Chapts 202 The Power of a Pigs Smile
Chapter 202: The Power of a Pup’s Smile
Chapter 202: The Power of a Pup’s Smile
(Aria’s POV)
I watched as Nolan’s tiny face scrunched up in concentration, his silver–gray eyes–so like his father’s–fixing on Isabella Blackwood with innocent curiosity. Then, as if sensing the tension in the room, my one–month–old
son broke into the most radiant smile I’d ever seen.
The effect was immediate and devastating.
Isabella’s carefully maintained composure cracked like ice under spring sunlight. Her breath caught audibly,
and I saw her hands tremble slightly as she stared at Nolan with wonder,
“Oh my,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “He’s…”
“Powerful, isn’t he?” I said softly, my maternal wolf purring with pride. “That smile could melt the coldest
heart.”
And it was true. Nolan’s smile wasn’t just adorable–it carried an almost supernatural charm that seemed to awaken every werewolf’s protective instincts. His tiny wolf was already radiating an irresistible magnetism
that could make any pack member want to give him the world.
Isabella’s eyes filled with tears as she continued to gaze at Nolan. Her wolf’s scent, usually so carefully
controlled, began to warm with something I hadn’t expected–genuine joy.
“May I?” she asked hesitantly, her arms already reaching out instinctively.
“Of course,” I replied, carefully placing Nolan in her arms. “He’s your grandson.”
Isabella stiffened momentarily as Nolan’s small form settled against her chest, but her wolf recognized the precious pup immediately. Her arms adjusted naturally, cradling him with surprising tenderness.
Nolan giggled, a sound like tiny silver bells, and his eyes crinkled into adorable crescents. Isabella couldn’t help but smile in response, her usually stern features softening into something almost maternal.
“Hello, little one,” she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. “You’re quite the charmer, aren’t you?”
“Say ‘Grandma,” I encouraged Nolan playfully, though I knew he was still too young for real words.
To my amazement, Nolan babbled in response, his tiny voice making sounds that could almost be interpreted as “Ga–ga.” Isabella’s face lit up with such joy that I felt my own heart swell.
“He’s trying to say my name,” she breathed, her wolf’s scent now radiating pure happiness. “Did you hear
that?”
Looking at this heartwarming scene, I noticed Dominic’s troubled expression. His silver–gray eyes held old wounds, watching his mother’s immediate affection for Nolan with something that looked like longing mixed with pain.
My heart ached for him. Growing up without proper maternal affection must have left scars that even his
Alpha strength couldn’t heal.
I gently touched Dominic’s shoulder, drawing his attention away from the tender moment between
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Chapter 202 The Power of & Pups Smile
grandmother and grandson.
“You know,” I said quietly, “there’s something beautiful about generational affection. Sometimes grandparenta can show warmth to grandpups that they couldn’t express to their own children
Dominic’s jaw tightened slightly. “She certainly seems fond of Nolan,”
“it’s not just fondness, I corrected gently. “It’s about seeing your own child in their grandchildren. When she
looks at Nolan, she sees you as a baby, and all the love she couldn’t properly express then gets projected
onto him.”
Dominic’s expression flickered with something vulnerable. “You think so?”
“I know so,” I replied firmly. “Pack bonds work in mysterious ways. Sometimes healing comes through the
next generation.”
He remained pensive, his powerful Alpha presence dimmed by old pain. I understood that mending their
broken relationship would take time, but Nolan could potentially be the bridge between them. His innocent
pup energy might heal wounds that words never could.
After several minutes of playing with Isabella, Nolan began to fuss, his tiny hands reaching toward me with
instinctive need. His wolf recognized his mother’s scent and knew where comfort could be found.
“He’s hungry,” I observed, standing to take him.
Isabella handed him over reluctantly, understanding his need with maternal wisdom. “Of course. He needs his
mother.”
“I’ll just take him to the bedroom to nurse,” I said, hoping to give Dominic and his mother some alone time.
“You two should talk.”
As I retreated to the bedroom, I couldn’t help but strain my enhanced werewolf hearing, curious about their
conversation and hoping for signs of reconciliation. Their voices were too low to make out specific words,
but I caught fragments of emotion.
But just as I was settling into eavesdropping position, Dominic suddenly entered the bedroom, his silent
Alpha movement startling me.
“Enjoying yourself?” he asked with an amused smile, catching me in the act of listening.
“I was just…” I started defensively.
“Spying on my conversation with my mother?” he finished teasingly.
I felt my cheeks heat with embarrassment. “I was hoping you two might finally talk properly.”
“She’s already left,” Dominic said simply.
“What?” I exclaimed in dismay. “But you barely had five minutes alone!”
“That’s about four minutes longer than we usually manage,” he replied dryly.
I scolded him with my eyes, my pregnant wolf’s protective instincts extending to pack harmony. “You should
have tried harder to make her stay.”
(Dominic’s POV)
I chuckled at Aria’s protectiveness of my mother, finding it both touching and ironic. “You’re being very
Chapter 202 The Power of a Pup’s Smile
protective of someone you barely know. And technically, you haven’t even given her a proper Luna’s welcome
gift yet.”
Aria’s eyes widened with realization. “You’re right. I should have prepared something appropriate for the
senior pack female.”
“The rift between my mother and me runs deep,” I said more seriously. “It’s been carved by years of misunderstanding and pack politics. One afternoon with Nolan isn’t going to magically fix everything.”
“But it’s a start,” Aria insisted, her wolf’s nurturing nature wanting to heal all wounds. “I saw how she looked
at him. There’s love there, Dominic. Real love.”
“Maybe,” I acknowledged. “But I’ll handle it in my own way and time.”
She shifted Nolan to her other arm, her expression thoughtful. “What about Nolan’s full–month celebration?
Will she attend?”
The full–month celebration was a traditional werewolf ceremony to formally introduce the pup to the pack. It was considered bad luck to skip such an important milestone.
“She said she would attend if her schedule allowed,” I replied, though doubt colored my voice. “You know how she is about family obligations.”
“She’ll come,” Aria said with certainty. “Nolan has already worked his magic on her.”
Despite my uncertainty about my mother’s attendance, we proceeded with preparations for a simple
celebration at our Moon Valley territory. Aria wanted to keep it intimate, just close family and friends.
The day of the party arrived with perfect weather. Our home filled with the excited chatter of guests, the air
thick with various wolf scents mixing in celebration.
The Blackwood family arrived first, their wolf scents filled with pride and joy. Ethan and Eva brought armfuls
of gifts, their young energy infectious. Even Victoria seemed genuinely delighted, cooing over Nolan with grandmother–like affection.
But when the Lewis family arrived, the atmosphere shifted noticeably. They acted begrudgingly, more
concerned with currying favor with the powerful Blackwood family than celebrating Nolan’s milestone.
Dr. Michael and Mrs. Caroline Lewis were genuinely happy, but Patricia Lewis and her supporters wore forced
smiles. Their wolf scents carried undertones of resentment and calculation.
“Such a lovely celebration,” Patricia commented loudly, her voice carrying across the room. “Though it’s
unusual for the senior generation to be absent from such important occasions.”
The pointed remark about my mother’s absence hung in the air like a challenge. Several Lewis family
members nodded in agreement, their disapproval barely concealed.
“The Shadow Pack values different traditions,” Eva replied coldly, her young wolf bristling with defensive
pride.
“Of course,” Patricia continued with false sweetness. “Though one might wonder about the priorities of someone who misses their first grandchild’s presentation to the pack.”
The disdainful remarks hinted at deeper disapproval, questioning not just my mother’s absence but the entire Blackwood family’s commitment to traditional pack values.
