Xo Novel
14
Upon hearing his words and catching sight of his smile, Shadow found herself rendered speechless. What astounded her was the unexpected kindness emanating from the person who held such power and wealth, the person in charge of the formidable Lances family.
With a gesture of his hand, he beckoned her to sit, and she obediently complied, her mind reeling with disbelief. She discreetly pinched herself, half-convinced that she was caught in a dream.
After a few moments, she snapped out of her stupor and hastily introduced herself, “Hello, I am Shadow Eden.”
This time, she wasn’t feigning ignorance; she was genuinely taken aback by George Lances. Her heart raced so rapidly it felt as though it might burst out of her chest at any moment.
“Do not be shy. Now, you are my daughter-in-law and a member of the Lances family. Make yourself at home,” he spoke, raising a kettle and pouring her a glass of water. His eyes exhibited an unfamiliar look, a hint of kindness she had never before experienced.
In the Eden Family, Jason refused to acknowledge her existence unless he was criticizing or lecturing her. As for Lisa, her attention was solely reserved for Jessica and her brother, leaving Shadow feeling invisible and unacknowledged by her own mother.
Never had she been treated with such tenderness by her elders, leaving her pleasantly surprised.
Shadow took the glass and replied, “Thank you, Sir.”
“You can call me Dad, just like Alpha Kilian,” George suggested, gazing at her intently.
Her appearance may not have been striking, and her reactions may have been sluggish, but she possessed a simplicity and kindness that perfectly complemented his son’s peculiar temperament.
“… Dad,” Shadow struggled to utter the word.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.
George smiled warmly in response, before expressing his remorse, “You must have felt wronged because we did not hold a mating ceremony for you. I apologize sincerely. I intended to discuss it with you and Alpha Kilian and invite you both to the Old Manor today. However, due to what happened to his mother, Alpha Kilian refused to go. I only hope that you can offer him support and understanding in the future.”
The Lances family, with its tradition of three generations living together, was an esteemed and ancient lineage.
Their Manor, a priceless treasure, had been passed down through countless generations. Legend spoke of a man who had offered 100 billion for their residence, only to end up a laughingstock among the upper class elite.
As for Alpha Kilian’s mother, little information was known.
More than a decade ago, both Alpha Kilian and his mother had been kidnapped, yet only he had been rescued after tremendous difficulties.
Regarding his mother’s fate, rumors abounded.
Some claimed she had perished, while others speculated that she remained in a hospital, recovering. A few even suggested she had been sullied by her captors…
But one thing was certain: Shadow would never have the privilege of meeting her mother-in-law.
Following a prolonged silence, Shadow turned her attention to George and hesitantly confessed, “But… I have yet to see him.”
She uttered those final words in a barely audible whisper, akin to a mosquito’s buzz, yet George managed to catch them.
Immediately, he noticed a subtle change in his expression.
“Well, let’s not worry about him today,” George declared, steering clear of the topic of Alpha Kilian. Instead, he proceeded to inquire about Shadow’s lifestyle and well-being.
Honesty dripped from Shadow’s every response, her voice slow but sincere, her demeanor plain and unassuming.
An hour of conversation later, George summoned Owen to escort Shadow back to Alpha Kilian’s Castle.
…
The night hour meant light traffic, allowing them to reach their destination swiftly.
…
The night hour meant light traffic, allowing them to reach their destination swiftly.
Owen escorted her to the Castle’s entrance, watched as Shadow stepped inside, and then departed.
As she made her way through the Castle, Shadow couldn’t help but replay her conversation with George in her mind. His tone had indeed been gentle and light, but he seemed to be prying for information, as if attempting to gather intel.
Or perhaps she was mistaken.
He was likely seeking information about Alpha Kilian rather than herself.
Even though she had yet to encounter the legendary Alpha Kilian Lances, she could sense that his relationship with his father was not as harmonious as the newspapers portrayed. Discord undoubtedly simmered beneath the surface. And considering Alpha Kilian’s refusal to dine with his father and George’s persistent questioning, it was evident that they had not engaged in meaningful conversation for quite some time.
George claimed that Alpha Kilian never forgot about his mother, but she had likely perished during the kidnapping over a decade ago. Was it due to this tragedy that he harbored resentment towards his father?
“Madame.”
The sound of the bodyguard’s voice snapped Shadow out of her thoughts, prompting her to look up.
The bodyguard seemed vaguely familiar. Ah, yes, he was the one who had come to retrieve her from her home that day. “Is something the matter?”
The bodyguard nodded curtly, his tone devoid of emotion. “Young Master Alpha Kilian wishes to see you.”
What?
Suspecting she had misheard, Shadow stared at the bodyguard and sought clarification, “You mean Young Master Alpha Kilian? Alpha Kilian wants to see me?”
“Yes, the Alpha is waiting for you in the study.”