ANMELDENSELINE"Ethan!" I cried."Mommy!" Ethan shouted back through tears. "Mommy, help me!"I shined the flashlight over the rocks and coordinated a small path. I could get a better look at the situation if I shifted a little around them."Hold on, baby," I pleaded. "Mommy is going to help. Just keep breathing.""Okay," Ethan whimpered, and the sound tugged at my heartstrings.I followed the beams of light and made my way down over the rocks. It was a little difficult to navigate, but I had to save my son.When I reached the bottom, I shined the flashlight around me to get my bearings, and when I did, I realized we were at the entrance of a small cave. Somehow, Ethan had managed to stamp on it and get caught in between rocks."Keep breathing, Ethan," I urged him as he wiggled and writhed. "I think I can get you out."I carefully climbed back up to the top of the rocks and over to Ethan. Even in the dark, I could see his cheeks were soaked from his tears. His lower lip trembled, and for the
SELINEWhen I entered my son's room, I half-expected him to be awake, but he was fast asleep.He had his arms wrapped around his favorite teddy bear, Teddy, and for a moment, I didn't want to wake him up. He seemed so peaceful, and I was about to put him through so much stress.But not as much as I would be if we went to Ravenspire.So, I leaned down and gently touched his arm."Ethan," I whispered, and when he didn't rouse, I said his name again. After a moment, his nose crinkled and his eyes blinked open."Mommy?" he said, and he yawned lightly."Sorry to wake you, baby," I said, and I gave him my most apologetic smile. "We have to go.""Go?" he repeated back in a confused voice. "Go where?""I'll tell you on the way there," I explained. "For now, we just need to get ready, okay?"Ethan nodded, though his gray eyes were concerned. I pulled the covers aside and helped him down. We walked over to the closet, and we got him dressed.After I zipped up his jacket, I picked out a couple o
SELINEI remained in bed with Ethan for a while and stared lovingly at his adorable face as he dreamt. Part of me could have stayed here forever, holding my sweet baby boy in my arms, but the other part knew there was so much to do.I carefully tucked Ethan deep into the covers, and once I was sure he wasn't going to wake, I quietly slipped out of his room and headed toward mine down the hall. I gently closed the door behind me, and once it was shut, I released the sigh I'd been holding onto for hours now.This was all such a mess, and there was only one thing I could do.I had to pack- not for Ravenspire, but somewhere else.I needed to take Ethan and run as far away as we could.I didn't see any other choice. My son and I couldn't go to Ravenspire.So, I started moving around my room and got to packing.I grabbed only the essentials- a few pairs of clothes, some money I'd stashed away, necessary toiletries, and the legal documents I needed to hold onto for Ethan's sake. We wouldn't
SELINE"Mommy, what's going on?" Ethan whispered, and he stared up at me with widened eyes. I froze in place, unsure of how to answer him. Surely, the Alpha King couldn't be serious.Me, go with him to Ravenspire?I studied Austin's expression and wondered if he'd seen past my changed face and voice. Had he discovered it was me after all? No. There was no way.Regardless, why would he bring me there? As the capital city of the Valcrest Empire, there were countless outstanding healers that resided there. While I knew I was good at my job, I didn't believe for a moment that I was any more talented than any of them.If anything, I could just write down the list of herbs I'd used and have the servants pass it along to the royal healers, and if something was amiss, they knew where to find me."I-I don't understand, Your Majesty," I asked him. "Why bring me all the way to Ravenspire?""Must I repeat myself?" the Alpha King sighed and he shook his head in frustration. "I thought you were sma
SELINE My lip quivered as I searched for an explanation, and Austin rose from his seat. However, just as the Alpha King took a step toward us, the sleeping prince's eyes opened. "Daddy?" the young boy managed. "What happened?" Austin seemed to forget about us completely and turned his full attention to his son. He squatted down beside the boy and took his hand. "You're awake," he said in relief. "Oh, thank goodness. Do you feel any better now?" His tone was gentle, something I'd never heard from him before. Or perhaps I had, but the memories were buried now. The young prince nodded and smiled at his father. "I feel better now, Daddy…" "Do you remember what happened?" Austin asked quietly and when the boy shook his head, he sighed. "That's alright. What's important is that you're safe and feeling better than before. I'm so relieved." As he held his son's hand, I noticed Ethan gazing at them longingly. It tugged at my heartstrings, but there was nothing I could do except get the
SELINEI was stunned by the severity of his tone. He wasn't addressing me as Austin Collins. He was ordering me as the Alpha King.The last thing I wanted was to stay in the chamber alone with him and the sleeping prince, but as much as I wanted to disobey his order, I knew I had no choice. He was the ruler of the realm, and I could face horrible consequences if I didn't obey.So, I turned back around. I was about to walk back over to the bed when a thought crossed my mind."My apologies, Your Majesty, but I need to go and take care of my son," I explained, and it took all of my effort to keep my voice steady."Your son?" Austin repeated back, and he crossed his arms against his chest."Yes, my son," I answered. "He's waiting for me. I've been working all day, so I haven't had the chance to see him yet.""Where is he?" the Alpha King pressed. His gray eyes narrowed as if he didn't wish to let me leave."He is with the Luna Diana's children," I answered. "Downstairs, I believe.""He wi







