Chapter 3

I jolt up with shock as the Alpha strides down towards us with a few large steps. His eyes lingers on me but not for long. His furious face is directed to his son who’s now standing with a bowed head.

“What is the meaning of this, Henry?” Alpha Conan spits harshly at the child. “How many times have I warned you never to wander off without a word?”

Henry doesn’t say anything, only clasping his fingers together silently. I watch the interaction, feeling guilty for not trying to find the boy’s father as soon as I saw him alone. 

I want to say something but I don’t want to interfere with the father trying to reprimand his child for doing something wrong. As a parent, I know how hard it is when your child chooses not to listen to your instructions.

“I-I am sorry, Father.” Henry mutters, wringing the hem of his shirt. My heart breaks to see him like this. If only there is something I can do.

“Let’s go.” the Alpha grabs his son’s hand to leave, barely sparing me a glance.

Knowing he will only take Henry back home to be locked up with private tutors, I decide to say something. 

“You should let him hang out more with kids his age.” I speak up, unable to hold myself back any longer. “It will help him a lot to develop social skills.”  

My courage dwindles when the Alpha turns behind sharply with a sneer. It seems I have overstepped my boundaries.

“Are you trying to recommend your own child?” Alpha Conan snaps at me and I flinch slightly at his tone. “Focus on your work and don’t meddle in others’ family matters. Don’t think you can climb to the top through shortcuts.”

I stare at him, stunned by his words which suggest he must have taken my comment as a self-serving suggestion. Anger simmers within me silently. I can almost laugh at the irony of his statement. Did he even know that his own wife was out there meddling in other people’s families?

Not daring to argue with the Alpha, I bow with a quick apology. However, I find it hard to get rid of Henry’s hollow and lonely eyes when I first found him at the staircase. But before I can say anything more, my phone rings and I take it out of my pocket.

It’s Freda, my close friend and Henry’s teacher at school. I pick it up immediately.

“Maya.” The panic in her voice alerts me that something is amiss.

“Freda, what is the matter? Are you okay? Is Jayden okay?” I blurt out in my rush, fear gripping my heart already.

“Maya, you have to come to the school right now. Jayden is nowhere to be found.”

“What do you mean by that? Freda, I dropped my son off at school this morning and saw him enter through the gates.” My head is reeling with confusion. She must be mistaken. She had to be mistaken!

“I know, Maya. I saw him this morning as well but he’s not in school anymore.” 

I close my eyes, counting to ten and breathing through my mouth before I am able to speak again. “I’ll be there as soon as I can. Please, try to find my son.”  I hang up the call and look up at the Alpha who’s still standing in front of me.

“Pardon me, Alpha, but I must take my leave now.”

“Do what you must.” He nods and makes way for me.

Without a single glance back, I rush towards Jayden’s school, my heart racing with fear. I get there only to see Freda and other teachers outside.

“Freda, what’s going on? Where’s Jayden?” I ask, looking around but seeing no one but the teachers.

“Maya.” Freda sighs. “We couldn’t find him anywhere. I think he skipped classes.” 

“Skipped classes? There’s no way, Freda. This is Jayden, he’s the top of his class. Besides, how would a seven year old just leave the school premises without your knowledge?” I shake my head. “He must be around here somewhere. Let’s find him. You know he likes to be naughty sometimes.” 

“T-This isn’t the first time Jayden has been skipping class.” Freda lets out quietly.

It takes everything within me not to crumble from dizziness. I wrack my brain, trying to play back the past few days, trying to remember any signs or changes in my son. But I arrive at nothing.

Every morning had been normal. He never mentioned anything except complaining about the loads of homework he had to do.

With my panic rising, I try to reach my husband through the mate bond. I feel the connection a few minutes later.

‘Jonathan! Jayden is missing. I am in his school right now and they said he has been skipping classes for days now.’ I say through my mind.

‘You don’t need to worry, Maya. Just head home and wait there in case he comes back.’ Jonathan’s voice is calmer than I expected. Isn’t he worried that our seven year old son has been wandering to God knows where during school hours?

‘You don’t sound worried. Is Jayden with you there?’ I ask but the connection gets cut off.

“I am sure there is nothing serious. Everything will be fine.” Freda assures me but her words do nothing to assuage my worries when I have no idea where my son is at the moment.

I nod solemnly and head back home, having no other choice left in my hands. Anxiety and guilt gnawed on me. Had I been so busy that I missed something? Had I been neglecting Jayden’s needs without even realising it? Where did I go wrong?

Arriving home. I prayed for Jayden to pop out with a huge smile, telling me he is playing a prank on me. But the house is empty–just as we left it this morning.

“No, I can’t stay here without doing anything.” Shaking my head, I turn around to leave the house just as I see a postman standing by the door.

“Mrs Edwinson?” The postman, holding a package, asks and I nod my head.

“A package has arrived for Jayden Edwinson.” He says before handing me the carton. 

I look down with confusion before signing the paper and closing the door behind me. The Alpha’s crest is on the package and underneath is written a birthday present from Luna Samira. A birthday present? But Jayden’s birthday was over a week ago.

Why is she just sending the present now? How did she even know about his birthday? I’m so confused.

Before I can process what’s happening, the front door opens. Luna Samira walks in and two others follow behind her–Jonathan and Jayden. My son has a huge smile on his face as he enters the house holding Jonathan’s and Samira’s hand.

In shock, I get up from the sofa, wondering if my eyes are playing tricks on me. My heart drops with conflicting feelings. I’m relieved to see Jayden fine and unharmed but confused with the Luna’s presence in my home. And with the familiarity she used to walk inside my house.

“Y-You found him?” I question the Luna, wanting to understand the situation better. Maybe Jonathan had told her Jayden went missing and she used her influence to find his location.

She blinks up at me innocently with confusion.  “Found? Oh no.We were at the amusement park–the one Jayden always wanted to visit. That’s where we’ve been going for the past week.” 

My head spins, finding it hard to process that piece of information. “E-Excuse me?” I stutter, the shock vibrating through my body too intense to let out more than that.

“Yes. Funny, you never even asked where he was. Maybe you should try caring a little more about your child? It’s a relief he was with me. What if he had been someone else?” 

I freeze with clenched fists, bitter anger surging up my chest.