CHAPTER 2

CATRIONA

Jayden’s grip on my wrist loosened, and for a moment, the air between us hung thick with tension. His chest rose and fell heavily as he stared at me, the anger in his eyes slowly ebbing into something else—something softer, something familiar.

“Catriona,” he said quietly, his voice laced with a mix of frustration and desperation. His hand, still holding my wrist, shifted to entwine our fingers. “Why do we keep doing this to each other?”

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. My emotions felt like a storm inside me, crashing against the walls I had built to hold them back. Instead, I looked away, blinking rapidly to stop the tears from falling.

He took a step closer, his presence overwhelming, his voice dropping to a low murmur. “Let’s not fight.”

“Jayden—” I began, but before I could finish, his lips were on mine. The kiss was urgent, almost demanding, and for a moment, I resisted, my mind screaming at me to pull away. But my body betrayed me, melting into him like it always did.

His hands moved to my waist, pulling me closer, and I hated how easily he could unravel me. Hated how, despite everything, my body still craved his touch.

He lifted me effortlessly, carrying me to the bed as though I weighed nothing. His kisses trailed down my neck, igniting a fire that I couldn’t extinguish. My protests, my anger, my pain—all of it melted away under his touch.

By the time we were tangled in the sheets, all that remained was the heat between us, the desperation to hold on to something—anything—that reminded us of what we always have.

~~~

When it was over, Jayden fell asleep almost immediately, his arm draped lazily over my waist as his breathing evened out. I lay there staring at the ceiling, the weight of our unresolved problems settling heavily on my chest. The temporary relief I’d felt was quickly overshadowed by the familiar ache of knowing nothing had changed.

I turned my head to look at him, his face peaceful in sleep. How could he rest so easily while I lay here drowning in doubt and despair? How long was I supposed to keep living like this, pretending that our moments of passion could make up for the growing chasm between us?

Quietly, I slipped out from under his arm, careful not to wake him. Wrapping a bed sheet around myself, I walked to the window, staring out into the darkness. The moon hung high in the sky, its pale light casting a soft glow over the pack grounds.

After what felt like hours of staring out into the night, I finally turned away from the window. The weight in my chest hadn’t eased, but the cold seeping through my bare feet reminded me that I couldn’t stand there forever. Wrapping the bed sheet tighter around myself, I walked back to the bed.

Jayden was still fast asleep, his face serene, his breathing steady. I hesitated for a moment, debating whether I should wake him and force the conversation we so desperately needed. But I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Carefully, I slipped back into bed, his arm instinctively curling around me as I settled in. The warmth of his body against mine was comforting, even if my mind refused to let go of my worries. My thoughts were still a tangled mess, but exhaustion finally claimed me, and I drifted into an uneasy sleep.

~~~

The morning came gently. The soft rays of the sun filtered through the curtains, warming my skin and pulling me from the depths of slumber. I opened my eyes slowly, the golden light painting the room in soft hues. For a moment, I lay still, savouring the quiet, the calm before the storm.

I turned my head toward Jayden’s side of the bed, expecting to see him still lost in sleep. But his side was empty. The sheets were cold, a stark reminder that he’d been gone for some time. My chest tightened slightly, but I pushed the feeling aside.

Rising from the bed, I padded toward the bathroom, the cool floor beneath my feet sending a small shiver up my spine. The shower was a brief reprieve, the hot water washing away the remnants of the night before. As I stepped out and wrapped a towel around myself, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the fogged-up mirror. My eyes lingered on the faint dark circles under my eyes. I shook my head and moved to get dressed.

By the time I was ready, I felt a little more composed. Today would be about Abriel—my sweet boy, the one person who brought light into my darkest days. I was eager to see him, to hold him, and to remind myself of the joy he brought to my life.

I left the bedroom and took the elevator down to the lobby, my thoughts already on Miss Olivier’s house and what Abriel might be up to. As the elevator doors slid open, I stepped out—and froze.

Standing there, poised as though she’d been waiting for me, was godmother. She smiled warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners as I approached her.

“Good morning, godmother,” I greeted, forcing a smile to my lips.

“Good morning, sweaty,” she replied with a smile. “Jayden asked me to stop you,” she began, her voice gentle but firm. “He wanted me to let you know that you shouldn’t worry about getting Abriel. He’ll take care of it.”

I blinked, caught off guard by her words. “He… he told you that?”

She nodded. “Yes. He left early this morning and asked me to pass on the message.”

I smiled, a soft, unfamiliar warmth blooming in my chest. Maybe—just maybe—Jayden was finally starting to understand. After last night, it seemed like he’d realised he needed to be the father Abriel deserved. The thought made me feel lighter as if a weight I’d been carrying for far too long had momentarily lifted.

“Did something good happen?” Godmother’s voice broke through my thoughts, her sharp eyes watching me closely.

I glanced at her, shaking my head and forcing a small laugh. “Something like that,” I said, brushing it off. “Is breakfast ready?”

Her expression softened into a smile. “It is, child. Everyone’s gathered, waiting for you.”

I blinked, surprised. “Waiting for me? They didn’t have to do that.”

Godmother chuckled softly, the warmth in her tone making me feel like a child again. “You know how it is around here. Family meals are sacred.”

I nodded, letting her guide me toward the dining room. As we walked, the aroma of freshly baked bread and sausages filled the air, and I couldn’t help but inhale deeply. It smelled like comfort, like home, even if the word sometimes felt foreign to me.

When we stepped inside, all eyes turned toward me. The table was beautifully set, plates already laden with food, but no one had started eating. I hesitated for a moment before sliding into my usual seat near the head of the table. My gaze fell on Jayden’s chair—it was empty, of course.

“You didn’t have to wait for me,” I said, my voice carrying a hint of guilt. I picked up my fork, glancing around the room. “Next time, don’t wait for me if Jayden isn’t here.”

A few polite nods and murmurs of agreement came in response, but most of the attention had already returned to the plates in front of them. The low hum of conversation resumed, and for a fleeting moment, the scene felt almost normal.

My phone buzzed, pulling my attention away from the table. A message notification flashed on the screen, and I quickly unlocked it to find a text from Miss Olivier. Her words were short but unsettling: "Call me."

I didn’t hesitate. Pressing the call button, I brought the phone to my ear, and she answered almost immediately. Her voice was low, barely above a whisper, as though she was afraid someone might overhear her.

“I think you need to come here for Abriel yourself,” she said quietly.

I frowned, my grip tightening on the phone. “What about Jayden? Isn’t he there to get him?”

“He came,” she admitted, her voice still hushed. “But Abriel… refused to go with him.”

My heart sank. “Refused?” The word felt foreign on my tongue, an anomaly when it came to my son and his father. “Why would he—” I started, but I stopped myself, biting back the question.

Whatever the reason, I couldn’t discuss it now. I took a deep breath, forcing my voice to remain steady. “I’ll be there soon,” I told her firmly.

Miss Olivier murmured her agreement before hanging up, leaving me with a gnawing sense of unease that only seemed to grow with every passing second.

~~~

I parked my car in front of Miss Olivier’s house, pulling up close to Jayden’s car. The sight of it sent a fresh wave of unease through me. Something was off—I could feel it in the pit of my stomach.

I didn’t waste any time, slamming the car door shut and rushing up the front steps. Miss Olivier was already waiting for me at the door, her expression strained as she silently motioned for me to follow her. She led me through the house and down the hallway, stopping just outside the bedroom door.

She pointed toward it and whispered, “They’re in there.”

I nodded, my heart hammering in my chest. Taking a deep breath, I reached for the door handle and pushed it open.

What I saw inside froze me in place.

Jayden was pinned against the wall, encased in a glowing orb of golden light that pulsed faintly, as though it were alive. His hands were spread out to his sides, his eyes wide with shock and confusion. He struggled against the invisible force holding him, but it was no use.

On the bed, Abriel sat cross-legged, his small frame tense, his hands clenched into fists. His eyes—usually so warm and full of innocence—were now burning with a fiery anger I had never seen before. He was glaring directly at Jayden, his entire focus trained on him with an intensity that made my heart ache.

“Abriel…” I whispered, stepping further into the room, my voice trembling with disbelief.

Jayden’s eyes darted to me. “Catriona! Do something! He won’t let me go!”

Abriel didn’t even flinch at the sound of my voice. His gaze remained locked on his father, his small body radiating a power I hadn’t realised he possessed. The glowing orb around Jayden pulsed brighter for a moment as if reacting to Abriel’s emotions.