CHAPTER THREE

 The Secret He Must Never Know

POV: Serena Vale

“Are you the man who made my mummy cry?”

Milo's question makes Damien stop moving. For a moment, the ruthless Alpha who has half the werewolf world trembling at his feet looks like a man who has no idea what to say to a six-year-old boy.

“Yes,” I answer for him. “He made some bad choices.”

Milo looks up at me. “Did he say sorry?”

“No.”

“Then he's not a very good man.”

“Milo,” I warn, although I nearly agree with him.

Damien's jaw tightens. “I didn't know I had a son, Serena.”

“And whose fault is that?” I snap. “You don't get to walk into his life and expect him to call you Daddy.”

“I haven't asked him to.”

“Good. Because he won't.”

Milo tugs at my sleeve. “Mummy, is he really my father?”

I look at his curious face, and my heart twists. I have prepared myself for many difficult conversations with my son, but never this one. Not here. Not with Damien standing close enough to hear every word.

“We'll talk at home, sweetheart.”

“That's what you say when you don't want to answer.”

Damien looks at me. “He's clever.”

“He gets that from me.”

“Serena.” His voice drops. “Someone tried to steal your company today. Now three Alphas are kneeling in your son's school, and a man is watching him like he's a weapon. You need to tell me what's going on.”

Before I can answer, Garrick finally manages to stand.

“High Alpha, the council has already been informed about the boy's ability.”

Damien turns towards him. “Who informed them?”

“I don't know.”

“Try again.”

Garrick swallows. “The message came from inside your household.”

My fingers tighten around Milo's hand. Someone close to Damien knows about my son, and that person has already decided he belongs to them.

“We're leaving,” I announce.

Damien steps in front of the door. “Not until I know you're safe.”

“You don't get to order me around.”

“I'm trying to protect you.”

“Then move.”

For several seconds, neither of us gives way. I hate that the bond between us still pulls at me, as if my body has forgotten every reason I ran from him. I hate even more that part of me wants to believe he means what he says.

My phone vibrates.

An unknown number.

I open the message and find a photograph of Milo outside his school that morning. Someone has been watching him.

The words beneath it turn my blood cold.

Bring the boy to the old Blackthorne estate before midnight. Or we'll tell Damien what you did six years ago.

“What is it?” Damien asks.

I lock my phone. “Nothing.”

His eyes narrow. “Don't lie to me.”

“I'm not lying.”

Milo looks between us. “Mummy, your hand is shaking.”

I pull him closer, trying to keep my face calm. Whoever sent that message knows my secret. Worse, they know exactly how to use it against me.

Damien reaches for my phone, but I pull it away.

“Serena, show me.”

“No.”

His expression hardens. “Whatever happened six years ago, I have a right to know.”

“You have no idea what you're asking for.”

“Then tell me.”

I stare at the man I spent years trying to forget. I cannot tell him the truth. Not when Milo is standing between us, listening to every word.

Then another message arrives.

This time, there is no photograph.

Just one sentence.

Ask Serena why your brother died the night your son was conceived.

Damien goes completely still.

“Serena,” he whispers, his eyes fixed on mine. “What did you do to my brother?”