-"Reckoning Silk"
The next morning arrived cloaked in storm-gray clouds. I stood in the kitchen with a cup of tea pressed to my lips, but I couldn’t taste it. The clock ticked too loud. Jonathan hadn’t come home. And I didn’t care.
Jayden sat on the couch with a blanket around his shoulders, half-asleep, cartoons flickering in his eyes. My body ached to go to him. To kiss his head, to apologize for yelling, to explain everything. But some things couldn’t be softened by warmth. Some truths cut too deep.
My phone buzzed.
Conan: The thread unraveled faster than expected. You’ll want to see this.
Attached was a video. I hesitated, heart stuttering. Then tapped.
The screen opened to grainy surveillance footage. A school hallway. Luna. She was speaking to the vice principal. She handed him a thick envelope, discreet, b
Alpha Conan’s POVThe evening sun dipped low behind the palace walls, casting everything in a burnt orange glow. I sat at my office desk, elbows resting on the polished wood, my fingers rubbing my temples. The papers before me blurred together in a meaningless mess of ink and signatures. I couldn’t focus on anything after this morning.Henry slept peacefully in his room now, curled under his wolf-print blanket, his small hands clutching his stuffed bear. The image of him up that tree haunted me all day, the way his little voice broke when he said he wanted to stay there forever.How could I have neglected my own son this much?My eyes drifted to my phone on the table. Maya’s name sat there, unanswered. I had called her before dawn, and she didn’t pick up. I called again after breakfast, and again after lunch. Each time, my chest tightened a little more.
Alpha Conan’s POVThe horses whinnied softly as we entered the palace stables. Warm air, thick with the scent of hay, leather, and animal musk, wrapped around us, chasing away the chill of dawn. The torches flickered along the wooden walls, casting gentle shadows over the horses in their stalls. Henry’s small hand tightened around mine, his excitement trembling through his little fingers.“Which one do you want to see first, buddy?” I asked, bending down to meet his sleepy eyes.He blinked up at me, his lashes heavy from waking up so early, but his brown eyes glowed with wonder. “Storm,” he whispered shyly.I chuckled softly, ruffling his dark hair that stuck up in uneven tufts. “Storm it is.”We walked down the narrow stable aisle, the old wood creaking under our boots. Horses poked their heads out of their stalls,
Alpha Conan’s POVI walked swiftly down the dim hallway, my boots thudding against the polished marble floor. My wolf paced anxiously inside me, his golden eyes scanning every shadow. The palace felt too silent, too empty without Henry’s laughter echoing through its walls.Find him, my wolf growled, his tail lashing with agitation. He is ours to protect.I pushed open Henry’s bedroom door. The scent of vanilla soap and fresh hay greeted me, the smell of his small body mixing with the stuffed animals he tucked against his pillow at night. The covers were thrown aside. His tiny shoes lay abandoned near the dresser.“Henry?” I called out softly, stepping into the room.Silence.My wolf sniffed the air, ears flicking forward. He’s not here, he murmured, disappointment curling his lip. But his scent is fresh. He
Alpha Conan’s POVThe halls of the palace felt colder than usual tonight. I walked slowly towards my chambers, my boots echoing off the polished stone floor. The meeting with Darius left a bitter taste in my mouth, like rotting leaves after rain. Someone was playing us, stirring war where there was none. My wolf paced with restless fury inside me, his claws clicking against the floor of my mind.We will find them, he growled, his golden eyes narrowed with rage. And when we do, their death will be slow.I didn’t reply. My mind was too heavy with thoughts of Maya’s last message. Her words replayed over and over, each repetition tightening a rope around my chest.She was leaving. Why would she just leave? And what the hell did she mean by I shouldn't contact her again?I clenched my fists, feeling my claws pierce my palms. I had sent her so many messages, but she didn't reply to one. All my calls to her kept going to voicemail.Blood dripped silently from my hands onto the marble floor a
Maya’s POVBy the time we reached the bus station, the first light of dawn was breaking across the sky, painting the clouds with pale pink and faded gold. My feet felt numb, every step sending stabbing pain up my calves. Jayden slept heavily against my shoulder, his warm breath tickling my neck.The station was quiet. Only a few people sat on the rusted metal benches, hunched over their bags with tired, resigned eyes. A mother nursed her crying baby in the corner. Two old men sat side by side, their heads bowed in sleep. The smell of old oil and damp concrete clung to the cold morning air.I lowered Jayden carefully onto one of the benches. He curled onto his side without waking, hugging his backpack to his chest like a teddy bear. My wolf flicked her tail, watching him with soft, glowing eyes.I sat beside him, rubbing my frozen fingers together for warmth. Every muscle in my body throbbed with exhaustion, but I couldn’t let myself sleep now.My phone buzzed weakly in my pocket. Its b
Maya’s POVThe cold night air stung my cheeks as I walked down the narrow dirt road, Jayden’s small hand tucked tightly in mine. The moon shone bright above us, its pale light washing the world in silver and shadow. I pulled my scarf tighter around my head, trying to hide my scent as much as possible.My wolf flicked her tail nervously inside me. Keep moving, she urged, her ears pinned back. Don’t stop or think. Just move.But my thoughts refused to quiet down. Each step felt heavy, like dragging iron chains behind me. My phone buzzed in my pocket again, vibrating so hard it felt like an alarm against my leg. I knew who it was without looking.Alpha Conan.My wolf growled softly, pacing inside me. Don’t answer. We can’t turn back now.I clenched my teeth, my fingers tightening around Jayden’s hand. He stumbled a little, sleepy and dragging his small feet across the rough road.“Mommy… I’m tired,” he mumbled, rubbing his eyes with his free hand.“I know, baby,” I whispered, stopping for