Chapter 4: The Alpha’s Claim

The silence in the infirmary was so thick it felt like it was choking me.

Liam’s hands were still on my waist, his fingerprints burning through my clothes. But his gaze was locked on Aries. He looked like a man who had seen a ghost—or a miracle.

“Elena,” Liam’s voice was a low, dangerous vibration. “Tell me I’m dreaming. Tell me I’m not looking at a miniature version of myself.”

Aries, ever the little Alpha, didn't shrink back. He stepped into the room, his small shoulders squared. The silver light of the infirmary glinted off his dark hair. “Mommy? Why is the bad man holding you? Does he need a time-out?”

I scrambled to pull myself together, shoving Liam back with every ounce of Lunar strength I had. I quickly pulled my mask back over my face, but it was too late. The damage was done.

“He’s just a patient’s relative, Aries,” I said, my voice shaking. “Go back to your sister. Now.”

“His name,” Liam commanded. The power in his voice was so absolute the floorboards seemed to hum. He wasn't asking. He was the King again. “What is his name?”

“His name is none of your business, Alpha Hamilton,” I snapped, stepping between them. “You rejected me. You threw me to the rogues. You gave up your right to know anything about my life the moment you signed those papers.”

Liam stepped toward me, his emerald eyes flashing with a predatory light. “If he is mine, Elena, he is the business of the entire Silver Moon Pack. He is an Alpha heir. My heir.”

“He is my son,” I hissed. “He was born in the mud while you were celebrating your new ‘True Bride.’ He was raised by rogues and outcasts while you were building your empire. He owes you nothing. And neither do I.”

Liam reached out, his hand hovering near Aries, as if he wanted to touch the boy but was terrified he would vanish into smoke. Aries growled—a low, tiny sound that was a perfect echo of Liam’s own snarl.

Liam flinched as if he’d been struck. A look of raw, agonizing pride crossed his face.

“He has the Alpha’s spark,” Liam whispered. “The prophecy... Isabella said you were barren. She said you were cursed.”

“Isabella lied,” I said, my voice cold as the Arctic. “And you were too happy to believe her.”

The Forbidden Confrontation

Before Liam could say another word, the infirmary doors burst open.

Isabella stood there, flanked by two high-ranking Pack Elders. Her face was pale, her eyes darting between Liam, me, and Aries. When she saw the boy—saw the undeniable resemblance—her face twisted into a mask of pure horror.

“Liam!” she shrieked. “What is this? Why is this... child... in the palace?”

The Elders stepped forward, their gray eyes judgmental. “Alpha, there are rumors spreading through the pack link. People are saying the Silver Shadow is the exile, Elena. They are saying there is a bastard child in the infirmary.”

Liam straightened his spine, his aura expanding to fill the room, pushing back against the Elders. He looked down at Aries, then at me. I saw the possessiveness in his eyes. He wasn't going to hide it.

“She is not a rogue,” Liam announced, his voice booming through the hall. “And the child is no bastard. He is a Prince of the Silver Moon.”

The room gasped. Isabella looked like she was about to faint.

“Liam, you can’t!” she cried, rushing to his side. “She’s cursed! The Oracle said—”

“The Oracle is going to be re-evaluated,” Liam growled, shoving her hand off his arm. “As for the boy... he stays with me. In the royal quarters.”

“No!” I shouted. “He stays with me. We are leaving, Liam. We’ve healed your Beta. Our contract is finished.”

Liam turned to me, a dark, forbidden smirk on his face. He stepped into my personal space, ignoring the Elders and his crying fiancée. He leaned down, his breath hot against my ear.

“You think I’m letting you walk out of here again? Now that I know the truth?” He moved his hand to the small of my back, pulling me inches closer. “You’re in my territory now, Elena. And in this pack, what the Alpha finds, the Alpha keeps.”

“Is that a threat?” I whispered.

“It’s a promise,” he replied. “You want to protect these children? Fine. But you’ll do it as my guest. Or my prisoner. The choice is yours.”

He looked over my shoulder at Aries, then back to me. His gaze dropped to my lips, which were still swollen from his kiss.

“We aren't finished, Elena. Not by a long shot. I’m going to find out every secret you’ve been keeping for the last five years. And I’m going to start with why your wolf is still screaming for me.”

He turned to the guards. “Escort the Doctor and her children to the Lunar Suite. Guard the doors. No one goes in or out without my personal mark.”

As I was led away, I saw Isabella whispering to the Elders, her eyes burning with a murderous light. I had returned for revenge, but I had walked right into a gilded cage.

I looked down at Aries, who was holding my hand tightly.

“Mommy?” he asked as we walked through the halls. “Is the bad man our daddy?”

I looked at the guards, then at the towering walls of the palace.

“He’s just a man who made a very big mistake, Aries,” I whispered. “And we’re the ones who are going to make him pay for it.”