Lucas nodded and began to tell his story, his eyes bright with memories. Stella listened attentively, remembering those moments with bittersweet nostalgia. The children were captivated by their father's stories, asking questions and marveling at the exploits of the pack.
After the story, while the children were playing nearby, Lucas turned to Stella. "They're amazing, Stella. You did an amazing job raising them. »
"I couldn't have done it without Paul," she admitted. "He was there for us, in the most difficult times. »
"I have to thank him," Lucas said, seriously. "He took care of you and the kids when I wasn't there. I owe him a lot. »
Stella smiled softly. "He'll understand. Paul is a good man. »
The days passed, and the routine began to settle in. Stella and Lucas found a fragile balance, trying to navigate their responsibilities and the complex emotions between them. Each day brought its share of challenges, but also moments of simple happiness.
One evening, as they were getting ready for bed, Lucas took Stella by the hand and led her outside, under the starry sky. "There's something I want to show you," he said softly.
They walked in silence to an isolated place, far from the lights of the pack. There, under the silver glow of the moon, Lucas stopped and turned to Stella. "It was here that I realized I couldn't live without you," he said, his voice thick with emotion.
Stella looked at him, her eyes shining with tears. "Lucas..."
" I love you,
Stella. I have always loved you. And I'm willing to do anything to let you know that. »
She felt her heart tighten, a mixture of pain and joy overwhelming her. "I love you too, Lucas. But we still have so much to sort out. »
"I know," he whispered, pulling her gently against him. "But we can do it. Together. »
Under the twinkling stars, Stella and Lucas held each other, letting their hearts speak where words failed. Stella stood next to Lucas' father's bed, watching the vital signs on the monitor. She took a deep breath, trying to calm the rapid beating of her heart. It was the first time in years that she had found herself in the pack house, surrounded by members who looked at her with curiosity mixed with suspicion.
"Thanks for coming back," Lucas whispered as he entered the room. "He's not doing well. We need your help. »
She nodded, avoiding his intense gaze. "I'm doing this for him, Lucas. Not for you. »
Lucas was silent for a moment, then added quietly, "I know. »
She focused on her patient, her mind trying not to drift to the painful memories. "He needs constant rest and care. I'll make sure he has everything he needs. »
The following days, Stella spent her days taking care of Lucas' father, gradually gaining the respect of the members of the pack. His medical skills and determination were undeniable, and even those who had doubted his return were beginning to change their minds.
One morning, while preparing an infusion of medicinal plants, Emily, the old luna of the pack, entered the kitchen. "Stella, can I talk to you for a moment? »
Stella stiffened but nodded. " Of course. »
Emily sat at the table, her blue eyes staring intently at Stella. "I know things have been complicated between us, but I want you to know that I respect what you are doing for his father. »
"Thank you," Stella replied, surprised by this recognition.
"Lucas has told me a lot about you," Emily continued. "I know you have a complicated history, and I just want you to know that I'm not here to cause you problems. »
Stella didn't know what to answer. Emily seemed sincere, and it unsettled her. "I'm here to help his father. That's all. »
Emily nodded, a slight smile on her lips. " I understand. And I'm ready to help you if you need anything. »
This conversation remained on Stella's mind all day. Despite her desire to stay in the background, she couldn't help but feel some comfort in the idea that not everyone was against her.
In the meantime, Lucas spent more and more time with the triplets. He was attracted to their energy and innocence, always unaware of their true parentage. One afternoon, while playing football with them in the garden, he felt an inexplicable connection, an unsettling familiarity.
"Dad, you're really good at soccer! » exclaimed Emma, out of breath but smiling.
Lucas smiled, warmth spreading through his chest. "Thank you, Emma. You are all very talented too. »
Stella watched the scene from the kitchen window, a mixture of pain and tenderness in her eyes. Seeing Lucas with the children aroused conflicting feelings in her. She knew she couldn't stay here forever, but every day she spent here made it harder and harder to leave.
One evening, after putting the triplets to bed, Lucas joined her on the terrace. "Thank you for what you do for my father, Stella. And for the children... they adore you. »
"I do what I can," she replied softly.
He looked at her, his eyes filled with feelings he didn't yet dare to express. "Stella, I know you're planning to leave as soon as my dad gets better. »
She turned to him, surprised. " How... ? »
"I know you," he said with a sad smile. "And I understand why you want to leave. But I don't want you to leave, Stella. Neither you nor the children. »
Stella felt tears welling up. "Lucas, it's complicated. I can't stay here. Not after everything that happened. »
He took her hand, squeezing it gently. "I'm willing to do anything to prove to you that I can change. That I can be the man you need. »
She shook her head, tears flowing freely now. "It's so hard, Lucas. I don't know if I can trust you again. »
"I understand," he whispered. "But I'm willing to try. For you. For children. »
The following days were marked by a strange and emotional routine. Stella continued to care for Lucas' father, while trying to maintain some emotional distance. But each interaction with Lucas and the children gradually eroded his defenses.
One afternoon, while preparing medicine for her patient, Lucas came into the kitchen with his hands full of dirt from helping the triplets with their gardening. "Stella, could you teach me how to make these teas? »
She nodded, surprised by his request. " Of course. It's quite simple, you'll see. »
They worked together in silence, their movements synchronized. Lucas watched each step carefully, his fingers occasionally brushing against Stella's. The contact, although light, sent shivers through her body.
"You're really good at this," he finally whispered.
"Thank you," she replied, blushing slightly. "It's something I learned out of necessity. »
He gently placed a hand on her arm. "I'm so sorry for everything you had to go through. »
Stella felt her heart tighten. "It's not your fault, Lucas. It's just... life. »
"But I want to make things better," he said with a determination she hadn't seen in a long time. "For you, and for the children. »
The triplets, meanwhile, seemed to be thriving in their new environment. They loved spending time with Lucas, following him everywhere and asking endless questions about the pack and its traditions. Stella watched these moments with a mixture of pride and sadness, knowing that the truth would eventually come out.
One evening, after telling the children a story, Lucas turned to Stella. "They're amazing, Stella. You did an amazing job raising them. »
"I couldn't have done it without my friends," she admitted. "They were there for me when I needed them most. »
"I want to thank them," Lucas said seriously. "They took care of you and the kids when I couldn't. »
Stella nodded, touched by his words. "They'll understand. They are good people. »
The days passed, and Stella began to feel more and more torn between her desire to leave and the new life she was building here. She knew that Lucas was sincerely trying to make amends, and every day spent with him and the children made leaving him more and more difficult to contemplate.
One evening, while they were both standing on the terrace, Lucas took a deep breath. "Stella, I know you still have doubts. But I'm willing to do anything to prove to you that I can be the man you need. »
She looked at him, tears in her eyes. "Lucas, it's so complicated. There are still so many things to sort out. »
"I know," he whispered. "But I'm ready to face it all, as long as you're by my side. »
Under the twinkling stars, Stella felt a glimmer of hope rise within her. Maybe there was a chance for them, a chance to rebuild what had been broken. But she also knew that it would take time, patience, and an unwavering will to overcome obstacles.
Over the next few days, Lucas continued to spend time with the triplets, gradually strengthening their bond. Stella watched with a mixture of tenderness and pain, knowing that the truth about their parentage would eventually emerge. She had to find the right time to reveal everything to Lucas, hoping that he would be able to understand and accept reality.
While she was preparing dinner one evening, Lucas entered the kitchen, his eyes bright with an emotion she had difficulty identifying. "Stella, can you come outside for a moment? »
She nodded, wiping her hands on a cloth before following him. They walked in silence to an isolated place, far from the curious gazes of the pack. There, under the silver glow of the moon, Lucas stopped and turned to face her. "There's something I need to tell you. »
Stella felt her heart racing. "What is this, Lucas? »
He took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on hers. "I love you, Stella. I have always loved you. And I'm ready to do anything to prove to you that I can change. »
She felt tears welling up, a mixture of pain and joy.
Overwhelming. "I love you too, Lucas. But there are still so many things to resolve between us. »
"I know," he whispered, pulling her gently against him. "But we can do it. Together. »
Under the twinkling stars, Stella and Lucas held each other, letting their hearts speak where words failed. The sun was beginning to set, bathing the sky in a mix of pink and orange. Stella sat in the small room she had been assigned, looking out the window. His thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and conflicting emotions. On the one hand, she knew she had to leave, protect her children and herself. On the other hand, she felt her bonds with Lucas strengthening every day.
She heard a soft knock on the door and turned to see Lucas enter. "Hi," he said softly, a shy smile on his lips.
"Hi," she replied, trying to hide the turmoil in her heart.
"I just wanted to tell you that you are doing an amazing job with my dad. He feels a lot better thanks to you," Lucas said, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Thank you," Stella whispered. "I'm happy
to be able to help. »
Lucas looked at her intently, searching for something in her eyes. "Stella, there's something I need to tell you..."