Chapter 44

Annie dropped her humour and reciprocated Lucianne’s serious demeanor, “They’re alright. But it’s

always a worry when the kids are in school. Waiting for the time to pass, and just hoping that they’ll come

home safely is pure torture.”

“Let’s hope the case can be closed soon.” Lucianne said with furrowed brows.

Suddenly, Lucianne felt her dress being gently tugged. She looked at the source, and her voice turned

soft as she bent down to greet the little boy, “Hello, Russell. How was school today?”

“Hello, Aunt Lucy.” He wrapped his little arms around Lucianne’s neck right after he said that. It didn’t

matter how many times Russell hugged her, her heart would melt every single time. When he let her go,

he asked, “Aunt Lucy, can you come play with me?”

Lucianne already looked guilty that she had to disappoint him, “Well.no, sweetheart. Aunt Lucy has some

work to do. But I promise to play with you one day, okay?”

His already-large eyes widened as he asked innocently, “Is Aunt Lucy catching bad guys?” Lucianne

smiled, “Yes, Russell. And we have to catch them fast so everyone will be safe. Hm?”

Russell hugged her again as he whimpered into her ear, “Be careful of bad guys, Aunt Lucy. When I

grow up, I’ll protect Aunt Lucy from bad guys.” Lucianne was holding back her tears a s she held Russell

before releasing him.

She pecked a kiss on Russell’s head and said, “You’re a brave boy, Russell. Go play with Rita now,

okay?” He nodded dotingly with an adorable smile, and showed those cute dimples before disappearing

from the living room.

Annie’s surprised voice than rang through the room, “Wow! You’re really good with kids!”

Lucianne stood up after Russell disappeared. She then spoke in her normal voice, “Well, they’re easy to

be with. No ulterior motives. No ill-intentions. Easy to read. Just pure, little creatures.”

Annie then asked curiously, “Were the kids from your pack like this around you?”

Lucianne said, “Yeah, pretty much. It’s most likely because I’m the smallest werewolf everywhere I go.

So the kids kinda see me as almost being one of them. The most daring ones even interrupt the training

sessions with my warriors just to make me promise that I would play with them on the weekends.”

Annie then smiled and said, “I don’t think it’s your size, Lucy. There’s this warmth you bring that amplifies

when you see a child. It feels welcoming and assuring. I think that’s why Russell was drawn to you, so

much so that it made your mate jealous.” 2

“I’m sorry, what?” Lucianne asked in disbelief. Christian started laughing again. Lucianne

then looked at Xandar who was suppressing a guilty smile as he held her closer to the side of his body.

His reaction in itself confirmed Annie’s observation.

Lucianne asked in annoyance, “You were jealous of a four-year-old, Xandar?”

Christian then said, “Oh, we thought he was five.” 1

Lucianne shook her head slightly, “No, Ben said Russell is four. Rita is five.”

Xandar then complained, “Like that matters. He’s a male who’s getting smiles and kisses from you

without having to put in any effort. And he gets to call you ‘Lucy!” Annie and Christian were chuckling

from the side at Xandar’s childish remark.

Lucianne couldn’t believe what she was hearing. But she decided to give in this time. So she pulled

herself up and pecked a kiss on his cheek before saying, “Don’t worry, my darling. Russell is cute but

you’re more of my type for a mate.”

The smile which graced Xandar’s features showed that he was satisfied with the answer, or the kiss.

Xandar kissed Lucianne’s forehead before whispering, “You’re my only type, Lucy.” 2

Lucianne was completely lost for words. He made her feel special, yearned and loved. She pecked

another kiss on his cheek, making his smile spread wider across his face.

Annie’s voice suddenly came from the side, “I see it.” She glanced at Christian before she continued, “I

mean, I already felt the difference in Xandar’s energy when he stepped through our door. But now that

he’s right in front of me with his mate, I can really see and feel the difference in his being.”

Christian then looked at Xandar as he explained, “I told Annie that you’ve been less menacing and more

welcoming with the people around us since you met our Queen.”

Xandar then said, “Well, I’m bonded to an overly-responsible mate whose priority is knowing our people

and protecting them. I have to try my best to keep up with her.” Lucianne was pressing back a shy smile,

averting Xandar’s tender loving gaze as his thumb continued to stroke her waist.

Not wanting her cheeks to get redder and warmer than they already were, Lucianne then turned to the

Duke and Duchess and asked, “Shall we start?”

Christian then said, “Start lunch? Yes. Start work? No, my Queen. Neither of us are telling you where the

audits are in this house until you’ve eaten with us.”

“Oh right, I forgot that we haven’t eaten.” Lucianne admitted.

Xandar then said, “That’s hardly surprising. It’s always about taking care of others first for you.” After

pecking a kiss on the back of her hand, he said, “Come, my love. Let’s eat. It’ll give u sa chance to meet

the other two families too.”