CHAPTER 4

CATRIONA

My breath caught in my throat, my entire body going stiff.

Had I heard that right? Had Abriel just spoken his first word?

No. No, it wasn’t just the fact that he had spoken—it was what he had said.

Daddy.

My pulse roared in my ears, drowning out everything else. Slowly, almost fearfully, I turned toward Abriel. He was still clinging to Gabriel’s legs, his small fingers clutching tightly, as if afraid to let go. His eyes shone with something raw, something vulnerable.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

“Abriel,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He didn’t look at me. He was still staring up at Gabriel, waiting, hoping.

I didn’t hesitate. I stepped forward and reached for my son, hands trembling slightly as I gently but firmly pulled him away from Gabriel’s legs. Abriel squirmed in my grasp, his small hands reaching out desperately.

“Daddy!” he screamed, the word tearing through the air like a lightning bolt. He kicked his feet, twisting in my arms, trying to get back to Gabriel. “Daddy!”

My breath shuddered. I forced myself not to look at Gabriel, not to meet his gaze, even though I could feel it burning into me. Instead, I held Abriel tighter and turned on my heel, walking away without a word.

“Catriona,” Gabriel’s voice finally broke through the chaos, deep and rough, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t.

“Catriona, wait—”

I quickened my pace, tightening my grip on the struggling boy in my arms. Tears pricked at my eyes as Abriel screamed again, his voice hoarse with emotion.

“Daddy! Daddy, no!”

I stepped through the mall’s exit, the cool night air hitting my skin like a slap. My heart was pounding, my mind spinning, but I didn’t let myself falter. I needed to get Abriel away.

Now.

Reaching my car, I yanked the door open and placed Abriel into his car seat. He fought me, his small hands pushing against me, his little face streaked with frustrated tears.

“Daddy! I want Daddy!” he sobbed, his body wracking with tremors.

My chest ached, but something in me snapped. “That man is not your dad!” I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended. “Your dad is Jayden—the Alpha of the Red Moon Pack. You will not call him that again, do you understand me?”

The words left my mouth before I could stop them. The moment they did, silence followed. Abriel froze, his sobs cutting off instantly, his small body stiffening against the seat.

My breath hitched as I clamped my mouth shut, suddenly trembling from the intensity of my own reaction. I had just heard my son’s voice for the very first time, and instead of celebrating it, I had yelled at him. And I had seen Gabriel after all these years—just standing there, a ghost from my past, unraveling me in a matter of seconds.

Guilt crashed over me like a tidal wave. My hands shook as I reached for Abriel again, my heart aching at the stunned look on his face.

“I’m so sorry, baby,” I whispered, my voice thick with regret. “I didn’t mean to yell. Mommy’s just… I’m just…” My throat closed, and I swallowed hard before cupping his small face. “I’m sorry, love. Please don’t be upset.”

He didn’t say anything. He just stared at me, his eyes glistening with unshed tears, his small fingers twisting the hem of his shirt.

My chest ached as I brushed a hand through his soft curls. “Let’s go home, okay?” I whispered.

Without another word, I slipped into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and sped away—leaving Gabriel standing there, watching us disappear into the night.

~~~

The drive back to the pack house was silent. Abriel had stopped crying, but he wouldn’t look at me. His tiny hands were balled into fists on his lap, his body tense. Every now and then, I glanced at him through the rearview mirror, guilt gnawing at my insides.

By the time I pulled into the long driveway leading up to the pack house, my chest felt unbearably tight. The large, rustic home loomed before me, its warm lights glowing through the tall windows. The sight usually brought a sense of peace, but tonight, all I felt was exhaustion.

I parked the car and got out, walking around to unbuckle Abriel. He let me lift him, but he didn’t cling to me the way he usually did. That hurt more than I wanted to admit.

The pack house doors swung open before I even reached the steps. Godmother stood there, her eyes immediately landing on Abriel. Concern creased her features as she stepped forward.

“What happened?” she asked softly, reaching to touch Abriel’s back.

I shook my head. “Not now, godmother,” I murmured. “I just… I need to put him to bed.”

Godmother nodded, stepping aside to let me pass. I carried Abriel through the house, ignoring the curious glances from a few pack members lingering in the hall. I just needed to get to his room, needed to hold him close and make things right.

Inside his room, I set him down on the bed and crouched in front of him, brushing his hair from his face. “Baby, talk to me,” I pleaded. “Please.”

Abriel finally met my gaze, his eyes filled with something unreadable. For a long moment, he was silent. Then, barely above a whisper, he asked, “Why can’t I call him Daddy?”

I took a slow breath, steadying myself. I didn’t want to snap at him again. Not after everything that had happened tonight.

“Because he’s not your dad,” I said gently but firmly. “Jayden is your dad, Abriel.”

Abriel’s small hands clenched around the sheets, his eyes staring straight at me. Then, with quiet certainty, he said, “No. He’s my real dad.”

A sharp pulse of frustration shot through me, but I forced my eyes shut, inhaling deeply. I couldn’t lose my temper again. Not with him.

Slowly, I opened my eyes and looked at him. My voice was calm this time. “What makes you say that Gabriel is your dad, Abriel?” I asked. “You’ve never even seen him before.”

Abriel hesitated, biting his lip as if unsure whether he should speak. Then, he lowered his gaze and mumbled, “I’ve seen him.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

“In my dreams.” His voice was quiet, but there was a certainty in it that sent a chill down my spine. “I’ve seen him a lot. And my grandfather told me… He said Gabriel is my real father.”

My whole body went rigid.

I knew exactly who he was talking about.

The old man.

The one who had been appearing in Abriel’s dreams. The one I had tried so hard to push from my life.

I swallowed hard. My hands trembled slightly, but I forced them to stay still. “Did the old man…” I started, then stopped myself. No. I wouldn’t feed into this. Instead, I took a deep breath and said, “That old man is lying to you, Abriel.” My voice was firmer now. “Jayden is your dad. And if that old man comes to you again, you tell him to stop. Tell him not to shove Gabriel’s image into your head anymore.”

Abriel didn’t say anything. He just stared at me, his small chest rising and falling with each deep breath.

I reached for his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Do you understand me, baby?”

For a moment, I wasn’t sure if he would answer. Then, slowly, he gave the smallest nod.

But the doubt was still there in his eyes.

And that terrified me.

After giving him a warm bath, I pulled the blanket up to his chin, tucking him in gently. His little hands clutched the fabric, his eyes still watching me with that same uncertainty. I leaned down and kissed his forehead, my heart aching.

“Sleep baby,” I murmured, brushing his curls away from his face. “We’ll talk more in the morning, okay?”

He didn’t answer. He just nodded slightly before turning his head away, curling into the covers.

I sighed, standing up and smoothing my hands down my dress. My mind was a tangled mess of emotions, but I needed to leave before I made things worse. I turned toward the door, gripping the handle.

It was slightly open.

Frowning, I pulled it wider—then froze.

Jayden stood there.

A big brown teddy bear hung limply from one of his hands, the other carrying a small bag of treats—Abriel’s favorites. But he wasn’t looking at them. His eyes were locked on me, unreadable, intense.

How long had he been standing there?

How much had he heard?

“Jayden…” My voice came out barely above a whisper, my throat tightening.

He didn’t move. He didn’t speak. He just stood there, watching me, his expression unreadable.

But I knew him.

And I could see it in his eyes.

He had heard.

He had heard everything.

A cold shiver ran down my spine. I swallowed hard, forcing my voice to stay steady. “How long have you been standing there?”

Silence.

Then, after what felt like an eternity, Jayden finally spoke.

“Long enough.”