Chapter 3

Chapter 3

LUMINA

"Mommy, will Daddy really come to my birthday?"

Ollie's hopeful eyes broke my heart as I helped him wear his coat.

It was another doctor's appointment, which meant another day of tests and worried looks from medical professionals who couldn't find out what was draining the life from my son.

"He promised, sweetheart," I said, adjusting his scarf as I dusted it down as well. It was very cold for this time of year, and Ollie's condition made him sensitive to temperature changes and a lot weaker too.

"Like he promised last time?" He stated although it didn't sound like an accusation, only a firm reality that carried disappointment in his tone.

I knelt, taking his small hands in mine. "I'm going to make sure he's there. This will be your best birthday ever."

His smile, although it was weaker than it used to be, filled his pale face as he looked hopeful. "Can we have chocolate cake with dinosaurs on it?"

"Absolutely. And ice cream too."

"And will Riley be there?" The question made me freeze as I stopped in my track.

"Do... do you want Riley to come?"

Ollie shrugged, looking down at his shoes. "Maybe if Riley comes, Daddy will stay longer."

I was hurt at the realization that Ollie had come to the realization of what was truly precious to Xen. That he might spend some time with his father if only he shared with Riley.

"We'll see," I managed to say taking his hand. "Let's not keep Dr. Martinez waiting."

The hospital was quiet for a Thursday morning. Dr. Martinez, a small woman with kind blue eyes who had become our most trusted help and support in the past months, was waiting for us.

"Hey there, brave guy," she greeted Ollie with a high-five that he returned. "Ready for our adventure today?"

Ollie nodded his head although he didn't look happy one bit. He'd become too familiar with these "adventures."

While a nurse took Ollie for his blood draw, Dr. Martinez pulled me aside.

"I talked with a colleague from the Northern Packs," she said quietly. "He is very knowledgeable in magical ailments. Based on Ollie's symptoms, he thinks this might be an energy siphon."

"A what?"

"A magical connection that drains life force from one being to another. They're rare, usually forbidden magic. Has Ollie been around anyone new in the past year who might have reason to harm him?"

I immediately thought of Sophia and Riley. Their arrival in the pack matched perfectly well with the start of Ollie's mysterious illness.

"There's my husband's... friend. And her son."

Dr. Martinez eyes got darker as she narrowed her eyes. "The rumors about the Alpha and his—"

"Yes," I cut her off, not needing to hear it spoken aloud. "They came to the pack about a year ago. That's when Ollie started getting sick."

"I need to meet them. Observe them with Ollie. If there is a siphon, it would be stronger when they're in proximity."

I nodded, already regretting and not looking forward to the conversation with Dominic. He was very protective of Sophia and Riley, dismissive of any suggestion that they might not be as innocent as he thought they were.

Later that evening, after putting Ollie to bed early—he was exhausted from the hospital visit—I was surprised to hear Xen car in the driveway. He barely made it home before ten these days.

He entered looking tired, and more exhausted than I have seen him in a while. For a moment, I remembered the man I'd married. Before Sophia's return had turned him into something I barely recognized.

"You're home early," I said, setting aside the medical reports I'd been reviewing.

"Thought I'd check on Ollie." He loosened his tie, his eyes moving toward the stairs. "How was the doctor's visit?"

"They still don't know what's wrong." I hesitated, for a moment, wondering if I should tell him. then pressed on. "Dr. Martinez thinks it might be magical in nature. An energy siphon."

Dominic frowned after hearing this. "That's serious magic. Who would target a child?"

"She wants to observe Ollie with Sophia and Riley. To see if there's a connection."

He closed off immediately as I could see the fury that was scribbled all over his face as he tensed up shaking his head.

"Absolutely not. You can't possibly think Sophia would harm our son."

"I'm not accusing anyone. But Ollie got sick when they arrived, and he's getting worse every day by day. I can't wait any longer and watch him die before my eyes. We need to consider every possibility."

"No." He growled as his eyes flashed red for a moment before he continued speaking in his Alpha tone. "Sophia and Riley are under my protection. I won't have them subjected to suspicion and tests like common criminals."

I stood, anger flooding my body as I clenched my fist trying to control myself from lashing out.. "Our son is dying, Xenois! While you're playing happy families with another woman and her child, your own flesh and blood is slipping away!"

For a moment, he looked hurt and I could feel the bond between us , he was hurting from my words. This was the first time I had felt any string emotions from Xen since Riley and Sophia came here.

"He's not dying," he said, but he sounded uncertain of his words.

"Come see for yourself. When was the last time you really looked at him? He's pale, thin, and constantly tired. The doctors are running out of options."

Xen ran a hand through his hair, conflicted as he spoke "I have responsibilities, Lumina. The pack, the company, the city—"

"And what about your responsibility to your son?" I stepped closer, stepping closer to him. As my eyes searched his face trying to find any small recognition of the man she loved and respected.

"Ollie's birthday is next week. He's been telling everyone his daddy promised to be there."

His eyes shifted from mine as he looked away. It was filled with something? Uncertainty?. Guilt? Or was it because Riley's birthday was the same day?

"I'll be there," he said finally. "I promised him."

"The whole day," I insisted shaking my head.

"Not just an hour before you run off to Riley's party."

His head went up as he widened his eyes in surprise. "How did you know about that?"

"This is a small pack, Xen. People talk." I crossed my arms. "Ollie deserves one day where he comes first."

He kept quiet as I could see the internal struggle that he was going through, that was apparent on his face. Then he nodded once. "I'll be there for Ollie. The whole day."