Episode 14

Five Years Later

It had been five years since the departure of his mate.

For the past five years, Zach had never once missed visiting the cliff where his mate had tragically taken her last breath. Zach clenched his fists tightly if only he could turn back time, he would have saved his mate, or perhaps they could have jumped together rather than him having to live with the deep, crushing regret that haunted him now.

Rain poured heavily over Zach’s body, yet he did not move an inch from where he stood. Beta Kenzo took an umbrella and held it over Zach, whose body was already drenched.

Zach and the entourage behind him stood at the edge of the cliff. Zach stared blankly into the ravine below. His heart felt hollow shattered.

He had never imagined his life would be this silent without his mate. For years he had waited, searching for any trace of her, and now only emptiness lingered inside him.

Zach continued to stare straight down. His subordinates watched their Alpha who was supposed to stand tall and proud reduced to a man whose life had lost all meaning.

“Alpha, the sun is about to set. Let’s return to the Kingdom,” Beta Kenzo said softly. He could feel the Alpha’s profound grief; losing a mate was a pain that defied explanation.

Zach exhaled heavily. He and his men began to head back to the Kingdom.

The rain grew harsher. Thunder rumbled loudly above them. Zach and his entourage trudged through the dark, muddy forest.

But in the middle of their journey, Zach and the others heard someone crying.

“Alpha, I hear a voi—” Beta Kenzo stopped, looking around, trying to locate the sound.

“That is the sound of crying,” Zach answered.

“Search every corner for the source of that sound!” Zach ordered firmly. All of his men, including Beta Kenzo, began searching for it.

Zach searched everywhere from behind large rocks to between thick bushes. Then he moved toward the fallen tree where the loudest cries came from. His eyes widened when he saw a small figure hiding from the pouring rain beneath the fallen trunk.

The little girl looked terrified when she saw him. She had been crying loudly, but the moment Zach reached out and picked her up, she stopped. Oddly enough, she didn’t struggle she simply stared at him in silence.

The little girl looked up at Zach. Zach returned her gaze. Her eyes were blue just like his.

Zach covered her wet head with one hand.

“Alpha, you’re soaked,” Beta Kenzo said as he held the umbrella over both Zach and the small girl.

“Daddy.”

Zach froze. The little girl’s face resembled his. Her eyes were blue, her hair black. His heart pounded hard. A strange warmth filled his chest despite the cold rain soaking him.

“Return to the Kingdom. Immediately.”

They headed back at once. Zach held the shivering child tightly in his arms.

***

“Mother warned you, you naughty boy, not to go playing in the rain.” Luna greeted the Alpha’s arrival before tugging Zach’s ear, causing him to wince.

“Alpha, who is—” Luna narrowed her eyes, noticing something he was hiding in his arms.

“She’s beautiful, Alpha. She looks just like you.” Luna’s eyes widened, sparkling when Zach loosened his hold and revealed the child.

Luna Amarylis instantly scooped the little girl into her arms, taking her from Zach. The girl simply stared back innocently.

“Go change your clothes first. I’ll bathe this little girl,” Luna said. Zach nodded.

After washing up and changing, he hurried downstairs, eager to see the adorable girl again.

As he descended the stairs, drying his hair with a towel, he saw his mother playing with the little girl.

“Luna.”

“You’re done bathing, Alpha?” Luna asked. Zach nodded.

“I’m playing with her. Look she’s so smart at counting.” Luna praised the girl sitting on her lap.

“How old are you, sweetheart?”

“Five years old, auntie,” the girl answered with a slight lisp.

“Don’t call me auntie. Call me Luna,” Luna replied, pinching the girl’s cheek.

“Luna, you’re very pretty just like my mom,” the girl said innocently.

“Oh my! You’re very good at complimenting. So, I’m as pretty as your mother? Then where is your mother?” Luna asked, smothering the girl’s face with kisses.

“Mother is at home. She really likes cooking.”

“Oh, really? I’d love to meet her.” Luna grew curious about who the child’s mother could be.

Zach watched the scene quietly. The mansion that had been silent for years suddenly felt alive. Through this little girl, he felt something awaken inside him something like life.

“What’s your name?” Luna asked.

“Zele,” the girl replied.

“Just Zele, hmm?”

“Mother usually calls me her baby girl.”

Luna felt her heart melt. This child was irresistibly cute.

“How did you end up here?”

“I got lost in the forest when I met a big wolf,” Zele answered.

“You weren’t afraid of it?”

“Of course not,” Zele replied confidently. Luna was impressed this girl reminded her of Zach when he was little.

“You’ve answered enough. Come on, it’s time to sleep. I’ve prepared a room for you.”

Zach picked Zele up from his mother’s lap. Luna pouted as he took the child away she was clearly jealous.

“Oh, that boy!” Luna muttered.

Zach entered his room, Zele still in his arms.

Keona smiled when she saw Zach. She stepped forward to welcome him.

“You’re back,” Keona greeted. But she froze when she saw the child in Zach’s arms. The man who never liked being near anyone let alone a child now held one gently? Jealousy pricked her chest.

Zach didn’t respond. He simply walked past her, grabbed his pillow, and turned to leave.

“Where are you going?” Keona asked.

“To sleep with my child.”

“My child?”