Chapter 49
CARLYLE'S POV
“Who is Mason?” | asked to her utmost surprise.
Her initial calm demeanour shifted into a sudden state of stunned surprise. The subtle play of emotions on her
face was unmistakable, and | couldn't help but notice the transformation.
Her eyes widened ever so slightly with the usual glint of confidence momentarily replaced by a fleeting
vulnerability. The subtle furrow of her brow revealed the internal processing of the unexpected query, as if it had
caught her off guard. The pulse in her neck quickened, a subtle sign of the emotional ripple beneath the surface.
For a moment, her lips, which often held a poised and composed expression, slightly parted in silent
astonishment. The silence that followed my question hung in the air, pregnant with unspoken thoughts racing
through her mind. It was a fraction of time, blink-and-you-miss-it instance, but within that fleeting moment, the
contours of her surprise were etched on her face. All in one swift moment!
| couldn’t discern the nature of her reaction just yet whether it was due to the nature of the question | asked or if
it was something else that made her react that way.
“Why did you ask, Alpha Carlyle?” She asked in return with a composed tone.
“I noticed he’s quite cute and jovial. | saw the way he played with Athena the last t| was here.” | uttered half
truthfully. Deep down, | wanted to see if | could figure out why her mood suddenly changed the last twhen
she saw me, Athena, and Mason.
“That's just how he is. | guess he took that trait from Athena.” She heaved a sigh.
“How are they related?” | probed further.
“He’s her adopted son.”
“Wow, that’s quite shocking,” | blurted.
“What do you mean?” She directed her gaze at me.
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“Oh, it’s nothing. | just felt this connected familiarity with him. | really can’t explain it.” | replied, staring into
space. For sreason, | couldn't trust Donnie’s response at that moment. Not after the expressions she made
when | asked her the questions. Earlier, | would have asked directly from Athena, but it would be disrespectful to
Donnie in
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Chapter 49
sway, so | felt.
“It happens. Perhaps. Its just a feeling. She chuckled.
“That aside, did you check?” | changed the topic, expecting her to understand what | meant but she didn’t.
“What?” She asked.
“Athena’s identity.”
“I couldn’t bring myself to ask her. It felt like | am backstabbing her after the whole lot she has done for me.” She
replied, and | nodded in understanding.
“But what's your view about the whole thing? With her attitude and style, do you she is one? You know, we really
can’t conclude based on our suspicions alone.”
think
“Just like you said, it's a suspicion. No sound conclusion can be made yet.” She replied.
“I know, but you can’t tellyou don’t have a feeling if she is or no
As our conversation unfolded, a distant voice called out, disrupting the exchange. between Donnie and me.
“Mama!” The familiar timbre of Mason's voice echoed through the air, and Donnie’s attention immediately
pivoted in the direction of the sound.
In an instant, her eyes lit up, and a radiant smile graced her features. Without hesitation, she excused herself, a
swift and graceful movement propelling her towards the source of the call. The unspoken connection between
Donnie and Mason was quite noticeable. That, | could tell as | wasn’t dumb.
“Mason!” She called back, her voice carrying a warmth that reflected both familiarity and affection. As she ran
toward him, the energy of the moment changed to the joyful anticipation of two sweet souls who missed each
other.
Upon reaching Mason's side, Donnie crouched down, her arms open and ready to embrace him.
“Hey, sweetheart! Did you have a nice tat the academy?” She inquired with so much. tenderness in her
voice mirroring the genuine interest in Mason's well-being.
“Yes, mummy. | did my classwork well.” Mason's response carried the buoyant cadence of a child's recounting of
an enjoyable experience.
Chapter 49
“That's good, my boy. Go have sfun inside. I'll be with you soon.” She brushed his hair with her fingers.
“Granny Ena said you should cinside now. She has something to say to you.”
Then, it all clicked! The addresses. Mason addressed Donnic as Mama and Athena as Granny. Something was
fishy. There's nothing Donnie could tell me. | had a hunch that she was lying by what she mentioned of him
earlier. Or it could be that she was keeping things fromwhich of course, | knew she was.
But how do | get to know the truth?
“Why don’t you ask the boy?” Laryl suggested.
The words of children are sometimes not true.”
“But you could get more closer to the answer you seek.”
Laryl was right. | had to look for a chance alone with Mason.
“Ok. then. Let's go.” She stood up, holding his little hand.
“No, | want to stay here with your friend, mama. You should go see Granny Ena and cback soon. We can’t
keep Mama's friend waiting all alone before you return.” He removed his hand from Donnie’s grasp. The heavens
were on my side. If Donnie should leave, | would have the chance to question the young boy.
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Donnie was reluctant to do as Mason said, but she took a look atone last tand | assured her with my
words.
“You don’t have to worry, he’s safe with me.”
With that, she turned around and left.
“Hey, mister,” Mason called out towhile walking towardsin a funny way. He wanted to act strong and
tough. Perhaps he has seen sof the pack warriors in that vicinity act that way.
“How are you, little boy?” | replied to him, extending my hands.
“Don’t calllittle boy, my nis Mason.” He pouted his lips angrily.
“Alright, Mason. Correction has been taken.”
“Who are you to mama? Granny Ena said | look like you.” He asked to my surprise.
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Chapter 49
“Why do you call her mama?” | squatted to his height with my full attention on him.
“Because she is my maina.” He answered all smile.
“If she’s your mama, then who is Athena?”
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“Athena is mama's godmother, so | call her Granny Ena, or sometimes Thena. Anyone | feel like calling her.” He
replied and his answer took a while to sink into my mind. From his response, | could deduce that Donnie was his
mother.
“If she is your mother, then who is
your father?” your
“I don’t know. She never said a word.”