6. Recognition

Celine’s POV

Benjamin looked at me so calmly in that moment that I felt powerful. Somehow, he seemed to be telling me everything would be alright.

The moment I heard Jordan’s powerful voice, I turned and saw him speaking with a man I had never seen before.

From that instant on, I knew things would be alright.

“Daddy’s here, my love,” I whispered to Ben, trying to hold back my tears as I watched Jordan’s rigid stance on the other side of the glass.

“Ma’am, who is that man?” A nurse drew my attention. I was sure she had heard what I had said to the baby, but she needed confirmation.

“He’s Ben’s father. Go. Have him sterilized and let him in.” The woman nodded and hurried off, speaking quickly to the man who hadn’t taken his eyes off us.

He followed her, and for a few moments, I silently thanked whatever force in the universe might be willing to help me save my son.

“The pain is going to stop, sweetheart. Everything will be alright now.” I rocked my baby gently, watching his eyes grow heavy as he surrendered to exhaustion.

When Jordan stepped into the room, his aura of dominance hit me instantly. I couldn’t deny it. He was a force, and his presence marked every place he entered. I noticed the young nurse sizing him up from head to toe before glancing at me with curiosity.

“Do you need something?” I asked her when her gaze lingered on him for the third time, and she seemed to snap out of it.

“Oh, no, ma’am. I’ll go get the baby’s medication and be right back.” I nodded, watching Jordan remain by the door.

“You can come in,” I said softly.

“I’m trying to find something,” he replied, and I didn’t understand. His steps were slow across the room, and he didn’t come directly to me and Ben as I had expected.

“This room is sterilized. Ben has no immunity, and any common bacteria or virus could be fatal.” I looked down at my baby, now sleeping peacefully in my arms, and kissed his forehead, even though the mask kept me from feeling his skin against mine.

Finally, Jordan approached us, making no sound at all, and I found it almost absurd how a man of his size could move so silently.

His eyes met mine for only a few seconds before shifting to the baby. He leaned closer, studying every detail of my son, as if searching for something that connected them.

“If you want, I can request a DNA test today.” He straightened and looked at me.

“There’s no need. I know he’s mine. Even if his scent is poisoned by the drugs they’re giving him, I can still recognize it.” He ran a finger through the few strands of hair left on the baby’s head. “This medication is killing him.”

I shot him a sharp look and carried the baby to the crib, placing him carefully, making sure not to disturb the nasal tube or the IV.

“Let’s talk somewhere else.” He nodded, stepping closer to the baby again, his nose wrinkling.

My patience, which had seemed intact that morning, began to wear thin under the rough edges of my son’s father.

We removed the protective gear, discarding it in the bin, and left the isolation room. As soon as we stepped into the hallway, I saw the man who had been with him earlier speaking to two others near the elevator, while another stood guard by Benjamin’s door.

“Who are they?” I asked, confused.

“My security team. This hospital has a ridiculous level of security when it comes to room access.”

“I think that’s unnecessary. I’ve never had any issues with that,” I said, looking at him.

“Did you have to authorize me to come upstairs?” I considered his words and felt a chill at the answer. “All I had to do was say I was his father, and they let me in. Anyone could have done that. You should be more careful. Given your position, I assume you have enemies… and once they learn he’s my son, you’ll gain a few more.” His words unsettled me. There was no arguing with him. The hospital’s failure had just been thrown in my face.

“I can hire a team,” I said, clasping my hands together.

“There’s no need. Mine will handle it… until the pup leaves this place.” I crossed my arms, irritated by the way he spoke.

“If you don’t want the DNA test, then what are you doing here?” I knew I had to stay calm, or he would walk away again, but his attitude was infuriating.

“I came to save my son. Isn’t that what you want? Though it seems your doctors are only speeding up his death.” My eyes widened at his statement. “He smells like chemicals. Everything about him is fragile… he—”

I raised my hand, stopping him.

“Your son has a rare form of leukemia. The doctors are doing everything they can, but the disease keeps progressing and—”

“I know. I read the file,” he cut in sharply, dismissing my words.

“You read it? What do you mean you read his file?”

“As I said, this hospital’s security isn’t the best.” I stared at him, stunned by yet another revelation.

How powerful was this man to access so much so easily? When I met him at the bar, he seemed like nothing more than a rugged stranger… and now he stood before me, controlling everything.

“Who are you?” I asked again, and he held my gaze for a long moment.

“I thought that was already clear to you.” His tone turned mocking, a challenge curling into his smile.

“No, it’s not. You said my son is the child of an Alpha. What does that mean?” I pulled him farther from Benjamin’s room, where the nurse was returning and watching us curiously.

“I am the Alpha of the Black Moon pack.” I covered my mouth, nearly laughing, but his eyes narrowed, stopping me.

“You really expect me to believe you’re a wolf?” My hand pressed against my lips. “If that’s the case, then my son is what… some kind of canine?” His irritation deepened, his jaw tightening.

“Lupine. My pup is lupine. Don’t test me with your lack of intelligence, human.” I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I started laughing.

“In case you haven’t noticed, my baby is a normal child. He doesn’t have a tail or pointed ears.” He stepped closer, pressing me against the wall. His hand lifted toward me, his finger tracing along my face, sending a jolt of alarm through me. As it slid down to my neck, I felt something sharp cut into my skin.

When he pulled back, I saw it.

A long, lethal claw extending from his index finger…

The same finger that, just moments ago, had been entirely human.