Chapter 27
AGE’S POV
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vouchere
I had brought Charlotte to my pack and the penthouse last night because I wanted her close. She didn’t look fine, and all 1 wanted was to take care of her. My wolf would not stay calm knowing she was sick, he wanted to be with her so bad,
Having her in my bed last night felt right in a way I can’t explain Like that was where she had always belonged. I barely had any sleep, I kept checking on her, then on Liam, then back on he again. When her body started burning up in the middle of the night, I tried everything I knew, cold towels, staying close, watching her breathe, refusing to leave her side until her temperature came down.
This morning, making breakfast for her and our son filled a space inside me I didn’t know was empty, I would have cooked her a feast if I could, but blueberry pancakes were all I knew how to make. I’ve never cooked a day in my life, today was the first time. Watching them cat made me want to do more for them.
I learned how to make blueberry pancakes nine years ago.
Back then, I saw her sneak into the pack kitchen late one night. She thought no one noticed as she ate the leftover pancakes. She looked starved. Roman later confirmed what I already feared Moon and her parents denied her food as punishment. Food was used against her whenever she did something they didn’t like.
That night, I didn’t understand what was happening to me. I only knew I couldn’t watch that again. I went straight to Nana and asked her to teach me how to make blueberry pancakes. She did, but she told me not to worry. “They starve that little girl every day. I’m the one who leaves the pancakes for her every night. She enjoys eating them as much as she enjoys Alfredo pasta,” she explained in a kind motherly voice.
“How do you know she’s the one I want to make those for and not her sister?” I asked curiously.
She smiled kindly. “You’re a good boy, Ace. Hot headed and tough on the outside but you’re a good man. I’m happy she has you looking out for her.”
From that day on, she always made sure there were extra pancakes and blueberries left in the kitchen, enough for Charlotte. And almost every night I watched her eat.
My hand balled into a feast as the memories came back to me. She was treated no less like an animal by her family and I was no better than them. I stood by and watched it happen. That made me just as guilty.
As we left the pack, a strange feeling crawled up my spine. I felt someone was watching us in the woods. I told the driver to stop and stepped out to check. I made them stay in the car. It was safe. That car was built to take hits, nothing should have been able to get through. I chased a pair of red eyes deep into the woods, it was too fast, I couldn’t catch up, they vanished. It was after I heard Liam’s scream that I knew it was a trap. They wanted me away from Charlotte and Liam. Thank goodness Charlotte was a good fighter, she protected herself and Liam.
“You need to find out who tried to hurt our mate and pup,” Arix growled inside my head in rage. The mate bond had been cut six years ago. I’ve been married to Moon for a while but Charlotte is still the only one Arix recognizes as his mate.
“I know, I’ll find out who sent them. Every single one of them.”
“Uncle, could you please teach me how to fight? Do you have a training ground? I’d ask mummy to teach me but she’ll say I’m too small. I want to be able to fight and protect her whenever we run into trouble, like today.” Liam’s small voice broke into my thoughts.
I almost teared up at the protectiveness in his voice. I was a jerk of a soulmate to his mother, yet the moon goddess blessed her with this amazing boy. I wondered if he would forgive me one day too when he learns the truth about me being his biological father. If he would hate me for the years I wasn’t there
We were in his room, getting ready to give him another bath. After what happened in the woods, he needed it. I stood there for a moment, just looking at him.
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Chapter 97
bent down to match his height and pulled him into my arms.
KS83%毫
need to ask your mummy first before I teach you how to
fight. But you’re a big boy, Liam,” I told him softly. “And I believe you can beat the bad guys one day”
His eyes lit up at once. “Really, Uncle? Do you want to be my dadily?” He paused, thinking hard, then nodded to himself. “1 want you to be my daddy,”
His innocent question knocked the breath out of my lungs. I had to swallow just to breathe.
“Liam…” His name slipped out and I had no idea what to say net My mind went blank.
“Uncle Ethan is like my daddy too, but he’s not always around,” he continued, like he was stating simple facts. “He travels to different countries for business a lot and he doesn’t take us with him. You’re always here, even when mummy tries to send you away. And I know you like my mummy.” He tilted his head at me. “So… would you like to be my daddy?”
Those bright green eyes stared back at me with so much innocence. He had no idea what he was doing to me. I wanted to say yes right there, without thinking twice. But Charlotte’s face flashed in my mind. I didn’t want to cross a line. I didn’t want her to think I was trying to take something she hadn’t offered.
My silence stretched, and I think he took it as rejection because his face fell. Hurt flashed in his eyes. “I guess you don’t want to be my daddy.” He turned and ran into the bathroom.
I went after him at once, lifting his small body into my arms. Something warm and wet soaked into my sleeve. He was crying, that made my heart ache. I pulled him back so I could see his face and whispered, “I’ve never wanted anything more in this life than to be your daddy. I love you very much.”
He sniffed, staring at me. “Really? You love me?” Hope trembled in his voice.
I wiped his tears with my thumb. “Yes. I love you, and I want to be your daddy. But this isn’t something I can decide alone. Your mummy might not be happy about it. She’s been very kind to me, and I don’t want to disrespect her.”
I held his face gently. “For now, you can keep calling me Uncle. Maybe one day, if things change, you’ll get to call me daddy and I’ll call you
son.”
He didn’t look happy, but he nodded like he understood. “I don’t want to make mummy sad. That’s why I never ask her who my father is. She doesn’t remember, and she gets stressed whenever it comes up. Kids at school tease me and laugh because I have only my mummy. I don’t tell her about it because she would be sad, and I don’t like seeing her sad. She already has a lot she’s dealing with, and she loves me so much.”
That was all it took for me to lose control. Tears filled my eyes and slipped down my face. The thought of other kids mocking him twisted something deep in my chest. All of this pain could have been avoided. If I hadn’t been so stupid six years ago.
He lifted his small hands and wiped my tears. “Don’t cry, Uncle.”
A soft throat–clearing sound came from the doorway. We both turned to see Charlotte standing there with towels in her hands. Her eyes looked glassy, my heart beat became louder. How much had she heard?
“Mummy,” Liam said gently, “can Uncle bathe me? I promise I’ll be a good boy.” He raised his palm like he was taking an oath.
“Liam, we don’t want to burden Uncle,” she replied.
“I don’t mind,” I stepped in quickly. “You can go shower. I’ll take care of Liam.”
She hesitated, then nodded. As she walked away, she reminded Liam to behave and not give me trouble.
As I watched her leave I wondered If she heard everything, I had no idea what was going through her mind.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
