Chapter 3: Their son

Raizel's POV

I have a sense of seeing a clone or an illusion. Perhaps I was beaten too hard, causing me to see things. There's a boy standing in the doorway, dressed in pants and a white shirt. He looks exactly like me!

I find myself staring at my seven-year-old self in disbelief. I gulp. "Everything is okay now. We successfully diverted the attention of the guest and... Oh no! Raizel? Two Raizels?!" exclaims Vincent, looking at the child with a confused expression.

Tala and Vincent came here to check on Ynez, but they were surprised when they saw the child in front of them. Our family turned around and also noticed the child.

He stood there silently, tears streaming down his cheeks. He wiped away his tears and put on a brave face as he looked at Ynez's lifeless body.

"Mommy! Mommy!" he cried, running towards the bed and ignoring us completely. He jumped on the bed and embraced Ynez?! What did he just say?!

"What the! That k-kid looks l-like you when we were kids, King Raizel. Why is he calling Ynez his mom?" Tala asked, her words stumbling out.

Yza questioned the little boy, "Who are you? Why are you calling her mommy?"

As I observed the boy, he held onto Ynez tightly, appearing confused when our eyes met. My mother commented, "He reminds me of our son when he was a child." Romaine agreed, saying, "Yes, mommy. He looks exactly like Raizel."

The boy shook his head and declared, "I am not Raizel. I am Raizen Lorenzo, and she is my mommy. What have you done to her? Who has hurt my mommy!"

His eyes turned crimson, ready to attack anyone who accused me. I placed my hand on my chest, feeling a strange connection with him. My heart skipped a beat, filling me with happiness and excitement.

Taking a step forward, I grasped the boy's hand. Our eyes locked, and I sensed an unbreakable bond between us. He gasped, and as I looked at his hand, the emblem of the Richards family appeared on his wrist.

This emblem was more concrete evidence than any DNA test that could be manipulated. From the moment we first hold our child, it becomes evident that they are truly our own.

The realization is overwhelming. He is really my son! Romaine checks his wrist and her eyes widen as she sees our family's emblem.

"Raizel, is he your son?" Romaine asks.

The child pulls his hand away and looks at us strangely. He seems scared too. "Rai... Rai..." Ynez mumbles, as if having a nightmare.

The child looks at his mom and gently taps her cheeks. "Mommy! Mommy, wake up. I'm here. Rai is here. Please wake up... mommy!" Raizen says, softly shaking Ynez's body.

The child is trembling. "No... NO! Raizen!" Ynez roars and sits up.

Raizen falls onto her lap. The child kneels and holds his mother's face. Ynez blinks for a moment. The child smiles. "Mommy, Raizen is here. I'm here," he says sweetly.

He also embraces Ynez and my wife's expression turns pale. She must have realized that her son is here and she is no longer trapped in her nightmare.

With her hands wrapped around our son, she gazes at us with a multitude of worries reflected in her eyes. She appears frightened, as if she wishes to vanish in that very moment.

"I apologize, Ynez, but I must ask. Who is this child? Why does he call you 'mom'?" her mother inquires.

My wife grows nervous and alarmed, her gaze fixed on the child's face. She shields his face and holds him tightly. "He is my son. I ran away because of him. I concealed my pregnancy from everyone out of fear. If you hadn't deceived me, Mom, I would never have returned to this place. It only brings me pain. We will go back to Bhutan now. Please, refrain from contacting me again. I..." she pauses and closes her eyes.

She raises her head and looks at us. "I also wish to leave this pack. I don't care if I become a rogue. I have a place to live. My son and I can survive on our own," she adds.

Raizen turns his face towards us. I was the last person he looked at. Suddenly, he raised his hand and I couldn't resist. I extended my hand and he held my three fingers.

He glanced at his mother, and our son looked at Ynez, pleading with her. "Mommy... is he my daddy? He looks like me. Please don't lie to me," he said softly.

Ynez's expression softened, surprising me. She gave me and Eleanor deadly glances, and I could sense her anger. She nodded gently and caressed the child's face.

"Yes. Your daddy is the lycan king. His name is Raizel Richards."

The child's face lit up, and he suddenly embraced me. Ynez closed her eyes, clearly disappointed. She was determined to keep my son away from all of us, not wanting us to know her secret.

"Daddy! I'm so glad I finally met you," he said softly.

His embrace was warm, and I felt only happiness, devoid of any negative emotions. I slowly wrapped my hands around him and hugged him back.

He is already a mature young man. Raizen appears to be taller than most boys his age. As he gazes at me, his sweet smile warms my heart with joy.

"Mommy, can we please stay here? I want to continue my studies in England and be with daddy... and them. Are they your family?" he innocently asks. Ynez, alarmed, disagrees and speaks up.

"No! Raizen, this is not our home. We will return to Bhutan."

"But mommy! I want to be with dad—" Raizen pauses, fear evident in his eyes as Ynez's gaze turns white.

She looks at him with anger. Raizen is taken aback, perhaps experiencing the first time his mother has raised her voice at him. Ynez appears remorseful but still asserts her authority as his mother.

"I said no! Don't make me repeat myself, Raizen. Come here, now!" she roars at him. I don't let him go and look at Ynez. I make the decision to speak up.

"Please take some time to rest and refrain from raising your voice at our son. It is important for you to recuperate, and rest assured, he will not be leaving the country. Let's discuss this further tomorrow. There are many things that you need to explain, Ynez," I firmly stated.

Ynez appeared taken aback by my words. I gently carried him in my arms and guided Ynez back onto the bed. I tucked him in with the quilt and sat down beside her.

As she glared at me, I understood that she was giving me a warning. I empathize with her situation, considering I caused her harm earlier.

Although it goes against my nature, I believe it is necessary to be gentle with her. I still have unanswered questions that I would like to ask her. Looking at her sincerely, I spoke up.

"Alright, for now, I will leave. Just get some rest. Please don't be stubborn, Ynez," I commanded.

I gently placed our son down and gazed at him. The only thing he didn't inherit from me is the color of my eyes. He has his mother's eyes.

"You should rest as well. Your aunt Romaine and aunt Yza will stay here with you and your mommy," I commented. I was about to walk away but Raizen grab my hand. I saw how scared he was. I sigh.

"Daddy, are you planning to leave us? There are so many things I want to say. I want my friends to know that I have a genuine father and that I haven't been lying. Please don't go," he whispered, his eyes welling up with tears.

Ynez and I exchanged a glance, both feeling sorry for our son's distress. In an attempt to reassure him, I smiled warmly and placed my hand on his head, understanding his anxiety.

"I promise, I will return. Daddy won't go anywhere," I assured him, knowing that he could sense my sincerity. He released my hand and lay down beside his mother.

Glancing at my parents, it was evident that they understood my intentions. Grandma spoke up, "Ynez, we will address some questions tomorrow. For now, rest well and good night."

Ynez nodded and slowly closed her eyes. "Romaine and I will stay here to take care of them. King Raizel, be aware that I am keeping a close watch on you," Yza asserted firmly.

Her words carried an underlying threat, and I understood the reasons behind it. After all, I had caused harm to her sister and even attacked her on our wedding day. With a heavy heart, I walked away, and our family followed me.

We decided to go to my sister's office because it was soundproof. This would help reduce the usual noise that might attract the attention of the wolves.

We have to keep this family matter as secretive as possible. My grandfather closed the door as I stood against the glass wall, noticing that the sky had already darkened.

Suddenly, my dad pointed out a kid and said, "That child is unmistakably yours. The emblem on his wrist can only be passed down when a Richards family member holds their child for the first time. How is it possible that you and Ynez have a child?" I closed my eyes, trying to recall a distant memory.

Wolves can carry their babies in just four months, and Ynez has been away from England for eight years, which means the child is now seven years old. Unexpectedly, my inner wolf spoke up.

"I will reveal the truth to you if you can put aside your anger towards Eleanor. I am aware of what happened eight years ago, Raizel. I know every detail."

I was taken aback when my wolf spoke to me. "What did you just say? Are you telling me that you sealed away one of my memories? But why?" I asked my wolf, seeking an explanation.

"Make a promise or you’ll never remember single things." I sigh.

I responded through telepathy, "Alright, tell me."

Suddenly, a memory played in my mind like a movie, causing me to gasp in pain. I opened my eyes and took deep breaths, trying to calm myself. So, Ynez was a victim?

Impatiently, my mother roared, "Are you going to answer us or not?!"

I looked at them and explained what had happened eight years ago. I had no knowledge of it at the time as I was also drugged.

It was just a bet, but I had no idea that Ynez was a victim of that bet. I couldn't believe I had been deceived. I had thought it was Eleanor with whom I had slept, as she was in the room when I woke up.

"My daughter...my poor daughter," her mother said.

My mother gave me a serious look and asked, "What are your plans now? Please don't tell me you're still going to choose Eleanor over your wife and son!"