Chapter 5

Kaida Pov

“Mama, do you think Papa would come home as he promised?”

My hand paused on Leo’s head.

For once, I couldn’t say the usual words.

It had been days since the last argument. Tomorrow was the pack’s first snow festival… and Leo’s sixth birthday.

Little Leo stared at me with so much hope.

“Papa wouldn’t break his promise, right? He will come…”

His eyes rolled and his voice slowly faded as sleep took him.

I stared at his face tiredly. He had grown thinner. Too thin that I sometimes worry that he would get blown away.

I sighed, “Just a few days more…” I muttered softly.

My throat tightened, but my eyes felt dry. I have cried too much these past days.

I brushed his hair away from his forehead.

“Why can’t it be me?” I whispered. “Why does it have to be you?”

My fingers trembled against his cheek.

“I’m sorry,” I choked. “Mama can’t even give you this one wish…”

I stood slowly and pulled the blanket over him.

But just as I turned to leave, a small sob stopped me.

“P..papa… come play in the snow…”

I turned to check on him. A tear slid from the corner of his eye.

My chest tightened.

Even in his dreams… he still called for his father.

I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes, drained of my strength.

“Moon Goddess… just this once. Let him be happy tomorrow. Just once.”

***

The Next Morning…

“Happy sixth birthday, baby!”

I hugged Leo tightly as he woke.

His laughter filled the room, bright and pure that it made me forget every negative thing.

“Mama! It’s snowing!”

He jumped out of bed and ran to the window excitedly.

Snow covered the ground in soft white.

I quietly watched him with a smile. Then as if he thought of something, his eyes lit up.

“Mama, hurry! Take my bath! We need to meet with Papa soon!”

He ran toward the washroom before I could answer.

The smile on my face froze. I stood there, my heart pounding.

Does Ken even remember what today is?

I swallowed and glanced at my phone.

No message.

No call.

“Sigh.” I followed Leo quietly.

***

The snowflakes fell from the sky, but I didn't have the will to admire the beauty as my concern was the shivering Leo who had insisted on waiting for his father so we could all enter the hall together.

I could hear the loud cheers inside and I knew the festival had begun. But, Ken was nowhere to be seen.

I crunched down and tightened Leo's sweater on his body and my fingers couldn't help but tremble when I touched his cold body.

“Leo, it's so cold outside. Why don't we go in first? Papa would meet us inside.” I suggested worriedly as I stared at his pale face.

“No. Papa promised Leo. He is on his way.”

He sucked his chapped lips.

My eyes stung.

“Don’t you want to watch the festival? See, everyone has gone in. Why don't—”

“No, Mama. L-leo has to wait here so p—Papa can see me. H… he is coming.. Papa promised.” He shivered but remained stubborn.

I gave up, stood behind him and secretly called Ken again.

But just like always, Voicemail.

I clenched the phone, “Please… don’t do this to him,” I whispered.

Then—

The sound of an engine roared.

Leo’s pale face lit up the moment he saw the car from afar.

“Papa!”

My heart skipped.

He ran on the snow towards the car excitedly.

For a second, relief filled me when I saw Ken walk down from the car.

But then, it vanished like it never existed.

I looked at Audrey who stood beside him, and then Samantha who rested in his arms.

Leo who had rushed to him froze.

The air fell silent.

“Papa…?” Leo’s voice was small. “Are you here to take me to the festival? You came for my birthday, right?”

His eyes dropped to Samantha in Ken’s arms.

My body trembled. I stepped forward quickly and pulled Leo behind me then faced Ken.

“Why did you bring them?” I demanded. “You promised him. Just this one day, Ken!”

“Kaida,” Audrey said gently, “don’t blame the Alpha. He only wants to fulfil his role as a father to both of them.”

I shot her a glare.

“What—”

“Enough,” Ken cut in.

He looked at Leo calmly.

“Leo, I came as I promised. I’ll take you with me to the festival.”

Leo’s eyes lit up.

“But first,” Ken continued, “you will apologise to Samantha for pushing her.”

The hope in Leo’s face cracked.

“P..Papa?”

“Ken!” I shouted.

“You have no right to speak when I discipline my son,” he said coldly. “You spoil him. He lies and refuses to admit his mistake.”

“Don’t speak to him like that!” I snapped. “He did nothing wrong! Samantha called him a bastard first!”

“You’re still defending him?” Ken’s voice rose.

He stepped closer, but I didn’t move.

“I already agreed to this ridiculous illness story of yours,” he said flatly. “I played along.”

My cold fingers curled stiffly.

“But don’t forget your place,” he continued. “You are nothing to me and have no say in what I do.”

My eyes burned.

“He is your son,” I said hoarsely.

“Samantha is also my daughter.”

The words hit like a slap.

Ken turned to Leo.

“For the last time. Apologise.”

Leo’s pale lips trembled.

“No… Papa. I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Apologise to your sister!”

“She is not my sister!” Leo cried. “I didn’t push her! Papa… please believe me…”

Silence filled the cold air.

Ken’s face hardened.

“Very well. Since you choose to be stubborn, there will be no birthday. No snow festival. I dislike disobedient children.”

And then he began to walk towards the hall.

My breathing turned uneven, my eyes stung bitterly.

Behind me, I suddenly heard a strange sound.

I turned sharply and to my shock, Leo was swaying.

“Leo?”

His face was turning blue.

My heart dropped.

“Leo! Baby— no… no…”

I rushed to him as his knees gave way.

I caught him before he hit the cold floor.

“Breathe… baby, breathe!” I cried.

His chest moved fast, too fast.

Then slower.

“Leo! Look at Mama!”

“M..mama…”

“I’m here! I’m here!”

His cold fingers clutched weakly at my clothes.

I pressed my hand to his chest.

“Hold on! Mama will take you to the hospital!”

I put him down with shaking arms then ran out without bothering with the snow that slapped my face.

Ken was still there, about to walk in.

Hope flashed through me.

“Ken!” I screamed, running toward him

I cried out.

“Leo can’t breathe! He’s collapsing! Please!”

Ken paused then turned around.

I could barely speak.

“Leo’s heart… he’s not breathing well. Please, help me!”

Ken’s face changed for a second, and he reached out to give Samantha to Audrey.

But then—

Audrey sighed.

“Luna, must you go this far just to avoid apologising?”

My head snapped toward her.

“What?”

“He was fine a moment ago. Now he’s dying? Do you think we’re fools?”

My mouth opened but no words came out.

I looked at Ken.

His expression grew cold again.

“Our son is dying!” I cried. “Just trust me this once!”

I fell to my knees on the snow.

“Please…”

Ken shook his head slowly.

“Again. You disgust me. I regret agreeing to marry you.”

Then he turned.

He left.. His back, cold and ruthless.

“Ken!!!” I called anxiously.

They didn't look back.

For a moment, I couldn’t move.

Then I remembered— Leo.

I ran back to where I placed him.

“Baby… can you hear Mama?”

I held him close. His body was beginning to go stiff.

“Stay with me. Mama won’t let anything happen to you.”

I looked around, in the hope that I would find someone. But all I could hear was loud music and cheers.

I sobbed desperately. With gritted teeth, I stood up with him in my arms and ran

My legs moved so fast on the cold snow. My breathing echoed under the sky as my tears froze on my face.

I needed to get him to the hospital.

Then, I suddenly felt a small tug on my clothes.

I looked down as I ran.

Leo’s eyes were half-open.

“M-Mama… painful…”

My vision blurred.

“Don’t speak. We’re going to the hospital.”

“P..papa…”

My hand tightened around his.

“He… hates Leo… Papa don’t go…”

“No,” I whispered. “Don’t say that.”

His breathing grew ragged.

“Mama… still want… snow… with Papa…”

“Enough, baby. Save your breath. Please… we’re almost at the hospital.”

I cried while running.

Finally, I sighted the hospital, and without waiting, my legs ran faster.

“Help! Please, help check him! Healer!

I screamed and the moment I got to the entrance, my knees gave up.

My knees scraped the snow, but I couldn't care about that.

I held little Leo’s shivering body closer to my chest.

“Help! Please! Check on him!” I screamed again.

But when I looked down, my voice faded.

Leo’s face had turned from pale white to purple. The snow on his face melted and it mixed with his tears.

My body shook.

“Leo. Look at me. It’s Mama.” I mumbled.

“Mama… Papa doesn’t… want Leo…”

“Stop,” I cried. “Papa will come. Just breathe.”

But his body grew heavier.

“P—Papa… Leo is sorry.. I’ll apologise.. P..papa…”

His breathing slowed.

Then—it stopped.

The air was silent.

“Leo?”

I touched his face.

Cold.

My fingers trembled as I placed them under his nose.

Nothing.

“Leo?”

My heart pounded loudly in my ears.

“Answer Mama…”

He didn’t move.

“Leo…?” I stumbled out.

Silence.

A scream tore out of my throat.

“AHHH!!!”