Isabella POV.

When Kwan left for his meeting, I just felt guilty for letting him go without eating properly. "He barely had a sip of coffee," I muttered to myself, watching his retreating figure. "That man works too hard." We didn't eat much ourselves, and I felt like I should be with him, supporting him through whatever business dealings he had to handle. "Maybe we should have insisted he stay for breakfast," I said to Juan, who was still picking at his food. I suggested to Juan with growing excitement, "What if we followed dad?" The idea seemed spontaneous and fun, like a little adventure. "We could surprise him!"

He grinned childishly and jumped up from his spot on the grass, clapping his hands together. "Yes, sneak and follow him!" he exclaimed with the enthusiasm only a child could muster. "Like we're secret agents!" His eyes sparkled with mischief, and I couldn't help but laugh at his excitement. "Can we wear disguises too, mommy?"

Okay, it didn't work that way practically speaking, since both of us didn't change our clothes from our casual breakfast attire. "We look like we're going to play in the garden, not visit other packs," I realized, looking down at my simple sundress. We also had no car of our own, and even if I had access to one, I didn't know how to drive. "I never learned," I admitted to Juan with embarrassment. "Your daddy will have to teach me someday." So I had to ask someone for help, swallow my pride and admit I needed assistance. "There's no shame in asking for help," I reminded myself.

I intertwined my fingers with Juan's small hand and rushed inside the castle, our footsteps echoing in the grand hallways. I was calling for the best and loyal nanny who had been taking care of Juan since he was tiny. "Excuse me!" I called out, hoping she was nearby. "Could you please help me?" I felt a bit awkward since I still didn't know many of the staff members personally, but everyone had been so kind since I'd become Luna.

I wasn't sure of her name, which made me feel terrible since she'd been nothing but wonderful to our family. "I really need to learn everyone's names," I thought guiltily. But I liked to treat her respectfully since she was a much older woman with decades of experience. "She's probably forgotten more about raising children than I'll ever know," I mused. She smiled warmly and bowed her head in respect to me, "Yes, my Luna. Anything for you." Her genuine kindness always touched my heart. "You're too good to us," I wanted to tell her.

I smiled back gratefully, feeling the warmth of acceptance from the pack members, "Thank you so much. Could you tell me where Kwan has gone?" I tried to keep my voice casual, not wanting to seem like an overly clingy new mate. "Juan and I want to go after him and surprise him." I squeezed Juan's hand excitedly. "But we need a car, and a driver, and someone who knows his location." I felt like I was asking for the moon, but she just nodded patiently.

I told her all the information I needed and the help I was eager for, laying out our little adventure plan. "I know it might seem silly," I added, suddenly self-conscious, "but I just want to be supportive." She bowed again with that same respectful manner, "Yes, sure. He went to Alpha Dark Pack." Her tone was matter-of-fact, like this was the most normal request in the world. "He has a meeting there with few businessmen according to his schedule."

"My father?" I asked with surprise, because Kwan hadn't mentioned that he had any business partnership with my dad. "He didn't tell me dad would be there," I murmured, feeling a mix of excitement and confusion. "I wonder what kind of business they're discussing." The thought of seeing my father unexpectedly made my heart race with anticipation.

She bowed slightly, assuring me with careful words, "Yes, but I can't call Alpha Dark by his name." Her formality reminded me of the respect hierarchy in pack politics. "Of course," I said, understanding the protocol. "He's still your Alpha, even if he's my father." The complexity of pack relationships still sometimes confused me.

I thought for a while about the implications, weighing whether this was a good idea or if I might be overstepping. "What if I'm interrupting something important?" I worried silently. Then I decided with determination, "Okay, I need to go now. Can you help?" I wasn't sure yet if Alpha Kwan would get mad if I left without his explicit permission, but since my dad was there, I felt more comfortable with the whole plan. "Surely he won't mind if I'm visiting family too," I reasoned.

She instantly said with enthusiasm, "Yes, sure. Give me one minute, and everything will be ready." Her efficiency was impressive, and I felt grateful for having such capable help. "The pack really runs like clockwork," I observed with admiration. "Everyone knows their role perfectly."

"Thank you so much; I will go and change my clothes and Juan's clothes too, and get ready." I patted her shoulder gratefully and climbed the stairs, mostly jumping like an excited rabbit. Juan matched my energy, giggling and bouncing beside me. I was happy with the motherly feeling that Juan gave to me, the sense of purpose and unconditional love. "Being his mom is the best thing that's ever happened to me," I thought warmly.

We reached his room with its cheerful decorations and toys scattered about. I searched in his closet, running my hands through the tiny clothes that Kwan had so carefully selected. I let him choose what he liked, wanting to give him some autonomy, "So, which shirt?" I held up several options, watching his face scrunch up in concentration. "This is important business, after all."

Juan pouted thoughtfully, then tried to snap his fingers like he'd seen adults do, but he couldn't quite manage the coordination. I laughed at his serious expression and clumsy attempt. "You're so cute when you're thinking hard," I told him affectionately. He said with sudden inspiration, "I want to wear the same clothes as you." His request was so sweet and unexpected that it made my heart melt.

I tried to process his words in my mind, initially thinking he meant literally the same clothes. "Well, that would be interesting," I thought with amusement. But then I gently explained, "You're not a girl, sweetheart. You can't wear dresses." I didn't want to hurt his feelings, but I wanted him to understand the difference. "Boys and girls wear different things."

But I realized that he was smarter than I'd given him credit for – he wasn't suggesting wearing dresses but coordinating colors. "Oh!" I exclaimed, understanding dawning. "You want to match!" He nodded enthusiastically, "Yes, mommy, I know boys don't wear dresses. I want to wear clothes with the same colors as yours." His clarification made perfect sense, and I felt silly for misunderstanding.

The tears welled in my eyes at his thoughtfulness; it was such a fantastic feeling to be wanted and included by this precious little boy. "You want us to look like a real family," I whispered, deeply moved. He made me want to do my best to have kids of my own someday, to experience this love multiplied. "Maybe Kwan and I will have little ones running around," I thought dreamily. I hugged him tightly, breathing in his sweet child scent, and then I chose a blue shirt and jeans for him. "Okay, let's wear blue then," I agreed happily. "We'll be the best-dressed surprise visitors ever."

I finished preparing him with care, making sure every button was straight and his hair was combed neatly. Then I combed his hair gently, enjoying this simple act of nurturing. "You're such a handsome boy," I told him, and he beamed with pride. I walked back to my room with Juan following close behind, and he didn't leave my side for a single second. "You're like my little shadow," I laughed. He was by my side as if I was his biological mother, or as if he was my personal guard determined to protect me. "I'm keeping you safe, mommy," he'd announced solemnly once, and it had melted my heart completely.

Once I was inside my room, I checked through my wardrobe for a blue dress that would coordinate with Juan's outfit. It was simple and decent, not revealing anything inappropriate for my body, covering me modestly from neck to knee. I liked that Kwan chose clothes that matched my personal style and comfort level. "He pays attention to what makes me feel confident," I thought gratefully. I had never liked to expose my body unnecessarily, preferring elegance over boldness. "This should be perfect for meeting the other alphas."

Once we finished getting ready, checking ourselves in the mirror one final time, we both rushed downstairs with excitement bubbling over. "We look great!" Juan declared, and I had to agree. The nanny was waiting for us where she had informed me earlier, "Luna, everything is ready. The driver is waiting outside." Her efficiency continued to impress me, and I felt grateful for her help in making this spontaneous trip possible.

I nodded gratefully, my heart racing with anticipation, and we jumped excitedly into the back seat of the waiting car. "Let's go. Fast please," I requested, probably sounding more eager than dignified. "I can't wait to see the look on Kwan's face!" Juan giggled beside me, feeding off my excitement. I was doubly excited to see my father's pack again and surprise them all too – it had been too long since I'd visited home. It was a nice feeling to feel free and independent, to go here and there without fear or hesitation. To feel safe and secure, knowing I had not just one but two homes now. "I'm so lucky," I thought, watching the scenery pass by.

I didn't expect that we might reach my father's pack so quickly; the journey was surprisingly short, probably only twenty minutes of driving. "It was so close," I marveled, "no wonder my mother met my father years ago so easily." They could have courted each other without the usual complications of long-distance pack relationships. It was the nearest pack to Alpha Nathan's former territory, which explained so much about the interconnected relationships between our communities.

The driver came to our side of the car and opened the door for Juan and me with professional courtesy. "Thank you," I said gratefully as Juan immediately jumped into my arms for security. He wrapped his small hands around my neck, nuzzling against me and tickling me with his tongue like a playful pup. "You're silly," I giggled, understanding that he thought that would make me laugh. I guess he wanted to mimic what Kwan did to me during our tender moments. "You're learning from daddy, aren't you?"

But his innocent affection made me laugh honestly and feel incredibly loved. "You're my sweet boy," I whispered, kissing the top of his head. We stepped inside the pack house, and I only heard loud, angry voices carrying from somewhere deeper in the building. It sounded like there was a heated argument or even a fight breaking out. "That doesn't sound good," I thought with growing concern. And yes, I could distinguish Kwan's voice among them – he was standing somewhere in the middle of whatever confrontation was happening. My father's voice was there too, trying to mediate, and some older man was yelling with obvious fury.

All I could clearly hear, the words that struck my ears and made my blood run cold, was someone demanding aggressively, "Give me back my grandson, Juan!" The voice was harsh, demanding, filled with entitlement that made my protective instincts flare immediately. "Over my dead body," was my first thought, and I felt Juan tense in my arms.

I couldn't suppress my tongue from yelling back with fierce determination. "NO!" My voice rang out clear and strong through the hallway. I had no idea who this man was, but I assumed he was the father of Juan's deceased mother based on his claim. "Juan is MY son now!" I raised my head defiantly and said confidently, putting all my conviction behind the words. There was no way I was letting anyone take my baby from me.