Chapter 186 – From Substitute to Queen (Sable & Caelan) Novel Free Online by Hannah Moore

Edward frowned.

The fine Just need an hour alone. I removed my tie, stuffing it in my pocket. “No one knows me here.”

Walking away before he could prutext, I followed the path toward the park. Something pulled me there an invisible thread I couldn’t explain

The weight ul kinghund fell away with each step For at wwww, could be anonymous. hust a man in a park on a sunny day

Children played un caluctul equipment while parent welched over hanches. Chuck 4 seat on an empty bench at the far end, watching them laugh and run

My daughter would be sexph no

I closed my eyes, imagining her wild she be habrowie? by wys! Would he be brass like her mother of stubborn like me?

I’ve never stopped looking for Sable Nut for alle dey ve bured the beat investigators, searched every hospital record, followed every lead. But she vanished without a trase, taking our child

…

Three months ago, everything changed Gabriel contacted me-the patient Sable had saved at Moonridge Hospital, the one who nearly died from poisoning during surgery The one whose life I helped save with my blood.

“I can’t live with the guilt anymore, he’d said, voice breaking over the phone. “You deserve to know the truth.”

Gabriel had been one of the Rogues in that war. He’d seen everything.

It was Marcus-my own father-who released the gas that made me hallucinate. Marcus who stabbed Isabella and placed the knife in my unconscious hand.

Gabriel watched it all happen. Kept silent for years until his conscience finally broke him.

The truth nearly destroyed me. I wasn’t the monster who killed Isabella. My father was.

I desperately needed to find Sable, to tell her the truth, to clear my name. But she remained a ghost.

Sabi, if you knew the truth… would you still hate me?

A sudden sensation jolted me from my thoughts. A presence. Familiar yet impossible.

“Huh? That man over there is special…”

The small voice came from somewhere nearby. I looked up, scanning the playground.

A little girl stood at the edge of the sandbox, small hand shielding her eyes as she stared directly at me. Something about her stopped my breath.

She took a tentative step forward. Then another. Her pace quickened until she was running straight toward me, pigtails bouncing with each step.

Before I could react, she flung herself at my legs, tiny arms wrapping around them in a fierce hug.

“Daddy! I found you!” Her face beamed with pure joy, eyes sparkling with excitement.

I froze. Every muscle in my body turned to stone.

“You… what did you call me?”

I crouched down, bringing myself to her level. My heart hammered against my ribs as I looked into her eyes-deep blue eyes identical to mine. My pupils dilated in shock.

Little one, why did you call me daddy? I reached out, gently touching her hair. Did you… mistake me for someone else?” My voice wavered, tears threatening to fall. I wanted this to be real while terrified it was just a cruel coincidence.

Can you tell me your name? Where’s your mother?”

The girl released my legs and stepped back, hands proudly on her hips.

I’m Caelyn! I’m seven years old! Mommy says I’m the smartest girl in the whole world! She tilted her head, studying my face. ‘Don’t you remember me? We never met before, but you’re my daddy!”

My heart stopped. Caelyn. Seven years old. It couldn’t be coincidence.

“Your mommy told you about… me?”

Her head bobbed enthusiastically. “Mommy tells me lots about daddy!” She started counting on her fingers. Mommy says daddy is tall and handsome with blue eyes just like mine.”

She lowered her voice, mimicking an adult tone, “And daddy has a nice voice, deep like a cello!”

Leaning closer, she whispered, “Mommy also says daddy is an alien on a very important mission on another planet. That’s why he can’t come see me.”

I almost laughed despite the emotion choking me.

Caelyn suddenly rose to her tiptoes, small hands reaching for my hair. “Wow! It really is black, shiny like the night sky!”

I couldn’t help smiling as she examined me with such serious concentration.

“First feature, check!” she announced with satisfaction.

Next, she grabbed my arm, squeezing with all her might. “Mommy says daddy has super strong arms!”

Her eyes widened. “Wow, they’re hard as rocks!”

“Second feature, check!”

Without warning, she lifted the edge of my shirt. “Wait! Most important check now!”

I startled. “What are you doing?”

“Mommy says daddy has eight abs! I need to count!” She pointed her tiny finger at my stomach, counting methodically. “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight!”

She jumped with excitement. “Eight! Mommy wasn’t lying! Third feature, triple check!”

I couldn’t believe what was happening. This beautiful, perfect child thought I was her father.

Caelyn grabbed my hand, examining it closely. “Wait… what’s this?”

Her eyes locked onto my serpent ring.

“This!” She bounced up and down. “Mommy says daddy wears a little black snake that’s a super powerful protection charm from his planet!”

She gently touched the ring. “Hello little snake! Thank you for keeping daddy safe!”

Turning to me, her face radiant with joy, she declared, “All the features match! You really are my daddy!”

My vision blurred with tears I fought to hold back.

“Daddy, daddy! Is your planet fun? Are there talking animals there?”

She swung my hand back and forth. ‘Where’s your spaceship? Is it silver or gold?”

Her small hand touched my cheek. “You look tired. Is space travel hard?’

Her questions came rapid-fire, each one driving the knife deeper into my heart. Is your mission finished? Can you stay on Earth with me now? We can eat ice cream together!

A sudden thought made her eyes widen. Does your planet have ice cream? What flavors?”

I swallowed hard, finding my voice: Princess, your name is Caelyn? It’s beautiful

“The alien planet… is very far. Very difficult.”

I smiled gently. “But my mission is complete now, I can… talk with you for a while. About ice cream… my planet doesn’t have it, but Earth’s must be delicious.”

My hand trembled as I reached toward her. “May I… may I hug you?”

Caelyn smiled sweetly, revealing dimples identical to Sable’s. She opened her arms, wrapping them around my neck. “Daddy, I missed you so much. Mommy told me if I miss you, I can say a magic spell and you’ll hear me. I say it many times every day.”

I held her tight, breathing in her scent. Wolf. Blood. Mine. My child. Tears burned my eyes. “What spell, baby?”

“Mish-oo Mish-oo!” she replied with a giggle, squeezing my neck tighter. “I say it every night before bedtime and blow kisses to the stars!”

Sable’s POV

Mrs. Patterson smiled as she handed me two waffle cones. “One chocolate, one strawberry. Enjoy.”

“Thank you.” I turned back toward the bench where I’d left Caelyn waiting. “Caelyn? Sweetie, mommy got the ice cream!”

Empty bench. My heart rate doubled instantly.

“Caelyn? Where are you?”

I scanned the playground, panic rising. “Caelyn! Don’t scare mommy!”

I hurried through the park, ice cream dripping down my fingers unnoticed.

A tall figure crouched at the far end of the park, talking to a small child. That silhouette-so achingly familiar it stopped me cold.

“No… impossible…”

The ice cream cones slipped from my hands, splattering on the pavement. I didn’t even notice.

As the man turned slightly, I saw his profile. Caelan. And my daughter was chatting happily with him.

I couldn’t breathe.

‘Mommy! Mommy! You’re over there!” Caelyn’s voice broke through my frozen panic. She waved excitedly. “Come quick, come quick!”

She ran to me, grabbing my hand and pulling. “Mommy, I have the biggest news ever!”

My feet moved automatically as she dragged me forward, toward the man I’d fled from.

‘Mommy, look! Look!” Caelyn bounced with excitement. ‘Daddy finished his mission! He came back from the alien planet!

She pointed at Caelan. He looks exactly like you said! And he really does have eight abs!”

She lifted his hand, showing me the serpent ring. “And see the snake charm! All the features match!”

Caelan rose slowly to his full height, his blue eyes fixed on my face.

We stared at each other.

Neither of us spoke.

Author’s Note

Hey my lovelies, this is where the story comes to a pause,

So… is anyone out there ready to throw shoes at me for stopping right at the moment they look into each other’s eyes? Hehe, I can almost hear you yelling at the screen! But honestly, I really love ending it here. That single glance already says everything.

As for what happens after… well, I’ll leave that part to your imagination. Maybe one day I’ll drop a side story or two, maybe not. Let’s just keep it open for now.

Thank you, my dears, for staying with me through this journey. Sending you all hugs and kisses!

—The End

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