2

Years Later...

“Mummy, mummy, mummy!” Lorgan’s tiny voice rang through the living room as he dashed past the sofa.

Lisa chased after him, her twin braids flying, while Liam stood by the table with his toy truck, watching them both with a mix of amusement and judgment far too mature for his five years. My triplets, my heart in three little bodies.

I couldn’t help but smile as I watched them. It had been six years since I left the Drogomor Pack and disappeared into the human world. Six years since I rebuilt my life from scratch.

Now, I was a teacher, Miss Hale, the kind one, as the kids at school called me. Life was simple, peaceful, and beautifully ordinary. I loved waking up to the smell of pancakes and the sound of my children’s laughter instead of growls and orders. The world I had once run from now felt like a distant nightmare.

“Alright babies,” I said playfully, scooping up Lisa into my arms. “If you don’t stop running around, we’ll be late for school.”

“Mummy, Lorgan spilled juice on my drawing!” she complained, waving a half-damp paper.

“I didn’t do it on purpose!” Lorgan protested, his big eyes pleading for mercy.

I sighed, amused. “You three are going to turn my hair grey before I even turn thirty.”

They giggled, and for a moment, everything felt perfect, too perfect.

A gentle knock came from the door.

It opened before I could answer, and a tall man with kind eyes and a soft smile stepped in, holding a small bouquet of lilies which are my favorite.

“Good morning, sunshine,” he greeted, leaning against the doorway. “And good morning to my little troublemakers.”

“Uncle Adrian!” the kids chorused, running to hug him.

He chuckled, setting the flowers down before lifting Liam easily into his arms. “You’re getting heavy, buddy. Are you eating all the cookies again?”

Liam laughed, hiding his face in Adrian's neck.

I smiled at the sight, my kids adored him, and honestly, I did too. Kylian had been in our lives for four years now. He’d started as a friend, someone who helped me find my footing in the human world, but somewhere along the way, he’d become more.

Last week, he had proposed to me, right here in this very living room. Nothing fancy, nothing loud. Just him, me, the kids, and a chocolate cake that said Will you marry me, Miss Hale? in shaky icing letters. I had laughed until I cried, and when I said yes, the kids started cheering like they’d just won a soccer match.

Now, every time I caught a glimpse of the ring on my finger, my heart did this small flutter, not from disbelief anymore, but from peace. Real, quiet peace. The kind I never thought I’d have again.

Adrian’s voice broke through my thoughts.

“Earth to Miss Elena Hale,” he said with a teasing grin, snapping his fingers gently in front of me. “You’ve been staring at that ring for a good minute now. Planning to marry it instead of me?”

I blinked, startled out of my daydream, then laughed softly. “Maybe. The ring doesn’t leave socks all over the floor.”

He gasped dramatically as he walked closer to me, placing a hand over his heart. “Ouch. Low blow, sunshine. I thought we agreed to never bring up my tragic laundry habits in front of the children.”

“Oh, well.” I chuckled as I placed my hands on his shoulders, tilting my head up to meet his gaze. “Someone has to keep you humble.”

He smirked, that teasing spark dancing in his brown eyes. “And here I thought you loved me just the way I am.”

“I do,” I whispered, smiling softly. “But I love a clean floor too.”

Before he could reply, I rose on my toes and kissed him deeply as his hand slid to the small of my back. For a moment, the noise of the world faded away, no spilled juice, no school rush, no past lurking behind me. Just him and the quiet warmth that made everything feel right.

Of course, that peace didn’t last long.

“Ewwww!” Lisa squealed, covering her eyes dramatically. “Mummy’s kissing Uncle Adrian again!”

Lorgan burst into laughter, clapping his hands. “They’re in love!” he announced proudly, as if it were breaking news.

Even little Liam joined in, giggling as he pointed at us. “Kissy-face!"

I pulled away quickly, laughing as my cheeks flushed pink. “Alright, that’s enough commentary, you three.”

Adrian chuckled and pressed a quick kiss to my forehead before turning toward the kitchen. “Alright, children, breakfast time! Who’s ready for pancakes?”

That earned a loud cheer from all three. They dashed toward the kitchen like a pack of hungry children, nearly knocking over a chair in the process. I followed, shaking my head and smiling.

The smell of vanilla and butter soon filled the air as Adrian made the pancakes with ease. I poured juice into their cups and sliced strawberries into a bowl, the kind of simple routine that had somehow become my favorite part of the day.

Lisa sat beside Liam, humming to herself, while Lorgan tried to sneak chocolate chips into his plate when he thought I wasn’t looking.

“Lorgan!,” I said in my best teacher voice.

He froze, mid-scoop, grinning sheepishly. “It was just one.”

Adrian laughed. “A growing boy needs energy, right, buddy?”

“See, Uncle Adrian gets it!” Lorgan beamed, earning a dramatic sigh from me.

“You’re both impossible,” I muttered, though my heart felt full.

When everyone finally sat down, the kitchen filled with happy chatter, stories about school, the twins’ new song for class, Liam’s obsession with trucks. It was messy and noisy.

I was helping Lisa wipe syrup off her fingers when a faint knock sounded again.

“Who could that be this early?” I murmured, wiping my hands on a towel.

Adrian frowned lightly and glanced at the door. “I’ll get it.” He said as he stood up and walked towards the doorway.

Adrian called from the doorway with his tone curious. “Babe!”

I looked up from where I was helping Liam button his shirt. “What is it?”

“There’s a letter here for you,” he said, glancing over his shoulder. “Delivery man says it’s important.”

A letter? My brows furrowed. Hardly anyone sent letters anymore. Most of my correspondence—school work, bills, everything, came through email.

“Coming,” I said, wiping my hands and walking toward the door.

The man standing outside wore a dark blue cap with the company logo stitched neatly in white. He held a brown envelope, sealed and slightly creased at the corners.

“Miss Elena Hale?” he asked, checking his clipboard.

“That’s me.”

He nodded and handed over a pen. “Please sign here, ma’am.”

I took the pen and scribbled my signature across the paper. The man nodded politely, handed me the envelope, and walked away without another word.

“Who’s it from?” Adrian asked, leaning against the doorframe with a curious look.

“I don’t know,” I murmured, staring at the envelope. It had no return address, just my name written in bold, sharp handwriting.

Something about it felt… wrong.

I shut the door slowly and carried it to the table. The kids were too busy arguing about who got the biggest pancake to notice the sudden chill in my movements.

Adrian came closer, his brow furrowing. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” I said softly. “Probably just from the school board or something.”

But my heart said otherwise.

I tore the envelope open and my eyes wide opened in shock

Inside was a single folded paper, the edges were crisp and clean, as though it had been handled with care. My name was written again at the top, but below it…..

The company’s logo- Drogomor Enterprises — was boldly encrypted across the letterhead.

I read the content

'Miss Elena Hale,

By order of Drogomor Enterprises and its governing council, you are hereby summoned to return to Drogomor territory within five days.

Failure to comply will result in irreversible actions.'

A small, humorless smile tugged at the corner of my lips. Dominic! Dominic was summoning me. The nerve of him to think he still has an hold on me after so manh years.

I folded the letter neatly and set it on the table, as if it were nothing more than a grocery receipt. The air around me felt different, colder, but I didn’t let it touch me.

“Bad news?” Adrian asked softly, watching my face.

I shook my head. “Just... a reminder that ghosts love attention.”

He frowned, confused. “Do you need me to...”

"No baby, it's nothing worth your attention, our attention!" I said with a calm smile.