Chapter 133
Valencia’s POV
Seven’s eyes remained fixed on the card in his hands, his thumbs brushing repeatedly over the embossed letters Seven
Steele
His expression was unreadable, his lips slightly parted as if he wanted to say something but didn’t quite know how
I searched his face, trying to gauge his reaction. I had known he wouldn’t hate it–he was too grateful, too polite, too inherently good to reject something outright. But there was something hesitant in his demeanor, something uncertain.
Dante, ever the steady presence, stepped in first. “Welcome to the pack, Seven.”
Seven’s head shot up, eyes flickering with confusion. “But I’m not a wolf.”
For the first time since I had known him, Dante gave Seven a genuine smile–one without calculation or intimidation, just warmth. “There’s no rule that says you have to be a wolf to be part of a pack.”
Seven inhaled sharply. “Oh… I…” He trailed off, his voice barely above a whisper. “Thank you.”
His gaze dropped again, his fingers tightening around the card as he stared at it like it wasn’t quite real.
I knew this was my moment.
I took a deep breath, pushing past the lump in my throat. “There’s… one more thing.”
Seven lifted his head slightly but didn’t speak.
“This isn’t a gift, but an opportunity,” I continued carefully. “Seven… I know how intelligent you are. I’ve seen it. You pick things up faster than most people, and you can achieve great things if given the chance. That’s why I want you to attend Moonveil Academy.”
His brows knitted together slightly, his expression shifting.
“It’s not far from here,” I added. “It has a variety of courses–you could study anything you want.”
Seven’s posture remained tense, his body still as he absorbed my words.
I knew this was too much for him to process all at once.
Three months.
That was how long he had been living a ‘normal‘ life. It had taken him weeks just to feel comfortable walking around the mansion freely, to stop looking over his shoulder every time he spoke.
And even though he had refused therapy, it was obvious he still struggled.
He still got lost in his thoughts sometimes, retreating into himself. He still woke up crying some nights, muffling his sobs with his pillow so no one would hear. He still flinched when he made mistakes, as if expecting a punishment that would
never come.
Healing wasn’t a straight path. It wasn’t something that happened overnight. I knew that better than anyone.
So the fact that I was offering him something so huge–a future, an education, a chance to become something–it was a lot.
I hesitated, my fingers curling into my lap. My heart pounded, afraid he would reject it—not because he didn’t want it, but
because he didn’t think he deserved it.
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Chapter 133
I turned to Dante, silently pleading with my eyes for him to step in.
He squeezed my hand, offering a small nod. Then, in a calm voice, he said, “There is a slight issue, though.”
Seven blinked, his focus sharpening.
Dante handed him the second sheet of paper. “Moonveil Academy only accepts students from prominent families. They don’t admit just anyone.”
Seven’s lips pressed into a thin line as his eyes flicked over the document. Then he stiffened.
…Adoption papers?”
I swallowed hard and nodded.
“If you become part of the Steele family, as our adopted son, then you’ll have every right to attend Moonveil Academy.”
Seven stared at the papers, his hands visibly shaking. His breath hitched, his throat bobbing as he tried to process what he was reading.
But I knew this wasn’t just about school.
This wasn’t just about convenience.
This was about giving him a name. A real name. A shield. A family.
Not just for education. Not just to erase his
past a slave.
But to protect him.
Because no one would ever look at him the same way again. No one would ever see him as a disposable human pet, a nameless number. No one would ever dare hurt him if they knew he was ours.
Seven’s eyes moistened. His lips trembled, and a choked sound left his throat before he turned his face away, burying it in his arms.
“But… I already owe you so much,” he whispered.
I was by his side in an instant, wrapping my arms around him. “You don’t owe me anything.”
His shoulders shook. “I-” His voice cracked. “This is too much. I can’t-”
Caius interrupted, his voice steady. “Here’s the deal, kid. It’s fine if you don’t want to accept it. But your education isn’t the only reason you need to sign this paper. It’s about your safety.”
Seven lifted his head slightly, peering at Caius through wet lashes.
“As long as your last name is Steele,” Caius continued, “no one will dare lay a hand on you. No one will care about your past. You’ll be untouchable. This isn’t about what you owe us. It’s about what we’re giving you. A family. There are no benefits for us but neither are there any cons.”
Marcy crossed her arms. “And let’s be real. With a pretty face like yours… I dread even imagining the kind of creeps that might come after you if you ever wanna just leave and explore.”
Seven bit his lip, his fingers curling around the edges of the paper.
The silence stretched unbearably long.
Then, finally-
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Chapter 133
“…Okay.”
His voice was barely a breath.
He looked up, tears still clinging to his lashes. “If you guys are okay with it… then I would love to be part of this family.”
A huge smile broke across my face. My heart raced as I grabbed the pen and handed it to him.
Seven hesitated for only a moment before signing his name.
When he looked up, his lips quirked slightly. “So…. does this mean I have to call you mother and father now?”
Marcy burst into laughter.
Caius snorted, doubling over as he clutched his stomach.
I narrowed my eyes and smacked Marcy’s arm. “Oh, shut up.”
Dante, however, just smiled. “You can call us whatever you’re comfortable with. Even just our names.” He paused. “But just so you know–I’m only six years older than you. And Valencia is just three years older.”
Seven blinked. “Oh… then okay.”
That’s when I remembered. “Oh, right! Aiden sent you a gift too. The maid left it in your room.”
Seven’s ears immediately turned red.
His reaction was so obvious, and it took everything in me not to laugh. “I should probably go, then. Sir Joseph volunteered to help me train today.”
Oh, he was lying.
He just wanted to see what Aiden got him.
But I let him have his excuse. “Sure. You can leave the papers here.”
As soon as Seven walked out, Marcy grinned. “Oh boy. That’s a severe case of puppy love if I’ve ever seen one.”
Caius hummed. “He’s not thirteen, though. You can’t really call it puppy love. He’s seventeen. And honestly… I’m kinda worried.”
“Worried?” I tilted my head.
He sighed. “He’s gonna take it hard once Aiden gets
married.”
I exhaled, tracing my fingers over Castor’s shimmering egg. “Honestly? I don’t think so. He’s used to not getting what he wants. Even if Aiden gets married, he’s the type who’ll be happy just watching from a distance.”
Caius grimaced. “That’s… depressing as hell.”
Then he flipped open a book.
“Oh, by the way,” he said casually.
“I found the answer.”
I blinked. “To what?”
He met my eyes.
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Chapter 133
“Why you couldn’t mark Dante.”
My heart stopped.
Finally. Finally,
I was going to get an answer.
