We meet again

Zina POV

The crisp breeze from outside tenderly caressed my face as I leaned firmly against the car door, my gaze fixed upon the evolving scenery beyond the window. It's been four  years since my last visit to this pack, and it looked so different now.

Four years of growth. Four years of experience and four years of having to know what being a mother is like. My life has changed immensely, and I couldn't be more grateful to the Moon goddess for guiding me on the right path.

Tilting my head to the right, I noticed that my son, Asher, was awake. He rubbed his eyes groggily and chuckled when I winked at him. His smile consistently brought Xaden to mind, yet I always chose to dismiss the thought.

He's not worth thinking over, and I hope he's paying and rotting in hell for all the pain he caused

me.

"Mom, are we there yet?" Asher's words pulled me out of my thoughts. He clasped his hands to his mouth, stifling a yawn.

"Almost, Ash," I rubbed his head, and within seconds, he was back asleep. Ensuring his happiness has always been my goal, which was why I brought him to the Crystal pack. Despite striving to become a top medical doctor over the years, I knew it was wiser not to stay there.

I knew Asher was a werewolf, and he behaved unusually, avoiding interaction with humans and mingling with his fellow werewolves, instead. Being of Alpha blood, he deserved better. So, I decided to bring him to his pack, possibly to live with Grandma and Charlotte.

The chauffeur interrupted my thoughts, opening the door and announcing, "We're here, ma'am."

I stepped out of the car, and gazed at the imposing building before me – my house. It was one of the perks of being a popular medical doctor. Maybe heeding Grandma's advice to advance  my medical career wasn't such a bad idea after all.

With the help of Asher and the maids, we effortlessly unpacked everything into the house,thanks to their efficiency. I felt content knowing that the Alpha of the pack was doing an excellent job, bringing about miraculous changes after my parents' passing. It was a pleasant surprise when he gifted me this spacious house upon hearing about my return to the Crystal pack.

Despite him taking over and renaming the pack, I wasn't bothered. As long as he outperformed   my parents, I had no issues. He even built me a hospital. I could only imagine the excitement on their faces when they learned I was back as their pack member.

"Here is your room, ma'am," one of the maids announced, and I immediately flung the door open. For a moment, a shiver ran down my spine, and I felt like royalty once again.

"Mum, this room is so fine. When his Dad Joining us?" Asher giggled as he bounced on the king-sized bed. I rolled my eyes at his question. Even though he was three, he seemed to understand the concept of a father.

Each time he asked, I whipped up a lie about his father traveling, and returning very soon. How  could I tell him the truth – that his father was a scumbag who abandoned his mother for another woman?

"Dad will join us really soon, Ash," I crouched down to his level when I noticed his expression change.

"How soon? Everyone around me has a Dad. I need one too," he grunted, falling back on the bed, as those words brought tears to my eyes.

"You'll get your Dad soon. Trust your mum on this," I promised, extending a pinky finger, but He only shifted to the other side of the bed. That was the  agony of being a single mother.

The rest of the day passed in a daze, with Grandma and Charlotte visiting. Charlotte, a 22-year-old whom I knew through Grandma, had somehow become a favorite of Asher's.

Finally seeing Charlotte in person, not just on phone calls, Asher's face lit up with an excitement I had never witnessed before. I hoped this new acquaintance would distract him from thoughts    of his absent father.

"Oh, look who's a top medical doctor now," I grinned widely at Grandma's words while serving   dinner. It was all thanks to her help and constant motivation that I had reached this stage in my life.

Reflecting on the past, I remembered considering aborting Asher during a bout of depression, but Grandma convinced me to further my medical career, give birth, and care for him properly. She truly was an angel, no doubts.

"I'm so proud of you, Zina."

"Thank you, grandma," I felt a warm glow hearing those words, appreciating the pride from a family member.

"I have something to tell you," Grandma began, but her words were cut off by a loud and  unexpected noise.

Surprising everyone in the room, including Jared, Asher enthusiastically rushed over to him and screamed.

"Daddy! Mommy, come look, daddy is finally here!" Asher twirled around Jared, leaving me in shock, lost for words.

I hurried over to him and embraced him, cherishing the familiar scent that brought me comfort. It had been four long years since I last saw him, and I couldn't help but feel grateful to the moon  goddess for allowing our 

paths to cross again.

Asher played with him for what felt like hours, diverting our conversations. So, we postponed our talks until morning, and Asher slept with him in the guest room.

Morning arrived, and my phone chimed with a text message. Blinking my eyes repeatedly, I read the contents of the message:

"Hello, Doctor Sean..." I paused and chuckled at the sight of that name. I had adopted it to keep my identity discreet. It was a way to ensure no one would recognize the same old and naive Zina they used to know. I didn't even know where that name had originated.

"Thank you for acknowledging our last letter. We want to inform you that the patient you asked us to bring to your hospital has been admitted since the day before and is in a really critical state. We're patiently waiting at your hospital for your arrival, and we hope to see you soon."

Although I knew I needed to attend to a patient today, I was surprised they arrived a day earlier. Hastily, I threw off the duvets and got ready. My hospital wasn't far from home, so I reached there in minutes, aiming to treat just that one patient and head back home. For some reason, their letter had touched my heart, and I couldn't help but keep to my promise.

My tires screeched to a halt, and I quickly got out of the car. Something caught my eye – the   blue Camry parked just in front of mine seemed oddly familiar, but I brushed it off and headed straight into the hospital.

Several people bowed their heads as I walked in, but I made my way to the receptionist, collected my office keys, and followed her to my office. I dropped my bag and was led to where the patient was, eager to understand what was wrong. They claimed no one had a cure for her   condition, but I was confident I could help. After all, I wasn't Doctor Zina for nothing.

I arrived at room 306, where Alina, my receptionist, had led me. I asked her to turn back and call a few nurses. I Flung the door open and my gaze was fixed on the patient in a   truly critical state as I walked in.

Her hair was a mixture of green and white, and her face had peeled so badly. Nodding in disappointment, my eyes darted to the young man sitting beside her, his face on the bed, asleep.

I patted him, and as soon as he raised his head, I staggered back.

"Xaden?" What the heck was he doing here? Or was this his mother? My head spun.

"Zina... Doctor Sean?" His voice came out weakly, and we were both in a state of shock.