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Chapter 23

Author: Benita’s pen
last update Last Updated: 2025-08-21 05:14:12
Serena

It started with laughter.

Not mine.

Ari’s.

the kind of laughter that didn’t belong inside a cold estate like this.

It pulled me from the window.

I stepped out onto the stone balcony and looked down toward the stables.

And there they were.

Kael and Ari.

My son sat on a small dark bay horse, reins held in one tiny fist, the other clutching Kael’s sleeve as the Alpha led the animal in slow, careful circles.

Ari was beaming, legs too short to reach the stirrups, his laughter ricocheting off the walls like magic.

Kael said something, and Ari shouted, “Again!”

And Kael, Kael laughed.

Not a smirk. Not a scoff.

A real laugh.

I hadn’t heard it in years.

It didn’t sound royal. Or proud. Or guarded.

It sounded human.

I leaned against the rail, arms crossed, heart tangled.

I’d told myself I would keep my distance. That I’d never fall for this again.

But it was getting harder not to look.

—

Later that morning, Ari begged to go back to the stables.
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