My gaze fixed on Natalia. She seemed taken aback by my presence; I saw fear in her eyes.

“Mom, that uncle—” Aria began, but Natalia interrupted. “Aria, Noah, why are you here?”

Noah, holding her hand, replied, “We missed you, Mom.”

I couldn't believe it. How could she have children? There must be a misunderstanding.

I approached them, looking directly at Natalia. “Are they your children?”

She grasped her children's hands, pulling them behind her, as if shielding them from me. I raised an eyebrow. Did she think I would hurt them?

She cleared her throat. “It’s none of your business.”

She avoided my eyes, glancing at Patric, who looked equally surprised. Then she turned and walked away. Aria and Noah glanced at me before turning back to Natalia. William followed them.

I stared, dazed. Patric patted my shoulder. “There must be another explanation. How is it possible for her to have—”

I looked away from Natalia, who sat down again. I nodded at Patric. “You’re right. They may be adopted.”

I returned to my seat. Glancing at the empty seats beside me where the children had been sitting, I considered their relationship with Natalia.

To distract me, Patric began talking about pack business. However, my thoughts kept returning to Natalia. I turned towards where she had gone; she was seated with the children. But my eyes were drawn to someone else—

I clenched my fists in fury.

Patric frowned. “What’s wrong? Who are you angry at?”

I didn’t answer. My gaze remained fixed on the person: Beta Eric.

Why was he always with Natalia? I remembered Natalia telling my father she was returning to the Blue Blood Pack. I assumed she hadn't admitted it to me.

But seeing them together unsettled me—not just him with Natalia, but with the children. Eric’s friendly interaction with Aria and Noah, their laughter with him, was unsettling.

Everything was confusing: Eric’s statement about Natalia being his fiancée, and now these children. It was all overwhelming.

After a while, my flight was announced. I glanced at Natalia one last time before leaving the waiting area.

On the flight, I remained convinced the children weren't Natalia's. Upon arriving at my pack, I didn't go home; instead, I went to my company to work on the issue that required my return.

Late at night, I showered in my cabin bathroom. Emerging in a bathrobe, my eyes narrowed. Lynda sat on the couch, holding a glass of red wine; a large bottle sat on the coffee table.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

She flinched, turning towards me. Her eyes fell to my chest; she seemed distracted. I lowered my head and saw my abs were visible.

I rolled my eyes and approached her. “I asked you something.”

She stood, moving closer, her hands on my neck, her voice soft. “You should have asked when I returned.”

Her intentions were clear. As I was about to move her away, I noticed the scar on her arm.

She hugged me. “You don’t know, Adrian. Natalia is bullying me. I was humiliated in front of the entire pack. Please help me.”

She cried. Realizing she wasn't as bad as Natalia, I sighed. Natalia was ruining her life with another man, raising who knows whose children. But Lynda had saved my life. If she hadn't saved me that night, I wouldn't have been rescued. I placed my hand on her head.

“Don’t cry. I’ll see what I can do.”

Lynda leaned in to kiss me, but I pushed her away. Her eyes welled. “Why?”

Turning away, I muttered, “It’s late. You should go. My driver will take you home.”

She stomped out. Running a hand through my hair, I sighed. “Why am I still thinking about that woman?”

I sat on the couch, reaching for the wine. I mind-linked Patric to come to my cabin. He arrived, noticing I was drinking.

“You called me?” he asked, puzzled by my drinking.

I nodded. “Find out everything about Natalia and the twins.”