CHAPTER 4: THE FATHER

Silas didn’t get any sleep that nite.

He wasn’t able. Whenever he shut his eyes, he saw her. ARIA His daughter. The little girl with silver eyes and dark braids that didn't know he existed. The little girl that had lived for five years--five years--and he had never known.

He sat in his study until dawn, looking at the photograph Valentina had given him. He had memorized every detail. The space in her smile. The way her nose wrinkled when she laughed. She hugged the stuffed wolf like a life raft.

But aria

Her name was Aria.

He said it aloud, just to hear it. Aria

It had the sound of music. Redemption, it sounded like. It was all he had lost. All he wanted to win.

At sunrise Dante found him still in the chair, the photograph in his hand.

“Alpha.” Dante’s voice was cautious. "You look like shit." "Thanks.

“Did you get any sleep?” “No.”

Dante sighed. He rose to the window, pulled back the curtains and let the morning light into the room. Silas winced.

“The pack’s asking questions,” Dante said. They want to know what happened at the auction. They want to know about the Moonstone." "Tell 'em it's straightened out.

Is it?

Finally Silas looked up. His eyes were red as blood. His hair was a mess. But there was a new thing in his face. Something hard. Something definite. "I saw her, Dante. I looked at my daughter.

Dante's face softened. "What's her name?

“Aria.” Silas’s voice broke on the word. She’s five years old. "She has my eyes. She sleeps with a wolf stuffed animal. And she doesn't know who I am."

Dante was silent for a long time. Then he pulled up a chair and sat across from Silas. "What are you going to do?

I’ll be her daddy.” Silas laid the picture down carefully. I will gain Valentina's confidence. I will show you that I am different. “I’m going to make it better.” “That’s a tall order.” “I know.

"And Valentina...she's not the woman you remember. She’s Silver Queen. She owns an empire. She’s got enemies. And from what I hear, she ain't the type to forgive.

"Me, too." Silas stood up. 'But I don't mind. If I have to, I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to her. "I'll do whatever I have to.

Dante glanced at him. Then he nodded slowly. "Then I'll help you," he said.

Three days passed before Valentina spoke to Silas again.

His phone buzzed while he was in the training yard. One message from an unknown number.

Dinner. Tomorrow. 7 p.m. Don’t be late.

No address. No instruction. Just the time .

Silas smiled. " It was the first time in days he had smiled.

At exactly 6:55 p.m. the following evening, Silas arrived at Valentina's estate. He was in a dark suit, simple, elegant, not flash. In one hand he carried a bouquet of white roses, in the other a small gift bag.

He was just about to knock when the door opened.

Valentina was in the doorway. She was wearing a deep red dress that clung to her curves, her hair swept up in an elegant twist, silver earrings glinting in the light. She was a beautiful girl. She looked like trouble.

She glanced at the roses. Then at him. "What're those for?"

"You."

“Why?

“Because I’m working at it.

Valentina's face remained the same. But she took the roses. ‘Come in.

The house was warmer than it had been. Lived in more. A child’s song, simple and sweet, played softly from somewhere deeper inside Silas. His heart grew cold as stone.

"Is she about?

Upstairs. The Preparing for bed." Valentina placed the roses on a side table. You’ll see her after dinner.”

Silas nodded his head. He followed Valentina into the dining room. Again the table was set for two, but this time there was a third place setting. Smaller, with a child's cup and plate. "She ate earlier," Valentina noticed his look, "but she likes to sit with me while I eat.

"She does?"

"Highly social. “Like her father.”

Silas’s throat tightened. "You told her of me?"

I said that her father was a brave Alpha who did things wrong.Valentina sat down. I didn't tell her your name. I didn't tell her that you were alive. As far as she knows you are a story. "Character in a Bedtime Story."

"That's... that's right.

“Good for you.” ‘Look at my seat, ’ he said. "Have a seat.

Silas sat down. The food was already set on the table. Roasted chicken, vegetables, fresh bread. Easy. Classy. "Did you make this?" he asked. "I made it." "Cook?"

“I do a lot of stuff. Valentina raised her fork. "Have some."

They ate in silence for a few minutes. Silas's mind was reeling, but he forced himself to focus on the meal, on the moment, on the fact that he was here, in her home, about to see his daughter. "You are nervous," Valentina observed. "That obvious?"

"You hold your fork as if it were a weapon."

Silas glanced down. She was right. He eased his grip. "I'm sorry. I just... I don't know how to do this." “I don’t know how to be a father.”

"You'll find out." Valentina's voice was quieter now. “You will screw up. You’ll screw up. “But if you are steady, if you show up, if you keep your promises, you will win her trust.”

"And yours?"

Valentina looked in his eyes. "That's another matter."

Silas nodded his head. He knew. He'd wounded her in ways that a few dinners couldn't heal. He'd betrayed her, flattened her, left her to bring up their child alone. It would take time to earn her forgiveness. Maybe years. But he was prepared to wait. "May I ask you a question?" he said. "You may ask." "Why did you send me the photograph? Why did you ask me here? You could've kept Aria secret forever. You could have raised her while I was gone. Why take a chance on me?”

There was a long silence from Valentina. She put her fork down.

“Because she asked about you.

Silas blinked. What?

“A few months ago she started asking questions. Why I Don’t Have a Daddy? Do other kids have dads? Where is my dad? “I didn’t know what to say to her.” Valentina’s voice trembled. I was not bold enough to lie to her. Not this one. So I told her the truth, that her father was a good man who had made a terrible mistake. That he did not know her. "And she believed you?"

She wanted.’ Valentina looked away. " She's five. She still believes in fairy tale endings.

Silas's heart broke. "What about you? Do you believe in happy endings?

Valentina turned to him again. Her eyes were silver. Hard. "No. But I do believe in second chances. I believe every child deserves to know their father. "That father is a fool also.

Silas smiled involuntarily. That I’m deserving of.

You deserve better.

I know.

They ate the rest of their meal in silence. When the plates were cleared, Valentina got up. "Come," she said. It's time.

Silas followed her up the stairs. His heart was racing. His hands were perspiring. He had the walk of a man who is about to be executed.

Valentina stopped at a door. Same door as last time. Aria's room "She's awake," Valentina said. “She knows you’re coming.”She does?

I told her that we had a visitor expected. "I didn't say who you were." Valentina’s hand went to the handle. I'll present you as a friend. Out of the pack. She doesn’t need to know the truth, not yet. Not until we're both sure." "I understand.

Valentina opened the door.

Aria was sitting up in bed, clutching her stuffed wolf. She wore pink pajamas with little stars on them. Her dark hair fell free around her shoulders. Her silver eyes, his eyes, were wide with curiosity.

“Mommy,” she said, Is this your friend?

Valentina smiled. It was a real smile, soft and warm, and it changed all her face.

"Yes, baby. This is my mate. His name is Silas.

Aria glanced at him. Watched him. Her tiny forehead was creased with concentration.

“Big,” she said.

Silas chuckled. He couldn't help himself. "I am."

Are you a wolf?' 'I am.' 'Can you shift?' 'Aria,' Valentina said softly. How rude.

It's okay. Silas bent down until he was level with the bed. “Yeah, I can change. But I don’t practice it much. It scares people.

I wouldn’t be scared. Aria raised her chin. "I'm brave." "I can tell." Silas smiled. "You're extremely fearless.

Aria watched him for another long time. Then she pulled up her stuffed wolf. "This is Wolfie. He keeps the monsters away from me." "Wolfie looks like a very good protector."

“He is.” Aria hugged the doll. “You got a wolf?

I do. He lives in me." (via

"Has he got a name?"

Silas blinked his eyes. No one had ever asked him that before. "Not. ‘I don’t think he does.’

You should give him one.” Aria said it as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Everyone has to have a name.

Silas glanced at Valentina. She looked at them and her face was unreadable. But there was a softness in her eyes. Something like hope. “What do I call him?” Silas asked.

Aria considered. At length she said, "Shadow." “Because wolves are like shadows. "They follow you everywhere." "Shadow," said Silas. “I like it.

Aria smiled. "Good.

Valentina pushed forward. "Okay, honey. Time to sleep.” “But I’m not sleepy!”

"You have school tomorrow."

"I don't care."

“Aria.

The little girl gave a dramatic queen-like sigh. "Okay." She glanced at Silas. "Will you be back?"

Silas’s heart swelled. “Yes. "I'll come back." "Promise?"

"Promise."

Aria nodded, pleased. Still holding Wolfie, she lay down and shut her eyes.

Valentina drew the blanket up to her chin. Kissed her forehead. “Goodnight, my darling.” “Goodnight, Mommy.”

Valentina gave a nod for Silas to follow her. They left the room, softly closing the door behind them.

Silas stood with his back to the wall in the hallway. His legs were trembling. His eyes were moist.

"She's amazing," he said softly. "She is.

I... I don't know what to say.

Words aren’t necessary. Valentina folded her arms. “You need to act. You must be there. You must keep your promises. "You have to prove to her that she can trust you." "I'll do that.

“I hope so. Valentina's voice was low. "Because if you hurt her, Silas. If you break her heart like you broke mine, I'll destroy you. And I won’t need an army to do it.”

Silas looked at her. "I know," he said.

Good. Valentina passed him and went to the stairs. "Now go. See you next week. Same time.

“Valentina.

She halted. "Thanks," he said. "For giving me this opportunity. For telling me about her. For... everything."

Valentina didn't look back. "Don't thank me yet," she said. The real work is only now beginning.

And she went down stairs, and left Silas alone in the passage.

He stood before Aria's door again. Of the little girl sleeping in. To the daughter he never knew. “I’ll be back,” he whispered. "I promise you."

But this time he was serious.