CHAPTER 5

CATRIONA

I grabbed Jayden’s wrist and dragged him down the hall to our bedroom, my heart pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat. I pushed the door open and pulled him inside, slamming it shut behind us.

Jayden exhaled sharply and set the teddy bear and treats he had brought for Abriel onto the couch. His fingers ran through his hair, and his shoulders were tense as he turned to face me. His expression was unreadable, but the question in his eyes was deafening, twisting my stomach into knots.

“Whatever you heard is all wrong, Jayden. I promise,” I blurted, my voice strained. “Abriel is your son.”

He didn’t say anything, just stared at me, his silence suffocating. The tension between us was unbearable, and my pulse hammered in my throat. His gaze locked onto mine, his jaw clenched tight, as if he was fighting a storm of emotions. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and controlled.

“When did it start?”

I froze, my breath catching in my chest. My frown deepened, confusion flooding my mind. “What?” I asked, my voice trembling. “It’s not what you think, I’ve never met Gabriel since that day. I just bumped into him at the mall when I took Abriel—”

Jayden cut me off sharply, his words hitting like ice. “I mean when did Abriel start talking?” His eyes burned into mine, searching, demanding an answer. “Did you know he could talk and never wanted to tell me?”

My breath caught, and I stood motionless. My heart slammed against my ribs as I scrambled for something to say, but no words came. The truth hung in the air, thick and suffocating. I had known the moment Abriel spoke. Worse, I knew exactly what had triggered it.

My son had spoken his very first word today. And it had been when he saw Gabriel… when he called him ‘Daddy.’

My throat went dry, and I stared at Jayden, panic crawling up my chest. How could I tell him that? How could I possibly say those words aloud?

I opened my mouth, but the words felt like they were choking me. I knew I couldn’t lie about everything—there were too many truths between us now. But what could I say? What could I tell him without shattering everything we’d built?

“I... I didn’t want to tell you, Jayden,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t think it was the right time.”

Jayden’s gaze never wavered, his eyes piercing into mine, demanding an answer. The air between us felt thick, heavy with unspoken words.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked, his tone quiet but firm, like he already knew something was being withheld. “Why would you keep something like that from me?”

I swallowed hard, my hands trembling. “I was scared,” I admitted, the words spilling out before I could stop them. “I thought... I thought you might think I was crazy, that I was imagining things, that maybe I was hoping for something that wasn’t possible.”

He looked at me, his jaw tightening, but he didn’t interrupt. It was like he was waiting for me to finish, to get to the part that would make sense of all this.

“I didn’t want you to think I was just... I don’t know,” I continued, fumbling for the right words, “...making things up, Jayden. I wanted to be sure before I said anything. And when I realised... when I realised he could talk, I—” I paused, my breath catching. “I didn’t know how to explain it. It’s just... all so sudden.”

Jayden’s eyes softened slightly, though the intensity of his stare didn’t diminish. He wasn’t buying all of it, but at least for a moment, he seemed to believe the lie I told.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to hold his gaze. “I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know how to bring it up without everything just... falling apart. I wasn’t sure how you’d react. But I knew you’d need to know eventually, so I was going to tell you. Just... not like this.”

Jayden’s eyes softened slightly, though the intensity of his stare didn’t waver. I could tell he wasn’t completely convinced, but for a moment, he seemed to buy the lie I told.

He took a step back, his shoulders relaxing, though there was still an edge to his expression. "It’s alright," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "We’ll talk about it later. I think... I think I need to freshen up. You should head to sleep, Catriona."

The words felt like a weight lifting off me, but it left an odd emptiness in their wake. I stood there, staring at him, not knowing what to say next. He didn’t ask for more, didn’t press for the truth I was holding back. He didn’t even mention the part I feared most—the fact that he must’ve heard Abriel call Gabriel ‘Daddy.’

I felt a pang in my chest, a flicker of hurt I couldn’t place. It was like he was distancing himself in a way I didn’t expect, and it made me wonder just how much he was willing to overlook for the sake of peace. He didn’t even mention the conversation I had with Abriel earlier, where my son had said something I wasn’t ready for, something I knew Jayden must’ve heard.

"I'm sorry," I said softly, my voice strained. "I should’ve told you sooner."

Jayden’s expression softened for a moment, his jaw unclenching as if he was trying to let the tension go. "It’s alright," he repeated, his gaze flicking to the bathroom door. "I’ll be quick."

Before he stepped into the bathroom, I found myself speaking before I could stop. “Do you... Do you want me to join you?” I asked, almost in a whisper, my voice laced with something I couldn’t quite name—desire, maybe, or the need for reassurance that he was okay with me.

Jayden turned slightly, his gaze flicking over me briefly. “It’s just gonna be a quick shower,” he said, his words neutral, distant. And with that, he stepped into the bathroom, leaving me standing there alone in the quiet.

I stood frozen for a moment, the sting of his refusal cutting deeper than I expected. It was such a simple thing, but it felt like a door had closed between us. He had never turned me down like that before even after a fight.

I waited for a little while, standing there in the heavy silence of our room. Jayden had said it would be a quick shower, but the minutes dragged on, stretching longer than they should have. The sound of the water running filled the space, and with each passing second, the knot in my chest tightened.

I let out a slow, tired sigh. He was avoiding me. I could feel it.

The thought left a bitter taste in my mouth, but I pushed it down and turned toward the door. If he needed space, I’d give it to him. Staying here, drowning in the tension, wouldn’t help either of us.

Slipping out of the room, I took the elevator downstairs, my mind still tangled with everything that had happened. When the doors slid open, the faint murmur of voices reached me from the kitchen. One voice stood out immediately.

Sandra.

Curiosity flared in my chest, and I hurried toward the kitchen. As I stepped inside, I found her in the middle of a conversation with godmother and a few pack members, their faces intrigued as she spoke.

But my attention immediately snapped to the familiar figure standing nearby.

"Lauren?" I gasped, my lips curling into a surprised smile.

Lauren turned, her wide grin lighting up her face. "Hey, stranger."

Before I could say another word, she pulled me into a tight hug. I held on for a moment, feeling the warmth of familiarity in her embrace. It had been so long.

As I pulled back, I looked her over, still smiling. "When did you get back?"

"Just a little while ago," she said with a shrug.

"How is everyone? Your mother and the others?"

Lauren’s expression shifted slightly, something unreadable flickering in her eyes.

I let out a short laugh, though there was no real humour in it. "I bet no one mentioned my name in a good way." I shook my head. "No one likes me."

Lauren pressed her lips together, her eyes squeezing shut for a second before she sighed. "I’m sorry, but... you’re right." She gave me a guilty look. "They hate me so much now that I live with you and don’t hate you like I used to."

I let out a breath, the sting of her words cutting even though I already knew the truth. But there was something almost amusing about it, in a sad kind of way.

"Well," I murmured, "at least you’re honest.”

Lauren smirked, crossing her arms. “Since when have I ever not been honest? I’ve always been true to my feelings.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. That much was true.

Then I leaned in closer, my voice dropping to a whisper. “Let me hope you told no one that you’re now a werewolf.”

The shift in her body was subtle, but I caught it—the way her shoulders tensed, the way she inhaled just a little too sharply. But she covered it quickly with a weird laugh, forcing an easy expression onto her face.

“I know what the Alpha would do if I told anyone,” she said lightly.

I raised a brow. “Well, good that you know that.”

Lauren’s grin widened as she changed the subject. “I missed my handsome little nephew. I’m going to go check on him.”

I hesitated before shaking my head. “Abriel is sleeping.”

Lauren pouted dramatically. “Just a little peek at his cute face and that’s it.”

I sighed, but I couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips. “Fine, but be quiet.”

Lauren shot me a wink before slipping away toward the elevator.

The moment she was gone, I felt a hand wrap around mine. I turned to find godmother watching me with knowing eyes.

“Come,” she said, her grip firm as she pulled me along.

“Where are we—?”

She didn’t answer, guiding me toward the living area. But as soon as we stepped in, I realized it was full of pack members watching a soccer match. The energy in the room was buzzing with excitement, making it impossible to have a private conversation.

“Not here,” she murmured, shaking her head.

Without another word, she tugged me through the foyer and into the empty room.

I raised an eyebrow. “What’s this about?”

Godmother’s expression turned serious as she looked at me, her gaze searching. “Catriona… what’s really going on?”

Something in her tone made my stomach twist.

She didn’t wait for me to respond before she pressed on. “This is about Gabriel, isn’t it? And Abriel.”

I felt the blood drain from my face. My body tensed as I quickly looked around, scanning the dimly lit hallway as if someone might be listening, watching. My pulse pounded in my ears.

My voice was barely above a whisper. “What are you talking about, godmother?” I asked, forcing my expression to remain neutral. “Why are you suddenly bringing up Gabriel’s name?”

Godmother’s lips pressed together as she studied me. Then, as if she’d just confirmed something for herself, she exhaled slowly.

“So it is,” she murmured. “Catriona.”

I swallowed hard, a strange tightness forming in my chest.

She reached out, touching my arm lightly. “Calm down,” she said, her voice gentler now. “No one knows. I just wanted to make sure… to confirm what I’ve been shown.”

I frowned. “Shown?” My fingers curled into fists. “What exactly do you mean by that?”

Godmother’s gaze darkened with something unreadable. She let out a slow breath before answering.

“It’s been two years now since I last had dreams of the old men.” She paused, her fingers trailing absentmindedly over the edge of a wooden chair. “But for the past year, I kept seeing one—an ancient-looking man who resembles Abriel. And every time, he tells me the same thing.”

I couldn’t breathe. “What thing?”

“That Gabriel is supposed to be his father.”

A cold shiver raced down my spine.

She continued, her voice quiet but unwavering. “Last night, he visited again. He told me Abriel would see Gabriel today, that I would confirm the truth through you.” Her eyes flickered with something heavy. “And when you came back earlier with Abriel—both of you in a terrible mood—I wasn’t sure. But your reaction now…” She tilted her head slightly. “That kind of confirms it.”

My hands started to shake. My mouth opened, but I couldn’t find words.

This couldn’t be real.

Those old men… ever since I gave birth to Abriel, they had vanished. I thought they were gone for good, granting me a sliver of peace, letting me believe—if only for a while—that I was just an ordinary human.

But all this time, for an entire year, they had been visiting her instead.

“Catriona!”

I froze at the urgency in Lauren’s voice.

“I’m here,” I called back, heading out, toward where her urgent voice came from.

Lauren’s expression was a mix of confusion and something close to alarm. “Are you hiding my nephew from me?”

I narrowed my eyes as I walked toward her. “What are you talking about? He’s in his room, sleeping.”

Lauren shook her head, her lips pressing into a thin line. “No, he’s not.”