3.

CLEO

A shiver raced down my back, the folder I was holding falling to the floor. Desperately, I turned towards the door, but Gabrielle caught up to me, insisting she would drive. 

Once she parked, I ran the whole length of the hospital without stopping, but he was already behind the doors when I arrived. 

A nurse caught me before I could push through into the room, her hands firm on my shoulders. “I'm sorry, Ms. Clark, you'll have to wait here.” 

I swallowed, and stood on the other side of those doors and shook. Gabrielle held me, allowing me to cry when the tears stained my cheeks. She sat beside me and we waited. 

It was almost three hours later Dr. Warren walked out of the room. My stomach dropped to the floor at the sombre expression on her face. 

“I'm sorry, but the chemotherapy cycle didn't last six months this time. The relapse window is narrowing faster than we projected. We don't believe Kyle's body can survive another round of chemotherapy, Cleo. We need to talk about a bone marrow transplant as a last option.”

“We're trying Warren. I swear we are. Is there anything we can do? Oh God, please help me.” I cried, my entire body tense with the anguish of it. 

“A biological parent would give us the strongest probability for a donor. Kyle's father should come in for a test."

My breathing became harsh, my chest squeezed hard. “I already told you his father isn't in the picture. Isn't there another choice?” 

"I understand that, but we are running out of time that Kyle doesn't have. We can't keep…"

"I understand," I said. "Thank you, Doctor."

Dr. Warren held my gaze for a moment longer, then walked away. My knees gave out.

Gabrielle caught me before I hit the floor, both arms around me, pulling me upright. I gripped her forearms and concentrated on breathing.

"Cleo, isn't it time we return to Blackfur?" She whispered carefully. 

The words tore out of me. "I can't go back there and beg Laurent Wright for anything. I begged enough four years ago, Gabrielle. I begged and it didn't matter. I don't have anything left in me to beg with."

Her hands tightened on mine. “Please, Cleo. If there's any chance that Laurent could be a match, we must take it.” 

I couldn't answer, my stomach twisted in razor-sharp knots. She shook me gently. "Cleo? Please.” She insisted. 

"I heard you," I whispered, pushing to my feet. 

My jaw tightened as I strengthened my shoulders, wiped the tears off and walked into Kyle's room.

I stood at the foot of his bed and looked at him. He was so small against the white sheets, his olive skin pale, his lashes still against his cheeks. 

His chest rose and fell in shallow breaths that made my throat seize. I thought about the letter in the trash in my office as I reached into my pocket and found the strands of his hair still there. I closed my fist around them. 

I had avoided it as long as I could. I had run as far away from Laurent as I could. 

There was no choice. I was going back to Blackfur Pack, back to the man who had broken me, and this time I was returning with the son he never knew he had.

The next morning, I sent an email to Henderson & Associates informing them that I would be returning home. 

I was almost certain Laurent Wright was well aware that his sick father was reaching out to me. 

How could he not be? As the eldest son and pack Alpha, all the family and pack correspondence needed his permission to be sent out. If he knew all along where I was, why didn't he ever reach out? 

My nervousness was officially gone, replaced with cold anger against him. 

Sighing, I pushed the dark thoughts away. Reminding myself this was all for Kyle, I made a chicken noodle soup for my son’s breakfast, and returned to the hospital. 

Kyle was awake, propped up against his pillows. It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen, matched only by the blinding smile that swept across his face. 

“Mama!” He called out, waving at me. 

My heart squeezed with joy. I kissed his forehead and set the bag down. “Hey, baby, how are you feeling? I brought you some chicken noodle soup.” 

His eyes went wide. “With ramen?” 

"Would I bring it without ramen?"

He giggled. "No, you would not."

I laughed, relieved that he was awake. I had cancelled all my appointments for the day to spend time with him. I helped feed him the warm soup.

When he was done, I settled beside him, and ran my hand through his hair. More clumps of hair fell out. I hid them in my fist, looking away. I didn't want Kyle to see me crying. 

But it was too late. He had already seen the tears gathering at the corner of my eyes. “Mama? I'm sick again, aren't I?” 

I never lied to him about his condition. I had always been honest, and much as I wanted to save him the pain, Kyle was too perceptive. 

“Yes, baby, but we're already working on it.” 

“Is it bad?” His own eyes filled with tears and it shattered my heart to a million pieces. He studied my face. “Are you scared, Mama?” 

I wiped my tears away roughly, then lifted his chin and wiped his away with my thumb. “I'm a little scared, sweetheart. But I'm also a doctor. I know what needs to be done, and I'm going to do it.” 

Even if it meant returning to Blackfur and begging Laurent Wright to save my son, I would do it.  

I caught him into my arms, tamping down the tide of distress breaking like a cold sweat on my skin. 

“Kyle? I'll be travelling for a few days. I'm going somewhere to get you some help.” I told him. 

“Where are you going?” 

"New York."

He flipped restlessly through the sketchbook. “Will you come back?” 

I took his face in both hands. "Kyle. I will always come back for you, always.” 

When Kyle laid back to rest, I replied to emails on my phone, and rescheduled my appointments for the next few days. I didn't know how long I would need to convince Laurent to help me, or if he would demand for a DNA test first. 

I sighed and stood. Kyle had fallen asleep on the bed. I pulled the sheets to his chin, then kissed his forehead and left the room. 

Once I got home, I began packing. When I was done packing, I went online to buy a flight ticket, but I saw there was an email from Henderson & Associates, sent an hour ago. 

Mr. Wright has arranged private transport for your return. A car will collect you tomorrow morning at nine to the private hanger. Please be ready.

A cold unease spread through my chest. Laurent was Alpha of Blackfur Pack. He ran his father's companies. He had resources I couldn't compete with. 

If he found out about Kyle and decided he wanted sole custody of Kyle, what chance did I have? I swallowed. I wouldn't allow him even if he tried. 

When I was done packing, I returned to the hospital with my boxes. I would leave for the hanger from the hospital so I could spend more time with Kyle. 

The next morning, the car arrived exactly at nine. I said my goodbye to Kyle. I kissed his cheeks and told him I loved him, and soon, we were off to the private hanger. 

I was not prepared for the Gulfstream Richard Wright had sent for me. My stomach turned over slowly as the plane touched down hours later. 

The hostess told me the driver was waiting to drive me to the pack house. 

There was a Maybach parked just beside the Gulfstream. 

And leaning against it, arms crossed, dressed entirely in black from his coat to his shoes was the man I'd spent years trying to forget. 

Laurent Wright hadn't sent a driver. 

He had come himself.