to slip.

She was only a few steps away from the entrance when Toby gently caught her arm. "Ara, wait."

She turned toward him. "What?"

"I can hear your heartbeat." He cupped her face gently, studying her with concern. "Look, I don’t want to pry or ask what all this is about. But you know I’m always here for you, right?"

Arabella pressed her lips together and nodded. "I know."

She didn’t offer any explanation, and Toby didn’t ask for one. Instead, he gave her head a gentle pat.

"Then do me a favor. Take a few deep breaths before you go inside. Whatever brought us here must be pretty important, and I don’t want you walking in there looking like you’re about to face a firing squad." He smiled encouragingly. "The Arabella who walks through those doors should be confident, not someone who looks ready to turn around and run before the meeting even starts."

Arabella giggled and looked up at him, feeling a little better.

For a moment, she silently thanked the Moon Goddess that at least one of her friends was here when she needed someone beside her.

"I know," she repeated, managing a small smile. "Thank you, Toby."

"And you’re not completely on your own, either," he added. "Bradley’s here too."

Arabella looked at him in surprise. "Bradley?"

"Yeah. I saw him earlier." Toby quickly raised a hand when he noticed her expression. "And before you start thinking he’s not here to keep an eye on you. Knowing the King, he probably sent Bradley to make sure you’re safe."

Arabella glanced toward the council building again. Lucien hadn’t told her Bradley would be coming.

But somehow, knowing he was nearby made the thought of walking into that office a little less frightening.

***

The receptionist looked at Arabella when she introduced herself as Arabella Westwood.

She had deliberately used her mother’s surname instead of Toussaint. She wanted the council to know exactly who was here to see them.

"Please wait a moment, Miss Westwood. I’ll inform Elder John."

Arabella nodded and took a seat, keeping the file on her lap. Her heart was still beating faster than usual, but she reminded herself of Toby’s words. She couldn’t afford to walk into that office looking nervous.

A few minutes later, the receptionist returned. "Elder John will see you now."

Arabella followed her down the corridor and into a spacious office. Elder John was sitting behind a large wooden desk, busy writing something in a file. He didn’t look up immediately.

The receptionist gestured toward the chair opposite him before quietly leaving them alone.

"Yes, Arabella. What can I do for you?" he asked, still concentrating on his paperwork.