Looking back

CLARK POV

The bright sun shone over me while I strolled through the palace gardens in the company of Lorenzo. The flowers appeared exceptionally bright and cheerful against the gray weight in my heart. I knew my life and my husband's chaos threatened to ruin that moment, and I tried to give my son the chance to really savor it-to really be free of such baggage.

“Look at those roses, Mom!” Lorenzo pointed with enthusiasm toward a bush full of flowers, face shining with the excitement of life. The sight of his joy gave me a smile.

“Aren't they beautiful?” I said, kneeling in front of him. “Just like you, strong and full of life.”

While we admired the flowers, my eyes strayed across the garden. What I saw received my attention-a figure far ahead. As I squinted against the sun, my heart plummeted: it was Sarah. She stood with Lawrence, and her face bore the expression of wrath.

“Lawrence, you need to listen to me!” she shouted with invective, shattering the tranquillity of her surroundings. “I told you not to associate with that woman!”

Lawrence looked small and weak, staring at his mother in confusion, hurt glistening in his eyes. “But Mom, I just wanted to train! Clark is helping me!”

Disbelief stirred within me: what mother acted that way toward her son? My heart broke for him. I turned back to Lorenzo, who was now watching with wide eyes. “Stay here, sweetheart. I will be talking to Sarah.”

Before he could protest, I turned towards them, my heart racing. “Sarah!” I shouted loudly to maintain some semblance of calmness. “What are you doing?”

She spun around, surprised at my approach. "Clark ! None of your business!" she yelled, her face red with anger.

"It is my business when I see you abusing your own son!" I retorted, raising my voice. "He deserves better than this!"

Lawrence looked at me, almost pleading, and I could read the hurt in his eyes. "I just wanted to learn," he said softly.

"Sarah, you can't do this to him!" I pressed, moving in closer. "He's just a boy who needs your support, not your anger."

"Mind your own business!" Sarah screamed, condescendingly. "You don't know what's best for him!"

I just stood there, with great shock and disappointment filling my heart. "You're right; I don't know what's best for him. But I do know that pushing him away is not it."

I was going to continue my rebuttal, but suddenly I felt a wave of frustration over me. This was neither the time nor place to be having confrontations. I needed to walk out of here, just for a moment, and collect myself. "Come on, Lorenzo," I said softly, taking his hand and walking him away.

A few paces away, I turned my back on Sarah and her shouts so as to shield Lorenzo from negativity. "Let's go find David," I suggested, hoping I could direct his thoughts to a happier topic.

"Okay, Mom," was Lorenzo's immediate reply, but concern still shaded his eyes.

As we walked through the palace, the tension in my chest started to loosen. But as we neared the courtyard, I noticed David in conversation with Jax, and it looked serious. I slowed my steps, curious as to what they were discussing.

“Watch out for her, David,” Jax warned, the tone low and commanding. “Because Sarah is our Luna, and you better not forget.”

I gasped internally at this, and his words sent a thrill of excitement zinging through me. David did not react. He was loyal as they came, a staunch Beta for the pack; it was shocking to me that he could speak this way. “What do you mean exactly?” he said, his voice steady. “Clark deserves better than what she has received."

"Just don't let yourself care too much," Jax warned him. "You know how Sarah can be. She'll defend whatever it is she thinks is hers without a second thought."

I listened, feeling my heart sinking. They were talking about me. I was being dissected by their conversation, leaving me quite vulnerable. I took a step closer, determined to confront the two.

"David!" I called out, and both men turned and looked at me in surprise, their expressions saying it all.

"Clark ," David said, his voice softening just a little more. "I didn't know you were here."

"Well, neither did I," I said, darting my gaze between the two of them. "Unfortunately, I happened to overhear part of your conversation. I wanted to thank you for everything you have been doing for us lately."

David's eyes betrayed that his composure had been shaken. "The only compensation you can give me is to take care of Lady Seraphina," he said. "She helped me when I first became Beta. Now it is my turn to pay back this debt."

I blinked, surprised. "But... Lady Seraphina is sick. How can I help her when I am busy protecting my son?"

"You can do it, Clark ," he pressed, taking another step towards me. "You are strong. You have already been through so much. She needs someone who can care for her, and you hold that compassion in your heart.”

His words sent a rush of emotion through me. "Why should you want me to do this?" I managed to ask, my voice quaking.

"Because I believe in you," he said sincerely. "And because I know that if anyone can make a difference, it's you. Lady Seraphina deserves love and care, just as you do for your son."

I nodded slowly, feeling the full weight of his words. "I'll do it," I said, my voice steady. "I'll help her."

"Good," he said, some relief flickering on his face. "But be careful. Sarah's watching. She'd do anything to keep her position, even if it means hurting people around her."

I looked back, heart racing. "I know. But she will not control me or my son. I will fight."

"Just be careful," Jax said, a grave look on his face. "This is a lot of risk, and you're not alone in this. We're all here for you."

"Thank you, Jax," I said, grateful for their concern. "I cannot tell you how much it means."

In that moment, though, I was filled with determination. I wouldn't let Sarah's cruelty control my life. I will fight for my son, for Lady Seraphina, and for myself.

Casting a glance back at Lorenzo, who had been watching quietly, I declared, "Let's go find Lady Seraphina. We have work to do.”

As we walked away, I felt the weight of the world shift slightly. I was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, and I would not back down. Sarah might think she could control everything, but I would show her the strength of a mother who would do anything for her child.