Chapter 51: Chapter 51
Christian signaled for Lisa and the serving staff to leave. The moment the office door closed behind them, silence settled over the room once more.
Suddenly, the spacious office felt much larger and certainly much more intimidating.
Chloe’s confidence immediately evaporated. Gabriel felt it too.
Coming here alone had seemed like a brilliant idea a few hours ago. Now they weren’t quite so certain.
"W-Why did you send them away?" Chloe stammered.
Her blue eyes widened nervously.
Christian frowned.
Only then did he realize his actions had frightened her. His wolf instantly bristled with disapproval.
Without thinking, he took a step toward her. Unfortunately, that only made things worse––Chloe immediately shrank back into the sofa.
The reaction hit him harder than any enemy’s attack ever could.
Christian stopped moving.
"Hey." His voice softened. "Don’t be afraid, little wolf."
The gentleness in his tone surprised even him.
"I would never hurt you."
Chloe blinked. Christian crouched slightly to place himself closer to her eye level.
"I only wanted us to talk privately."
Something in his expression eased her fears. Slowly, the tension left her shoulders. Beside her, Gabriel also relaxed, though only a little. His protective instincts remained firmly on guard.
"So..." Chloe began cautiously. "The people following us really work for you?"
Christian sighed inwardly. No point denying it now, especially not to those eyes. Those impossibly familiar blue eyes.
"Yes, sweetheart."
The confession came easily. His wolf didn’t seem interested in lying to her.
"Now eat your food before it gets cold." He pointed toward the table. "I also ordered your favorite fruits, desserts, and ice cream."
"No." Gabriel interrupted immediately. His tone was firm. "You need to answer our questions first."
Christian stared at him sharply, but the boy didn’t flinch. Not even slightly.
An amused smile tugged at Christian’s lips. The stubbornness was almost painful to witness as it reminded him far too much of himself.
"You two are surprisingly observant."
Gabriel lifted his chin.
Christian continued.
"I took every precaution. My men blended in with the building residents. They rotated vehicles. They never approached you directly."
His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"Most people wouldn’t have noticed."
"We’re not most people," Gabriel replied smugly.
Christian nearly laughed.
No. They definitely weren’t.
"I had people watching because I wanted to make sure your mother was safe."
The twins exchanged glances. Neither looked convinced.
"We don’t need protection." Gabriel folded his arms. "We can protect Mom ourselves."
Christian bit the inside of his cheek. His wolf nearly howled with amusement. The kid looked ready to challenge an entire pack if it meant defending his mother.
"Of course you can." He nodded seriously. "I’ll remember that."
Gabriel squinted suspiciously. Something told him Christian was teasing him. Before he could respond, Christian pointed at the food.
"Now eat."
Neither child moved. Christian sighed dramatically.
Apparently, negotiating with two stubborn five-year-olds was harder than negotiating with hostile Alpha leaders.
Walking over to the table, he grabbed a plate. He then placed a large slice of pepperoni pizza in front of Gabriel.
Then he carefully served spaghetti carbonara for Chloe.
Chloe immediately brightened.
"Thank you."
Christian’s heart did something strange––something uncomfortable. Something warm.
He... ignored it.
Gabriel remained stubborn, so Chloe elbowed him hard.
"Eat."
Gabriel sighed.
"Fine."
The victory felt strangely satisfying.
As the twins finally began eating, Christian found himself watching them.
The way they sat. The way they argued. The little expressions they made. Every second spent around them intensified the strange feeling growing inside him. A feeling his wolf seemed to recognize long before he did.
"Mr. Wayne."
Chloe’s voice interrupted his thoughts.
He looked up.
"Why aren’t you eating?"
Christian blinked. "Hmm?"
"You need lunch too."
Before he could refuse, Chloe was already climbing off the sofa.
Christian watched in stunned silence as she carefully assembled a plate for him.
A little pizza. A cupcake. Some fruit. A handful of snacks.
She placed everything neatly before him.
"There." She smiled proudly. "Now we’re all eating together."
Christian stared at the plate. Then at her.
His chest tightened.
No one had ever done something so simple for him before.
It was not because they wanted something. Not because they feared him. Just because they cared.
His wolf grew strangely quiet. For a moment, the beast simply watched the little girl.
"Thank you, sweetheart."
His voice came out rougher than intended.
Chloe beamed.
Christian picked up the pizza.
Normally, he hated pepperoni pizza. Today, he finished every bite. Because every few seconds, Chloe checked to make sure he was eating. And somehow, disappointing her felt impossible.
The meal passed surprisingly peacefully.
For the first time in years, Christian found himself enjoying lunch.
The thought startled him.
When the food was cleared away, fresh ice cream arrived. The twins immediately brightened. Only after several more bites did Gabriel return to business.
"Now can we continue?"
Christian smirked.
"There it is."
"There what is?"
"The interrogation."
Gabriel looked entirely unapologetic.
Christian leaned back.
"Fine. Ask away."
Gabriel immediately fired the first question.
"How do you know our mother?"
Christian expected that one.
"The entire world knows Fleur Swann." He shrugged. "She’s one of the most successful interior designers in Europe."
Gabriel stared, unimpressed.
Christian sighed. Apparently, that answer wasn’t sufficient.
"Fine." Gabriel folded his arms. "Let me ask differently."
Christian prepared himself.
"How long have you known her?"
The question hit harder than expected. For a split second, memories flashed through his mind.
A woman he had never managed to forget.
Christian quickly buried the thoughts.
"I’ve known her since she began working on my mansion."
The answer was technically true.
The twins exchanged glances. Then something unexpected happened.
Both children looked disappointed.
Christian frowned. "What’s wrong?"
Neither answered immediately.
Finally, Chloe spoke, too. "I thought you might be our dad."
Gabriel immediately groaned.
"Chloe!"
"What?"
Christian froze. The world seemed to stop turning. For one impossible moment, he couldn’t breathe.
His wolf surged forward, every instinct inside him roared to attention.
Dad.
The word echoed through his mind.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Christian swallowed.
"Do you... not know who your father is?"
His voice sounded strained, almost painful.
Chloe shook her head sadly. "We’ve never met him."
The disappointment in her eyes sliced straight through him.
"That’s none of your business, Mr. Wayne."
Gabriel’s voice turned cold.
Christian looked at the boy. Then back at Chloe.
Something dark settled in his chest. Something that felt suspiciously like dread.
"Didn’t your mother ever tell you his name?"
He needed to know. Needed it.
"No."
Before Chloe could continue, Gabriel interrupted. "And we’re not interested."
Christian’s stomach tightened.
"Why not?"
Gabriel’s jaw clenched, but the answer came instantly.
"Because he’s a monster."
Silence. Christian felt the words hit like a physical blow.
"A monster?"
Gabriel nodded. "He never wanted us."
Christian’s chest tightened.
"He wanted us dead."
The office suddenly felt too small. Too hot. Too suffocating.
Fragments of old conversations surfaced from the depths of his memory. Words he hadn’t thought about in years.
"If you’re carrying another man’s child... I’ll kill you and the bastard."
The memory slammed into him like a gust of wind.
Christian stared at his reflection in the office windows. The man looking back suddenly seemed like a stranger.
If what Gabriel believed was true... Then perhaps monster wasn’t entirely inaccurate.
His throat tightened painfully.
When he finally looked back at the twins, his eyes had softened.
"Then that man is a fool. A complete fool."
Chloe blinked.
Christian slowly knelt in front of them.
His wolf howled inside him.
Protect.
Protect them.
Protect them.
Protect them.
The instinct was overwhelming.
"If I were your father..." His voice nearly broke. "I would treasure both of you more than my own life."
The twins stared at him, shocked. Christian gently brushed a strand of hair from Chloe’s face. His hand trembled.
"I would never let you go."
The promise escaped before he could stop it. His wolf accepted it instantly.
Chloe’s eyes sparkled.
"Mr. Wayne."
"Yes, sweetheart?"
She clasped her hands dramatically beneath her chin.
"If I were older, I’d marry you."
Christian couldn’t help but laugh. Then he gently flicked her nose.
"You’d break too many hearts."
Chloe giggled.
Christian’s smile softened.
"Besides..." His gaze drifted toward the twins. Then toward the thought of Fleur. "How about I marry your mom instead?"
Gabriel nearly dropped his spoon, while Chloe gasped.
Christian remained completely serious.
"Wait." Gabriel pointed accusingly. "You want to marry our mother?"
"Yes." The answer came without hesitation.
"Why?"
Christian’s expression softened. "Because I like her." Then his gaze shifted toward the twins. "And because I like you."
His wolf added silently:
More than I should.
More than makes sense.
More than I can explain.
"I want all three of you in my life."
Gabriel narrowed his eyes. Suspicion returned immediately.
"We researched you."
Christian winced. That couldn’t be good.
"You’ve had a lot of girlfriends."
Christian sighed.
"A lot."
"You were married before."
Christian nodded. "Yes."
"You have a terrible reputation."
Christian couldn’t even argue. "Fair."
Chloe rolled her eyes. "Gabriel."
"What?"
"You’re interviewing him like a criminal."
"I’m conducting due diligence."
Christian nearly choked.
Due diligence? The kid sounded exactly like a future CEO.
Finally, Gabriel pointed his spoon at him.
"So tell me."
Christian raised an eyebrow.
"Tell you what?"
"Why should we believe you actually care about our mom?"
Christian met the boy’s gaze. Neither looked away.
Two wolves. Both stubborn. Both determined. Both refusing to yield.
Then Christian smiled.
"That’s a good question."
Gabriel smirked.
Finally. Now they were getting somewhere.
"Let’s discuss terms, Mr. Wayne."
Christian leaned back in his chair, amused and strangely proud. For reasons he still couldn’t explain, negotiating with this tiny version of himself felt far more important than any business deal he had ever signed.
"Alright, little Alpha." His eyes gleamed. "Let’s hear your terms."
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