Calliope shot Gideon a cool nce, her expression unchanging as she slipped her arm through Ss''s and they walked into the old manor.


    Ss didn''t even look in Gideon''s direction. It was as if Gideon didn''t exist.


    Once upon a time, Ss had liked him-really liked him. He''d given him chance after chance.


    Now? He''d been tossed aside, just like yesterday''s newspaper.


    Ss wasn''t giving him another shot. He''d handed every opportunity to Calista and Dahlia, but for Gideon? Not a single one.


    He''d even tried telling Grandpa about the baby Yvette was carrying, hoping that would win him some sympathy.


    Grandpa didn''t even blink. Worse, Grandpa actually urged him to have Yvette end the pregnancy, just because Calliope suspected something might be wrong with


    the baby.


    Gideon didn''t believe that for a second. There was no way he''d let Yvette go through with it. He''d make sure the baby was born, and when everyone saw how healthy that kid was, they''d eat their words.


    Besides, Gideon knew babies were adorable. Even if Grandpa wasn''t on his side now, once his great-grandson was born, there was no way the old man would let his own flesh and blood go without.


    He and Grandpa weren''t close. But once the baby arrived, spending time at Grandpa''s house, that would change everything.


    Ss always listened to Grandpa, too. So, all he needed was for the baby to steal Grandpa''s heart, then everything would fall into ce.


    Gideon nced back onest time, then walked away.


    ...


    Meanwhile, Calliope and Ss made their way to see the old man. He was in the living room, feeding fried chicken to Million.


    Million had definitely packed on the poundstely, no doubt Eamon was spoiling him.


    When Calliope and Ss walked in, Eamon quickly hid the chicken behind his back, as if he hadn''t just been caught red-handed.


    "Hey there!" Eamon greeted them with a wide grin. "What brings you two by all of a sudden?"


    "I saw you sneaking fried chicken to Million," Calliope teased. "He hasn''t even been here that long, but he''s getting so fat he''s barely recognizable as a wolf anymore. He looks more like a chubby piglet."


    She eyed Million, her expression a mix of amusement and disbelief.


    Million was rounder than a Thanksgiving turkey and looked like he could barely waddle across the room. So this was what grandparental love looked like.


    She was getting a real education.


    "You can''t say things like that!"


    Eamon eximed, hurrying over tofort Million. "You''ll hurt his feelings! Million, don''t listen to her, you''re not fat at all. You look just right, trust me. Little wolves like you are supposed to be plump, skin and bones just won''t do!"


    "Here, eat up. As long as I''m around, you''ll never go hungry!"


    "Life''s about being happy, whether you''re a person or a wolf. Nothing''s more important than that! And fried chicken is the best, isn''t it?"


    Million nodded solemnly, then shot an indignant re at Calliope, letting out a low growl. He was clearly protesting.


    Eamon stuffed another piece of chicken in Million''s mouth, and the wolf trotted off behind him, gnawing happily.


    Eamon looked over at Calliope, wagging a finger. "No stealing Million''s chicken. If you want some, I''ll get you your own drumstick!"


    "Seriously Eamon, Million''s getting way too fat," Calliope said, her lips twitching in disbelief. "He looks like


    he''s about to need cholesterol


    meds."


    "Fat? Not at all!" Eamon dered with a proud smile. “He''s adorable just the way


    he is!"


    Calliope could only shake her head, speechless.