The Rejected Luna Came Back With Her Triplets

Chapter 5: An Apology and a Challenge

Chapter 5: An Apology and a Challenge

(Garrett's POV)

I returned to the Blackwood Main House at dawn, my face haggard from a sleepless night. The annoying turtle virus on my phone had persisted despite my tech team's best efforts, and thoughts of Eliza Rivers kept invading my mind when I least expected them.

Martha Collins, our pack's longtime caretaker, greeted me in the entrance hall. Her usually composed features were pinched with concern.

"Future Alpha, I'm worried about Miss Dawn," she said, wringing her hands. "She's refused to eat since yesterday evening. No milk last night, and she's skipped breakfast this morning too."

My exhaustion vanished instantly. "Where is she?"

"Locked in her room, sir. She won't respond to anyone."

I took the stairs two at a time, my heart pounding with a mixture of worry and frustration. Dawn's selective mutism made these situations particularly challenging—when she decided not to communicate, she could become completely unreachable.

Outside her door, I paused to collect myself. Showing my anxiety would only make things worse.

"Dawn? Princess, it's Daddy," I called, keeping my voice gentle.

Silence greeted me. I pressed my ear against the door and heard the faint bleating of her treasured plush lamb. At least she was in there.

"Dawn, please open the door. Daddy's worried about you."

More silence. My wolf, Logan, stirred restlessly beneath my skin, sensing my growing distress.

"Princess, remember what happened last time you had a tantrum and ran away? You got sick with werewolf fever and had to take that bitter medicine you hated."

I heard a small shuffle behind the door but still no response.

My patience was wearing thin, but I forced myself to remain calm. "Is this about yesterday? I already apologized. At least tell Daddy what to do to make things right."

After what felt like an eternity, I heard tiny footsteps approaching the door. It cracked open just enough for me to see one of Dawn's eyes peering out at me.

Her small face was clouded with stubborn sadness, her lower lip jutting out in a pout that would have been adorable if I weren't so concerned.

"What can Daddy do to earn your forgiveness?" I asked, crouching down to her level.

Dawn glared at me with surprising intensity for such a small child. "Go apologize," she muttered.

"Apologize to whom, Princess?"

"Pretty Auntie," she said firmly.

I nearly choked. Apologize to Eliza Rivers? The woman who had walked away from our mate bond without a backward glance? Who had hidden my sons from me for years?

Dawn must have seen the resistance in my expression because she started to close the door again.

"Wait!" I said quickly. "Okay, I'll apologize to Dr. Rivers when she comes to treat Grandfather this morning."

Dawn's expression brightened instantly. "Promise?"

"I promise."

She shook her head, extending her tiny pinky finger. "Pinky promise."

Swallowing my pride, I linked my much larger pinky with hers. "Pinky promise."

Only then did she fully open the door, allowing Martha to coax her downstairs for breakfast.

After breakfast, Dawn tugged insistently at my hand, leading me toward the second-floor collection room. The space housed numerous pack heirlooms and treasures accumulated over generations of Blackwood leadership.

"What are we doing here, Princess?" I asked, watching as she scanned the display cases with unusual focus.

"Gift for Pretty Auntie," she explained, her eyes lighting up as she spotted something that apparently met her approval.

I observed my daughter's determination with a mixture of amusement and suspicion. How had Eliza managed to win Dawn's unwavering support in such a brief encounter? It was a feat no one else had accomplished—not her nanny, not her teachers, not even me, her father.

A flash of bitterness crossed my mind. Could this be something deeper than childish affection? Some instinctual recognition?

"Dawn treats her so well," I thought grimly, "but Eliza was so heartless to sever our bond and leave..."

(Eliza's POV)

"Achoo!"

I sneezed unexpectedly as I left the South Den dining room after breakfast with my sons. Max and Aiden immediately stopped their animated conversation about robot designs and turned to me with identical expressions of concern.

"Mommy, are you getting sick?" Max asked, his small brow furrowed.

Aiden pressed his tiny palm against my forehead. "You don't feel warm."

I smiled at their concern. "I'm fine, just a random sneeze. Someone must be talking about me."

"Bad things or good things?" Aiden asked suspiciously.

"Probably bad things," Max answered before I could. "Uncle Garrett looked really angry yesterday."

I sighed, gathering my medical bag. "I need to visit the main house to treat Elder Blackwood this morning."

"We're coming with you!" they declared in unison.

"That's not necessary, boys. I'll be fine on my own."

Max crossed his arms stubbornly. "We're your bodyguards now that we're in dangerous territory."

"And your little helpers," Aiden added, already reaching for my spare stethoscope.

I knew that look of determination. There would be no dissuading them.

"Alright, but you must behave professionally. Elder Blackwood is an important patient."

They nodded solemnly, their expressions suddenly serious as they adopted what they called their "doctor helper faces."

The walk to the Blackwood Main House was brief but tense. I could feel my sons' protective energy as they flanked me like tiny sentinels.

When we entered the main hall, I was surprised to find nearly the entire core Blackwood family present: Elder Gregory Blackwood in his wheelchair, Garrett standing rigidly beside him, little Dawn clutching a small package, Victoria Blackwood with her perpetual look of disdain, and Howard Blackwood hovering awkwardly in the background.

My eyes briefly met Garrett's before I quickly looked away. Even that momentary contact sent an unwelcome jolt through my system.

"Dr. Rivers," Elder Blackwood greeted warmly. "I'm pleased you've come. And you've brought your fine young men with you!"

Before I could respond, Dawn stepped forward, her face lighting up. "Pretty Auntie!" she called softly.

Following my lead from yesterday, Max and Aiden avoided her gaze, and I pretended not to hear her greeting. It was cruel, perhaps, but necessary. I couldn't allow attachments to form that would only complicate our already tangled situation.

Dawn's expression crumpled, her small shoulders slumping in dejection. Garrett immediately placed a comforting hand on her head, but his gaze toward me sharpened with anger.

I turned my attention to Elder Blackwood. "Good morning, Elder. I'm ready to begin your treatment whenever you're prepared."

"Excellent, excellent," he said, gesturing toward a nearby door. "I've had the examination suite prepared according to your specifications."

Victoria Blackwood stepped forward, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Father-in-law, are you certain about this? We have perfectly qualified physicians already on staff."

"Victoria," Elder Blackwood said, his voice carrying a note of warning. "We've discussed this."

She persisted, her voice dripping with suspicion. "Has anyone even verified her credentials? For all we know, she could be completely unqualified."

I felt my patience wearing thin. "My medical qualifications have already been reviewed by the Future Alpha at Elder Blackwood's request. If Elder Blackwood is satisfied, why are you making such a fuss, Victoria?"

Victoria's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You may have fooled my father-in-law and my son, but I'm not so easily deceived. What exactly are you planning to do to him?"

"That's enough!" Elder Blackwood's voice cracked like a whip. "Everyone but Dr. Rivers and Dr. Reid will leave the examination suite immediately."

Victoria opened her mouth to protest, but Elder Blackwood silenced her with a look that brooked no argument. Even Garrett, who seemed about to say something, thought better of it and guided Dawn toward the door.

Once we were alone in the state-of-the-art examination suite within the underground medical facility, Elder Blackwood sighed heavily.

"Don't mind Victoria," he said. "She's always been... protective."

Dr. Marcus Reid, a distinguished-looking werewolf with silver streaking his temples, stepped forward and extended his hand. "Dr. Rivers, I'm Marcus Reid, head physician for the Blackwood Pack."

His grip was firm, professional, but I detected a hint of skepticism in his eyes.

"I've prepared Elder Blackwood's complete medical history for your review," he continued, handing me a data tablet containing Gregory Blackwood's medical report.

I scanned the information quickly, noting the extensive battle injuries from his younger years and the recent decline in his condition.

"As you can see," Dr. Reid explained, "the nerve damage, possibly exacerbated by an old injury, has now led to partial paralysis in Elder Blackwood's lower body. Such advanced nerve degeneration is almost impossible to cure."

I continued reviewing the neurological scans, noting patterns that confirmed my initial suspicions. "Who says it can't be cured?" I replied calmly. "With Elder Blackwood's current condition, recovery is entirely possible."

Dr. Reid's expression tightened. "Dr. Rivers, I assure you that even the top neurological specialists in the werewolf world have confirmed that nerves damaged to this extent cannot be repaired."

I arched a brow, meeting his gaze directly. "Just because you can't, Dr. Reid, doesn't mean I can't."