Alpha's Regret: Claiming My Stolen Twins

Julian’s POV

Sunshine bathed the meadow as I watched Theo chase after a butterfly that danced just beyond his reach. Elena trailed behind her brother, her delighted giggles filling the air. This felt perfect, like everything was exactly as it should be. Almost everything. Seraphina should have been here with us, but exhaustion had claimed her after so many sleepless nights. She needed the rest.

"Daddy, look what I found!" Elena’s voice bubbled with excitement as she cupped her tiny hands around a brilliant red beetle.

My chest tightened with warmth. "That’s beautiful, princess." These moments were everything to me. My children had become my entire universe, especially now that I knew Elena was truly mine by blood. The fear that haunted my sleepless nights whispered that someday she might learn the truth and turn away from me forever.

Theo bounded back toward us, breathing hard from his chase. "Can we play soccer now, Dad?" His eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"In a minute, son." I ruffled his dark hair, so much like my own. "There’s something important we need to talk about first."

The soft grass cushioned us as I settled down, pulling Theo onto my lap while Elena curled against my side. Theo tilted his head, his expression serious and questioning in that endearing way children manage.

"Theo, you’ve noticed there are many wolves in our community, haven’t you?" I kept my tone gentle, measured.

He nodded eagerly. "Lots and lots of them."

A soft chuckle escaped me. "We’re very special, both of you. We’re part of something ancient that makes us different from the humans you knew before coming here."

His eyes grew wide with wonder. Having spent most of his young life in the human world, this revelation would change everything for him.

"We are werewolves," I explained carefully, studying his reaction. "This means we can transform into powerful wolves. Not ordinary wolves, but our wolf selves. It connects us to our pack, like an enormous, devoted family. It grants us heightened senses and an unbreakable drive to protect those we love."

Fear flickered briefly across his features, quickly replaced by fascination. "You can actually turn into a wolf?"

"Yes." I smiled at his amazement. "We retain our intelligence and consciousness even in wolf form. It’s part of our heritage, a gift passed down through generations."

Elena bounced excitedly. "Daddy’s wolf is so fluffy!"

Theo’s eyes widened even further. "Could you change right now?"

I studied his face, seeing curiosity battling nervousness. I wanted him to understand, not fear what we were. "Would you like to see?"

My brave boy nodded without hesitation.

I gently set Theo down and rose to my feet. Elena, knowing what was coming, stepped back with anticipation dancing in her eyes. I closed my eyes and surrendered to the transformation. Power surged through me as bones shifted and elongated, skin thickening into dense fur. Within seconds, I stood before them in my wolf form.

Theo gasped, frozen in place with eyes like saucers. My wolf towered over him, even on all fours. Pure awe painted his entire face.

"Papa wolf," he whispered, wonder coloring every syllable.

Elena was already racing toward me. She knew this wolf intimately, had ridden on my back and nestled into my fur countless times. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around my neck, her small fingers disappearing into my thick coat.

"You’re here!" she giggled, pressing her cheek against my muzzle.

I nuzzled her gently, a low rumble of contentment vibrating in my chest. Theo watched Elena’s comfort and slowly stepped forward, then another step. His hand reached out tentatively, fingertips barely grazing my side. My fur was warm and soft beneath his touch. When he looked up at my wolf eyes, I whimpered softly, reassuring him that I was still his father.

Finally, he smiled that brilliant, joyful grin and began petting me, running his fingers through my fur. He giggled when I licked his hand gently. For several precious minutes, I rolled in the grass with them, letting them climb onto my back, playfully nudging them with my nose. Their laughter was the most beautiful sound in existence.

Then I shifted back to human form.

"That was incredible!" Theo exclaimed, practically vibrating with excitement. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"It truly is," I agreed, pulling him into a tight embrace. "And someday, when you’re older, you’ll experience that power yourself."

"Can we play soccer now?" Elena asked, already sprinting toward the goal cones I’d arranged. I loved how quickly her attention shifted from one thing to another. Anger could consume her one moment, and seconds later she’d be completely absorbed in something new.

I didn’t know whether she inherited this trait from Seraphina or me, but recognizing any similarity between us filled a void I’d carried for too long.

"Absolutely!" I grabbed the soccer ball, and soon we were a whirlwind of shouts and laughter. I deliberately let them score goal after goal, my heart soaring with their happiness. I would do anything to ensure my children remained this joyful.

We were deep in an intense match, Elena bravely defending the goal while Theo attempted to dribble past me, when I spotted them approaching across the pack grounds.

My parents.

They walked with their usual regal composure, and I hadn’t seen them in weeks. My feelings toward them had grown complicated over recent months, particularly after discovering what my father had done. But that wasn’t the source of the cold dread settling in my stomach. It was their companion.

Roxanne.

My smile died instantly. My stomach twisted into knots as pure disgust flooded my veins. I was genuinely happy to see my parents, but Roxanne’s presence made my blood freeze. Her perfectly styled hair, her deceptively innocent dress, the way she moved as if she owned everything around her. I despised her with every fiber of my being.

I had deliberately brought Elena outside while Roxanne was still sleeping to avoid exactly this encounter.

Elena spotted her grandparents and squealed with delight. "Grandma! Grandpa!" She abandoned her position to sprint toward them. My mother swept her up, covering her with kisses while my father patted her head with gentle affection.

I forced myself to approach them, plastering a tight smile across my face. I embraced my mother genuinely, then gave my father a firm pat on the back.

"Julian, son," my father said warmly. "Good to see you."

"You too." I hugged them again, deliberately ignoring the woman beside them.

"Theo," I called, beckoning him over. He approached shyly, partially hiding behind my leg.

"Mom, Dad, meet Theo."

My mother’s expression softened immediately. "Oh, Theo! It’s wonderful to finally meet you, sweetheart!" She reached out, gently touching his cheek. "You look exactly like your father did as a boy."

My father nodded approvingly. "Indeed he does. Welcome to our pack, son."

Theo managed a small, shy smile. That’s when I noticed Roxanne staring at him with narrowed eyes, undisguised disdain twisting her features. It wasn’t just my imagination. Theo sensed it too, flinching and gripping my pants leg tighter.

Rage boiled in my veins. How dare she? I scooped Theo up immediately, holding him protectively against my chest, shielding him from her poisonous glare.

"Roxanne," I said, my voice carefully controlled despite the fury burning inside me. "What brings you here?"

She smiled that calculated, empty smile I’d seen countless times. "Julian," she purred, stepping closer. "I wanted to spend quality time with you and Elena. Like a real family."

The audacity of those words after she’d destroyed my family and kept my daughter from her true mother made my stomach churn.

"What a thoughtful idea, Roxanne," I lied smoothly. "But right now, I’d like to catch up with my parents. It’s been too long."

Her smile tightened. "We’ve all missed you, Julian." She directed this comment toward my mother, trying to make it sound like I’d been neglecting them.

But she meant nothing to me, so I owed her nothing.

My mother immediately responded to the manipulation. "Yes, Julian, why haven’t you been spending more time with Elena? Roxanne mentioned you’ve been so busy with Theo that you’re forgetting your little girl."

I recognized Roxanne’s game instantly, using my mother to manufacture guilt. But I wouldn’t take the bait. "Mom, I spend plenty of time with Elena." I fixed Roxanne with a challenging stare. "Actually, Roxanne, I think spending time together is an excellent idea. Why don’t you join us for dinner tonight?"

The words tasted like poison, but I forced them out. Dinner with her? I wanted to run screaming in the opposite direction. I loathed her with every cell in my body. But I had to play her game, pretend for Elena’s sake. If I could convince her I wanted this happy family charade, she’d have no reason to fight me. Not yet.

"That sounds lovely, Julian," she said, her smile faltering slightly at my unexpected agreement.

"Perfect," I replied, waves of revulsion crashing over me. "Tonight it is. It’ll be delightful." I held Theo tighter, feeling his small weight grounding me. Tonight, I would endure her presence. Tonight, I would play this role perfectly. For my daughter, and for Seraphina.